Determining Stock Ride Height to Install Air Lift SlamAir Springs # AL59210 on 2010 Ford F150

Updated 03/14/2013 | Published 03/11/2013

Question:

I just bought a used 2010 F150 single cab. I brought the truck in to my dealer to make spare keys, I only had one key for it. They informed me that the truck has been lowered. That is good because it is easy to get in and out. I find the rear rides hard on non smooth roads. I also have a small camper. I have coupled the camper to the truck and found that the frond end rises more than Id like. I would like to add in one of your Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted or Air Lift SlamAir Air Helper Springs for Lowered Trucks. I dont know how much it was lowered. What is the distance between the frame and the axle with out it being lowered? How much room is needed for each?

asked by: Mark M

Expert Reply:

The Air Lift SlamAir Helper Springs you mentioned, part # AL59210 is intended for vehicles that have been lowered 2 to 6 inches, so as a first step you will need to determine how much your truck has been lowered. The Firestone system you mentioned is not designed for lowered vehicles.

I do not have any information about the stock ride height, so your Ford dealer would be the best resource for determining how far from stock ride height you are at this point. My Air Lift representative tells me that since you were unaware that the truck had been lowered, you are almost certainly in the 2-6 inch range.

Although the helper spring kit will help with your ride quality and comfort, you will likely find it does not do much for leveling your ride height when towing. Air springs are primarily designed to suspend loads carried in the vehicle itself, not for counteracting the tongue weight of a trailer.

To level the ride height when towing, your best bet would be a weight distribution system that is properly matched to the tongue weight of your trailer. As a first step, you will need to find the fully loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer. The weight of anything stowed in your truck bed behind the rear axle should be added to the tongue weight figure. I will link you to an FAQ article that shows a few easy methods of determining your trailer tongue weight.

Weight distribution systems are typically effective over a several hundred pound range of tongue weights. Ideally, you would want to choose a system that places your trailer tongue weight close to the middle of the effective range.

If you would reply with your ready-to-tow trailer tongue weight, I would be happy recommend a specific weight distribution system for you.

expert reply by: Mike L