2002 Sport Trac Rear Sag under Load

[edmiller741]

Here are some pictures of my Sport Trac loaded with my camper and with it unloaded after we were dropping it off at our storage place. As you can see from the first picture, the back end sags like crazy when the camper is hooked up to it. I'm hoping there's something I can do to possibly have the camper level like in the second pic when I'm towing it. I recently had Rancho shocks put all the way around my truck so if possible I'd like to keep those, but I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any thoughts?

 

[dogfriend]

Look into adding a Weight Distributing hitch.

http://www.reese-hitches.com/learning_center/weight-distribution-faq

 

[ncranchero]

I put Monroe Air-Max shocks on mine but since you just replaced yours the best thing will be something like Hellwig helpers. Google Hellwig and have a look. IDK who handles them in Charlotte. I think RoadMaster also has some.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Which rancho shocks did you put on? I had rancho 9000XL's with MyRide Wireless Remote System. I could adjust the suspension for whatever driving situation I did. I towed my Show Truck with it on my '03 ST and never had sagging issues with that on it. I'd look at helper springs or helper airbags for the rear for your application.

 

[boominXplorer]

Try a 2" rise hitch ball setup. Looks like you have a strait one on there now. That will help pivot the center of gravity of the trailer and take weight off the tongue.

 

[LONO100]

boomin has the best solution. its the cheapest and simplest way to solve the problem. i used to drive around with a 19' trailer years ago and getting this piece worked like a charm, and wont cost you more than 40 bucks.

 

[ncranchero]

You guys are kidding ......... right?

It "might" make the trailer more level but it won't help the tow vehicle squat. A 2" rise in ball height isn't going to lessen the tongue weight enough to see. A weight distributing hitch or helper springs/air shocks is all that will do what he wants without repositioning the "load". Well, you could replace the trailer rear bumper with a piece of railroad iron.........

This is just a hooked up photo and my truck is not on perfectly level ground. The trailer is an all steel tilt deck is is pretty heavy. The hitch is a 2" DROP since the trailer and tow vehicle both need to sit level.

Sport Trac with it's butt in the air after unhooking the trailer.

 

[boominXplorer]

I understand where you are coming from but if you lift the tongue of the trailer you will transfer more weight to the rear. Its not going to take 300 lbs of tongue weight off the trailer, it will lower the back of the camper which will help center the weight on the axle.

Also if you look at his pic where the camper is unhooked sitting about 1" above the ball, that is where the trailer looks level so I would recommend still starting with a 2" rise then work on the ass sag

Look at the deck heights between the camper and your trailer too. Your deck is just over the axle where the deck of the camper is almost at the top of the tire.

 

[ncranchero]

Roadmaster's headquarters is in Charlotte. We sell Roadmaster, the Coil-Pro kit for Crown Vic Police vehicles, but do not handle their other products. I had the spring kit on my company '05 E250 and there was a noticeable difference when I got the '08 and we didn't put the kit on it. Since you're in Charlotte it would be convenient for you to check with the factory.

Roadmaster
Roadmaster Active Suspension
Head Office
330-D East Hebron Street (off South Blvd.near I-485)
Charlotte, NC
USA
28273
Phone: 1-800-398-5036
Fax: 1-704-523-0259
E-Mail: sales@activesuspension.com

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Beefing up the rear suspension is the only real way to even out the weight distribrution on that setup.
Yes you can put a rise hitch on there but that's not gonna fix the problem of weight dit. and under steer on the front tires.
I drove OTR hauling Hazmat until recently when my wife asked me to be home more and weight distribution is something I'm really "in the know" about because my job, license and peoples lives were at stake if I don't worry about it.
Raising the ball will make the trailer more level but won't fix the issue which is (sagging) weight distribution evenly between the towing vehicle and the trailer.
If you beef up the supension you won't have the (sagging) which will raise the tongue of the trailer to where it needs to be , level and the truck (towing vehicle) won't have any issues of the "nose in the air, ass on the ground" which will cause rear swaying and under steer on the steers.

 

[RoCoTerra]

Rear sag help...

Here are some pictures of my Sport Trac loaded with my camper and with it unloaded after we were dropping it off at our storage place. As you can see from the first picture, the back end sags like crazy when the camper is hooked up to it. I'm hoping there's something I can do to possibly have the camper level like in the second pic when I'm towing it. I recently had Rancho shocks put all the way around my truck so if possible I'd like to keep those, but I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any thoughts?

 

[RoCoTerra]

I recently put these on my truck.

http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Sus...+Trac/2004/TGMFK10.html?vehicleid=20041010217

I have a camper shell and tow quite a bit. They helped alot. Also helped with rubbing issues from larger tires.

They help with the sag by limiting the amount it can. They basicly replace your existing bump stops with longer rubber stops that will contact your axel.

Does anybody know if there are any add-a-leaf kits or leaf spring helpers for our trac's?

I was told that "helpers" are not suggested since our rear leaf springs are composite and not metal. ??True??

Anyone?

 

[ncranchero]

I still recommend Roadmaster.

Never seen composite springs on a Sport Trac. Matter of fact I just picked up my spare set of '04s this morning to move them and I guarantee those aren't anything but STEEL, about 40 lbs apiece I'd say!

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Glorified oversized bump stops, not really what you need but hey if it works for you go for it. My leafsprings on my '03 ST4wd are steel.

 

[Marcq]

Here are some pictures of my Sport Trac loaded with my camper and with it unloaded after we were dropping it off at our storage place. As you can see from the first picture, the back end sags like crazy when the camper is hooked up to it. I'm hoping there's something I can do to possibly have the camper level like in the second pic when I'm towing it. I recently had Rancho shocks put all the way around my truck so if possible I'd like to keep those, but I'm not sure what to do at this point. Any thoughts?

What is the tongue weight on that camper ? And IMO the ball is too low on your truck

Marc..