Rear Suspension Enhancement for 2008 Ford F-150 to Reduce Suspension Sag When Towing

Question

Question:

Thank you again for the other options. I did think about that Roadmaster suspension. My friend actually installed it on his 2016 F-150 and he likes the ride and support when towing. The only complaint he told me was it gave him a 2 inch lift to rear suspension and now he is needing to raise the front end to get a level truck look. But he says when empty he still does have a good comfort ride but with a little more stiffness and feels hop on rear end when going over pot holes and rough roads. But other than that for him it was a good option. Because he does tow more often and uses his 30ft TT more often than I do. For me I’m not to sure. Since I mentioned I only take my very heavy TT only about 4 times a year and manly local not far. With only 1 long trip from Florida to NC. I don’t like the idea that it gives you 2 inch lift to rear. Would need to spend more money to pay to add a front leveling kit. Sorry for being so indecisive. I just want to make sure I get the best option for my situation. I do know I’m maxed out on my numbers and to the limit to being over overload. But with WDH it does say from Ford Web site that it goes up with WDH And I can tow 11,000 lbs max and a tongue weight of up 1,000lbs. I do have tow package with a rear axle ratio of 3.73 and limited slip differential also have the heavy duty payload package and on my own I had installed a bigger capacity transmission cooler and installed new Rancho 5000 shocks to front and rear. I have installed E rated tires to also handle the added weight. I wanted you to have all the facts and specification on my truck. I’m not reckless and very aware of all safety issues and possible dangers towing so heavy at trucks upper limits. I say all this to assure you I know what I’m doing and I’m a seasoned TT user for more that 10 years and like I mentioned before I do tow a boat on regular basis. So in no way am I new to towing. So with all that new information you now have. Is it your best recommendation in order of best to least is 1) AirBags 2)RoadMaster 3)Jounce Springs So my final question will then be. Without killing my comfort factory ride when not loaded. I should go with your original recommendation of Sumo Springs in the 1000lb rating. That should give me enough of a support to help with my 2”sag to rear and I should not go any higher than that because it will effect my comfort ride. So there is no happy middle. I should not go up to anything bigger than the 1000lb. Please advice. Thank you

asked by: Carlos H

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

The amount of tongue weight you have at 965 lbs it probably higher than what your F-150 is rated to tow which is why you are experiencing sag even with a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement can help give you more support but if you are above the weight capacity of your vehicle suspension enhancement would not be enough to allow you to safely tow beyond that.

The SumoSprings kit part # SSR-108-40 would give you an additional 1,000 lbs of support when towing though and would reduce the sag greatly. This is less expensive than an air bag setup and does not require maintenance either.

expert reply by: Jameson C

1

Carlos H.

3/18/2020

Still confused. I was advised by etrailer expert for my condition reported to install Sumo Springs Solo SSR108-40 is 1,000lbs. The Q&A section I searched on your site has customers with same problem and were advised to install Timren TFR150DH 7,000lb. Why have I been advised to go with lower rated springs. I stated in my detailed question that I have a very heavy travel trailer. So why the lower rated springs. Thank you.

Jameson C.

3/18/2020

The temptation is to go with "more is better" when it comes to suspension support but when you go with a kit with that much support you are going to have a very harsh ride quality. 1,000 lbs of additional support will give you the support you need without killing your ride quality.

Carlos H.

3/19/2020

I’m still confused. Correct me if I’m wrong. From what I read on your web page. The Jounce style suspension upgrade are passive. They only work when truck bed is loaded with extra cargo weight. It does not effect the ride when empty. So I understood that to mean it only works when you need it and when not needed you will not know it there. So please explain how is it that getting a higher rated Jounce style spring will hurt your ride. I was thinking If I was towing a very heavy TT with four passengers in truck and I’m maxed out on all numbers. How can I go with a 1000lb spring instead of going big and use the 7000lb one. With that much weight I’m towing wouldn’t it kill my ride already? Just want clarify how the Jounce works. Does it or does is not effect ride quality when vehicle not loaded and just for daily commuting. Thank you

Jameson C.

3/19/2020

The jounce style springs will only have 1/2 inch of clearance between the spring and the truck frame which means that after the suspension compresses 1/2 inch the jounce springs will engage. If you go with a super high capacity jounce spring it's going to feel very harsh when you hit them. Since your truck is a 1/2 ton your suspension normally moves quite a bit so you'd engage the spring frequently. A coworker here put a Timbren on a 3/4 ton truck and had to take them off since the ride was so rough and his wife hated it.

Carlos H.

3/24/2020

Thank you again for the other options. I did think about that Roadmaster suspension. My friend actually installed it on his 2016 F-150 and he likes the ride and support when towing. The only complaint he told me was it gave him a 2 inch lift to rear suspension and now he is needing to raise the front end to get a level truck look. But he says when empty he still does have a good comfort ride but with a little more stiffness and feels hop on rear end when going over pot holes and rough roads. But other than that for him it was a good option. Because he does tow more often and uses his 30ft TT more often than I do. For me I’m not to sure. Since I mentioned I only take my very heavy TT only about 4 times a year and manly local not far. With only 1 long trip from Florida to NC. I don’t like the idea that it gives you 2 inch lift to rear. Would need to spend more money to pay to add a front leveling kit. Sorry for being so indecisive. I just want to make sure I get the best option for my situation. I do know I’m maxed out on my numbers and to the limit to being over overload. But with WDH it does say from Ford Web site that it goes up with WDH And I can tow 11,000 lbs max and a tongue weight of up 1,000lbs. I do have tow package with a rear axle ratio of 3.73 and limited slip differential also have the heavy duty payload package and on my own I had installed a bigger capacity transmission cooler and installed new Rancho 5000 shocks to front and rear. I have installed E rated tires to also handle the added weight. I wanted you to have all the facts and specification on my truck. I’m not reckless and very aware of all safety issues and possible dangers towing so heavy at trucks upper limits. I say all this to assure you I know what I’m doing and I’m a seasoned TT user for more that 10 years and like I mentioned before I do tow a boat on regular basis. So in no way am I new to towing. So with all that new information you now have. Is it your best recommendation in order of best to least is 1) AirBags 2)RoadMaster 3)Jounce Springs So my final question will then be. Without killing my comfort factory ride when not loaded. I should go with your original recommendation of Sumo Springs in the 1000lb rating. That should give me enough of a support to help with my 2”sag to rear and I should not go any higher than that because it will effect my comfort ride. So there is no happy middle. I should not go up to anything bigger than the 1000lb. Please advice. Thank you

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Rear Suspension Enhancement for 2008 Ford F-150 to Reduce Suspension Sag When Towing

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