What is the general consensus of firming up the rear end of the truck with air or air shocks. Problem being when I tie on to my trailer I find that the rear of the truck feels loose, my thinking is that the suspension is flexing causing the truck to feel unstable at 60+ MPH. I'm running stock tires at max PSI was thinking about adding air bags to help with stabilization.

 

Air bags would help get the rear end level again, but you'd still have the issue of the trailers tongue weight being where it is.

How much tongue weight are we talking about here and what kind of trailer?

If it's over #500, then a Weight Distribution hitch setup will probably make all the difference in the world.

Mitch

 

If you use a properly adjusted WD hitch and still ahve the problem, I'd try helper springs before (costly) air suspension.

 

Another thing that will make it feel loose is tire sidewall flex. What type of tires and what pressure are you running?

 

I have not taken a weight but I would say 400+ lbs, its a 16L x 8'w x 10'h box trailer. I have about 3 to 4 inches of suspension travel left when trailer is on.

Thanks

 

Michelin at max PSI, I had the same idea not enough tire sidewall strength.

 

Not a bad idea, what do you think that will do to the empty ride??

 

That's a pretty good sized trailer. I towed one a little smaller then that many moons ago with a brand new at the time 1989 E250. It had pretty decent suspension too, and before we put a WD hitch on it, it would bounce the van pretty good. Especially on the concrete hwys with uneven expansion joints... You'd swear you were in a boat! I'd say we had that trailer weighing close to it's max of #6000 for sure!

Added the WD and it was a major improvement in handling.

Your 2005 rear suspension should be pretty stout for a "1/2 ton".... At least better then mine! Mine was so bad (soft) that a simple load of anything more then #500 in the bed would put it close to the bump stops...

I added some overload springs and that solved that problem, but it did firm up the ride when empty... For the better IMO, and I like how the truck rides and handles now...

Anyway, I'd try a WD setup before going the overload route with your setup....

Mitch

 

I'll look around for a WD hitch and see what were looking at for $$.... Hind site being 20 20 I would have a diesel 1 ton.... Oh well..

 

You just need a basic WD setup. You won't need the fancy 'sway control' devices or the ones with the 'built in' sway control.

Something from EAZ-Lift or the like will do fine. New, you are looking at around $250.. I've seen them used for as little as $50, but it was pretty beat up...

Mitch

 

Thats not bad at all, cheaper then air bags. I've seen them on some trucks but have never used one. Thanks for the info

Scott

 

I two a 23-1/2' travel trailer with my 05 F-150 Supercrew with W/D hitch and have no probleums towing it I have some sag with the truck after I installed 2-1/2" AS level kit before the level kit when I hooked up to trailer it would level my truck Am going to go with skyjacker add a leaf to help.

 

The heavy duty Firestone air bags Im running on my '94 F-150 are by far the best thing Ive ever bought for it.

Not only does it dramatically increase the ease and safety of towing, but it makes the truck handle a LOT better, especially unloaded.

They only cost me around $200, and I installed them myself in less than an hour.

Here is a recent pic, I just moved out of CA, and into Idaho.

Gross for the truck and trailer was well over 11k lbs. That truck was LOADED. Running the bags at 85psi (max is 100), and the tires at 45psi (max is 50).

 

Also got rid of the glorifed Car Tires( 4 PLY) and got heaver side wall tires
Hey HumboldtF150 welcome to Idaho What part?

 

Im up in Moscow