Does anyone have Air springs to keep truck from squating

Panik · Oct 17, 2015

HenryIV said:
I have a little experience with the way Ford and GM designs, test and builds trucks. You are at the upper limit. You can do it but you'e be more comfortable with a 3/4 ton truck. I wouldn't feed 7000 lbs to a 1/2 ton day in and day out and expect good things for the trans, not in the hills where I live anyway. My buddy has a F150 and he does his boat and horse trailer with it and he uses an electronic gadget for the brakes. Good luck!

Hey Henry, where are you at in NW Ga? Purely, out of curiosity as I'm in Floyd county. Love living in the foothills!

crashz said:
I never tried a weight distributing hitch on my 1/2 ton because I always expected to upgrade the truck and all of our trailers have pintle hitches. But I believe that would be a best option for a softly sprung truck within its tow and weight limits. That plus some good quality Load C or D truck tires (1/2 ton tires get squishy even within their load range) will help a lot.

Those two things right there have made the biggest difference in the handling characteristics of my GMC 1500. I upgraded from passenger tires to LT "E" range and installed a set of Load Lifter 5000's. I have towed 8K with this set up and it honestly feels as stable as the 3/4 tons I used to tow with for work. Big caveat - if I were to do it again I would strongly consider getting a weight distributing hitch first.

Diamondpilot · Oct 17, 2015

crashz said:
3rd

Without at least 10% on the hitch, my equipment trailer sways and bucks like mad. Add in the "slop" of a pintle hitch and its unbearable. My 3/4ton tows best with enough tongue weight to level it. That is approximately 1000lbs or almost 20% of my typical load (tractor or SS). But my trailer tongue looks to be stressed at that weight so splitting the difference is the best compromise.

I never tried a weight distributing hitch on my 1/2 ton because I always expected to upgrade the truck and all of our trailers have pintle hitches. But I believe that would be a best option for a softly sprung truck within its tow and weight limits. That plus some good quality Load C or D truck tires (1/2 ton tires get squishy even within their load range) will help a lot.

I hate pintle hitches with a passion. I had to tow a 12K trailer last week with one. Never again....

Chris

JCByrd24 · Oct 18, 2015

It has been recommended over and over in the thread, but I think only once was it mentioned that it is likely required that the OP has a WD hitch in this case to be legal. My 06 Silverado 1500 is my only baseline but I'm assuming the f150 is similar. My factory hitch has a rating of only 5000lbs trailer and 500lb tongue without WD. The GM published tow guide specifically states the WD and sway control is required on all trailers over 5000lbs. Air bags do not transfer weight back to the front wheels (or the front bolts holding the trailer hitch on the truck) like WD does. Since WD cost about the same as air bags and makes it legal, I would go that route. It will be an easier install as well.

Diamondpilot · Oct 19, 2015

JCByrd24 said:
It has been recommended over and over in the thread, but I think only once was it mentioned that it is likely required that the OP has a WD hitch in this case to be legal. My 06 Silverado 1500 is my only baseline but I'm assuming the f150 is similar. My factory hitch has a rating of only 5000lbs trailer and 500lb tongue without WD. The GM published tow guide specifically states the WD and sway control is required on all trailers over 5000lbs. Air bags do not transfer weight back to the front wheels (or the front bolts holding the trailer hitch on the truck) like WD does. Since WD cost about the same as air bags and makes it legal, I would go that route. It will be an easier install as well.

You are correct. I mentioned a WD hitch early on. It will be the best and only legal fix to his problem.

Chris

tman1020 · Oct 19, 2015

A weight distribution hitch is required to safely and legally haul the weight you mentioned. A properly equipped F1 50 depending on the year should be able to handle that weight without problem. The airbags probably won't be needed once you get the weight distribution hitch. However the airbags can have some nice benefits but it is the wrong way to achieve what you were trying to accomplish in the situation. Start with the hitch then go from there.

MossRoad · Oct 19, 2015

OK, novice towing question here....

If your truck's hitch is rated at 5000# how will a weight distributing hitch increase that? Doesn't it just slip into the 5000# receiver? If you're still towing more than 5000# it would seem you'd still be out of spec?

MossRoad · Oct 19, 2015

OK, novice towing question here....

If your truck's hitch is rated at 5000# how will a weight distributing hitch increase that? Doesn't it just slip into the 5000# receiver? If you're still towing more than 5000# it would seem you'd still be out of spec?