Max Tow Stiffness

[Snippy]

Currently running the OEM 20” dark grey wheels with 35” falken Wildpeak 10 ply tires & Fox 2.0 coilover leveling kit.

The tires & leveling kit are definitely the biggest factor in terms of stiffness, but I know the max tow package adds a leaf spring for stiffness as well.

Will removing that extra leaf spring have any noticeable difference?

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[Larry Arizona]

Had a 21 max tow and now a 23 max tow, I would never describe either as stiff.

 

[Larry Arizona]

Are you saying your modifications has made your ride too harsh? I doubt removing a leaf will offset stiff shocks plus it will effectively hurt max tow

 

[Snakebitten]

I know suspension/ride is very subjective, but are you sure stiff is the word for it?

 

[CND Supercrew]

From my research, the Max tow pkg came with a 14K receiver vs the 10 or 12K receiver, and you automatically get the 9.75 rear-end. Everything else was the same compared to the truck I bought w/ 53A pkg.

 

[HammaMan]

The 3rd leaf doesn't make contact until loaded. That's just the ride of an empty truck bed on E rated LTs. The PB comes with those springs as well, but it's slightly heavier. Carrying weight in the bed, especially at the rear helps it settle down. What pressure are you running the tires? Check your specific tire's pressure v. weight ratings and adjust accordingly. Should have a chart for you to match your rear weight to a pressure. Just air them up when towing or running full load.

Unsprung mass increase is likely culprit of your harsher ride, possibly combined with air pressure. Such are the tires you chose ?‍

 

[Groovicles]

Currently running the OEM 20” dark grey wheels with 35” falken Wildpeak 10 ply tires & Fox 2.0 coilover leveling kit.

The tires & leveling kit are definitely the biggest factor in terms of stiffness, but I know the max tow package adds a leaf spring for stiffness as well.

Will removing that extra leaf spring have any noticeable difference?

I have a 22 PB with Max Tow. I found the rear suspension so "floaty" that part of the reason I installed the RAS HD kit was to make the unloaded rear suspension more firm.

 

[Calson]

My Max Tow truck has the second leaf spring but the normal passenger tires that ship with these trucks. It has a very soft ride compared to my 1-ton rated truck with its E tires that had a load capacity of 3750 lbs at 80 PSI. A world of difference in the ride with tires at 35 PSI versus ones that should be at 80 PSI.

My 2022 F-150 has a ride on par with a SUV and it is far smoother than any truck I have driven in my life.

 

[208_F150]

Kind of off topic but with in the max tow threat- Do you guys have your trucks leveled? If so, what size of leveling kit did you go with?
The dealership supposedly put a 2 inch on my truck but it is only 1 inch taller then stock and still has 2 inches of rake in the front… not sure if having the max tow effects what size leveling kit you need to put on the truck…

 

[Buyer2021]

Kind of off topic but with in the max tow threat- Do you guys have your trucks leveled? If so, what size of leveling kit did you go with?

See my signature block for my 2022 truck specs (Max Tow, Non-PB, 7050# GVWR / 1848# Payload).

I reduced the un-loaded rake by removing my rear 1-1/4" spacer blocks, not adding any lift kit. I'm happy with the resulting unloaded rake. When my 5th-wheel trailer is hitched the bed rails settle to "level" as does the trailer. I have installed Billstein 5100s on all four corners set at the OE ride height.

Before the 5100s I considered the Max Tow ride comfort good, but a bit under-damped as evidenced by continued 'bounce' on rippled pavement common to my area (too much of the 'Buick-float syndrome').

After the 5100s I love the ride in every respect, IMO very comfortable. It's a heck of a lot more comfortable than the 2005 F150 also described in my signature block.

One subjective opinion. YMMV.

 

[208_F150]

See my signature block for truck specs (Max Tow, Non-PB, 7050# GVWR / 1848# Payload).

I reduced the un-loaded rake by removing my rear 1-1/4" spacer blocks, not adding any lift kit. When my 5th-wheel trailer is hitched the bed rails settle to "level" as does the trailer. I have installed Billstein 5100s on all four corners set at the OE ride height.

Before the 5100s I considered the Max Tow ride comfort good, but a bit under-damped as evidenced by continued 'bounce' on rippled pavement common to my area (too much of the 'Buick-float syndrome').

After the 5100s I love the ride in every respect, IMO very comfortable.

One subjective opinion. YMMV.

Great insights! I thought about removing the rear blocks but I wasn’t sure how much that would affect stuff. This is my set up I will be pulling- the last truck was a 2018 Chevy 6.2. I’ll be interested to see how it does…

 

[FORDTEXAS]

my rig was bouncy as hell when i drove it off the lot. the 10 ply tires are your biggest enemy not the leaf springs lol.

 

[FORDTEXAS]

Kind of off topic but with in the max tow threat- Do you guys have your trucks leveled? If so, what size of leveling kit did you go with?
The dealership supposedly put a 2 inch on my truck but it is only 1 inch taller then stock and still has 2 inches of rake in the front… not sure if having the max tow effects what size leveling kit you need to put on the truck…

taking out the rear block should have you leveled out based on what i read in the past.

 

[Snakebitten]

It's such a nice rig you have @Buyer2021

I have revisited looking at that Escape several times because of you. Lol

1/2 Ton comfort /5th-wheel towing advantage / onboard generator

Boondocking WITH the creature comforts, but still nimble.

 

[Buyer2021]

I thought about removing the rear blocks but I wasn’t sure how much that would affect stuff.

One nice thing about pulling the blocks .... it's easy to do and easy to reverse if you don't like the effect.

Looking at that rig (with a pin-weight likely a bit more than mine), you, too, may find benefit in swapping OE for bit a better-damped shock setup on all corners.

Happy trailering!

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