How To Maximize The Towing Capabilities On My 2016 Ford F-150
Question:
I have a 2016 F-150 and I am looking at purchasing a travel trailer. What can you tell me about active suspension vs the airbags and also how can I boost my F150 to maximize my towing capabilities ie: exhaust, cold air intake and tuner.
asked by: daniel b
Expert Reply:
The difference between active suspension and airbags? Both products are going to add stability to the rear axle when weight is added. Both are going to change how the vehicle rides when no weight is on the vehicle. Both are going to be very similar in how they support and react to weight as it moves the back of the truck. With air bags the air pressure can be adjusted at anytime by adding or removing air depending on the load you are hauling or not hauling. The active suspension has a 2000 lb weight capacity which is adjusted during instillation to help support the weight. It does not need to be adjusted when not carrying the weight. The kit will come with two spring gap discs to adjust the spring for the weight. This kit installs from the axle back on top of your factory leaf spring. The installation process is going to be much less involved than with airbags.
Air bags can be much easier to adjust if you feel the ride is too stiff or not supporting enough by simply adding or reducing the air pressure. Most air bags are going to have a 5000 lb load leveling capacity which is often mistaken for hauling something on a ball. Load leveling is anything that is being carried in the bed of the truck.
In my professional opinion, if your are going to be hauling a trailer from a ball mount I would lean toward the active suspension set up over the airbags for your 2016 Ford F-150. I recommend RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit - Heavy Duty Item # RAS3611-YHD. Trailer sway is caused when the trailer moves off center from the vehicle. As the trailer pulls on that side of the vehicle it causes that corner to drop. By the time the suspension can react and push that corner back up it's now pushing the trailer to the other side. By active suspension being installed on the rear portion of the factory spring pack you are adding support directly to the suspension. With airbags being installed from the frame down onto the top of the axle you are adding support but it is more for what is carried in the bed of the truck directly over the axle like the front nose on a 5th wheel trailer.
As far as getting the most out of your vehicle for hauling. I would suggest adding a tuner. A tuner will give you more adjust-ability. With just adding exhaust and or a cold air intake once it's installed you get what you get. With a tuner you can adjust or monitor different things like throttle response, shifting, g-force, pitch and roll, etc and change it back when your not hauling. There are tuners designed to make a vehicle go fast and tuners designed for vehicles that haul. I recommend the Edge Gas Evolution CS2 Performance Tuner- Color Screen Item # EP85350 for hauling.
Products Referenced in This Question
RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit - Heavy Duty
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Leaf Springs
- Heavy Duty
- RAS
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Edge Gas Evolution CS2 Performance Tuner- Color Screen
- Performance Chip
- Performance Tuners
- Tuner Only
- Color Screen
- No - Not California Approved
- Evolution
- Edge
more information >
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