Recommended Suspension Enhancement for 2011 Ford F250 Towing 14K 5th Wheel

Question:

I just purchased a 2011 Ford F-20 diesel and am planning on towing a 14,000 pound 5th wheel having a pin weight of a little over 2,000 pounds. I was considering the Timbren or an air bags but I dont know which would be best.

asked by: Ralph A

Helpful Expert Reply:

If in addition to towing a fifth wheel, you also regularly haul loads of varying weights in your truck bed, an air bag system like the Firestone Ride-Rite # F2550 would be a good choice, because you can vary the air pressure according to the load being applied to the truck bed.

If you will be primarily towing with the truck, and therefore the amount of load applied to the bed (in this case, the pin weight of the fifth wheel) will not vary much, the Timbren # FR250SDG system you mentioned would be ideal. The springs have no impact on the vehicle ride when the vehicle is unloaded, but as weight is added, the springs get progressively stiffer.

I have linked you to some FAQ articles that you might find helpful. I have also linked you to an install video showing the Timbren springs being installed on a 2011 F250.

expert reply by: Mike L