Have 2010 F150 5.4l Super Crew (long Box). 3.55 gear ratio. Trailer package. I recently purchased a Forest River Salem Hemisphere 272BH. Dry weight 6240 lbs dry.Have chance ti put airbag kit on truck...Do I need it? Should I get them installed??Thanks!

What you need is a good weight distributing system, preferably with a built in anti sway system (Reece Duel Cam or if you prefer a friction system, the Equalizer). All air bags can do is prop up the rear of your truck and the WD system will actually LIFT the rear while transferring the weight to where it's needed. It will replace lost weight on the front axles while reducing the increase on the rear. Just be sure you SIZE and ADJUST the WD system correctly. Usually the spring bar size is determined by using 15% of the trailers GVWR. Get as close to that number as possible without being UNDER it.Good luck / Skip

skipnchar wrote:What you need is a good weight distributing system, preferably with a built in anti sway system (Reece Duel Cam or if you prefer a friction system, the Equalizer). All air bags can do is prop up the rear of your truck and the WD system will actually LIFT the rear while transferring the weight to where it's needed. It will replace lost weight on the front axles while reducing the increase on the rear. Just be sure you SIZE and ADJUST the WD system correctly. Usually the spring bar size is determined by using 15% of the trailers GVWR. Get as close to that numbe3r without being UNDER it.Good luck / SkipYep....listen to Skip!!!

I chose Timbrins instead of air bags, just another option with no air leaks and still a nice ride.Even with the weight dist system you use, I found the F150 has a soft rear suspension.

No to air bags and yes to Skip. I had a F150 5.4 2008 before we traded it in for the F350. We had the Reese square bar hitch.

Skip is telling you right. You are also about to get schooled on "dry weight", rear gear ratio, payload, and the importance of torque the first time you pull that lead sled. Start saving for a bigger/or more capable truck.

New to Rving.....Need Assistance !! F150 Question.

22 Replies

Hybridhunter
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
3:55 final gear with a 9800# tow rating :h yep have fun with that. Dump the air bags and change the gears to something around 3:90 something IMO. First small grade and you will see.

Don

You need to "get with the times" the 6 speed makes the 3.55 gears a non-issue. These 6 speeds have enough gears there is always one available wthat with put the engine in it's powerband. And they lock the converter in any gear except first.
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
May 30, 2013
I'm sure with the ECM controlling everything now a days it would be next imposable to do plus cost more then you could ever get back out of it. Would be nice though.

Don
APT
Explorer
May 30, 2013
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
I wounder what it would take to swap a six speed into a four speed truck?

I would have loved to do that on my prior TV, 2003 F-150.
BenK
Explorer
May 30, 2013
goducks10 wrote:
301TBS wrote:
He has a 2010 F150 with a 5.4. It is equipped with a 6speed automatic.

I had that combo and towed 7200lbs and it shifted more than a GP bike at Laguna Seca.:) No way to lock out gears as the select shift 6sp came on board in 2011.

Kinda sorta expected or thought that would be the case. You are the first
I've read of confirming that

Reason the OEMs are going to close ratio gear boxes are two fold, IMHO

#1 marketing buzzzz. The performance 'cars' have been going that way and
the nail was the small to mid sized econo boxes ditto

#2 EPA SMOG mandates is a 'bit' easier (my guess) if they can tune
the ICE's to an optimal RPM and that is most likely a narrow RPM range

So to keep the ICE's in that narrow RPM range, close ratio gear boxes
is one way. That will then mean the gear boxes (automatics...manuals
will have the driver 'decide' when to shift and which gear) keep the ICE's
in that narrow range.

Load it up hauling and/or towing will have it shift even more trying
to keep it in that optimal RPM range. Lots of folks refer to that
as the 'power band', etc

Close ratio gear boxes were available to big ticket racers long ago
and similar desire...to keep the ICE in it's optimal RPM range, but
not for SMOG, but for power
goducks10
Explorer
May 30, 2013
301TBS wrote:
He has a 2010 F150 with a 5.4. It is equipped with a 6speed automatic.

I had that combo and towed 7200lbs and it shifted more than a GP bike at Laguna Seca.:) No way to lock out gears as the select shift 6sp came on board in 2011.
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
May 30, 2013
301TBS wrote:
He has a 2010 F150 with a 5.4. It is equipped with a 6speed automatic.

I know he does was thinking about others that do not.

Don
301TBS
Explorer
May 29, 2013
He has a 2010 F150 with a 5.4. It is equipped with a 6speed automatic.
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
May 29, 2013
I wounder what it would take to swap a six speed into a four speed truck?
mosseater
Explorer II
May 29, 2013
The only thing that keeps my rig viable when towing hills is the 4.10 rear. The four speed limits this setup pretty severely. My tow rating is 9300 lb and I usually leave home around 8K +/- 200 lb. I'm over my 15,300 lb combined pretty often. If you're not in a hurry, you'll make out a lot better. Steep, short entrance ramps onto highways are the main enemy, and the tach needle spends quite a bit of time between 3600-4500. If you have a 3.55, you better have a 6 spd trans to go with it, IMHO.
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
May 29, 2013
7800# with a 3:55 even with the six speed will be taxing on the truck. I did post 9800# it has a 9700# if a 4X2 9500# if a 4X4. Towing that weight with a 3:55 gear up any grade will not be fun. The optional gears were 3:73 and 4:10. Me if I was going to tow with the truck I would go with 4:10 if ordering, 3:96 if replacing.
Link to Ford specs.

Don