Recommended Air Springs Compatible with 5th Wheel Hitch on 2016 Ford F-150

Updated 05/26/2020 | Published 09/21/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle

(1689)

$333.94

Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System for Air Helper Springs - Remote - Bluetooth - Single Path

(575)

$433.52

Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers - Rear Axle

(1334)

$438.23

Reese Quick-Install Custom Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(39)

$392.98

Question:

Is it possible to mount a set of air bags along with the frame mount brackets for a fifth wheel hitch on a 2016 F-150 with a 6 1/2 foot box ? Will be installing a front end levelling kit and then once I hook up the trailer the back end will have to be boosted up a bit. Any ideas? Thanks.

asked by: Bernie

Expert Reply:

For your 2016 Ford F-150 with 6-1/2 foot bed, I recommend the Reese Quick-Install Custom Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches # RP50087-58. This will give you the rails you need to install a sliding 5th wheel hitch.

Then you can use the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle # AL57268 or LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs with Internal Jounce Bumpers # AL88268 to level your load. The internal jounce protects you if the air spring were to fail but won't be used as long as the air spring is at the minimum 5 psi. This is a confirmed to fit with the rail brackets. I also recommend using the Air Lift WirelessONE Compressor System for Air Helper Springs - Hand-Held Remote - Single Path # AL25980 to give you control of your springs at any time. Without the compressor, the air springs only have the manual inflation option but will still work well.

This system will allow you to level up to a 5000 lbs load and air pressure can be adjusted between 5 psi and 100 psi in the springs.

expert reply by: Jason S

Brett

5/23/2020

I was wondering if someone wanted to send me the information so I can buy a fifth wheel rail kit and airbags that will fit my 2017 Ford F150 short bed 5 foot seven

Chris R.

5/26/2020

For the 5th wheel rail kit, the Reese # RP50087-58 will work perfectly. Then for an air bag setup that's compatible with 5th wheel rails, I recommend the Air Lift # AL57385 if you have 4WD or # AL57268 if you have 2WD. For the hitch itself (if you don't already have one) I really like the Reese # RP30047. Please also note that the trailer will need to have a pivoting pin box like the Reese Sidewinder to ensure you have enough cab clearance during tighter turns with your short bed truck.