rear shocks spring question

[AutobotGears]

I have a small 14 foot 1700 lbs. camping trailer I tow with my 94 v8 bird. I just came back from a 3 week trip to Newfoundland and the car was excellent other than cutting my fuel mileage in half due to the towing...350km to 400km max to a tank while towing...700km highway without towing

The one thing I need is stronger shocks or air bags for the rear to keep the car level. I put new Ford shocks in the rear 2 years ago before I got the camper and a big tranny cooler is already installed.

So, what's my best bet? A self leveling air bag suspension, or an air hose inflatable air suspension, or just stronger springs?

See attached pic....it's not that bad now because when i tow now, I try to keep the trunk empty.

Thanks for advice,
Trevor
94 V8 T-Bird
2008 Taylor Coach Codester

[shotbirdsc]

Your best option is a Weight distribution hitch.

What class of hitch are you currently running on the car?

[AutobotGears]

I have a class 2 (3500lb) hitch with a anti sway bar.

[shotbirdsc]

Reese makes a lite weight weight distribution hitch for up to 200lb tongue weight and 3500 gross weight that works on a class II hitch. Your trailer will be way under that amount.

You stay with your original setup at the back of the car and just remove the ball and the plate mounts right to the shank. (you may need a longer shank ball) I did a quick search and didn't find them to show you a picture, I will see if I can find a part number for you.

If I was going to use the tbird as a towing vehicle I would take my class II hitch off and get a welding shop to change the center section to a 2x2 so I can use the heavier weight distribution systems etc(may cost 50-100 to adapt)

[AutobotGears]

The hitch is the wide type frame to frame and is actually stronger than the frame of the car(so the guy says).

Wouldn't something like this work?
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/mon_loadlevel.cfm
but I don't think they make them for t-birds.

Maybe this?
http://www.sportcompactonly.com/Ford/Thunderbird/Air-Ride-Kits/Air-Suspension/Suspension/part_c-110_p-158639_v-101_vy-1994.htm
This is for my 94 T-bird

[AutobotGears]

Didn't the mark viii have air ride? That's probably too complicated to transfer to my car though

[AutobotGears]

or this?
http://www.airliftcompany.com/online_catalog.html

[fast Ed]

Trevor, myself and many others have used the AirLift bags in the rear coils successfully on MN12 cars. I haven't done any towing, but have loaded the car up with 4 wheels & tires, a couple of tool boxes, spare brake parts, etc., for going out to track days. With the bags pumped up to ~30 psi, it stays level and stable.


cheers
Ed N.

[RedFox]

Ed,
Having done significant towing with various vehicles, those bags work well to balance a load in the car but I don't believe would be sturdy enough to withstand the "bucking" forces of a house trailer. I believe that air lift type helper bags or helper springs would be a choice. If the vehicle is used throughout the winter, I've had better luck with mechanical devices rather than air.

Den