2012 t-370 tractor 150 " wb rough ride

Phil, just for the hell of it BEFORE you spend any more money. Is there any way that you can put enough of a load near the front of your trailer to get you close to,,say 18,000 ?

If you can, do that and see how it rides, raising your rear suspension is NOT the answer! I think that you simply have more rear suspension than you need and the it is the "cork on the water syndrome" It just simply bounces down the road.

IF more weight makes it ride better, see if they list lighter air springs for you rear suspension, something in the 13,000 to 15,000 load.

IF, big IF you can tune the suspension in for what you need, you might be able to live without the air ride on the cab. IMHO the spring ride on your trailer is the LAST thing that you would address.

Also what is your front axle loaded at, and what does it weigh, I am assuming that you have the ISC Cummins, a VERY lite weigh motor, you might be "lite" on both ends, not just the rear.

Stan

 

Usually the T-370's are only used for box truck or small dump applications. Not many are used as tractors. Can I ask why you didn't go for the T-470?

 

Ok Phil, this is my "suggestion" that 370 only has a BBC of 108" or nine feet, STRETCH the frame on that tractor and make it a straight truck, then mount your trailer bed on your frame. It WILL improve your ride both from a weight and a WB standpoint.

What is the MOST weight, cargo that you carry, how much of that 30' trailer bed are you using, what are you hauling? If you stretch that truck you will be limited to a TOTAL weight (truck and cargo) of 32,000 most places.

That truck stretched would weigh about 10,000 plus your trailer bed maybe another 4,000, so you would be left with 18,000 of capacity left as long as you set that rear axle in the correct place to get close to 12,000 on that front axle.

IMO you will get nothing for the spring trailer if you try to sell it, so use what you have, yes it will increase your turning circle, and if you are in and out of tight places a lot it might cause you a problem.

But other than that you wind up with air ride on both ends, it doesn't cost that much to lengthen that frame and mount a bed. PLUS, you now have eliminated any and all trailer maintenance, tires, brakes, lic, reg, etc. This will lower your overall operating cost.

Agian, just what I would do, it will cost you less to do this than what you would lose on trade-in value on your truck, which is now a used vehicle. If you are considering this I can help you with axle placement and wheelbase to balance that truck, as I have build many in the past.

Stan