2005 F-150 Tongue Weight

rlosing · #1 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 05:23 PM

I have a 2005 F-150 extended cab and just bough a 7x16 enclosed trailer. The trailre seems to squat my truck 2- 3 inches. I have not measured but it is noticable. I bought it used from a guy who had a lot of shelves in it. My question is, how much should the truck squat with a trailer like this, is the shelves in it causing to much tongue weight? Do I need to add something to the springs to keep it from squatting? Does the truck squat an inch for each 500lbs of weight or something like that?

Thanks

shorebird · #2 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 07:13 PM

Tongue weight should be 15% of the total trailer weight. ie; 2000# trailer should have a tongue weight of 300#. 6000# trailer should give you a tongue weight of 900#. You may need a equalizer hitch to spread the weight to both of your trucks axles. You can also go the airbag route; AirBagIt.com - Air Suspension Kits, Mini-Truck Parts, Sport Compact Parts! Airride, Airsprings, Towing Kits, Lambo Vertical Doors, Airbags.

stronger · #3 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 10:54 PM

Our 150's are tough but IMo they get the nice ride from having soft springs. dropping down 2-3" doesn't hurt anything. Mine will drop quick like that at first but after the first few inches it seems to drop very little when extra weight is added to the be dor to the trailer. I if I put one sled in my trailer it drops 2", but I can haul 3 sleds, 600-700lbs each and the ttruck doe snot seem to drop anymore. Airbags are neat and dont effect the ride when deflated or minimally inflated but if you dont' need them, why bother. I'd fill up the trailer with whatever you plan to haul and see what happens. then buy a weight distributing hitch.