tow load level question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 21, 2005 | 02:16 PM

hdman6

Thread Starter

More Turbo

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 527

Likes: 6

From: Jamestown Tn

tow load level question

I have a 2003 f-250 SD with 5.4. I tow a 26.5 foot aluminum trailer with snowmobiles/motorcycles in it. I bought this trailer last fall as I upgraded from a 14 footer. Now.. My F-250 has the factory towing/plow package on it. I was told that the front end of the truck sit approx 1.5 inches higher that the back to compenstae for a plow install. My problem happens when I pull my trailer the back drops about 1 inch, which makes the back of the truck approx 2 inches lower in the rear. This causes the fron end to get a little loose on the highway.
My question is to level this out would it be better to install Air shocks in the rear or those towing air bags as extra equipment. Any suggestions would be a great help, as i am towing this trailer from ny to sturgis for bike week this august and want it to ride level and have good control. thanks Jeff

Mar 21, 2005 | 02:49 PM

believer45

Posting Guru

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,005

Likes: 1

From: Cincinnati, Ohio

If your front end gets light it would be more due to weight transfer from the front to the rear than the truck sitting lower in the back. You hang weight on the hitch (ball is probably 3' behind the axle) and it adds weight to the rear axle while removing some from the front. If you use air bags or auxiliary springs to level the truck it will sit straight but you have done nothing to get the weight back on the front axle. Weight distributing hitch is the only way to do that

How much does your loaded trailer weigh?

Any idea on the tongue weight?

Any handling issues other than feeling light in the front end?

Dave / Believer45

Mar 21, 2005 | 03:30 PM

hdman6

Thread Starter

More Turbo

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 527

Likes: 6

From: Jamestown Tn

trailer is 2000 lbs empty can hold 4 sleds, trailer is rated for 6000 lbs.
i believe the toung weight is 300 (not sure) i am checking on it
So level the truck would't make difference, then i should look at making sure the trailer is loaded properly, right? thanks

Mar 21, 2005 | 08:48 PM

believer45

Posting Guru

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 1,005

Likes: 1

From: Cincinnati, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdman6

You want 12% or so of the total trailer weight (including what is loaded on it) to be on the hitch ball when you are hooked up. If your F250 is really dropping an inch with the trailer empty I would be surprised - the tongue weight, as you state, is somewhere around 300 lbs with the trailer empty. When you load the sleds, quads or scoots on it you need to be sure to keep the center of gravity of the load a bit in front of the centerline between the axles so you wind up with enough tongue weight. Too little tongue weight can result in sway which I assume you do not want. I have done that dance and it was not a lot of fun.

Dave / Believer45