Here she is, actually second tow. First was so light weight it doesn't even count.

The Armada is a towing machine. My only regret is that my salesman said there was no difference between the SE a LE as far as towing. The LE has the auto level suspension. Otherwise, I love the Armada for towing.

The Armada is a towing machine. My only regret is that my salesman said there was no difference between the SE a LE as far as towing. The LE has the auto level suspension. Otherwise, I love the Armada for towing.

You could have gotten the auto level suspension on the SE just by ordering the Tow Package. The only reason the LE has it standard is that the Tow Package is standard on the LE.

At least, that was the way it was from 2004 to 2006; I'm assuming it stayed the same for later models.

I have the 2008 SE with big tow.. I heard the leveling come on when I hitched up the boat.... I even heard it after I drove a 500 pound snowmobile on a light weight trailer...

Anybody know how much the leveling kit is for those who don't have the tow package?

Anybody know how much the leveling kit is for those who don't have the tow package?

Just a thought, but as nice as the leveling kit is, it is not needed. I have towed a lot of miles in my life with a wide variety of vehicles and I can say that the best towing accessory for a heavy tow is the weight distributing hitch. This hitch mod actually distributes the tongue weight over the front axle, rear axle and trailer by using leveraging bars. Not only does this eliminate any sag at the rear of the vehicle which screws up handling and makes your headlights point at the sky...but it also virtually eliminates sway and rocking of the tow vehicle and trailer load. The auto leveling rear on the LE is very nice and I have not towed with mine yet just because I don't have a brake controller installed yet-- but even when I do tow with it, I will still use my WDH setup because I will never tow anything without it again...it is that good.
Don't sweat it if your rig did not come with the auto level kit-- just get a good WDH and you will be so pleased that you will never think about it again.

You could have gotten the auto level suspension on the SE just by ordering the Tow Package. The only reason the LE has it standard is that the Tow Package is standard on the LE.

At least, that was the way it was from 2004 to 2006; I'm assuming it stayed the same for later models.

How does the Auto Level work? I looked under an LE today expecting to see air bags or something inside the coil springs. I definately do not have the auto level. Hook up the boat and the rear sags about 1 1/2". The boat only weighs 3,500 lbs.

How does the Auto Level work?Eric and Bob gave me good explanations when I joined CA - check post # 6 and 8 in this thread (http://www.clubarmada.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12078) First ride I've owned with auto lev - I think it is slick - lifts a bit when you get onto a bumpy trail, levels it after you load stuff in the rear, worked well for our first outing with popup trailer (a light weight for Mada - around 1800 gross, 180 tongue)

if you dont have the auto level, a good aftermarket solution are some air bags from firestone ride rite, or air lift. i've installed a couple kits on madas at work and they are pretty slick.

I have the 2008 SE with big tow.. I heard the leveling come on when I hitched up the boat.... I even heard it after I drove a 500 pound snowmobile on a light weight trailer...


Lookin good!! I have towed a heavy twin axle landscaping trailer with a small load of wood from Mass. up to Maine, about a 2 1/2 hour trip, I had to keep checking the mirror to make sure I was still towing. I did the same trip with just a couple tractors on the same trailer with my Olds Bravada. That trip took about 3 1/2 hours because it was just so much weight.

All hail Mada:bow:

I just got my 06 SE and I'm assuming it has auto leveling, since it has the tow package. Seriously, the side mirrors look like they came off an F350 super duty.

Just a thought, but as nice as the leveling kit is, it is not needed. I have towed a lot of miles in my life with a wide variety of vehicles and I can say that the best towing accessory for a heavy tow is the weight distributing hitch. This hitch mod actually distributes the tongue weight over the front axle, rear axle and trailer by using leveraging bars. Not only does this eliminate any sag at the rear of the vehicle which screws up handling and makes your headlights point at the sky...but it also virtually eliminates sway and rocking of the tow vehicle and trailer load. The auto leveling rear on the LE is very nice and I have not towed with mine yet just because I don't have a brake controller installed yet-- but even when I do tow with it, I will still use my WDH setup because I will never tow anything without it again...it is that good.
Don't sweat it if your rig did not come with the auto level kit-- just get a good WDH and you will be so pleased that you will never think about it again.

Thanks! I'll look into all of these options q=)

i also have a crownline 225br. i am going to buythe firestone airbags probably in the spring. they are just about 85 bucks. i love my armada it just tows with ease.

Welcome to CA finally edmada!

The Armada is a towing machine. My only regret is that my salesman said there was no difference between the SE a LE as far as towing. The LE has the auto level suspension. Otherwise, I love the Armada for towing.
The bigger difference between the two is the gear ratio. your SE is only rated to tow 6500lbs. the LE is rated at 9100lbs...huge difference ...all in the gears.
i made the same mistake you did, but i wasnt misled, i was just uneducated. you should give that guy a piece of your mind and perhaps have him to take the truck back if it really bothers you.

ok i just realized this thread is more than half a year old. forget taking the truck back

ok i just realized this thread is more than half a year old. forget taking the truck backlol, it's all good! I personally like it when people use the search function! ;)

What I call wake the dead! :p
http://zombies.monstrous.com/zombie_1.jpg