edreddy

Hey Guys

I have a 35' TT that is around 8000-8200 wet. I have a good Curt hitch stabilizer setup rated for 14000lbs with sway control bar but my truck feels squishy and that the trailer is dictating how the truck moves - very disconcerting when driving when a little windy.

My truck is a 12 SCREW FX4 Eco with MAXTOW and short box with hard tonneau cover and bed liner. I think my hitch needs adjustment but it doesn't deal with the squishy/bouncy ride I get. Truck is rated for 11300lbs but I'm calling B.F.S. on Ford with that detail. It might technically tow it moving forward, but not safely.

So how do I fix the uneasy/squishy feeling? Firestone airbags? Will that do the trick or do I get a F250?

Ed

canadian-nut-fx4

Air bags will help for sure with the bouncy problem, the problem with all half ton trucks is that the suspension is set up for comfort and hauling, when you load up a trailer of that size it is a lot for that truck to handle, yes the truck can tow 11300 lbs, but the problem is the payload, if you are at the trucks payload limits then that would cause that bouncy feeling. There should be a sticker on the drivers door with max payload, take that number and subtract everything you have added to the truck, including people, the left over is what you can carry for hitch weight, air bags will help out for sure especially if you are at or over you gvwr.

Also if you are using friction sway bar, one is not enough for that size of trailer, 2 would be better but a Hensley Arrow or Propride P3 is best, or if the are to $$$$ then a Reese dual cam.

jeffinthebag

Get a f250 for your own safety and for the others on the road. If you tow anywhere near 11,300 regularly, that's a f250 regardless of what people say. Any f150 can not run near the max capacity on a regular basis. For one, your bearings are going to go and did you ever loose wheel at highway speeds with or without a load? If you did, you would not overload any vehicle.
A truck is cheap compared to your life of others, upgrade.

brulaz

I would weigh the truck. With an 8200# slab-side trailer you should have at least 1000# (12%) as hitch weight. Depending upon what and who else you have in the truck, you could well be exceeding your truck's GVWR and rear GAWR. If so, an F250 would solve those problems as well as your suspension problem.

However I personally would look first at an F150 with the HD Payload option. It not only stiffens the suspension but adds a 7 lug axles/wheels which increases the rear GAWR and GVWR by roughly 400-500#. And you can get the Ecoboost engine. It's sort of half way between a regular F150 and F250. But is only available in certain models and often has to be ordered.

But if you're legal weight-wise, there are other options. As you have discovered, the F150's suspension is ****-poor when you load it up to its limits. Many have stiffened the suspension with Timbren's, Super-springs, Roadmaster Active Suspension, Air Bags or an extra leaf. Get HD shocks, like Ford's or Bilstein's or Ranchos. And swap the P rated tires for LT truck tires.

edreddy

Thanks for the tips guys. I'm guessing I am towing around 8200#for sure. Here's my weight layout:
1. Trailer tongue weight would be around 1000lbs.
2. Tonneau cover is probably around 40lbs.
3. Spray-in bed liner is around 40lbs.
4. Family weighs in at 540lbs.
5. Stabilizer hitch system which is 90lbs.
6. Max truck bed payload is 1900lbs.

So airbags it is...but I'm wondering if just getting a F250 is worth it. Just another $200 bucks a month. Hmmm...

brulaz

Might double-check your door jamb payload. Depending upon your options, some trucks can be 100's of pounds lower than max.

A7B2FX4

I vote for the F250 if its a realistic option. Otherwise spend the bucks to get the upgrades others have suggested. I personally think most trailers over 30' are too big for a stock F150. The suspension is just overwhelmed by the bulk behind the truck. Add some wind and its an accident waiting to happen. If you only tow on country roads at 50miles an hour maybe then the big trailer isn't a big deal. Shame on Ford for their advertising.

BadAlBell

Here is something that solves the tounge weight issue:
http://www.trailertoad.com/

RLXXI

Pretty slick set up, but that will lower overall towing capacity.



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f150skidoo

You could always add airbags or a add a leaf with LT rated tires. those two combos wiull make the truck handle heavy loads much better.