Needing help on setup

[Govols83]

Hello all! I am in a dilemma and need some help. Here is my setup currently

24 ZR2 1500
Peak 2.25" level kit with rear blocks

We have just purchased a travel trailer, and I am trying to get my truck tow- ready for it. 6300 lbs dry weight. I am planning on doing 8-balls airbag setup that he did, and I am also wanting to switch out my leaf springs for the Deaver R81 setup so I can get rid of the lift blocks all together and have a better ride unloaded. My question is, has anyone been lifted 1" (over factory ZR2) and ran the airbag setup? My only concern is that the cradles will be 1" further away from the airbags, but i don't forsee that being an issue. Am I missing something here?

 

[8ball_99]

As long as you go with the cradles it "shouldn't" matter about it sitting a little taller. You might actually be ok with just running a trailboss kit along with cradles if the new springs lift you up enough. The only reason I ended up using the standard upper mounts along with TB bags was the TB bag upper mounts hung down to much. TB kit along with cradles might actually work well with you lifting the rear with new springs.

 

[Govols83]

As long as you go with the cradles it "shouldn't" matter about it sitting a little taller. You might actually be ok with just running a trailboss kit along with cradles if the new springs lift you up enough. The only reason I ended up using the standard upper mounts along with TB bags was the TB bag upper mounts hung down to much. TB kit along with cradles might actually work well with you lifting the rear with new springs.

Thank you sir. Any idea what the height difference was with the trail boss upper mounts vs the standard mounts?

 

[Govols83]

As long as you go with the cradles it "shouldn't" matter about it sitting a little taller. You might actually be ok with just running a trailboss kit along with cradles if the new springs lift you up enough. The only reason I ended up using the standard upper mounts along with TB bags was the TB bag upper mounts hung down to much. TB kit along with cradles might actually work well with you lifting the rear with new springs.

Also, should have mentioned that the lift is 1" over stock

 

[8ball_99]

Thank you sir. Any idea what the height difference was with the trail boss upper mounts vs the standard mounts?

I don't remember off the top of my head. It's probably pretty close to 1" though Maybe a little more. Here is pictures of the Longer TB brackets and the shorter standard brackets.

 

[AXE]

You probably only need bags that are rated for 2500-3000 lbs. A smaller bag kit would be better to fit in the area where there is less room.

Also there are bag kits that mount off the side of the frame to allow for more clearance. These Rockwell have spacers for various lift heights. Might want to see if they are compatible with ZR2. Logiqair, Kelderman and Pacbrake make them, but have no idea if they will work with ZR2.

2019+ GM 1500 Load Leveling Air Spring Kit

LOGIQ's ReadyAIR Load leveling air suspension kits are carefully engineered for each truck to utilize the latest LOGIQ air spring technology, providing the ultimate blend of ride quality and load stability, in a 100% factory assembled and READY to install package. This kit is designed to provide...

logiqair.com

 

[AXE]

If you eliminate the flying saucers. You actually have more room to work with. Unless your lifting it 4 or more inches, they won't likely come into play on this setup.

Put a jack and a block of wood under you reciever hitch and raise up the rear frame 1 inch. Then measure the distance from the frame to the axle base plate (assumes the stock jounce is removed). That's the room you have to work with.

This kit looks flatter. It says they are good for up to 7.5 inches between frame and axle. Otherwise they need a different spacer. Call them and see what the assembled height is to be sure.

HP10340 ALPHA HD Rear Air Suspension Kit For 2019-2025 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500

Check out the deal on HP10340 ALPHA HD Rear Air Suspension Kit For 2019-2025 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500 at Pacbrake

pacbrake.com

 

[Govols83]

If you eliminate the flying saucers. You actually have more room to work with. Unless your lifting it 4 or more inches, they won't likely come into play on this setup.

Put a jack and a block of wood under you reciever hitch and raise up the rear frame 1 inch. Then measure the distance from the frame to the axle base plate (assumes the stock jounce is removed). That's the room you have to work with.

This kit looks flatter. It says they are good for up to 7.5 inches between frame and axle. Otherwise they need a different spacer. Call them and see what the assembled height is to be sure.

HP10340 ALPHA HD Rear Air Suspension Kit For 2019-2025 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500

Check out the deal on HP10340 ALPHA HD Rear Air Suspension Kit For 2019-2025 Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500 at Pacbrake

pacbrake.com

Wouldn’t I still need to use the cradles with this kit as well though?

 

[AXE]

Wouldn’t I still need to use the cradles with this kit as well though?

No, the cradles are a replacement for the thin bottom plate. They actually take up more room cause they are thicker and the base of the bag sits inside the saucer of the cradle reducing available vertical space. So it may be better to to not use them where space is limited.

The only real advantage of the saucers is that they allow for more vertical and lateral articulation in extreme terrain environments. However, they can also collect some debris if you spend time in mud and gravel.

I had five sets of bags, three trucks were lifted and I've only used cradles on one of them. For the most part, they all worked the same. All mine have been Air Lift systems and basically trouble free (two of them over 10 years). Only had one bad wire on a compressor and they sent me a replacement.

All my setups were on 2500HDs Chevrolet and Ram trucks and intended for heavy towing. I cannot speak to specifics on the 1500s, but if you get under there and take some measurements and look at some of the bag and mount specs, you'll get a better perspective on what to use

I do know that once your set up, you'll be happy with the results when towing. Especially, since you'll get close to max on your trailer when you're loaded.

Also be aware that you have load limits on your rear tires too. The bags will help you stay level and keep weight on the front tires. You may need to get Load Range E tires. Once your set up, take the rig to a scale at a truckstop and get it weighed on all the axles and you'll know what, if any adjustments are needed.