Best Rear Suspension Upgrade for 2018 Ford F-150 for Towing

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Question:

I have a 2018 F150 XLT FX4 4 door 4wd 5 liter 10 speed short bed. I am pulling a 2020 KS Sportsmen LE 292RLLE trailer. I have a weight distribution system with sway control already. I am wanting to beef up the rear suspension to decrease sag, to work with the distribution system. I have looked at air bag systems and active suspension systems, but I am still unsure of what I should get. Can you help me with this?

asked by: Shane D

0

Expert Reply:

The best suspension enhancement for your 2018 Ford F-150 is the RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit - Standard Duty # RAS3611-Y or Heavy Duty # RAS3611-YHD.

This kit is the best because it is an active system which continually reinforces your F-150's leaf spring suspension. The force normally put on your truck's leaf springs gets transferred to the RAS Enhancement Kit, allowing your leaf springs to work normally. So they work to keep you level, help with body roll when you turn, and give you better traction and handling by allowing your front wheels to stay completely on the ground instead of being slightly raised under the weight of cargo. The RAS is really a do-it-all type of kit, and easily the option I would go with if it were my F-150.

They also have the benefit of being a one-time install with no type of maintenance or monitoring needed. Air bags like the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 # AL57385 will do a nice job, but it's a constant process of monitoring, inflating, checking for leaks, etc. And in order to make it easy to use, it's really a necessity to get a compressor like the Air Lift WirelessAIR Compressor System # AL74000EZ, which is a big cost that you don't have with the RAS kits.

The correct RAS kit (standard duty or heavy-duty) really comes down to how heavy your tongue weight is, and how much squat you have. For 600 lbs or more or tongue weight and more than 2 - 3 inches of squat use the Heavy Duty RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit # RAS3611-YHD.

For less than that use the Standard Duty RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit # RAS3611-Y.

expert reply by: Kyle S

0

Answer 1

On your 2014 Ford F-150 STX, I recommend the RoadActive Suspension Kit #RAS3611-Y if you have a 4WD truck or the #RAS3611 if you have a 2WD truck. This system easily installs over your leaf springs to improve the stability and control of your…

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Answer 2

I recommend to use the SumoSprings Custom Helper Springs part #SSR-117-47 on the 2018 Ford F-150 with the 1 inch spacer included in the kit. The springs are 9 inches long and you have 11 inches from the axle to the frame. With the spacer, you will…

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Answer 3

Since you want to change your trailer hubs to the 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern I suggest you select a 60-inch axle kit that includes idler hubs, such as one of the two kits shown on the linked page. These two 2K-rated axle kits include 5-on-4-1/2 hubs,…

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Answer 4

While there are stock axles that are close to the measurements you mentioned, there is not one that's an exact match to the existing axle on your Harbor Freight trailer; in order to get an exact match you'll need to special order a…

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Answer 5

Yes, for your 2018 Ford F-150 a Timbren like the part #TFR1504E (which is a custom fit for your truck), is exactly what you need. This will give you the rear suspension support you need to greatly reduce sag when you have your truck bed loaded or if…

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Answer 6

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 7

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 8

Hey Michael, thanks for reaching out! The Timbren Active Off-Road Bumpstops #T28GR you installed on your 2018 Ford F-150 unfortunately have that reputation among users (although Timbren claims their systems provide a smooth ride). Because of this we…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

The correct Roadactive kit that fits your 2023 Ford F-150 is the part #RAS3611-YHD. I really like the RAS kits as they basically don't have any downsides. You get the adjustable support, an easy install, no maintenance, and actually improves…

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Answer 11

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 12

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

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Best Rear Suspension Upgrade for 2018 Ford F-150 for Towing

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