Towing upgrades

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Nov 23, 2022 | 10:48 AM

fluidp

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Tuned

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 445

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From: Forest Grove, BC

Towing upgrades

Hi all. I have a 19 f150 3.0 PSD. I will be towing a 7000lb boat. Trying to cover some bases for stablizing load.

I am debating what to do with the rear suspension. I an leaning towards the Road Active suspension
Improve Your Ford F150 Suspension, Towing & Load Carry Performance – RoadActive Suspension
Over Airbags.....

Do any of you have experience with this suspension kit? Thanks

Nov 23, 2022 | 11:08 AM

jake415

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 472

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From: Southeast Wisconsin

Bumper pull or fifth wheel?

Nov 23, 2022 | 12:44 PM

JKBrad

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From: San Antonio, TX

7k boat? Bumper pull. Everything I've read about the Roadmaster active suspension is positive. Easy to install and looks to have little to no effect on the ride when empty. I was seriously considering it, but went with a taller rear block, which has solved my issues so far. I do have a modified suspension though.

I've towed many boats over the years, and once had a 24' boat that was 31' on the trailer, so the weight with fuel and gear was similar to yours. I had a Super Duty at the time, so suspension wasn't an issue. Boats on trailers are different than most trailers. The tongue weight will be 10% at the most and it rarely changes as the boat sits the same every time. I didn't have a weight distributing hitch, and felt that I didn't need it with the boat. On a F150 towing over 5k pounds, a WDH is recommended.

With my current f150, when the suspension was stock, I towed a 4500 lb, 26' on the trailer boat with ease. My truck has the Max Tow pkg so that gives it a little more rear spring rate.

Nov 23, 2022 | 02:10 PM

seventyseven250

Lead Driver

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 8,475

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From: Calgary Canada

I also have heard great things about that roadmaster active suspension. Seems simple and smart. How much tongue weight is on that boat and how much payload do you have left?

Nov 23, 2022 | 03:12 PM

GlueGuy

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Joined: May 2015

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From: Mts. S. of San Francisco

I presume the 7,000 lbs is the trailer and boat combined, so the tongue weight is going to have to be between 700 and 840 lbs (10-12 %). That is above the 500 lbs where Ford recommends a WDH. If you use the WDH, then no suspension mods would be needed. The only times I've had more than 500 lbs on ours is with the WDH, and it's been well behaved with no suspension mods.

Nov 23, 2022 | 04:06 PM

seventyseven250

Lead Driver

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 8,475

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From: Calgary Canada

I don't know a lot about boats, but I do know they have different tongue weight than a travel trailer. I won't guess, but do suggest he finds out what it really is. CAT scales are fun and informative.

Nov 24, 2022 | 12:08 AM

JKBrad

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From: San Antonio, TX

Boats have lower tongue weights, the weight is usually balanced over the axle to make launching and retrieving easier. 7k boat prob has about a 500 lb tongue weight. 7% is about right for a boat on a double axle trailer.

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Nov 24, 2022 | 07:11 AM

SpencerPJ

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jan 2020

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I agree with others, I've heard nothing but good about Roadmaster active suspension. I also don't think you will need it with boat alone, But if you start adding coolers, people, gear and toys, it adds up. I suggest you pull it it first, then add the active suspension if you need.

Nov 24, 2022 | 10:08 AM

#10

JKBrad

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Joined: May 2005

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From: San Antonio, TX

Good point, Spencer. Adding gear to the truck bed and passengers jumps the payload up fast. Who goes boating alone or with no gear? Even if I go alone there’s an ice chest, 2 fishing poles and a tackle box.

Nov 25, 2022 | 12:43 AM

#11

cps

Laughing Gas

Joined: Mar 2008

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From: coquitlam,BC

Quote:

Originally Posted by fluidp

I have had them on my truck for over a year now. Love it. Easy to install and no effect on ride quality. But have also installed some Timbrens along with some 32" LT tires, Ranchco 2" leveling kit with the 9000 rs adjustable shocks. I tow a 7500lb TT and those changes have made a world of difference when towing.

Nov 28, 2022 | 10:49 AM

#12

99powerstrokedF250

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2010

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SpencerPJ

This is pretty much where I stand - try it for a short distance first, to see if you even need any changes. You may find that you don't, simply because it is a boat. The loading is usually done so that the vast majority of the weight is over the axles, unless you're getting into the REALLY big boys that need dually's to haul them because they're 40' long.

Most boat trailers aren't set up to have WDH added to them - the brackets are intended to be placed on their own frame rail, and with most boat trailers you only have one main beam in the area you would attach a WDH to.