Will I need a rear suspension enhancement on my F-350 SRW?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 132
Likes: 35
Will I need a rear suspension enhancement on my F-350 SRW?
I have a F-350 176 WB 6.7 SRW scheduled for build and looking for opinions on a rear suspension upgrade. I will be towing a 41ft 5th wheel with a max 16,800 GVWR. I’m not sure if I will need airbags, Sumo, Timbrens or something else. I have seen where some do not do anything and have been fine with the stock suspension. Looking for advice since this is my first 5th wheel. I’m not new to towing or driving large rigs, I have 40 years experience with Semi’s just new to hauling something this big with a Super duty. Thanks
Popular Reply
Sep 28, 2023, 08:30 AM
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 591
Likes: 320
get the truck first... hook up the trailer... decide if you need anything after that...
dont put the cart in front of the horse...
dont put the cart in front of the horse...
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
I second this suggestion. See if you need to correct an issue before you spend money.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,100
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FWIW, I'm betting you won't need anything. A SRW F350 should be able to pull a fifth wheel of that size with no modifications right off the showroom floor.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,535
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From: West Michigan
See the pic in my sig. The cardinal is 16k loaded. My 2016 was sagging a bit, so I put timbrens on, and haven't looked back since.
2023/2024 may or may not need since the gvwr is 1000# higher now. I have a 2024 f350srw lb on order as well. I'll likely just order the timbrens and put them on first thing and be done with it.
2023/2024 may or may not need since the gvwr is 1000# higher now. I have a 2024 f350srw lb on order as well. I'll likely just order the timbrens and put them on first thing and be done with it.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2022
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
I have a similar weight 5th wheel and I've towed for 40k miles with bags. I towed 2x without and that was enough for me to want to install them. It took less than 2 hours.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
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I have a F-350 176 WB 6.7 SRW scheduled for build and looking for opinions on a rear suspension upgrade. I will be towing a 41ft 5th wheel with a max 16,800 GVWR. I’m not sure if I will need airbags, Sumo, Timbrens or something else. I have seen where some do not do anything and have been fine with the stock suspension. Looking for advice since this is my first 5th wheel. I’m not new to towing or driving large rigs, I have 40 years experience with Semi’s just new to hauling something this big with a Super duty. Thanks
And, unless your wife is like Lucy, collecting rocks from all over the country as you travel, you very likely won't get close to max weight on that trailer.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 132
Likes: 35
I hope you’re right about not hitting the max weight. All I ever read is how you need a DRW for this RV, Solitude 390rk. 14,600 empty and 16,800 max 2790 pin weight. I don’t plan on loading it with everything I own so I hope the SRW works out. Thanks
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2022
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As mentioned above, drive it first, see if you do need anything and then the two recommendations I have personally used, Sumo/Timbrens (without the spacers!) and/or RAS
The RAS worked wonders on the 2012 SRW I had, truck handled well with 13K on it and it was a short bed to top it off.
I don't recommend bags because you can over do them and put yourself in a tough place by off loading the springs and affect handling that you aren't aware of until that skid in the briefs inducing moment. Many a folk put them on, level the truck with them, off loading the springs and then complain the truck handles like crap, blaming the truck as the cause. Using Sump/Timbrens instead is always the same 100% of the time and won't offload the springs, but enhances them for a better, more stable ride.
The RAS worked wonders on the 2012 SRW I had, truck handled well with 13K on it and it was a short bed to top it off.
I don't recommend bags because you can over do them and put yourself in a tough place by off loading the springs and affect handling that you aren't aware of until that skid in the briefs inducing moment. Many a folk put them on, level the truck with them, off loading the springs and then complain the truck handles like crap, blaming the truck as the cause. Using Sump/Timbrens instead is always the same 100% of the time and won't offload the springs, but enhances them for a better, more stable ride.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 878
From: Rome as it burns
Hey Erie
I have a 350 SRW and did a thread about this you might get something out of.
See this link for my write up:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-results.html
I have a 350 SRW and did a thread about this you might get something out of.
See this link for my write up:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-results.html
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
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I'm in two camps. Get the truck and hook it up to see what you have got. But, I think you will find Nickshu is right on. I have extensive experience towing heavy fivers. The proper use of air bags makes a world of difference in handling. These newer trucks are really sprung pretty soft. Even when they can carry the weight, rough roads still throw them around due to the softer springs. Air bags improve this greatly.
In decades of heavy towing, I have never experienced any adverse effects from the use of air bags.
In decades of heavy towing, I have never experienced any adverse effects from the use of air bags.