Recommendation To Reduce Bouncing On 2011 Ford F-250 With Air Lift Air Springs While Towing Trailer

Question:

My 2011 F-250 Superduty 6.7L diesel Lariat with 6.8 foot bed pickup porpoises very badly on concrete highways, especially when towing our 30 foot Actic Fox travel trailer with about 10,000-11,000 loaded. We use the BandW Continuum weight distribution hitch and we have the Airlift airbags. I find that only using very little air in the airbags helps to reduce the porpoising, however, there is more sway during cross-wind conditions. The airbags were added and Bilstein shock absorbers replaced about 2 years ago. New Michelin Defender LTX tires install around that period as well. I have also added a 38 gallon diesel tank in the bed of the truck, next to the cab, which is full at the beginning of a trip. Im looking for the best solution reduce or eliminate the porpoising issue. I do have the Roadmaster suspension kit on my travel trailer and am pleased with this upgrade. This Roadmaster RAS seems like a viable solution, but before I spend that much for a fix, I want to get some feedback from the experts to let me know if this should work or if I should look for a different solution.

asked by: Chris D

Expert Reply:

I do have a recommendation for you as the RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit # RAS3611-SLHD will not fit with the Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Air Helper Springs # AL57396 on your 20111 Ford F-250. Both of these systems mount around the leaf springs at the U-Bolts.

Depending on which Air Lift kit you have you may consider installing 2 of the Air Springs # AL84293. These air springs have the internal jounce bumper which will help to absorb the porpoising/bouncing issue you are experiencing. Since the installation of air springs require removal of the factory jounce spring the bouncing is often a side affect. Please let me know what kit you have so I can find the correct air springs with jounce bumpers.

expert reply by: Bud M