Lowered SUV's Trailering Boats? Anyone have them?
 

I'm torn on if I should put a kit on my 2007 Tahoe, But my main concern is towing. Not sure with the air ride if it will make a big difference or not. Looking at the Belltech 2/3 kit with my 24's. Any advice would be great. I just don't want to have it sag in the back when I trailer.

24's are too big IMO. A 22" with a decent tire is plenty proportianate to the truck. My 05 Denali has the OEM air suspension, but I don't trust it enough to tow my 24SSV. I added Ride-Rite helper bags, and they help out big time.

3/4 drop with Belltech rear springs, 3/4 ton keys up front. 22" U2-55's with a 245/45/22 (I think)

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...i/DSC_8343.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...i/DSC_7579.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...i/DSC_7584.jpg

Nice JB, those gotta be 275, 285's though.

I, personally, think 22's are the perfect fit too. Our old tow vehicle was an 08' Tahoe with 285/40/22's (which I'm guessing Jony's are too). Looks great with a 2/3 or 3/4 drop kit. Add some bags and gauges and your set to tow.
If you've already got 24's, then I guess that's a different story. If the current air ride system keeps the back from sagging as is, then it should be fine provided you use a quality drop kit.

You guys could be right, I haven't looked at it in a while. There's enough sidewall there that it still rides decent. It really needs spindles instead of the TB drop though.

I love that rig, John. Killer setup with that Supra!

I had a good deal on 24's for my escalade. Exept a little rubbing from the wrong offset for my truck, it's seems fine.

I will install helper bags to help the ride, but otherwise it seems okay so far. My truck is not dropped.

From what the shop told me my 24's should have no problem at all with rubbing with a 2/3 or 3/4. My concern is towing and the back end sagging....I've heard different stories about how the air ride should accomodate for the drop?

rubbing won't be the issue with the wheels, when you go to 24's, you'll need a smaller tire with almost no sidewall. It's not a good idea, IMO, to tow heavy loads with those rubber band tires.

My wife has 24's on her 08 tahoe with a 2/3 drop. We have towed about 8000 miles with it - Its definitely not the best tow vehicle as far as power in combo with the larger wheels. I had a shop find air helper springs that would fit into the lower springs (this is a must if you are towing). I measured the inside of the spring once it was lowered and they found an air bag that fit. It rides nice and pretty level with air in the bags. Like jonyb says, rubbing is not an issue.

Firestone Ride-Rite is the helper bags to use with a 2000 and up Tahoe, including 07-08. Same ones I have on my Denali. I recommend these even if it has OEM air-ride. To me, it seems like some boats are so heavy that they'd put more wear and tear on the stock compressor. It won't hurt to add these bags to give the OEM stuff a helping hand.

http://www.fsip.com/pdfs/RR/installation/4108.pdf

http://dsc00790 2007 avalanche 4/4 belltech drop foctory air ride

I have a 2008 tahoe with the 2/4 mcguahy drop kit ( maybe it's 2/3??) It tows fine, but does sag in the rear a bit. I've been lazy...lookin for 24's but still have factory 20's. Have a buddy with the same kit on his escalade and 24's. the auto air ride makes it tow just fine.

pic

How much did that 2/3 drop effect your daily driving without towing? Is it noticably rougher ride or can you really tell?

a tad bounicer in the rear, that's it. the mcaguhy kit uses spindles in the front ( retains factor steerring geometry and shocks) and uses new springs int he rear wiith facotry shocks. Other people who drive it cant' tell at all...my wife cant' tell. It does handle better.

it's now my daily driver....about 70mi a day...80% highway.

The 2/3 drop doesn't effect the ride much, its the 24's with the smaller tires - once you put those on, you will notice a difference in the ride quality.

So Mcguahy kit was one of my picks along with the belltech, Did you do a lot of research when you chose yours? Do you notice more wear and tear on your front tires now? If the ride is really only effected by my 24's and not the lowering kit then I'm fine since I don't notice a huge change already.

Definitely get your truck aligned after you lower it and add the larger wheels. Since I got it aligned I have not noticed any abnormal wear on the tires.