Add load leveling shocks

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AllBoostNoEco

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Curiously, my car hauler doesn’t make my truck sag much when empty (3,500 pounds, 350 TW), not more than an inch or two, and I use a weight distribution setup when it’s loaded. As was pointed out, the load leveling shocks don’t do much with that much tongue weight anyway.
Have you considered investing in a weight-distributing hitch rather than trying to firm up the rear of your truck? They make setups for lighter weights such as yours, and you would have a level truck when towing without having to make the truck ride harsher when not towing.
 

Muddy Bean

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I have a load leveling/sway control hitch and I still sag a bit as seen in the photos. I am bummed we can’t retrofit an air bag under there.


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Oakislandbum

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Agreed. Pretty disappointing that a vehicle with the "max tow package", and rated for 9000lbs+, can't handle a few hundred pounds of weight in/on the rear...
So to be clear, no one so far has added or converted from regular suspension to anything that is beefier which eliminates the sag?
 

MidwestBoater

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Here is the sag my 2016 xlt has with the boat hooked up. The truck has nothing in it in this picture other than an 80lb Labrador and my 11 year old daughter.

The boat and trailer are maybe 4000lbs max combined with fuel and all of our crap. The boat itself weighs 2,200lbs, the motor is 350lbs, the trailer I figure is maybe 1,000lbs...

boat and truck.jpg
 

Adieu

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That's not much sag at all

My '09 SWB on fresh rancho coilovers sagged a lot more with a moderate overload (7 big adults, few hundred pounds of luggage -- figure ~2000-2200 lbs occupants+cargo weight)... highway handling wasn't compromised though

Btw: as long as you don't go nose-up and lose front wheel traction, rear sag on an RWD/4x4 vehicle isn't actually detrimental to handling
 

ANGEL TORES

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I know and have that same problem. I did a lot of research and recently found a company that makes rear strut air bags for our expe. Try looking up Airbagit.com they have what we need. If you go on youtube there are videos on this product and Airlyft has a universal kit but parts have to be welded together so it can fit your Expedition. I will be making my order soon because I have a toy hauler camper and plan on making a long trip from New Jersey to Daytona Beach bike week in March. I have a weight distribution hitch and I still have that unsightly sag. People think my camper is to heavy for my Expedition but fact is that the gross on my camper is 8,600lbs and that is well under my capacity of 9,200lbs. It pulls and stops as it should but because of the sag I do feel a little sway and if I can lift the rear of the truck I am sure I won't feel that sway. My weight distribution hitch has a sway control so I am confident I won't get into a issue on the road especially because we have made a trip to the Florida Keys and back just fine, but that sag is like having a ugly mole in the middle of your forehead. I called Airgagit.com and just for the struts it is a cost of about $800 and that is with no compressor. I am going to go the more affordable route and run a line to each strut with a T and use a shredder valve to air them up for now. Any compressor kit can be used and that is far better and it is recommended. Hope this helps you and anyone with the same problem we have about towing with a saggy butt. Good luck.
 

JasonH

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I tow a 27' foot bumper pull trailer that weighs around 6,000 lbs. I have very little sag. I use a weight distributing and sway controlling hitch to redistribute load from the rear vehicle axle to the front. I would try purchasing one from a local distributor and see if it fixes the problem. If it doesn't work to your satisfaction, then return it. I use a Husky Centerline 32218.
 
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Oakislandbum

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I only tow boats, about 3500lb max. Normally don't see WD setups on boat trailers. Just need air suspension or stiffer rear strut option. Disappointing research so far, and disappointing performance with luggage in the rear and 350lbs of tongue weight. Going to have to call the Airbagit company. Their susi doesn't allow filtering to find products for a specific vehicle. Will post of I find solution.
 

Muddy Bean

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I tow a 27' foot bumper pull trailer that weighs around 6,000 lbs. I have very little sag. I use a weight distributing and sway controlling hitch to redistribute load from the rear vehicle axle to the front. I would try purchasing one from a local distributor and see if it fixes the problem. If it doesn't work to your satisfaction, then return it. I use a Husky Centerline 32218.

Post a pic of your truck with trailer attached from the side. I’d like to see this “very little sag”. Most of us are using a WDH system and still have sag, so you are either loading your trailer behind the axles or you have magic rear suspension. Which trim level and year is your truck?


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