Forum Discussion
APT
Jun 26, 2017Explorer
Spend $15 at a scale to understand all your weights. 3 Passes can find out how much TW you have and how much weight is restored to your front axle.
Air bags only increase the spring rate of the rear axle. They do not transfer weight to the front axle. They complicate WDH adjustment which it seems you do not quite have a fully understanding of yet anyway. My opinion is that a properly adjusted WDH should make towing 7000-ish pounds very stable for most half tons. If you think you need airbags, you are probabyl over at least one rating.
When you put the tongue on the ball, the front should go up. When you apply the WD bars, the front should come back down. Your goal is to get the front back to unhitched heights. If you the front is lower than unhitched height, you are putting too much weight on the front axle. Fender height is an estimate of weight, so I would still recommend using a scale to understand your situation and how to adjust.
I would remove the front leveling. 800 pound bars are probably not enough for 8000 pound GVWR trailer. 1000 or 1200 pound bars are about right for 8000 pounds loaded. Note, very few of the F-150s have 11k tow ratings. There are two special packages that are very low production volume to get 11k-ish ratings. Still, yours is likely to have over 8000 pound tow rating and should be good for your RV.
Air bags only increase the spring rate of the rear axle. They do not transfer weight to the front axle. They complicate WDH adjustment which it seems you do not quite have a fully understanding of yet anyway. My opinion is that a properly adjusted WDH should make towing 7000-ish pounds very stable for most half tons. If you think you need airbags, you are probabyl over at least one rating.
When you put the tongue on the ball, the front should go up. When you apply the WD bars, the front should come back down. Your goal is to get the front back to unhitched heights. If you the front is lower than unhitched height, you are putting too much weight on the front axle. Fender height is an estimate of weight, so I would still recommend using a scale to understand your situation and how to adjust.
I would remove the front leveling. 800 pound bars are probably not enough for 8000 pound GVWR trailer. 1000 or 1200 pound bars are about right for 8000 pounds loaded. Note, very few of the F-150s have 11k tow ratings. There are two special packages that are very low production volume to get 11k-ish ratings. Still, yours is likely to have over 8000 pound tow rating and should be good for your RV.
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