Air bags for towing/ camper on the lightning ?

[Rlevans]

Has anyone replaced the bump stops with airbags on the lightning?

I'm looking at a Scout Olympic truck camper which should come in at about 1400 #s
Already running 8 ply BFGs.

I've searched but has anyone added airbags to the lightning ?

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[jobofly79]

I tow a 7000lb travel trailer and see no need for airbags. I set up my weight distribution hitch and my truck sits level when towing.

 

[Rlevans]

I tow a 7000lb travel trailer and see no need for airbags. I set up my weight distribution hitch and my truck sits level when towing.

Good to know, just trying to plan ahead for sway of potentially top heavy camper.
Maybe I'll just see how it goes.

 

[RLXXI]

Has anyone replaced the bump stops with airbags on the lightning?

I'm looking at a Scout Olympic truck camper which should come in at about 1400 #s
Already running 8 ply BFGs.

I've searched but has anyone added airbags to the lightning ?

If you're talking about one of those slide in campers, don't! It states as much in the owners manual.

 

[Heliian]

Thanks for introducing me to scout campers, they have some great options.

I think a tow behind is going to work better than the big slide in. After looking at their site, I would go with nothing larger/heavier the pop-up Yoho.

My truck is rated for 1698lbs, you can really notice the load over 1000lbs, if you're busting the rating, airbags won't help. Not to mention that the pop-ups will be more aerodynamic.

Happy trails!

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Ford explicitly recommends against a slide-in camper on the Lightning.

 

[ogdobber]

If you're talking about one of those slide in campers, don't! It states as much in the owners manual.

The reason it says this is because the rear springs are too soft, hence the question about the rear airbags. This is also true when pulling a trailer that doent have a weight distribution hitch, it is a horrible experience towing anything over 5k lbs.
so what about those airbags that go inside the springs? Looking for options

 

[Grumpy2]

Here is a similar request, and their solution.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-suspension-f150-lightning.18801/#post-404728

 

[RLXXI]

The reason it says this is because the rear springs are too soft, hence the question about the rear airbags. This is also true when pulling a trailer that doent have a weight distribution hitch, it is a horrible experience towing anything over 5k lbs.
so what about those airbags that go inside the springs? Looking for options

The frame isn't designed for it nor is the aluminum body. You need to go up to a 250.

 

[RLXXI]

The reason it says this is because the rear springs are too soft, hence the question about the rear airbags. This is also true when pulling a trailer that doent have a weight distribution hitch, it is a horrible experience towing anything over 5k lbs.
so what about those airbags that go inside the springs? Looking for options

The frame isn't designed for it nor is the aluminum body. You need to go up to a 250.

 

[ogdobber]

The frame isn't designed for it nor is the aluminum body. You need to go up to a 250.

F250s are aluminium as well, I’m not trying to put a camper in the back tho, i want a “safe” option to tow over 5k without a weight distribution hitch

 

[RLXXI]

F250s are aluminium as well, I’m not trying to put a camper in the back tho, i want a “safe” option to tow over 5k without a weight distribution hitch

Yes but they have a stronger frame, Ford even made a camper special back in the 60-70s on an F250.

Your truck so do what you want but don't cry when things start breaking because you didn't heed their warnings.

 

[Timeless Epoch]

F250s are aluminium as well, I’m not trying to put a camper in the back tho, i want a “safe” option to tow over 5k without a weight distribution hitch

Air bags don't make up for a properly setup WD hitch. You are still risking overloading your rear axle, overloading your hitch, and unloading your front axle making your entire rig more unstable.

Don't take shortcuts when towing heavy.

 

[K6CCC]

i want a “safe” option to tow over 5k without a weight distribution hitch

There isn't one. You really need a weight distribution hitch. My parents RV trailer when I grew up was only about 2K pounds and we towed it with a full size station wagon (1967 or 1974). Had a WD hitch and it was FAR better that way.

Well, you could use a big rig truck tractor and get away without a WD hitch - but I don't think that is what you're looking for...

 

[ogdobber]

Air bags don't make up for a properly setup WD hitch. You are still risking overloading your rear axle, overloading your hitch, and unloading your front axle making your entire rig more unstable.

Don't take shortcuts when towing heavy.

What? Have you ever used airbags? Airbags on the rear literally pits more pressure on the front axel. A shortcut would be to tow 10k without 1k tongue weight with nothing. However totally within fords recommended specs. Not every trailer has a wd hitch, or lets say you borrow a trailer without one.
I dont tow all the time, if I did i would buy a diesel f250.

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