Using the Husky Center Line Weight Distribution with Air Bags on a 2016 Ford F-250

Updated 04/18/2019 | Published 04/17/2019

Question:

I have a 2016 F-250 FX4. It is currently setup with Firestone Ride Rite airbags was already on it and I am trying to setup a Husky Centerline WDH my wife bought through y’all. I put the ride rites down to the min 5 PSI as stated in the WDH hitch manual. The front is riding where it should be but the front of the trailer is still too high. If I move the brackets on the trailer any lower it puts the front of the truck too high and if I go up too low. I guess my question is should I lower my hitch assembly 1 hole? If I do that it would be less than 1 inch above my trailer coupler. The instructions say 1in plus and that’s about where I am currently. It also says for a 6 in frame which I have to have 3 hardened washers in the current 2017 manual but on the older instructions 2014 I found online it says to adjust it via the washers. I have a good understanding of how it all works but the airbags are throwing me off and the fact I can’t get it tuned in. I’m confused. Thanks.

asked by: Randy

Expert Reply:

I know the instruction manual for the Husky Center Line Weight Distribution states to set the pressure in the airbags to their minimum, which is 5 psi. However, I suggest you actually try the exact opposite and set the airbags up first to take the majority of the vehicle sag out of the equation then set the spring bars on the weight distribution system to get rid of the remaining sag. We find that this works better than the other way as the air bags are not fighting the weight distribution system as much.

With that being said, it sounds like you might need a different shank. I recommend you uncouple the trailer from the vehicle, use the jack to level it, and then measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler. I would then need you to take this measurement and subtract it from the the distance between the ground and inside of the receiver tube on the vehicle while on level ground. The shank on the weight distribution system should then make up the difference. The included shank has a 1-1/4" drop so if you need more you can use part # HT31518 most likely which offers up to a 6-3/4" drop.

In summary, check the trailer coupler height in relation to the trailer hitch on the vehicle and then set the airbags up first. If this does not fix your issue then you will just need to make more adjustments to the system. The most important thing is that the spring bars are parallel with the trailer frame.

expert reply by: Conner L