Air bags vs rear axle suspension vs roadmaster
 

I am interested in adding a little suspension help to my new 2018 Ford f150 while pulling a fifth wheel. I've looked at Firestone and air lift air bags, also roadmaster active suspension, and timbren rear axle suspension, and air shocks. First off in regard to air shocks, I can't find any that fit my 2018 F150. Next the air bags. It seems the only air bags that will work with my truck with a fifth wheel installed are the air lift 5000 model. But from reviews, they tell me that they ride rough when not towing. 2000# would be ideal air bags but they do not make them for my truck because they would interfere with the fifth wheel install. Next would be a Timbren rear axle suspension. That would be basically a rubber suspension to replace the axle bump stops. Another option I guess would be the roadmaster active suspension. They seem a little pricy though. Any ideas out there besides the standard comment of going to a 3/4 ton or you can't pull a fifth wheel legally with a 1/2 ton? thanks

It's not a legal issue - you can do all kinds of stupid stuff and not break the law. The advice you got in this thread is pretty solid: https://www.f150forum.com/f2/year-sh...436500/index3/

You may not want to hear it but with that trailer and your truck you will most likely be over the GVWR of the truck. Adding to the rear suspension may mask the problem by stopping the truck from squatting but you are still over the carrying capacity of the truck.

You have not provided nearly enough info for us to help you.
What are the details on your truck.
Payload?
GVWR?
HDPP?

What are the details on the trailer GVWR not dry weight. Dry weight and published pin weight/tongue weight are myths designed to encourage sales.

A properly configured and equipped F150 can tow a fifth wheel. I have the Tmbren SES on mine (see my sig for the details) I am maxed out on my truck and I have to watch what goes into the trailer and the truck. I have no issues and like that it's no muss no fuss.

Don't bother. OP went through all that in the thread I linked to above. He didn't like the answer that he got which was his trailer is too heavy to tow with his truck. Instead of taking the advice he is now looking to eliminate the sag in the rear suspension which is somehow going to magically get him under GVWR.

Jeff don't be so whiney. You remind me of the liberal snowflakes. I took all the recommended suggestions in consideration in my other F150 forum thread along with other rv forums. After studying all the options, today I ordered the sumo springs ssr117-47 (199.00). I'm sure you don't approve but even so, I bet I will still sleep well tonight.

It's your truck and your choice. Curious as to how you decided that the F150 was the best platform to tow that trailer though. Are you of the opinion that the rated GVWR published by Ford is a guideline that you can exceed? Obviously they they put some engineering thought into establishing the number right?

One word. Liability. Look it up. Your welcome.

All kidding aside Jeff, I appreciate people's opinion. In my case I was looking for a half ton because 99% of the time I will be using the truck for running errands and hopefully be getting around 20MPG. The fifth wheel will be used for boondocking in Arizona. I needed a FW small enough to maneuver into some tight places on BLM land and such. The FW will stay in Quartzsite in storage for 9 months out of the year. The FW will be moved during a three month winter period 8-10 times short 100 mile distances or so. Perhaps a bigger truck and FW will be in the future if we find a more permanent winter destination in Arizona. The 85 year couple that I bought the FW from in Arizona have been using a F150 short bed 5.0 engine with a pullrite auto slider hitch to successfully pull the unit longer distances for the last five or six years. They said that they didn't do any upgrades to their trucks suspension or engine.