F-150 set up modifications

[WjColdWater]

Hello all. I’m currently setting up a 2017 F-150 standard cab with a 8’ bed. I ordered this truck with all the towing options. 3.5 eco, 36 gal tank, 10 speed trans with manual settings. This is my everyday driver love this machine. I’m setting it up for a FWC Grandby estimated weight 1600 loaded. The cargo and passenger payload is 2155 total. I have E-range BFGOODRICH tires coming this week. Contemplating air springs and a rear stabilizer bar. Recommendations on bag brands and bars you guys may have. The camper will only be on the rig 4-6 weeks a year. I know a lot of you guys are running 3/4 ton rigs. Considering the time I will use the camper I don’t want to give up the 1/2 ton economy. Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

If it was my truck, Firestone Airbags would be the first thing I would do. I’d next see how the truck handles with the camper on. If not satisfied with how it handles, next step would be to add a sway bar. On my F350, I have a Hellwig Bigwig.

 

[Dphillip]

I installed Firestone air bags purchased from etrailer.com on my half ton. I installed them myself as it was quite easy. They work great and have been leak free for over four years. I only need to run about 30 pounds of air in the bags to bring the truck back to normal height.

I really like the reviews the new F-150 is receiving with the eco boost and max tow package. One might be in my future in a few years.

 

[WjColdWater]

I installed Firestone air bags purchased from etrailer.com on my half ton. I installed them myself as it was quite easy. They work great and have been leak free for over four years. I only need to run about 30 pounds of air in the bags to bring the truck back to normal height.
I really like the reviews the new F-150 is receiving with the eco boost and max tow package. One might be in my future in a few years.

Thanks for your response. With 50k on this truck it has not disappointed. I was a GM guy for 30 years and this is my second Ford. The Ford F-150 in my opinion is the top pick on a 1/2 ton ride. Being a retired carpenter I’ve had a lot of seat time in pick ups. I have done a lot of research on the Firestone bags and Air Lift brands. I’m on the fence between the two brands.

 

[CougarCouple]

Have you looked at the Helwig product. I went that route because of the lower operating pressure.

Russ

 

[WjColdWater]

Have you looked at the Helwig product. I went that route because of the lower operating pressure.
Russ

I will give them a look.

 

[WjColdWater]

Any reviews on Hellwig Big Wig bags?

 

[CougarCouple]

I used them on our f250, so far we like them.

 

[WjColdWater]

Russ, thanks for your take on the Hellwig product. I’ve done a lot of research on bags and I like the lower pressure option.
Wayne

 

[moveinon]

Definitely Firestone. They hold up well.

 

[fish more]

Yep, Firestone

 

[Alvis]

I installed torklift stableloads on my 2015 F150 with ATC Ocelot camper. Handles really well and can disengage when the camper is not on the truck. if you want their propaganda watch: https://youtu.be/ydQMZ_fAUH0

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi WjColdWater
It’s hard sometimes to figure out what to do.
I would like to emphasize that waiting till after you have used the truck with camper in stock form. It will give you a much better idea.


Google around and search for best price for which ever direction you go. I think I got a coupon I googled the web for and a small sale from Truck Spring. Use separate hoses if you do that route Incase the camper lists one side or the other. If there was ever an air leak also easy to determine which side to look at.

Russ

Russ

 

[WjColdWater]

Hi WjColdWater
It’s hard sometimes to figure out what to do.
I would like to emphasize that waiting till after you have used the truck with camper in stock form. It will give you a much better idea.
Google around and search for best price for which ever direction you go. I think I got a coupon I googled the web for and a small sale from Truck Spring. Use separate hoses if you do that route Incase the camper lists one side or the other. If there was ever an air leak also easy to determine which side to look at.
Russ
Russ

This is great advice. The only mod I have so far are E rated BFG tires. My dealer gave the same advice.

 

[Machinebuilder]

I have a grandby shell in a 2011 F150 extended cab 8' bed with the heavy payload package. (2200lb payload)

After wieghing the truck before I was fully packed there really isn't much extra.

I felt the truck wallowed with the camper on and after weighing it decided to put the firestone air bags on.
this really firmed up the rear, and I only run 20psi in the bags. interestingly when I took the camper off the pressure dropped to 5psi which is the mininum to run.

I find my truck settles very evenly front to back just taking most of the rake out.

I have decided when I replace this truck I am going for a F350 so I am not running ant 95-???% payload.

 

[WjColdWater]

I have a grandby shell in a 2011 F150 extended cab 8' bed with the heavy payload package. (2200lb payload)

After wieghing the truck before I was fully packed there really isn't much extra.

I felt the truck wallowed with the camper on and after weighing it decided to put the firestone air bags on.
this really firmed up the rear, and I only run 20psi in the bags. interestingly when I took the camper off the pressure dropped to 5psi which is the mininum to run.

I find my truck settles very evenly front to back just taking most of the rake out.

I have decided when I replace this truck I am going for a F350 so I am not running ant 95-???% payload.

Thanks for your take on the F-150 and your experience. My set up will be close to max payload. I plan on keeping this truck for a few years. So a few suspension upgrades will be warranted. Installed BFG KO2 tires today. Bags are next on my list. I was going to wait on the bags but, I like the versatility of them. I think that will get me by for a couple of seasons.

 

[Machinebuilder]

Thanks for your take on the F-150 and your experience. My set up will be close to max payload. I plan on keeping this truck for a few years. So a few suspension upgrades will be warranted. Installed BFG KO2 tires today. Bags are next on my list. I was going to wait on the bags but, I like the versatility of them. I think that will get me by for a couple of seasons.

Thanks for your take on the F-150 and your experience. My set up will be close to max payload. I plan on keeping this truck for a few years. So a few suspension upgrades will be warranted. Installed BFG KO2 tires today. Bags are next on my list. I was going to wait on the bags but, I like the versatility of them. I think that will get me by for a couple of seasons.

I had looked at other methods of helping the wallowing feel.

I learned that a F150 heavy payload is a bastard child that no one makes suspension parts to work, unless maybe you go very expensive custom.
I was having my front tires scallop badly, typically this is do to the shocks being worn out.
I called Bilstien and as soon as the technical support person understood what truck I have he said "I don't have anything for that truck".
I ended up putting factory back in because I could buy the loaded coil over from RockAuto and do it myself.

For the rear I went with a Procomp that is for a standard F150, I think I am still underdamped but with the airbags it is controlled well enough for what I do.

These lessons are why I would not buy another truck like mine going for a superduty instead. The aftermarket support appears to be much better also.

I don't know all the differences with and without the heavy payload package, but it is different than the Max tow package, springs and shocks are different, I also think Ford has stopped using the bastard 7 lug wheels on the heavy payload. I just repainted my steel wheels because I couldn't find any wheels I would willingly pay for.

But this truck is working for now and I can dream about a new one in a couple years.

 

[WjColdWater]

I had looked at other methods of helping the wallowing feel.

I learned that a F150 heavy payload is a bastard child that no one makes suspension parts to work, unless maybe you go very expensive custom.
I was having my front tires scallop badly, typically this is do to the shocks being worn out.
I called Bilstien and as soon as the technical support person understood what truck I have he said "I don't have anything for that truck".
I ended up putting factory back in because I could buy the loaded coil over from RockAuto and do it myself.

For the rear I went with a Procomp that is for a standard F150, I think I am still underdamped but with the airbags it is controlled well enough for what I do.

These lessons are why I would not buy another truck like mine going for a superduty instead. The aftermarket support appears to be much better also.

I don't know all the differences with and without the heavy payload package, but it is different than the Max tow package, springs and shocks are different, I also think Ford has stopped using the bastard 7 lug wheels on the heavy payload. I just repainted my steel wheels because I couldn't find any wheels I would willingly pay for.

But this truck is working for now and I can dream about a new one in a couple years.

Thanks for sharing. I’m picking up the unit in two weeks. My dealer is a three hour drive away. This will be a good starter run with the rig. Most of my travels will be in the midwest on mainly flat country. The real test will be a Arizona trip this winter. Looking forward on dialing in the truck for this adventure. Great information on this site! Thanks again all! Wayne

 

[larryqp]

It appears from reading this thread that most are happy with the airbag product they have, be it Hellwig, Firestone or Airlift. There was an issue about Firestone not honoring warranty with another product, I think it was Daystar brackets or something.

But only Hellwig seems proud of their warranty, which is 2 years on the bags. Not sure about Firestone and Airlift. So it appears price might be the determining factor then warranty.

I'm think airbags first on my F150 because I'll have to drive about 1,100 miles home after picking up and having the new Hawk shell installed. Also, due to my planned mods to the shell, I will end up with most of the weight on one side of the Hawk, ( furnace, propane, tanks, Refrigerator). and not much on the other side, so I'm think I'll need to level side to side.

If I need anything after that, I can aways add a helper spring or custom spring pack. I plan to keep this rig for a long time and the Hawk will remain on 100% of the time. I suspect I will be right at payload when done, depends on final weight of Hawk.

Would like other opinions on the various airbags, especially warranty issues. I won't be installing the airbags myself, but will probably use 4 wheel parts, since they have locations nationwide, in case I need warranty work.

Truck: 2016 Ford F150, FX4, supercab, 6.5ft bed. I'm not sure what kind of tires on on truck, will pick it up on Saturday. Hoping for load range E, but probably will have to replace them.