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Which Shocks for 2017 F150 Ecoboost

HydrogenCyanide
Explorer
Explorer
I've had the tow vehicle since new. Approaching 60,000 miles with roughly 20% of them towing.

My first travel trailer with this truck was a Keystone Cougar28RBS. MY wife got 2 footidice and we upgraded to a Sporttrek Touring 312VBH. A little longer and a little heavier.

This trailer has given me some towing problems. I've since re-adjusted the equalizer hitch and I think I have it setup correctly now. I still can feel the increase in weight even though it is only 150pounds heavier and hitch weight of 1200 vs 1050 of the old trailer.

To be clear, when I say problems, nothing to do with power. I just feel it is a little bouncier and at time feel the trailer is pushing the truck around a bit when it gets bouncing.

Will upgraded shocks help? I assume that they cannot hurt. Any recommendations on which shocks to buy.

Also....I have looked the 3/4 tonne route, but financially it just does not make sense at this time. In the end, if I can't make this work, I'll upgrade, but I'd like to see if something small like shocks will improve things first.

Interested in opinions on this.

Thanks
22 REPLIES 22

MitchF150
Explorer III
Explorer III
5100's on my 13.. I know it's not a new rig, but they really made a difference in just everyday driving since I put them in.

Mitch
2013 F150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab Max Tow Egoboost 3.73 gears #7700 GVWR #1920 payload. 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite 2511S.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
60k shocks could be shot. Throw something stiff like bilsteins on it.
But shocks don’t support weight, they dampen the suspension movement.
In a static condition your wdh can take the right amount of weight off to correct the effect of the load, but in a dynamic situation the spring rate May or does allow more suspension compression than you like.
So add air bags or an add a leaf or other products to increase the spring rate.
Sway bar won’t help. It just links both springs together. Not a concern generally, towing.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

manley
Explorer
Explorer
HydrogenCyanide wrote:
Thanks for all the replies. Would airbags or shocks be a better investment? I don’t really have squat though with the equalizer hitch. Thinking shocks maybe the best way. What exactly is sway bar and how does that work?


Info about sway bars
2021 F250 XLT FX4 SCREW Godzilla 7.3L
Hensley Arrow
2017 Open Range Light 272RLS

time2roll
Nomad
Nomad

HydrogenCyanide
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for all the replies. Would airbags or shocks be a better investment? I don’t really have squat though with the equalizer hitch. Thinking shocks maybe the best way. What exactly is sway bar and how does that work?

manley
Explorer
Explorer
I have the Bilstein 5100s on all 4 corners on my ‘18. Also have air bags, sway bar, and LR E tires. Night & day difference.
2021 F250 XLT FX4 SCREW Godzilla 7.3L
Hensley Arrow
2017 Open Range Light 272RLS

blt2ski
Moderator
Moderator
Could be shocks, I would try first.
Another, is if you have P metric tires, or the HT ones, Its also possible those are too soft for the heavier hitch weight of the new trailer. So a set of LT C or D tires would help this too.
Not that i would swag this, but the rear springs may be worn. I doubt it personally. Going to a heavier version, ie instead of say 3000 lb springs, go with 3500 or 4000 lb rated springs. Fords are known for having lighter springs than one thinks they should GM had 3900 lbs for all 15 series versions. Ford has multiple from 3000 up to 4500 or there about.
ANy of these fixes are cheap compared to a new 25 series truck.

Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
Trying new shocks is an inexpensive option IMO. No reason that engine power would be a factor.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad