Headlights are too high towing, getting high beam flashed.

[Sgeorge]

So I had to tow through the night on my last trip, something I try to avoid, but was unavoidable this time. I kept getting flashed by on coming drivers because apparently my lights are too high and blinding people. I have 2016 F250 with the camper package and use an 4 Point Equi-li-zer Hitch. The tongue weight of the trailer is only 700 lbs and the hitch is adjusted correctly according to the owners manual height measurements. The truck rear end drops approx. 1 1/4 from unloaded height, but this is enough to throw the alignment off for the lights. I am looking for suggestions on how to remedy this issue without using the hitch to do it. Using the hitch would put the adjustment out of the normal range according to Equi-li-zer. Basically the truck sags too much even with the hitch attached, or it sags enough to throw off the headlights, however you want to look at it. I have looked into the Torklift spring helpers, and they look reasonable, Is there other possible solutions. PS I do not want air bags, I think that would be over kill.

[hawkeye-08]

moebedick wrote:
Just to clarify my previous suggestion regarding Stabiloads on my lower springs.
The installation took approximately one hour. Turning them,literally,on and off takes about two minutes, does not require going under the truck if your arms are more than one foot long, and is greatly simplified when you jack up the rear of your truck about two inches. Just remember to place the Jack under your hitch to relieve the pressure on your springs. Air bags will not reduce sway. Stabiloads level the truck,reduce sway and improve handling.
I sound like a pitch man for these things,but I’m not. I’m just a very happy user.

I too have Torklift StableLoads on my truck. I have not yet got the hitch setup dialed in completely with the StableLoads engaged, but like them so far. I plan on adjusting my headlights down a bit also, I need all the light right in front I can get.

[K_and_I]

The newer Ford Superduty trucks get flashed often, even unloaded as they use all 4 of the headlights even on dim.

[demiles]

Bobbo wrote:

greydog wrote:
just the ability to adjust headlight beam as necessary when hauling a load. GD

That is called "air bags." You can even get them with remote control with an onboard air pump.

Adjustable head aiming is available on some models of the Titan XD. A simple thumb wheel on the dash adjusts them up or down.

[greydog]

Airbags are just fine for adjusting the attitude of the truck but not worth a darn for adjusting the headlights. I still think this is a feature which should have been available years ago. GD

[burningman]

Porsche had driver-adjustable headlights decades ago in the 928.

Pickups are nose-heavy and designed to take lots of extra weight in the rear.
Adjusting the hitch so you don’t change the weight distribution at all isn’t the right way to go.
Airbags work great, they don’t ruin your empty ride and if you get the onboard compressor they’re effortless. I love mine.

However... I think if that little bit of squat is making your lights blind everyone they’re just adjusted too high in general. Crank ‘em down a bit before doing anything else.

[ib516]

Camper G wrote:

Is it common for an F-250 to squat that much with 700 lb of tongue weight? On occasion I pull my travel trailer without any weight distribution hitch hooked up, and I have maybe that much of squat in the rear. It doesn't move hardly much at all.

Yes, the current F250 is known to have fairly soft rear springs.

[Bobbo]

greydog wrote:
just the ability to adjust headlight beam as necessary when hauling a load. GD

That is called "air bags." You can even get them with remote control with an onboard air pump.

[greydog]

You know, of all the electronic **** our trucks are saddled with nowadays, you would think some brilliant outomotive engineer would have come up with the idea of remotely adjustable headlights. It wouldn't even have to be electric. We have remotely adjustable mirrors, we have power windows, auto door locks, power tailgates, bluetooth, stupid monitoring systems which require the driver to scroll through a menu while he should be paying attention to the road. Surely we could come up with remote adjustments for headlights. Not auto compensating, I pray, just the ability to adjust headlight beam as necessary when hauling a load. GD

[Fordlover]

SAR Tracker wrote:

stickdog wrote:
I say just hit them with the brights and they'll get the message.

I did that once, and the oncoming car turned on his red and blue overhead lights and gave me a ticket!

Talk about a lose lose situation. If you flash him, he gives you a ticket, if you don't flash him, he will claim you left your brights on the whole time. Wonder who the Judge will believe?

[Camper_G]

I agree with the others, if you're getting flashed with that minimal amount of squat, they're probably ain't too high from the factory. I would try to adjust them a little bit lower for starters and see if that helps. Also agree with the others, glad you're addressing the problem instead of just ignoring it and blinding everyone.

Is it common for an F-250 to squat that much with 700 lb of tongue weight? On occasion I pull my travel trailer without any weight distribution hitch hooked up, and I have maybe that much of squat in the rear. It doesn't move hardly much at all.

[ljr]

Dennis12 wrote:
ljr , How did you install the airbags on your TV's

I’ve always had the dealer install them. I’ve been getting TVs and service from the same dealer for a long time so they treat me pretty well.

[wnjj]

If one inch of sag makes people start flashing you they were probably too high to start with. Adjust them lower and you may find they are ok without a load. I load a 4K lb truck camper on and don’t get flashed.

[IB853347201]

A weight distribution hitch, properly adjusted will solve your issue.

[Dennis12]

ljr , How did you install the airbags on your TV's