Solution for Rear-End Sag in 2012 Ford F-150 Supercab Towing 17-Foot Camper

Question:

2012 F150 supercab. I tow a 17 foot camper with a 700-800 lb tongue weight. In order to tow it level, i have to use a hich with a 4 inch riser. tHis makes it harder to hook/unhook without using several boards under the tongue jack. The tongue weight makes the rearend of truck sag about 2.5 inches. Can you recommend a helper spring or other product to reduce the sag? Thanks.

asked by: Dean R

Helpful Expert Reply:

Since your F-150 is only 3 years old odds are its spring suspension is still in good shape. For this reason I recommend a weight distribution hitch to correct your rear end sag when towing your camper, rather than a helper spring kit. Helper springs are better for supporting your stock suspension with cargo loads in the truck bed but for your application towing a travel trailer a weight distribution (WD) system is the way to go. You can use the linked page to see all WD systems that also include sway prevention.

The key to choosing a system is to know your trailer's fully-loaded tongue weight (TW) and to add to that the weight of anything in the truck bed - like a loaded cooler or tool box - to come up with your total effective TW. This figure will let you choose a system rated correctly for your TW. Ideally the total TW will fall into the middle of the system's operating range. This will ensure enough tension to shift some TW forward onto the front axle without the system being so stiff that is creates weird handling from the trailer.

Use the linked page to select your type of trailer brakes and to select your TW. If you have electric brakes and a total TW of 800 - 900-lbs then the system I recommend is the Reese Strait-Line # RP66074. All you need to add is a shank like # RP3215 and a hitch ball like either 2-inch # A-90 or 2-5/16-inch # 19286.

The linked article on WD systems may be of interest to you.

expert reply by: Adam R