I have a 2009 F150 Supercrew 4x4 5.4L V8 with a 3.55 Axle. Last time I had the travel trailer hooked up and the crew in the truck I was over GVWR for the truck weighing in at 7400# with the max supposedly 7200#. I tried to move some gear to the back to pull some weight off the truck and that helped somewhat but if I finish my propane and battery upgrades, that will not be possible anymore. Besides, I would like to be able to use my front pass through compartment.

Even loaded for bear as we were, the trailer weighed in at 5800# of a max GVWR of 6900# and well under the GCW of 15,000#. So I am good there, the problem is when I start putting stuff in compartments and people in the truck. Also my ProPride 3p hitch weighs nearly 150# itself.

What I was wondering is if there is a way I can increase the GVWR of my truck short of doing something radical and expensive? I thought about getting airbags but that will only help the load ride better I think and the load actually rides pretty nice with minimal sea-saw. Another idea would be to add assist leafs to the springs on the back but again I don't know if that is just a suspension issue. I know I have to look at the tires and make sure they can take it.

I cant see going to a superduty right now because that would massively increase my fuel consumption in the 99% of drive time that I am not pulling the trailer. At the same time I am conscious of needing some more GVWR pounds.

Any advice, if well considered, would be appreciated.

 

Well, the myth that the 5.4 gets better mileage than a Super Duty are false. I actually get better mileage with my 6.4 diesel than I ever did in my F150. Just have to keep my foot out of it.

 

I would get some Helwig helper springs. They should do the trick without sacrificing ride quality. And they are not too expensive... Check out jcwhitney.com

 

EDIT: These guys can do it legally. http://www.godmudders.com/aboutus.htm

 

No matter what you do to the truck your gvwr will always be 7200. If you get pulled over or in a wreck E-rated tires, add a leafs, air bags, and 1 ton axles will not change the fact that your truck is legally rated for 7200#. So why bother upgrading? I'm sure the truck handles fine with that weight, so get a good set of light truck tires and call it good.

 

Correct, No matter what you do to the truck to upgrade it, the door sticker will always say 7200, smiple as that.

 

Excellent points on both counts. Perhaps the question should have more focused around how to make the truck better handle the weight he wants to pull. I believe that was his intent as he's been moving items to better handle the load.

LT rated tires, add a leaf, coil over shocks, air bags?

 

Yes you'll always be @ 7,200.

I added 10 ply rubber, supersprings, it handles my rv fine and all is well.

 

A weight distribution hitch will help also. Chris