DaHammer7

So I've got these brackets for my 5th wheel hitch pictured below. As you can see they wrap around the frame so as to avoid drilling. My issue is that I would like to improve the ride and sag of the backend this year with some air bags and these brackets are creating a big problem. The bags I would like to install go in place of the factory bump stop and mount flush to the bottom of the frame. Obviously the mounts are in the way. Only solution, cut the mount flush with the frame from the back hole far enough forward to get enough clearance then either weld the back of the mount to the frame or drill a new hole through the mount and frame to secure the rear portion of the mount. Drilling has me a little freaked out as there is already a hole fairly close to wear the new hole would be. That being said is that a better option than welding it? Rear mounts make you drill two holes as per the installation instructions bit they aren't close to any other holes so those ones didn't concern me. Finally I can't go to an airbag over the leaf spring as the mount actually sticks out far enough that the top of the bag would rub on the mount. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Steve83

Buy a truck built to handle that kind of tongue/pin weight.

smokeywren

Yeah, if you're trying to tow a 5er with an F-150 that doesn't have the factory option of heavy duty payload package (HDPP), you're probably overloaded. If you're not overloaded then you wouldn't need overload air springs.

So Steve83 is probably right. You probably need more truck to tow that 5er. Overload air springs can mask the appearance of being overloaded, but you're still oveloaded if you exceed GVWR or rGAWR of your F-150.

My F-150 has a 5er hitch I use only for emergencies. Last time I towed my 9,000-pound 5er with the F-150, I had 4,680 pounds on the rear axle rated for 3,800. Not a good. And that's a small 5er that weighs only 9k when wet and loaded on the road. Most 5ers weigh more than that.

DaHammer7

My 5er weighs 7500 loaded. Pin weight is 1000. Wasn't looking to get into a debate about the truck handling it. I would love to buy a Super Duty but that's just not in the budget right now. Was simply asking out of the two options to drill or weld which would be better for the frame?

8100hd

DaHammer7

I have looked into other mounts. Just aren't compatible with my hitch so it would mean a new hitch.

Steve83

Weakening the frame of a truck that's already too weak for the load isn't a solution. And it won't help your budget, either, if the truck fails catastrophically, or you get into a wreck with this kind of irrational modification and excessive trailer weight. Insurance companies have dropped policies for it, leaving the owner/driver personally liable for all the damage & injuries. Ask your agent what they'll do if you modify & use the truck the way you're planning.

If you want to learn about drilling & welding the frame, read this caption:


(phone app link)

At the bottom of the caption, there are some links to Ford documents specific to your truck.

smokeywren

Repeat: If you're not overloaded, you don't need overload air springs (so-called air bags).

My F-150 is overloaded with hitch weight of only 650 pounds. Just because your 5er is much lighter than normal and with less than 14% pin weight doesn't mean you're not overloaded over the payload capacity of your F-150. What does the CAT scale say?