One of the major factors in safely and comfortably towing a boat lies in the tow vehicle's suspension. Poor or overloaded suspension  can result in all sorts of woes, ranging from a harsh ride and annoying handling problems to a serious accident. Numerous aftermarket products exist  to help bolster your vehicle's suspension and help eliminate these
problems.

It should be understood that all tow vehicles come with maximum weight ratings from manufacturers — gross axle weight rating (GAWR), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), gross combined weight rating (GCWR), maximum tow rating, etc. — that shouldn't be exceeded. It's fallacious reasoning to think any aftermarket suspension product will increase your rig's maximum tow rating; however, they can help some vehicles operate more efficiently within their towing confines.

There are telltale signs that your suspension may be begging for assistance: The rear of the tow vehicle sags considerably when the boat trailer is hitched up. Oncoming vehicles flash you to dim your lights even though your high beams aren't on. Your steering seems flighty or less controlled, or, in some cases, the trailer sways. Other factors can contribute to these problems, but the culprit often lies with the suspension.

A vehicle tows most efficiently when it maintains a level altitude with the trailer. If a tow vehicle's suspension can't handle the tongue weight of a trailer, the vehicle will sag at the hitch. The weight pushing down the rear of  the vehicle simultaneously lifts the front of the vehicle. This, in turn, can affect the tow rig's steering; the front wheels doing the steering don't have the traction they should since the vehicle is basically trying to do a wheelie. If the vehicle is front-wheel drive, the problem is compounded. Imagine the difficulty a rig like this will have trying to pull a boat out of   the water on a slippery, steep launch ramp. Sadly, there are cases when gravity wins, and the tow rig gets launched with the boat.

Sometimes merely shifting your load can help to rectify this sagging dilemma. If the rear of the tow vehicle and the bow of the boat are packed to the gills with gear, try redistributing the gear to see if the sag lessens. More than likely, you'll need to do more.

A weight-distributing (load-equalizing) hitch can be a real asset. This type of hitch uses spring bars that help to evenly distribute the weight between the front and rear axles of the tow vehicle and the trailer axle(s), thereby leveling the ride. The spring bars can be adjusted to vary the weight distributed.

Because many tow vehicles have factory suspensions soft-tuned to provide a comfortable ride when not towing, they benefit greatly from suspension upgrades when called to tow. If your soft-sprung tow vehicle is equipped with leaf springs in the rear, you might want to seriously consider installing helper springs or air springs to add a measure of stiffness to the suspension so it can better handle the weight of the boat and trailer. The beauty of most helper springs, which are bolted to the existing leaf springs, is that they provide stiffer suspension when there's a load but don't affect the ride in non-towing situations.

Air springs work similarly to helper springs because they can be bolted onto stock leaf springs to provide added stiffness to the suspension. In addition, they offer the advantage of being adjustable. (There are also air-assist systems that work in harmony with coil springs rather than leaf springs, if your vehicle has that type of suspension.) By adding or reducing the amount of air in the system's bladders, you can fine-tune your suspension to the desired level of stiffness, deplete the bag of air if you're not towing or carrying a heavy load, and then add the air necessary to compensate for extra loads. A few new luxury tow vehicles now come  with auto-leveling air suspension systems. Some air-assist systems employ gauges in the cabin so you can see exactly how much air you're pumping into the bladders via the onboard compressor. An added advantage of a few air-assist packages is the availability of connections that permit you to add air to low tires and inflate water toys. Be aware, however, that neither helper springs nor air springs serve the same purpose as a weight-distributing hitch because they don't distribute weight between axles.

High-performance shocks can also help a vehicle's suspension. Stiff shocks can help compensate for soft springs.  In addition to helping level a ride and smoothing out bumps, they also reduce body roll and are useful in heavy winds. Some shocks are adjustable and work similarly to an adjustable air spring. While installing performance shocks  on the rear has its obvious benefits when towing, a vehicle's front shocks can have a tremendous effect on towing, too. The reason is that the  front shocks affect steering response and tracking, adding to the overall stability. A stable tow vehicle contributes to a stable trailer.

Finally, you can beef up your suspension by replacing the stock rubber suspension bushings and mounts, which are common on most pickups and SUVs, with firmer and more durable polyurethane components. Standard-issue suspension bushings  and mounts are usually made of soft rubber that may contribute to understeer and wheel hop. Performance components, on the other hand, generally improve handling and control without adversely affecting ride quality.

Improving your tow vehicle's suspension may require some investment, but when you consider that it'll increase safety, comfort and peace of mind, you'll probably agree that it's money well spent.


Trailering packages for new tow vehicles:

Many new tow vehicles offer a towing or trailering package as an option, and the question often arises: "Should I purchase the manufacturer's option, or am I better off buying and installing the items separately?"

Generally, you're better off purchasing the trailering package from the manufacturer. One reason is that the engineering team that designed the vehicle in the first place has the best understanding of what it needs to tow effectively. The items they include in the towing package are therefore tailored to complement the specific vehicle. Furthermore, the price of the items included in the manufacturer's towing package are often less expensive than if you were to buy them separately, especially if you have to figure in paying a mechanic to install them. Another advantage in purchasing the towing package is that it'll be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Buying a factory towing package doesn't mean you can't improve upon it. You may find it advantageous to augment the towing package with additional suspension products — especially if you're towing a large boat. Beefier anti-sway bars, performance shock absorbers, smooth-riding air bags and other products can further enhance the towing experience.