2005 Ford Excursion Squats when Using Husky Weight Distribution with 9,000 Pound Trailer

Question:

I have a 2005 Ford Excursion with the 6.0, everything on the vehicle is stock. I am pulling a 9,000lb 37’ travel trailer with the husky round bar Weight Distribution Hitch with Bolt-Together Ball Mount/Shank Assembly and Sway Control only 1 sway bar. Rating of 12,000 lbs and 801-1200 TW rating. When I load the trailer onto my vehicle I get about a 2” squat in the back and 1/4” rise in the front the when I put my level inside the middle of the trailer I am about 2” from being perfectly level, I hook the chains on the round bars on the 6th link giving me my 5 link minimum in between, I have the hitch shank inverted up and I am in the highest setting. When towing on the highway I get quit a bit of sway Should I get a taller hitch shank to raise the tongue of the trailer the 2”? Should I purchase the Timbren Suspension enhancement system? Should I purchase air bags? Shouldn’t I buy a second sway bar for the opposite side? Should I up grade my weight distribution hitch to a torsion type bar system?

asked by: Noah T

Helpful Expert Reply:

Let's first look at the numbers. A trailer weighing 9,000 pounds will have a tongue weight in the neighborhood of 900 to 1,350 pounds. But when you calculate tongue weight for weight distribution you also have to factory in the weight of any cargo loaded behind the rear axle of your 2005 Ford Excursion.

So for example if your trailer's tongue weight is 1,100 pounds and you have 200 pounds of cargo behind the rear axle of the Excursion the total tongue weight would be 1,300 pounds and you would be over the capacity of your weight distribution system.

The 2 inch squat you have is what is causing the trailer to be off-level so going with a shank that offers more rise and drop would only mask the issue. The first thing to do is to calculate the total tongue weight. I have included a link to a help article that explains determining tongue weight.

Once you know what the total tongue weight is, including cargo behind the tow vehicle rear axle, you can determine if the 800 to 1,200 pound system is adequate or if a heavier system is needed such as the Reese Steadi-Flex # RP66561 rated for 700 to 1,400 pounds tongue weight.

Given the length and weight of your trailer you will need a second sway control bar such as # 83660 to better control trailer sway.

If your total tongue weight is within the capacity of your existing system then the issue is likely the softer suspension that is on SUVs compared to 3/4 and 1-ton trucks. It is possible to have a properly rated system set up correctly and still experience squat.

To combat that you can use rear helper springs along with your weight distribution system. For rear suspension enhancement that will help with the squat and vehicle stability but will have a minimal impact on the empty/not towing ride quality of the vehicle I recommend the RoadActive Suspension system # RAS3621. I have linked a video review for you.

Timbren springs will take out the squat and add stability as well but the empty ride will be stiffer and can be jarring when hitting bumps.

Air bags such as # F2255 for 2-wheel drive models or # F2251 for 4-wheel drive models are a good choice if you want adjustability. But a couple of things to keep in mind: air bag systems have a lot of parts and require maintenance to keep them in good working order. The Active Suspension and Timbren springs do not. Also you will either need to have access to an external air compressor or add an on-board system, such as # F2158, to control the air pressure in the springs. Having an on-board compressor system is preferred because no matter where you are you will always be able to adjust the air spring pressure without the need of an external compressor.