I started a thread on this in the towing section when I towed 7250 lbs of WVO and the bouncing was bad, https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ouncy-tow.html

But I towed 12500 lbs this weekend (plus the 3500 lb trailer) and it was horrible! I am posting this in this tread because I need to know what to do to this truck to fix it.

As I would pass over a bump the truck would handle it fine but then the trailer would hit the bump and make the truck bounce up and down so much that it got scary.

My father-in-law said to add a leaf, but I have had 5000 lbs in the bed of my truck and it barley squatted down, so another leaf would only increase the carrying weight, right?

I am thinking that stiffer shocks would decrease the speed that the truck can move up and down, but then I will have a stiffer ride when the truck is unloaded.

Maybe air bags will cure all of this? Pump them up when towing and the stiffer suspension will not allow it to bounce as much, lower the air pressure for driving unloaded.

 

do you know what the pin weight & vs total weight is for those trailer loads?

you describe this as bounce.. is this more like rock?

one idea is adjustable shocks, like the Rancho 9000xls, which can be adjusted on the fly with their controller.

| and from your other topic, my 'guess' is the stronger springs on the 350 are rebounding, cause there isn't enough weight on the pin.

Sam

 

I encountered a similar experience when towing my 5th wheel. After reading the forums I decided to add airbags. Took care of the sag, then the next step the bounce. Added ranching 9000 shocks. Problem solved. So far the best decision I have made on upgrades for this truck. F250.

 

Sam I thought it was the placement of the load also, so after the first time with 7250lbs on the trailer I moved the load to the front of the trailer, it still had the same bounce. Maybe a little better, but it was still there and I could not go over 60mph for fear I would lose control.

hikeril; After you put the air bags in, you still had the bounce?

I think the shocks are what I need, I am going to look into the Rancho 9000's now.

 

The Rancho website is making me select 2.5" or 4" ride height. My truck is stock. Is stock 2.5"?

 

Still had the bounce with the airbags although I did not expect it to prevent the bounce. It certainly took care of the sag. The shocks fixed the bounce exceeding my expectations.

 

OK great, shocks are what I am getting then. Where did you buy your shocks from?

 

call Rancho, their doc is terrible..

these should be the same as the 2010 drw 350, 4x4.

Sam

 

I got mine from 4wheelOnline.com, but Summit Racing will price match if u call them.

Sam

 

I am getting rear only right? My front should be fine?

 

The stock shocks are garbage. Replace all four. If you go with the 9000XLs get the MyRide system and you can adjust on the fly. It works great.

 

I am replacing all 4.. just hit 4000 miles.

Sam

 

A little late, but I would also recommend the shocks before airbags of any kind. Making the suspension stiffer with bags or adding a leaf will help some but it sounds more like you need to focus on dampening the suspension more that stiffening.

 

$324.99 for all four shocks and $319.99 for the controler on 4wheelonline.com

Sound good? Summit is $444 for all four shocks, I know I can call and get the same price but why not just buy from 4wheelonline then right?

 

Never too late. The more people that chime in and let me know that shocks are the answer the better I feel about spending all this money on them.