suspension upgrades

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Apr 12, 2016 | 01:44 PM

#16

Ginther

Laughing Gas

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 871

Likes: 74

From: Houston TEXAS

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoky_diesel

Air bags when used correctly aren't bouncy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elee3

That's funny, my experience on two different trucks is that air bags stops the bouncing.

I did use them correctly. I guess my statement should have been better aimed.... It wasn't necessarily the air bags that made the bounce, they just added to it because of compression and resulting rebound.....

The problem with the excessive bounce was due to the crappy FX4 fake Rancho stock SHOCKS.

Better shocks = no more bounce now.

Apr 12, 2016 | 01:48 PM

#17

Bite N Hold

Senior User

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 194

Likes: 0

From: S Florida

I had them on an excursion and they didn't seem to perform well when unloaded. I kept them at 5 lbs when not towing per the instructions and they felt really bouncy. I was running Rancho 9000's also.

Apr 12, 2016 | 02:21 PM

#18

carlhwv

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 166

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl4Cat

Good questions Justin. We need a lot more info to make constructive suggestions.

Carl, try your new 5ver first before adding any suspension enhancements. I've been four years without any. I've towed my previous RV that was 16k and my current one that pushes 19k loaded over 20,000 miles without a need for any help in the suspension dept...

I just saw this. I figure I might need airbags, but only from what others have done. I'm going to have enough money in everything and would rather not modify just to say I did. I still can't believe I have to upgrade my fuel capacity, which is a must, from stock and I'd be glad if that's all I need.

I would think the positioning on the hitch being s little in front of the rear axle will help bring to total suspension package into play rather than just pulling down the rear end like a tag can do. It what these things are built to do, right?

Apr 12, 2016 | 03:23 PM

#19

Tom

Super Moderator

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 25,479

Likes: 742

From: Isanti, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlhwv

It what these things are built to do, right?

Correct, the kingpin should be just in front of your rear axle for stability. This sometimes prevents full articulation, so people use sliding fifth wheels to slide the pin rearward for tight maneuvers.

Apr 12, 2016 | 03:51 PM

#20

System

Prolocutor

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 13,618

Likes: 1,247

From: Western MA

Speaking of which, Reese Elite, who makes the Ford prep and hitch, now has a slider that fits the ford OEM prep. It's expensive and I personally don't bother with a slider, but those who like the safety of them have an easy drop in option now.

Apr 12, 2016 | 05:43 PM

#21

rled

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Apr 2016

Posts: 45

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl4Cat

Do you have the camper package on your 250? If so it's physically identical to a SRW 350 and you shouldn't have any squatting issue. If you don't you can add the factory overload springs or better yet some airbags and you'll be good to go. I tried Timbrens on my last truck and wasn't happy with them. Yes, your truck will still ride decently unloaded but hit a good bump and they will come into contact and are quite jarring.

I've got a 2012 SRW 350 and have used it to pull two 5th wheels over 20k miles. Both had 2800-3200 on pin weight and when I'm hooked up the truck is almost dead level. Congrats on the new truck!

No it does not have the camper package. I guess I am so gun shy from putting a bag of trash in the bed of the f150 and the lights shining for coons in the trees I am just wanting to look at the best option to keep it level when I get the chance to really work it. Thanks for all the replies.