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Towing with a leveled truck

Towing 5500lbs travel trailer (4-5 trips/yr), what do you pick? (E4 equilizer hitch, Timbrens incl)


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OxfordBlack

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First post here. Hoping to get some good answers/suggestions from you experienced folks! (TLDR at the bottom)

My truck specs (arriving in one week): 2022 F150 XLT 302A 3.5L EB 4DR Max Tow 4x4

I am getting my dealership to install a puck spacer in the front AND possibly a 1.5" larger rear block in the back.
My question is will I be able to achieve a leveled truck while towing my 4500lbs dry (5500lbs loaded) travel trailer if I install some sort of the below combinations INCONJUNCTION with my E4 equalizer hitch and timbrens (also strongly considering and not opposed to adding road master active suspension).

HERE are the NUMBERS (measurements ground to top of wheel wells):

  • STOCK --> Front: 37.75" Rear: 41" = 3.25" Rake
  • 2.5" Puck with 1.5" Rear Block --> Front: 40.25" Rear: 42.5" = 2.25" Rake
  • 2" Puck --> Front: 39.75" Rear 41" = 1.25" Rake
  • 2.5" Puck --> Front 40.25" Rear 41" = 0.75" Rake
What do you guys think? Things to take into consideration for myself personally:
  • I tow my 5500lbs travel trailer 4-5 times a year in the summer
  • I really like a "leveled" or "less factory rake" look
  • I am not going to change my factory 20" wheels or tires until the tires need to be changed
My dealership is strongly pushing the 2.5" puck with 1.5" rear block. Im worried that my truck will look silly with the factory tires not filling up the wheel wells. Thoughts?

EDIT/Update Aug 15 2022:
For anyone in the future wondering or if anyone was curious: finally got my truck. I ended up going with the 2" front spacer made by rough country. Very very pleased with the outcome. I'm measuring exactly 40" at the front and 41" in the rear. After playing with and adjusting my weight distribution hitch (moved the "L" brackets that sit on the trailer up only 1 hole) for my travel trailer, I've made it so that I have 1/2" of rake when my trailer is hooked up. Truck and trailer look perfectly level with the naked eye. This is without adding timbrens or RAS like I originally wanted to do (I still might add RAS).

The stance of the truck with the 2" level has dramatically changed the appearance for the better. Looks a lot more aggressive. When I first saw it I was slightly disappointed I didn't go with the 2.5" level, but after hooking up my trailer and taking the measurements, the 2" is perfect. If I wasn't towing ever, I'd do 2.5". I'm very happy I didn't take the advice of my dealer and add in a bigger rear block with the 2.5" level. I think, with stock tires and wheels, my back end would have looked small for the extra space in the wheel wells. This is made worse by not having wheel well liners so that the white wheel well paint is exposed (might look ok on a darker vehicle or if wheel well liners are added, which I'm planning on doing).

I notice ZERO difference in how the truck drives in comparison with my 2018 F150 (I did not drive the 2022 prior to having the spacer put in). For reference, I only do highway/gravel road driving, no off road.

Long story short, YES, you can achieve a properly leveled truck with no squatting, with only 1" of rake (not hooked up) using only your E4 equalizer WDH (or probably any WDH) and end up with a leveled truck and trailer combo!

TLDR; Can I achieve a properly leveled truck (no squatting) with only 0.75" - 1.25" of rake using an E4 equalizer hitch AND timbrens AND possibly road master active suspension while towing a 5500 lbs travel trailer 4 or 5 times a year??? SEE "EDIT/UPDATE Aug 15 2022"

Ford F-150 Towing with a leveled truck IMG_20220714_103519
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Csvt18

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I tow with my max tow 2019 screw with a 2.5” level easily. The wd hitch levels it out nicely still. 7,000 lbs.
 

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I don't have a comment on what you should do but I'm eager to see what the results are. I pull a travel trailer with similar specs to you and I would love a leveled truck as well. What I don't want though is the read end squatted down while pulling though.
 

Zengineer

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My max tow sags almost 2" with 1100 lbs in the bed and no passengers. With a 7-800 lb tongue weight, a bit of gear in the bed and even two average adults you will be about there. I just removed the rear 1.25 block, leaving a bit over 2" rake and called it done. I can think of very few practical reasons to raise a truck that isn't going rock crawling.
 

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Sounds like my build. ?
I tow, 6200lbs dry, equalizer and timbrens, no level and very happy with it.
 

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Truck levels out with a 100-300 lb tongue weight. if you don’t want to do spring work. Try your trailer first. Then decide.
 
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OxfordBlack

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I tow with my max tow 2019 screw with a 2.5” level easily. The wd hitch levels it out nicely still. 7,000 lbs.
I'm surprised about this. The WD hitch can make up for that much difference with that much weight and a 2.5" level??
 

Csvt18

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I'm surprised about this. The WD hitch can make up for that much difference with that much weight and a 2.5" level??
My truck still has nearly a 1” rake still even with the leveling kit. It’s also a 157” wb.
 
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OxfordBlack

OxfordBlack

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My truck still has nearly a 1” rake still even with the leveling kit. It’s also a 157” wb.
Awesome to hear. I think I'm gonna go with the 2.5" EDIT: 2.0" level which leaves me with 3/4" EDIT: 1.25" rake unloaded and setup my WD hitch from there. If needed I'll install roadmaster active suspension which should give me another 1" of rake and help with towing if I need it.

Appreciate the responses!
 
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780

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I don't have a comment on what you should do but I'm eager to see what the results are. I pull a travel trailer with similar specs to you and I would love a leveled truck as well. What I don't want though is the read end squatted down while pulling though.
I'm in the exact same boat. Curious to hear what people have to say.
 

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OxfordBlack

OxfordBlack

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Guys, just talked to my dealer's parts guy. He said if I go with a 2.5" kit the truck will look nose high. This is due to the rear wheel wells being cut typically higher than the front. So long story short, you cannot take your measurements to the wheel wells, instead, use the rocker panels or some other consistent point on the truck.

I also confirmed this with a local 4x4 truck accessory shop.

I also had asked about a 2.25" kit to "split the difference" but the 4x4 shop and my dealer said they didn't have any source for this size for the 14th gen trucks.

Long story short, I asked them to install a 2" spacer. This should give me a more level look without compromising towing. I'll post pictures once its done!
 

Zengineer

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This is factory 3.5 rake and just over 2" with rear blocks removed. I think the wheel well liners make a big difference on a light color truck...tones down the exaggerated look of the rake.
Ford F-150 Towing with a leveled truck 20220618_143520

Ford F-150 Towing with a leveled truck 20220618_163033
 
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OxfordBlack

OxfordBlack

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This is factory 3.5 rake and just over 2" with rear blocks removed. I think the wheel well liners make a big difference on a light color truck...tones down the exaggerated look of the rake.
20220618_143520.jpg

20220618_163033.jpg
Great point! My truck coming is white. I'll definitely have to source myself some rear liners. Been thinking about what I can use those ford pass points on!
 

Jloyd98

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Guys, just talked to my dealer's parts guy. He said if I go with a 2.5" kit the truck will look nose high. This is due to the rear wheel wells being cut typically higher than the front. So long story short, you cannot take your measurements to the wheel wells, instead, use the rocker panels or some other consistent point on the truck.

I also confirmed this with a local 4x4 truck accessory shop.

I also had asked about a 2.25" kit to "split the difference" but the 4x4 shop and my dealer said they didn't have any source for this size for the 14th gen trucks.

Long story short, I asked them to install a 2" spacer. This should give me a more level look without compromising towing. I'll post pictures once its done!
I can confirm this. With a 2.5" front spacer, I was .5" high in the front. I added the Roadmaster Active Suspension kit, and I am back to having about .5" of rake again.
 
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OxfordBlack

OxfordBlack

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I can confirm this. With a 2.5" front spacer, I was .5" high in the front. I added the Roadmaster Active Suspension kit, and I am back to having about .5" of rake again.
Awesome to hear. Thanks for responding. I think the 2" level will be good for what I'm hoping to achieve, especially since Im keeping stock tires and wheels. Im going to eventually go with the roadmaster standard kit. I think the HD version would be overkill for what I pull. Ive heard nothing but good things about it. Whats your experience been like?
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