tow questions on lowered truck
#1
tow questions on lowered truck
I have a 04' F-150 regular cab XLT 5.4 liter with the tow package, also it is the short wheel base I believe with the 3.73 axle ratio. My truck also has a 3" front, 5" rear (shackled up to a 4") DJM lowering kit. I am wanting to buy a 25ft 5th wheel RV with a little over 7600lbs GVWR. I am sure the truck will have no problem pulling but I am going to chip it anyway. I am already aware that I am going to have to install the helper spring kit and also an extension for the 5th wheel. My main concern is handling, and stopping. Is this a good Idea for my situation or should I go pull trailer?
#3
You are REALLY pushing that truck with that trailer... I tow that same setup with a shorter trailer and a few hundred pounds less, and while the truck does the job, it struggles. I have airbags on my truck to handle the weight; you'll need something similar. Seriously though, look at a heavier truck, the F150 will have a hard time.
#4
Originally Posted by grafekie
You are REALLY pushing that truck with that trailer... I tow that same setup with a shorter trailer and a few hundred pounds less, and while the truck does the job, it struggles. I have airbags on my truck to handle the weight; you'll need something similar. Seriously though, look at a heavier truck, the F150 will have a hard time.
Last edited by RogueSpear2023; 10-14-2007 at 10:12 PM.
#5
Thanks for the input, I really like this website. There are alot of questions that were answered that I didn't have to ask and some I weren't even aware of. Another question is the helper springs vs. air bags. I am turning more toward the air bags due to the fact that the smooth ride is already missing with the lowering kit. But what is the durability of airbags?
#6
As long as there aren't any BOLTS rubbing the airbags, they are supposed to last quite some time... but they need certain clearance, and they will lift your truck in general. Helper springs will generally lift the truck full time and aren't really adjustable. But before you go out and spend $2000 for a hitch and airbags/helpers, please look at a heavier truck! The F150 will pull that trailer, but not nicely.
#7
Oh yeah I forgot, I will not be putting that trailer on the truck. I am new to the rv world and before I buy I just needed some advice from the pro's. I will be looking for a pull trailer something light. I have been on a couple of manufacturer websites and found some pretty light trailers at a decent price. Any recommendations on manufacturers... good and bad? I have read already read some comments on Forest River which weren't good.