My 2012 F250 has a payload rating of 3390 lbs. If I go with fiver with tongue wt. rating of 2160 lbs. am I going to need any beefier rear end suspension?

 

No, if the numbers you gave are correct you will have lots of payload left over. Your rear end is the same as an F350 with similar (if not the same) spring packs.

 

Good chance you will want to level the load. The pin weight you noted is probably for an empty fiver, because that is the number always shown in the brochure. So I will assume it will be a few hundred pounds more than that when you are loaded up. Plus you will have a hitch, and your family, dog, and whatever stuff you like to pack in the truck.

Plus, the first stage springs on the new trucks are apparently pretty soft. At least there sure are a lot of complaints about that. I think you are okay with the load as far as axle rating goes, but you may see a lot more rear sag than you will like.

The good news is that air bags can level it right out for you. To some extent it will be your own preference as to how much sag you are comfortable with.

 

I just got answer in another topic about loading 4000 lb in F250 and it was positive from the member who did it.
Than air bags on my F450 not only allow me for leveling the truck, but brought much better ride even on empty truck.
IMHO a truck with steel suspension and no leveling system is like bus with no seats. Even my old El Camino had air adjustable shocks.

 

I think the suspension will be fine. I've had over 3,500+ of firewood in my F250 and all it's done has level out the truck front-to-back.

 

You will be fine if you are within your factory specs. With that being said I have noticed on the forums that many of the '12 owners get more sag than the slightly older models.

I would hook up and just see how much the rear squats. If it is sagging more than you like I would suggest getting some airbags. Going with air will keep you from having a stiff suspension when not loaded. If you are interested in air, let me know and I can send you a link to the right kit for your application.

 

As a point of reference for you...
our's does sag - but the 5th wheel is level so debating whether or not I want to eliminate the sag...
here are the stats on the Destiny:
Model 355 RE length 37’8” GVWR 15,500 Dry 11,660 Hitch 2,590

as shown in the photo... sag is not bad enough to bother the handling...
in FACT the truck actually rides better WITH the fifth wheel on than without
not that it rides bad unloaded, just that it is a lot smoother when loaded.

one finger driving on our first trip to Petti Jean in Arkansas... and once on the interstate, cruise control up and down the hills without straining !

 

Nice looking rig, JD. It is sagging pretty good, but then, that is a lot of trailer for an F250. I think you would really like leveling it with bags.

The '11 and '12 trucks are soft on the first stage of the springs. Ford obviously was trying to improve the ride when empty. I think most people agree that the ride is better. The springs can still handle the loads as the shorter leafs load up, but the initial sag is worse. They haven't lost carrying capacity, but to some it looks like they did.

And for those who tout hauling 4k# of crap in your F250, yeah we know you can overload them and get away with it. But that is much different than hitching up a fifthwheel and heading cross country with it. It would be stupid to try. Call that apples and oranges.

 

If you don't want to mess with airbags, check out Timbren springs. They are simple rubber load helpers that do an excellent job of eliminating sag. Best of all, they require no filling or adjusting. They only come into play when the truck is loaded.

I am on my 2nd set with my 2nd truck. Install and forget about them. Used them for my 5th wheel and hauling firewood. Work great.