1/2 ton truck owners

[mobilus]

I have a 2006 F-150 with a 5.4L motor. Good shape all-around, but even with shocks with coil- over helper springs, the truck squats too much with a trailer attached. I don't use it for towing regularly, but when I need to, as when my F-250 is in the shop, I'd like to eliminate the squat. Knowing a lot of folks here pull trailers loaded with tractors, seems like a good place to ask, "what did you do to fix the problem?"

 

[oosik]

I've got a 2005 F-150 with 5.4L motor. I've pulled a lot of trailers with my truck - some pretty heavy - some fairly light. NEVER had a problem with "squat" and I have nothing heavy duty or overload as far as rear springs. I do have the standard frame mount rear trailer hitch.

What in the world are you hooking on the back of your F-150 that makes it squat??

Methods to correct this "squat" condition -

Frame mounted hitch with level-ride arms

Overload rear springs

Air inflated overload rear air bags

 

[flyerdan]

Probably the best fix would be air shocks. That way you can keep the normal ride and bump it up to keep the vehicle level with a load.
I put a set on my Toyota for when I have a load, think they were under $40 thru ebay or RockAuto.

 

[YLee Kioti]

1-How much to you tow?
2- how much squat? have you measured before and after at the rear wheel fender well?
3- why not use the F-250?

I installed a set of Super Springs. This is for your truck, I punched in 2wd as a guess.
SSA28 | SuperSprings for Ford F-15, Chevrolet|GMC Silverado|Sierra 15, Nissan NV 15|25|35 | SuperSprings(R) International, Inc.

This was to tow (My SS set) the CK4010HST and TT 31 ft. BH293 Outback lite. Both about 6.5k lbs.
Now with the NX4510HST looks like a 3/4 ton may be the right truck But will take to scales to have solid data.

So with that in mind do you know how much tractor and trailer both weigh?
Have a CAT or public scale near by. Solid data is the best thing to have in order to surmise a sound and safe solution.

Regards

 

[Oldoak]

I have the SuperSprings on my F-150 that YLee suggests. And I use an Equal-i-zer hitch when towing our camping trailer.

Any type of helper springs or air bags you may add does not increase the load capacity. They only serve to stiffen the rear end and reduce the squat. An equalizer hitch, doesn't matter what brand, will take some of the load off the rear springs and transfer it to the front end while leveling the tow vehicle.

Then again, depending upon the tongue weight of your trailer, it just may be too much for a F-150?

 

[JerryK]

Squat can come from springs and also tires. A lot of nice looking 1/2 ton truck tires are not made to haul like E rated 3/4 ton tires with their higher load rating. You need a proper hitch that will transfer some of the tongue weight to the front truck tires, too. Have to remember that you can pull a lot of weight with even a small compact truck, but making it stop when you want to is an entirely different thing....

 

[TractorNH]

A weight distribution hitch is designed to solve this problem so the weight of the trailer is distributed to the front end of the tow vehicle which also helps maintain steering control.

 

[mobilus]

I appreciate the replies. FWIW, I'm only hooking up the F-150 to a 16' tandem axle car hauler with a L2800 with brush hog, or a 22' bowrider boat. The truck has upwards of 300k miles on it, but is far from going to the junkyard. I will probably install some Firestone air bags as the ride without a trailer is on point...I just want to level it out when towing. I had them on a 1T dually I owned, and I liked the versatility and ease of installation. I wanted to see if there was a consensus amongst you guys...it seems there are many ways to get the job done.

 

[fried1765]

I appreciate the replies. FWIW, I'm only hooking up the F-150 to a 16' tandem axle car hauler with a L2800 with brush hog, or a 22' bowrider boat. The truck has upwards of 300k miles on it, but is far from going to the junkyard. I will probably install some Firestone air bags as the ride without a trailer is on point...I just want to level it out when towing. I had them on a 1T dually I owned, and I liked the versatility and ease of installation. I wanted to see if there was a consensus amongst you guys...it seems there are many ways to get the job done.

I have a K-2500 4x4 GMC 7.3L Suburban with AirLift air bags, and they do a great job.
I also use a 14,000# Equal-i-zer hitch.

 

[rmc125mx]

I fully support the firestone bags!! Will not own a truck without them. I have a 2005 f150 crew, 4.56 gears, and a whole lot of other mods that makes her far from stock. I tow pretty heavy with mine and does great so I know without a doubt the bags will work for your use. I have the onboard compressor mounted under my bed side. Great addition and I highly suggest it if possible. The tractor pic was prob the heaviest she's ever pulled. That was when I was moving and trying to get it all in one shot