RyanCZiegler

2015 XLT Sport SCab 3.5EB Trailer Tow Package

1. Is it normal for my suspension to sag 4" in the rear when towing 5500 lbs?

2. Is it normal for my engine to rev high while downshifting in tow mode?

3. If all this is normal is there any legal factory upgrade to stiffen up my suspension and maintaining ride height without voiding warranty?

130428

1. depends how the trailer is loaded
2. yes
3. search airbags, shocks, add-a-leaf... I'm no expert but those are some of the things I have seen discussed here

FO RD

Properly setup weight distribution hitch will bring ride height back up plus add sway control if you desire

RyanCZiegler

Add Sway control? You mean via settings?

FO RD

No. Its part of hitch design

T_R

You need a weight distributing hitch if you want it to sit at unloaded height. 5k is right on the edge of requiring one. You can get away without it if you don't mind a little squat. 4" drop loaded is acceptable.

The high rev in tow/haul is normal.

Loki 5.0

"acceptable" if you don't mind excessive front tire wear, "acceptable" if you don't mind not seeing the road at night and blinding oncoming traffic is OK with you. "acceptable." if mediocre handling and braking does not bother you.

Hobbs62

My suspension is too soft as well. Trucks are given a 2" lift in the rear for payload and towing. Don't tow much but I know my Sierra didn't squat more than an inch with 6000lbs of boat on the back, with no fancy hitch or sway bars. But Ford F-150 owners know it all. Listen to that guy

Cotton24

For about 350 bucks you can buy a set of air bags which are capable of restoring the back of the truck to stock ride height. For a little bit more you can get one with a onboard air compressor as well. This will also improve your towing quality and handling. As far as how your truck is acting in tow mode. That's normal because it uses the down shift into high rpm' as a way to help slow the truck down under weight. It's basically an integrated engine brake.

T_R

That's not true. 4" isn't that much. These trucks sit 2-3" higher in the back for payload already. You aren't going to blind anyone or tear anything up towing with the rear of the truck an inch lower than the front.

We've all seen the idiots with a half ton truck or an little SUV pulling a huge camper with the nose a foot up in the air. That's not the case here.

If it bothers you put a weight distributing hitch on it. On my last 2 trucks I towed 5k probably close to 50k miles without one and never wore out tires, had any handling issues or got flashed. The back of the truck came down a few inches with a load on the trailer.