Max Tow Suspension Help
06-29-2014, 01:32 PM
#11
Senior Member
If your wanting to level out the truck when towing, don't use helper springs or air bags. They'll just lead you to overloading your rear axle.
Use a WDH (weight distribution hitch) for trailer towing. It allows more weight than the trucks 500 lbs limit for weight 'bearing' hitches, stops porpoising, levels the truck, transfers weight back to the front axle and to the trailer axles, and offers a good ride towing and when not towing.
I've loaded at least 1000 lbs into the bed of each of my F150s (2010 and 2012) and my 2008 Sport Trac V8, and none had any serious rear end sag. Actually the Sport Trac may have had a stiffer suspension than even the F150s but the Sport Trac did offer 1/2 ton capabilites in a Midsize truck.
Loading much more than 1000 lbs into beds of the trucks, would had been at GVWR or above with me, tools/gear, and truck accessories. All 3 trucks handled good with that weight in the bed. No negative handling at all.
Helper springs or air bags on the F150s are really only needed if you overload your truck. The stock suspensions are pretty good compared to the early 2000 trucks that squatted badly carrying rated payload.
Use a WDH (weight distribution hitch) for trailer towing. It allows more weight than the trucks 500 lbs limit for weight 'bearing' hitches, stops porpoising, levels the truck, transfers weight back to the front axle and to the trailer axles, and offers a good ride towing and when not towing.
I've loaded at least 1000 lbs into the bed of each of my F150s (2010 and 2012) and my 2008 Sport Trac V8, and none had any serious rear end sag. Actually the Sport Trac may have had a stiffer suspension than even the F150s but the Sport Trac did offer 1/2 ton capabilites in a Midsize truck.
Loading much more than 1000 lbs into beds of the trucks, would had been at GVWR or above with me, tools/gear, and truck accessories. All 3 trucks handled good with that weight in the bed. No negative handling at all.
Helper springs or air bags on the F150s are really only needed if you overload your truck. The stock suspensions are pretty good compared to the early 2000 trucks that squatted badly carrying rated payload.
I put them on mine because I leveled the front and when I hook up my boat the rear sags about an inch, put 50lbs of air in and brings back to level
06-29-2014, 08:54 PM
#12
I didn't know anyone would tow after doing a level kit. The reason the rake is there is for towing and hauling. I figured most leveled trucks were grocery getters.
Needing to put air bags onto a truck to correct the rear sag that a level kit created, seems counter productive. I would surely think this creates an overload on some component since the level kit produced an undesirable fault in the suspension when worked.
Some like level kits, I do not. They are counter productive to doing work and having the stability and handling needed. They are meant to look nice (in the eye of the beholder) which isn't a function of work.
06-29-2014, 09:20 PM
#13
I tow my trailer and I rent uhaul 6x12 enclosed trailer for when my band plays out. Plus I would haul heavy loads in the bed for crap around the house so with WDH wouldn't help me. I've looked at bags but they were expensive for the bags, compressors, lines, etc.
I viewed the super springs and I am digging them. Anyone know what this difference between the SSA5 and the SSA28 from super springs are?
I viewed the super springs and I am digging them. Anyone know what this difference between the SSA5 and the SSA28 from super springs are?
Sounds like you may have the trailer to heavy for the use of a weight bearing hitch. You are not suppose to go over 500 lbs tongue weight with the weight bearing hitch. You "MUST" use a WDH for tongue weights over 500 lbs per the hitch receiver rating.
Now my payload is 1582 lbs. I've had 1000 lbs in the bed, with me and cargo for about 1400 and had no significant rear sag. So maybe you're putting more weight into the bed than you realize, and it's over the capacity of the GVWR or axle ratings.
06-29-2014, 09:35 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Hum, you have the max tow package yet you are getting rear sag. Doesn't make sense to me as even without my WDH bars engaged on my travel trailer when I am backing up, the trailer doesn't sag by a huge amount with a high 850 lbs. Sounds like you may have the trailer to heavy for the use of a weight bearing hitch. You are not suppose to go over 500 lbs tongue weight with the weight bearing hitch. You "MUST" use a WDH for tongue weights over 500 lbs per the hitch receiver rating. Now my payload is 1582 lbs. I've had 1000 lbs in the bed, with me and cargo for about 1400 and had no significant rear sag. So maybe you're putting more weight into the bed than you realize, and it's over the capacity of the GVWR or axle ratings.
The uhaul trailer isn't too bad and only sags alittle plus all of the heavy gear is towards the nose.
The other trailer is 8.5' wide x 30' enclosed car hauler (my dads actually) to go atving. Empty it weighs 4,500 and And with quads and gear I'm at about 7,000. I have tongue weight down to 11% which is 770lbs and the rear end sags a good amount. I know about the 500lb receiver rating and all but a WDH won't help me 80%of them time.
I have been looking into the super springs SSA28 and probably going to pull the trigger on these.
06-29-2014, 10:04 PM
#15
If you have a leveled truck (or just a slight rake) this alone is not putting more weight on the rear axle. If you put 1000lbs in the bed and you get 2 inches of sag (just example) and put air in the air bags to bring it back level this is still 1000lbs. Maybe I'm wrong. .. Good luck with the super springs.
06-29-2014, 10:21 PM
#16
Senior Member/Vietnam Vet
I tow my trailer and I rent uhaul 6x12 enclosed trailer for when my band plays out. Plus I would haul heavy loads in the bed for crap around the house so with WDH wouldn't help me. I've looked at bags but they were expensive for the bags, compressors, lines, etc.
I viewed the super springs and I am digging them. Anyone know what this difference between the SSA5 and the SSA28 from super springs are?
I viewed the super springs and I am digging them. Anyone know what this difference between the SSA5 and the SSA28 from super springs are?
06-29-2014, 11:53 PM
#17
I tow my trailer and I rent uhaul 6x12 enclosed trailer for when my band plays out. Plus I would haul heavy loads in the bed for crap around the house so with WDH wouldn't help me. I've looked at bags but they were expensive for the bags, compressors, lines, etc. I viewed the super springs and I am digging them. Anyone know what this difference between the SSA5 and the SSA28 from super springs are?
06-30-2014, 10:10 AM
#18
Senior Member
The SSA5's fit the F150?