Upgrading the Suspension to handle heavier loads

[Ponyman460]

Is the suspension the limiting factor regarding towing capacities? I hooked up my mustang/car trailer to the X, and the ass end sits REALLY low!. This has me a bit concerned. I was figuring about 5k pounds between the car and trailer.

I was wondering, is the rear suspension worn out? Is it not up to the task? or does it just need some help?

I thought about helper springs, but the air seems to be a better solution to that problem. When towing, pump the bags up to help the load, when just driving, lower them back down to keep from effecting ride quality.

Any input here is appreciated! I posted a link to show what I was looking at.



http://store.summitracing.com/partd...924744+4294925130+4294873392+115&autoview=sku

 

[MountaineerGreen]

My vote is the F150 leaf swap, the second leaf on the pack extends nearly as long as the main leaf on the explorer, so it is supported much better. I did it sometime back and it really helps with towing. Depending on how many leafs you use, you can stiffen the ride or keep it about the same.

 

[Anime]

The limiting factor when it comes to towing is the transmission and gearing. Lower gears and automatic transmissions can tow more weight. If the rear end is sagging when towing, eithe the suspension is overloaded, or just worn out.

Air bags are a great mod if you do a lot of towing. If the kit works for your towing needs, it might be a better deal than replacing other suspension parts. Helper springs are nice too, but air is hard to beat as it's adjustable depending on the load you're towing. It might be a good idea to add a gauge to the kit if you decide to get it, though.

 

[Bill Kemp]

http://www.monroe.com/products/mp_detail.asp?cat=0&detail=Max Air
I had a pair of these shocks on an Olds yrs. ago and thought they were great for towing.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

The limiting factor when it comes to towing is the transmission and gearing. Lower gears and automatic transmissions can tow more weight. If the rear end is sagging when towing, eithe the suspension is overloaded, or just worn out.

He has a 5.0, 4R70W tranny and 3.73 gears. 5k is within the capacity of the Explorer.

The stock springs are the weak link IMO. Look at the second leaf down, it is 4-5" shorter on each end than the main leaf. If you replaced that with the second leaf from an F150, it would help with the sag for sure. Do the third leaf too and youv'e got a tow truck.

Air bags would also be a good way, make sure they are connected to the frame, not just air shocks. The shock mounts are not designed to carry weight.

 

[Bill Kemp]

I had not thought of the shock mounts not being able to hold the extra weight. I did notice that the Monroe site mentioned something about a 1200 lb. limit. Do you think that is what they are refiring to?

 

[Anime]

Air shocks are a good cheap fix for a sagging suspension, but having the weight on the shock mounts instead of the springs really is different, and not in a good way. I had the Monroe air shocks, and they were good for towing a ~1 ton trailer, not sure how much weight that actually put on the shocks, though. I switched to shackles (to fix the spring sag) and Bilsteins, and now, even towing a heavier trailer, the rear end barely goes down any. I'd suggest new leaf springs, doing the F150 spring mod, and/or 1/4" lift shackles and new shocks if the rear end is sagging. If the suspension is fine when it's unloaded, and sag when towing is the only issue, the air bags might be all you need, though new shocks still might be in order.

 

[Byrd91]

Sounds like a good candidate for timbrens. Basically simple air bumpstops, I've heard great things from everyone that uses them.

 

[CDW6212R]

The limiting factor when it comes to towing is the transmission and gearing. Lower gears and automatic transmissions can tow more weight. ...

There is the main answer, the torque converter will make tons of extra heat while towing, plus the bands are not up to the tasks of towing huge weights. That's why you are supposed to add trans coolers, and never tow in high gear. High gear overdrive is almost always a band, it will slip under high loads.

BTW, the first thing to do when hooking up the trailer is to level the trailer with the hitch. Change the ball height to achieve level trailer attitude. If the truck is too high(the ball), then the truck will sag in back. That is not the fault or deficiency of the rear suspension, that's a poor mounting of the trailer.

The towing vehicle is supposed to pull the load, not carry it. The tongue weight should really be watched more closely than people do, keep it low. Good luck,