Looking to increase payload on my 02' F150..
 

got an 02' Supercrew, 4.6 V8. I'm pulling a travel trailer, and of course it makes it "squat" down. What are my options to resolve this?

Can i get springs from an 02' F250 to increase payload? I see that my payload max is 1600, but the 250's is 4200.

Any suggestions? Being that it's close to Christmas, i'm a tightwad.:lol:

Thanks as always fellas.

you can do what ever you want and it won't change how much weight you can legally pull.

To help with squat choose between an Add a leaf or air bags.

And are you using a WD hitch. If not, you should be.

sell the F-150 and buy a F-350

You can do that if you wanna pull the f250 axle, probably the frame, and anything else that makes it a f250 and not a f150. Get an add-a-leaf or air bags, they'll help some not a substantial amount but at that point your at about your trucks limit of what is safe and what is too much.

Keep in mind as already alluded to, fixing squat and increasing payload are two different things. You want to fix squat. Your options are air bags or helper springs; the former being the best option.

Air bags are best if you want a good ride empty, assist springs are there always. like said, you're curing squat. You still have the same axle and it's weight carrying ability and the same brakes and wheel / axle bearings, etc.

...
 

yeah, it just squats down too far. I'm not looking to pull this thing cross country, just within Louisiana.

it seems that helper springs would be the best, from what y'all are telling me.

i thought i could grab some springs from an F250 and make a direct switch, but i have very knowledge in that area.

thanks

If you want a good ride empty, go with air lifts (they don't really lift unless you're already sagging). Just add up to 35 psi when loaded and they'll help tote 1,000 - 1,500 pounds. I have a set on my Mercury Gran Marquis, they work.

If you need something constant, go with helper springs that add on, either coil or leafe types will help.

You could use a single "add-a-leaf" to the rear springs but these require undoing the U-bolts and center bolts (two each spring). The leaf style helper springs are much easier to install.

Lastly, Monroe makes "Load Leveler" shocks for both the 2WD and the 4WD F150s that have a coild spring on the shock, several guys here have them. Someone recently offered some for sale.

whats the difficulty in installation of air bags? I need something to offset the weak factory springs in my truck, if I plop 500lbs in the back the front rises a few inches. I was considering putting in Hellwig Progressive helpers but they look like a PITA to install and the ride quality might suffer when it's not loaded. I don't really need a lot of extra support but 1000lbs would help.

I vote for the Hellwig progressives. I don't think the install would be bad. If you look in the towing section, Mitch can answer your questions on these. He runs them and has run them long enough to give you some good feedback.

They're not too hard to install. They bolt up to factory holes on the truck, so there is no cutting or drilling required. You don't even have to take the bed on to install them, you just slide them in and bolt them up.

Question, possible idea on this for temporary load carrying.
 

I'm not a hauler, except for supplies in the back bed, stone, dirt, home landscaping stuff...
But would some 'D' or 'E' rated rear tires and a set of rear Timbrens be something to consider for this case, local hauling / shorter distances?
Would the load ultimately be on the tires and not the axle / frame?

Am I way out in left field on this one?
A simple 'way out' , or 'it's possible this could work', or 'good idea' will do. :P

The load is on all of it not just the tires, it has to be transferred through the frame, axle, suspension, etc to get to the tires. So getting tires rated at a higher weight capacity won't increase your payload.

Your WD hitch is likely set wrong. You need to weigh your trailer's tongue and make sure that your WD bars are big enough. Like most here have said, get air springs if you are still squatting too much - doesn't make it safer though. Also set up your WD hitch with the same air spring pressure as you will tow with.

BTW, you can weigh your tongue with a 2x4 (narrow side up, or even better a 4x4) and a jackstand. Just put the jackstand 12" from the close side of your tongue (under where the balk goes). Set the height so the board points slightly up. Take a short piece of board crosswise for a seat and sit on the board like a seesaw. Slide back until you and balanced with the trailer. Measure how far back you are sitting (the seat board makes this more accurate). Your tongue weight is your wright times the distance in feet between the seat position and the jackstand.