as some of you remember i have had a pretty bad accident with the truck and a travel trailer. was looking into the option of a 5th wheel for more stability. can anything be added to our rear suspension to make it beefier for a little higher payload. the 5th wheels are less then 6k i was looking at unloaded, but the pin weight in the truck will be about 200 lbs over the 7200lb payload package i have. the truck is an 04 fx4 3.73 gearing and the tow package. the travel trailer was actually 2k heavier in overall weight but lighter tongue weight and used a weight dist. hitch with sway control.....so the overall weight of the 5th wheel is considerably less, but the weight in the truck will be slightly highter.......see my dilemma?
ps. note to those who rememeber, truck is going back together as we speak, mostly cosmetic damage. should get it back in about 2 weeks. see ya....thanks.

 

Add a leafs of Timbrens. Personally I went with the timbrens because AALs seem to make the truck more hoppy when empty.

With the Timbrens I have towed with much less sagging then before and the truck still rides great.

 

If you're thinking 5th wheels, I'd consider a Superduty to go along with it. No such thing as overkill here.

 

Ever consider airbags. There are a few guys here with them. Seem to help with sagging rear due to high poundage in the bed.

 

I agree with the guys above. Get a SuperDuty if you go with a 5th wheel. If not, at least go with airbags. Alot of guys around here do it...they haul their heavy toy haulers through the mountains.

 

i have heard of the airbags, just never knew what they were. i have seen a newer model ford f150 towing a 27' 5th wheel and he wasn't sagging at all....no airbags etc. got me to thinking about a lighter version but the pin weight still had me thinking. i just can't get past the overall weight being lighter then my travel trailer was and not sure if i can do it. any idea on how much airbags run? guess when not towing can let out the air. do they stay on truck. i assume that they go between the frame and leafsprings? thanks guys.
jim