I've had the 2" AIM drop shackles on my L since almost brand new and have had the hitch assy removed at that time. The need has come up to take a nice long road trip to New Mexico and pick up a 20' bass boat. For those of you who have installed the drop shackles are you still able to tow with them in place? I know my question is leaving out the huge variable of the tongue weight of the setup, so I'm kinda shooting blind here, but I'm wondering if I'm better off putting my stock shackles back on for the journey?

 

My boat trailer's well balanced so there really was no additional weight. If you're ramp launching your exhaust is under water that much sooner.

Also, be sure you have a trailer hitch that arches up, not down, or you'll bottom out onto the hitch in the deep ones...

The truck actually seems to ride a little better. I think the drag from behind helps.

Happy bassin'.

 

I have the two inch drop shackles and have installed the Air Lift bags on the back. They do nothing to affect your ride until you put more than 10 LBS of air in them. I need them to get the back of the truck up when towing Seadoos ! ( All I needed was a half inch, but they work very well when towing large loads also. )Numerous members have them to compensate for the "softer" spring rate that the shackles create.

 

Peter,
I just pulled a 19' Cobalt to Lake Powell. I highly recommend you put your stock hangers back on, or use air bladders or something. I changed my truck back to stock for the trip and I'm glad I did. There are some rough highways out there. I bottomed hard several times. I shudder to think how it would have been with the 2" drop. It only takes 30 to 45 minutes for some cheap insurance. Have a good trip
BC