I have leveled my last 4 half tons, including my new 15. I do it for looks I can't stand the factory rake. I also added firestone ride rite air bags. My new 15 still has an inch of rake as I only went with a 1.5" lift.

 

My dealer took out the rear block to lower it a little and make it easier to get in. I don't care for the *** end hiked up like a cat in heat. JMO

 

Having owned 3 leveled trucks, I can come to the conclusion that a leveling kit doesn't do much to lessen the factory dynamic of the truck, except lessen your turning radius and add a little bit of stress to the front end. It was the heavy, 10 ply tires that really didn't make sense. Big and heavy things that reduce fuel economy, roughen the ride and make the truck gutless. They do look very nice, but I wouldn't do it again.

 

No. I really didn't think I would be towing anything. Then I bought a Polaris XP 1000 and then the wife wanted an enclosed trailer. So with the new 15 coming I will just leave it stock. Plus an equalizer hitch.

 

As my '11 FX4 approaches 90 k miles it appears to have leveled itself. And it was free ha ha!

 

You may want to consider air bags after your first trip with an ATV in the bed and towing a TT.I did just that with it stock and well it pulled it fine .The problem I found other than sag was the soft rear suspension was when going straight down the HWY there was a slight porposing up and down that I could feel.It wasn't a real issue and I tried some agressive cornering to see if it upset the balance but it was fine.O also have a full equalizer hitch system.I now have firestone ride rites installed but have yet to try it out.

 

I would never take it personal Bro.
I'm with you I went 5.0 because Im a all motor Junky not to mention less parts to malfunction lol I was just saying that about the people that went 3.5 for fuel and then leveled what was the point.

 

Leveling does not change the gas mileage. I did a lot of testing with my 13 Platinum. With and without being leveled. Gas mileage was spot on the same. I used the same gas pump. Set the gas nozzle on the same setting. Drove the exact distance in as close to the same conditions as humanly possible and the mileage was the same.


The change was the tires. Heavier tires KILLS gas mileage.


So here is the bottom line. If you want the look of a 2" leveled truck and don't want to lose any MPG stick with the same tires as far as weight. If you change wheels and they are heavier than stock it will effect the MPG.


To those that love to say "you didn't buy a truck for the gas mileage". You are correct. But 2-3 mpg difference does make a large dent in the wallet over a normal years driving of 12,000 miles. Plus show me a person if you asked them if they could get an extra 2-3 mpg and not have to change how their truck looked they would say "no thank you".

 

The mpg difference from the rake is there but negligible. As posted above i would doubt it is measurable. It is the weight and rolling resistance of aggressive tread from aftermarket tires that effect mpg.

 

I would think that a leveled /straight object . . . . (such as a truck) would be more aerodynamic than a truck with the front end pointing down, which I would think is more prone to drag.

Like what was said above, I doubt leveling causes loss in mpg.

I'm not a wind tunnel expert but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.