Sounds good. As soon as I'll get the springs I'll mount them up and report back.
ARB OME 2721s and Towing - Any experience?
- Thread starter Dan Higgins
- Start date
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Just reporting back about towing my boat yesterday.
The new brakes are amazing, they definitely stop better than the stock set up. There was a bit more fade with stock than with the DBA 4000xs and Orange EBC.
The trailer handled well and I had it packed to the brim with coolers, food, fuel and gear so about 6500-7500 lbs. ECT was on, only shifted to 4th gear. I still have the stock suspension so I know the tongue weight was high because I was drooping a lot. I can't wait to get the airbags, springs, shocks and the 10mm spacers installed.
Overall I am very pleased with the brakes and how the trailers feels under load. I will not be towing boat faster than 65mph though. When I hit larger bumps or transitions from bridges to road at higher speeds, the LC bounced around too much and we were jostled more than I felt comfortable with. I am hoping that stronger springs and better shocks will help with this. If you have a taller trailer, I strongly advise doing the speed limit or staying below it if there is high winds and you are unfamiliar with the roads in that area.
When I got to a safe area, I disabled my trailer brake and did a few 45mph emergency stops. The rear end didn't lift up as high as I thought it would and braking felt very balanced. There was no brake fade after 3 full stops like this back to back. I can honestly say that the stock brakes did NOT perform as well since there was a bit more fade and it took longer to stop overall.
My tests are no where near "scientific" so take this any way you like. I know how it felt to me, it may be different in your truck with your load.
Getting an upgraded rear suspension should be first on your list if towing regularly. Especially if you're at the load limit or beyond for the LC. Brakes should be your next upgrade and regular maintenance on your trailer brake as well. The LC handles much better than the Sequoia when towing at max load. It is not as stable as a heavy duty pick up truck at higher speeds, but with a few tweaks to the suspension I think it will allow me feel safer on the roads and enjoy why I chose the LC over a pickup.
The biggest advantage over a pickup is the maneuverability when parking. Give me a spot 2" wider than my boat and I'd get it in there on my first try! Like I said in previous posts, I have towed with a variety of vehicles and have many years of personal experience towing personal and work trailers. I am by no means a professional, but I can offer you an honest opinion. All I want is for every one to get to where they want to go safely and have a good time doing it. I've read tons of posts on this forum and a lot of them very helpful. I only hope to pay if forward myself.
The new brakes are amazing, they definitely stop better than the stock set up. There was a bit more fade with stock than with the DBA 4000xs and Orange EBC.
The trailer handled well and I had it packed to the brim with coolers, food, fuel and gear so about 6500-7500 lbs. ECT was on, only shifted to 4th gear. I still have the stock suspension so I know the tongue weight was high because I was drooping a lot. I can't wait to get the airbags, springs, shocks and the 10mm spacers installed.
Overall I am very pleased with the brakes and how the trailers feels under load. I will not be towing boat faster than 65mph though. When I hit larger bumps or transitions from bridges to road at higher speeds, the LC bounced around too much and we were jostled more than I felt comfortable with. I am hoping that stronger springs and better shocks will help with this. If you have a taller trailer, I strongly advise doing the speed limit or staying below it if there is high winds and you are unfamiliar with the roads in that area.
When I got to a safe area, I disabled my trailer brake and did a few 45mph emergency stops. The rear end didn't lift up as high as I thought it would and braking felt very balanced. There was no brake fade after 3 full stops like this back to back. I can honestly say that the stock brakes did NOT perform as well since there was a bit more fade and it took longer to stop overall.
My tests are no where near "scientific" so take this any way you like. I know how it felt to me, it may be different in your truck with your load.
Getting an upgraded rear suspension should be first on your list if towing regularly. Especially if you're at the load limit or beyond for the LC. Brakes should be your next upgrade and regular maintenance on your trailer brake as well. The LC handles much better than the Sequoia when towing at max load. It is not as stable as a heavy duty pick up truck at higher speeds, but with a few tweaks to the suspension I think it will allow me feel safer on the roads and enjoy why I chose the LC over a pickup.
The biggest advantage over a pickup is the maneuverability when parking. Give me a spot 2" wider than my boat and I'd get it in there on my first try! Like I said in previous posts, I have towed with a variety of vehicles and have many years of personal experience towing personal and work trailers. I am by no means a professional, but I can offer you an honest opinion. All I want is for every one to get to where they want to go safely and have a good time doing it. I've read tons of posts on this forum and a lot of them very helpful. I only hope to pay if forward myself.
If the 2721s are 270/340# progressive rates and the 2722s are constant 275#, why does everyone seem to say the 2722s seem harsher but the 2721s are great? Wouldn't the initial load feel the same, and the 2721 seem harsher with some load?
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Because the 2721s are 18.5mm thick coil and the 2722s are 19mm thick. It may not seem a lot but you can feel it.
For reference 2724 and 2725 are 1mm thickness difference, and OME says that handles an extra 420lbs of cargo.
For reference 2724 and 2725 are 1mm thickness difference, and OME says that handles an extra 420lbs of cargo.
- Thread starter
- #25
@Citius, thanks for sharing your experience! Very helpful. Clearly you are more experienced at towing and backing than I am! I'm definitely a work in progress.
I did discover one thing yesterday. On out drive, without trailer, to the mountains we covered the same patch of sectioned cement highway that created a lot of porpoising when we towed the trailer over it. The LC was bouncing without the trailer. Not nearly as much. But definitely that few miles of highway makes my LC bounce. I'm now thinking that the bounce starts and is translated through the WD hitch thereby amplifying the bounce.
That's a great point. I agree...if all things were equal, then the tender rates of the 2721's should feel abou the same as the 2722s.
I haven't sampled these two, but what the specs don't reveal is the free length and preload applied when mounted. This can change the feel quite drastically even when spring rates are the same.
Switch from 722 to 721's complete. Such and improvement in looks and ride quality. I would love to post pictures but I need to start up another hosting site (Flippn Photobucket....WTH!!!!).
The ride is MUCH smoother, the 722's, again made it feel like an empty pickup truck bed. Quite the contrary with the 721's. Have yet to hook up the Airstream to see how it tows. Will try to do that in the next week.
Overall I should have gone with the 721's to start with.
The ride is MUCH smoother, the 722's, again made it feel like an empty pickup truck bed. Quite the contrary with the 721's. Have yet to hook up the Airstream to see how it tows. Will try to do that in the next week.
Overall I should have gone with the 721's to start with.
- Thread starter
- #28
Thanks for the real world feedback! I have Markuson's 2721s sitting in my garage. I thought about trying to get to Slee for an install before the Moab/Breck trip but I suspect their dance card is full leading up to that event right now we need to do a lot with our house. (Sheez I hate having to pic paint colors!) So the suspension upgrade may need to wait a few weeks. But I am looking forward to getting them on and then seeing how it effects towing.
Thanks for the reply
Thanks Wesel123 for the feedback. I'm so glad this thread popped up. I probably would've listed to the guy at the shop and installed the 2772's instead. Every here saved me lot's of pain and suffering for sure!!!!!
I'll post an update and take some before and after pictures with my trailer once I get it done as well.
Anybody like a certain site to host images? Flickr vs. ????
You can upload image files directly to ih8mud without hosting them elsewhere. Use the "Upload File" button to the bottom right.
This is really better as the image will be persisted for however long the forum continues, without any external dependency on expired host/accounts.
Markuson
SILVER Star
Yes.
On a computer, you can also simply drag up to 5 photos off of your desktop or other folder, and drop them directly onto your open message as you type it (before clicking post). Then you just place your cursor where you want the image to appear, and click on insert next to the image's thumbnail below the typing area.
To ADD an image to an existing post, click edit...then click on "more options."
In the more options mode, you can drag photos as before if on a computer, or on an iPad or phone, click upload again.
Great thread! Thanks for all the info.
I have a quick question. Would 2721s play well with the rest as stock? I would like a little more load capacity for this coming summer, but I am not ready for a full upgrade yet, I have a ton more reading too do.
Thanks, Doug
I have a quick question. Would 2721s play well with the rest as stock? I would like a little more load capacity for this coming summer, but I am not ready for a full upgrade yet, I have a ton more reading too do.
Thanks, Doug
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
You will have one heck of a front down rack to the truck.
Unless you have a constant rear load, I feel it would be too much without getting the front a little higher. Even the Toyota front strut spacer would be an option.
If you're not committed to adding more armor and gear, it'll likely be too much spring rate. For a varied situation like this, I'd opt for airbags.
Thanks for the info guys! Back to figuring out what I want to do....
- Thread starter
- #38
I agree. I (the OP) did go with the 2721s in the rear but 2700s on the front. Worked out great. Rear is a tad bit high (half inch or so) when not towing. And about an inch low when towing with an 800# hitch weight. I am considering adding air bags in the Spring for just a little bit more leveling support. But I'll keep the 2721s because if the air bags should ever be compromised, I still have adequate support.
Dan, did you end up going with the Nitrochargers as well?
- Thread starter
- #40
Yes I did. I didn't want the fuss (or the expense) of a more advanced, "tunable" shock. They have worked fine.
Now to look for an airbag system that will not only provide a bit of help when towing over segmented roads but can also be used to help level the LC when we are camping without the trailer (and sleeping in the back) but that's for another topic thread.
