I have a 2004 F-150 Lariat Scab 4x4 w/ trailer tow pkg.

I own a seed business and I am buying a trailer for my truck. I do not want a gooseneck, instead I am opting for a heavy duty bumper trailer. My F150 does a good job hauling seed and is never short on power. Its the suspension that I worry about when I load it down. Being a 1/2 ton it squats pretty good when you got a load on it. Most people would say get a 3/4 ton truck, but I dont want to sacrifice everyday mpg and ride, plus I don't want to spend the $$$. Some people have said to put helper springs on it but I've riden in my brother's old chevy 1/2 with helper springs and I hated the way it made it nose down and rode rough.

A 50 unit box of seed usually weighs 2500 lbs and I will be pulling 4-5 of them on a trailer so 7500-10000lbs probably 2 months out of the year.

A friend suggested heavier shocks with springs or air shocks???? I don't know much about suspensions so i'm open to any help! please let me know. Thanks!

 

Add a leaf to your spring packs, get heavy duty shocks, a weight distributing hitch, and get a bigger tranny cooler. That's where I would start if you want to tow it right.

That's a lot of weight for a half ton, I'm also curious what gears you have. If you have 3.55s... Might consider 4.10s.

The good thing is you can take out the extra leafs, and swap out the shocks when you don't need them.

 

Thanks for the reply. Does 3.73's sound right?

I don't haul seed more than 20 miles and usually go only 40-50mph but yes it is a helluva load on a half ton.

I am for sure getting heavier duty shocks and probably the extra leaf. I think the stock tranny cooler will work for the short trips wont it? Oh and I absolutely make sure I have the best tires at all times!

 

Yeah some F150s have 3.73s, that will be better. The stock tranny cooler should be fine, just make sure its not "gear hunting," where the torque converter is locking and unlocking. With that big of a load, just lock it out of OD and you should be good.

Sounds like you'll be alright, I would definitely look into a weight distributing hitch though.

 

Don't know if I've seen a weight distributing hitch before? Any place to get a look at one?

 

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD3~66074.htm

Probably wouldn't need one that extreme, but it gives you an idea.

EDIT- Here's a better idea
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-WD3~66156.htm