Jeff1024

Just purchased a new to me 2015 F150 3.5 Ecoboost SCREW. Took it to the lake today to pull the boat out for its end of season cleanup and winterization. Truck handled the boat well but I was a bit surprised at how much the rear end sat down when the put the boat on the truck. I don't have an exact tounge weight on the boat, but from what I understand they usually run a bit lower % than travel trailers. Boat plus trailer is around 6900lbs. Here are some pictures.

The boat trailer has surge brakes so I am not sure what my WDH options are. Thought about maybe helper springs? Or maybe just leave it? We only tow it about 10 miles to and from the ramp a few times a month. What do you guys think?

smokeywren

Hi, Jeff, and WELCOME! to our campfire.


An Equal-I-Zer hitch can be used with surge brakes. Personally, I would not tow that heavy a trailer without a good weight-distributing hitch such as an Equal-I-Zer.

https://www.etrailer.com/Weight-Dist...EQ37100ET.html

After clicking on that link, scroll down a bit and you will see:
✓Surge Brake Compatible

bubbabud

1st things first weigh the tounge. If its less than 500lbs WD hitch should not be required. If its close try re positioning the boat on the trailer or the load in the boat.
I personally have Timbren SAS [ glorified bump stops] but they pick up part of the load and limit sag.

KOZ45

Timbrens

Simple. Cheap. Effective

77Ranger460

If you have too much tongue weight, can you not move the boat back on the trailer?

My boat is not, nearly as large. However, my winch can be moved back and forth.

Only ten miles a few times a month... I would drive on and not worry about it.

acdii

Have you done any measurements to see how much the wheel well heights change? The rear sag is only a few inches, but looks like it drops a lot.

Jeff1024

Yea, I am OCD enough to measure. With nothing on the back top of the tire to the bottom of the wheel well was 9in, with the boat on it dropped to 7.5. Should I be worried about an inch and a half or am I freaking out over nothing? What is say normal drop /w the 500lbs of dead weight the hitch is rated for on the ball?

This is my first truck, before this we towed the boat /w a family members F250, which obviously didnt drop at all so maybe I notice it more on the smaller truck?

8100hd

Dont worry about that 1.5inches, that’s just the soft top springs compressing down to the heavier ones.

acdii

Quite normal, 1.5 " is not much. With my Coleman hooked up and 800 pounds of tongue weight it drops 2", and the WDH brings it up about 1/2", so pretty close to what you see on yours.

Jeff1024

Cool I will stop freaking out, and maybe order some Timbrens.

Thanks guys.