Rear Suspension Enhancement System for a 2000 Ford F-250 4x4 Towing Gooseneck Trailer

Updated 03/21/2013 | Published 03/19/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs - Double Convoluted - Rear Axle

(3247)

$539.56

Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System

(7216)

$269.36

Question:

I have a Ford F-250 3/4 ton 4x4 with the 7.3L Diesel motor. Yes, lucky enough to have one of the last of the great Ford motors. I have a 32foot Gooseneck Ball-in-Bed Horse Trailer that weighs 10000 total. Obviously the tongue/bed weight is not that. When I put horses in it the max. weight of the total trailer would be appx. 13000 lbs. I believe but Im not sure, that the truck is equipped with heavy duty rear springs. PROBLEM: The truck squats in the rear when the trailer is hooked up. What is the best product that you could recommend to fix this problem?

asked by: Julie

Expert Reply:

The best rear suspension enhancement product for your 2000 Ford F-250 is going to depend on a couple things. First, how your gooseneck hitch is attached to the frame of your truck and second, whether you prefer adjustable air springs or fixed rubber springs.

For an air spring system, I recommend installing the Firestone Ride-Rite Air Helper Springs, # F2550, that you referenced. This system is compatible with most gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches and have been tested for up to 5,000 lbs which should be more than enough to support the tongue weight of your trailer. To determine if this kit will work with your gooseneck hitch, you will want to look at the frame brackets for your gooseneck hitch to see if the brackets block the hole in the frame rail just above the axles (see photo).

If the frame brackets for your hitch do block that hole, then I recommend looking at a rubber spring system like the Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement, # TFR150SDE. These springs will replace your existing bump stops on the bottom of the frame rail and have been tested to support up to 10,000 lbs, which again, is more than enough to support your trailers tongue weight.

Both of these systems will work with factory top overload springs and do not require any drilling to install. You should keep in mind that these systems will not increase the weight-carrying capacity of your truck so you will want to make sure you do not exceed Fords recommended weight limit for your truck.

expert reply by: John H