adding a leaf spring

Extra leaf would be my last choice, however another leaf will support more weight. It'll also make it ride rougher and look funny if the front suspension is untouched. Extra rear leaf could net you 2 inches or more lift in the rear.
How much is it squatting now? If your hitch is right it should be about perfect. What size weight bars are you using? Some rear squat is OK. I allow mine to go down a couple inches for a better ride, even though I can get it perfectly level with the hitch.
Other than that look at Timbrens.

I have added a leaf to three different vehicles. I have been happy with the results each time. I have never had a leaf spring leak air, I have dealt with air suspension components leaking air at fittings.

Leaf springs, not air, are in my future.

beemerphile1 wrote:
I have added a leaf to three different vehicles. I have been happy with the results each time. I have never had a leaf spring leak air, I have dealt with air suspension components leaking air at fittings.

Leaf springs, not air, are in my future.

I also added a leaf spring to my F150 and have been very impressed with the results. It didn't raise the truck but made it stiffer. I was heading for air bags but was advised to try a leaf spring. Perhaps if I was a full timer, I'd go air bags but as I'm a casual camper the leaf spring served me well.

put a extra spring in my van for towing my boats, only way to go, they don,t leak.

I have to say it depends on how it is done. My 1ton Dodge rode like a boat. The suspension was squishy. I took it into a local shop to have them check it out. They recommended re-arching the leaves and adding one. They said it would lift the back about an inch. I was apprehensive but went with it. When I got it back he walked me through what they did. They split the leaf packs out and re-arched the existing ones and added another one to the center of the pack so it is like a factory leaf pack. Not one of those thick overkill add-a-leaf kits. They then put new shocks all the way around. $900 out the door. I am very happy with the work and you can't tell that it is taller.

phenrichs wrote:
I have to say it depends on how it is done. My 1ton Dodge rode like a boat. The suspension was squishy. I took it into a local shop to have them check it out. They recommended re-arching the leaves and adding one. They said it would lift the back about an inch. I was apprehensive but went with it. When I got it back he walked me through what they did. They split the leaf packs out and re-arched the existing ones and added another one to the center of the pack so it is like a factory leaf pack. Not one of those thick overkill add-a-leaf kits. They then put new shocks all the way around. $900 out the door. I am very happy with the work and you can't tell that it is taller.

This sounds like a much better solution. I did have the add-a-leaf, and it was done for lift not towing, and I was a teenager so I didn't care about the ride. lol

Have you weighed your TT? Dry weight is around 7200lbs. That's 8200lbs loaded for the average camper. TW will be near 1000lbs when loaded. My guess is you don't have enough truck. Ford F150's are soft in the rear and sag easily. You would need 1400lb spring bars to return the front to 50% or more of the original height. Even then with the initial rear sag it's tough to get the front back. BTDT. Have you thought about Timbrens? I have them on my 2500 and unloaded they are non existent. Rides the same. They sit 1" above the rear axle. When you drop the TT coupler on the WDH the rear will only drop 1"+. Then you can hook up your spring bars to set the front of the truck. 20-30 mins to install, no air leaks, ride is same as stock and the rear won't sit higher when empty.

I started with Airbags. While they have their place they can unload the suspension. The majority of the load can ride on the airbags. This can create a squishy ride. Later added Quick Disconnect Torklift Stable loads when they came out. They do not affect empty ride. Not sure if your application is no drill.

Stable Loads

I have had airlifts in one of my vehicles and really liked them while they worked, they have split the bags several times on me and needed replacement. The bags are under warranty for life but the labor is expensive each time.

I am currently having an extra leaf added to my Sierra, literally on the lift at the mechanics shop right now. This is my first time with adding an extra leaf so I've got my fingers crossed.

The airbags worked great, but I stopped trusting them due to how fragile they seemed. My airlifts were inside a coil spring type suspension, so perhaps the models for leaf spring suspensions are more robust.

Think I am gonna go with the extra leaf. The shop said it will gain an extra 1000 lbs of payload. Plus with all the extra weight I carry on a daily basis with tools for work I think it will help.