2014 F150 XLT 2wd. Not stiff enough for towing an AR240

[LukePrinsloo]

So i've always felt that the Ar240 is pushing me around. Two different boats (had a 2011 and now the 2015).
This past weekend my father brought the boat from his house to mine in his 2015 Z71 chevy. Claiming the whole time that it rode fine and I was just paranoid.
Once he had it unhitched, I (275 lbs of me) jumped on his tow hitch and off. One down, one up.
My truck with the same jump? down, up, down, up.
I have hellwig helper springs on my truck and had loosened them some for the winter. But I'm thinking that I may not have stiff enough shocks.
Anyone with a 2wd f150 do an upgraded shock? Bilsteins?

 

[J-RAD]

I'm not sure about the truck but, reading this thread might be worth your time and help with the issue.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/newer-24ft-boat-in-shorlander-trailer-must-do-mod.17931/

 

[Betik]

Can you drive your father’s truck and see how it feels ?

Also have you checked the tongue weight ? My 240 bullies me around once it hits around 700lbs of tongue weight. For my boat it should close to 400lbs or less

 

[LukePrinsloo]

I'm not sure about the truck but, reading this thread might be worth your time and help with the issue.

https://jetboaters.net/threads/newer-24ft-boat-in-shorlander-trailer-must-do-mod.17931/

I was one of the first users of Betik's tongue scale for both boats.... 450# on the new boat per that scale.

 

[Dixie Highway]

If your truck takes more than one “cycle” to stop bouncing, your shocks are shot. Or, since you have helper springs, the spring rate is too stiff for the shock to dampen it (“dampener” is a more accurate name for a shock). I would do some research, possibly reach out to Bilstein and see what they have to say. My guess is even a factory Ford shock from the Off Road package might work better. Bottom line is when these OEM’s design a suspension, the shock is valved specifically for the factory spring rate. Ever see a low rider Honda boy bouncing down the road? It’s probably stiffer lowering springs on a factory or blown shock and/or strut.

 

[2kwik4u]

SO I'm fighting a similar issue on my truck. Too much bounce. Mine is a higher frequency problem (pot holes and such) where the shocks oscillates more than it should, and the tire looses contact with the ground. I'm 100% convinced it's a tire weight issue for me. The new tires are about 18-20lbs heavier than the stock tires, and the dampers simply don't have the resistive force to keep the tire in place, so I get an oscillation. Sounds like your low speed (shaft speed on the damper, not vehicle speed) dampening isn't high enough. Worn shocks, or improper valving.

In another line of thinking, what tires are on your truck. My 2003 Yukon was very very "squishy" when towing. I moved to an LT tire and that significantly firmed up the towing feel, and the regular ride was not affected significantly. Hard edge bumps were more noticeable, but otherwise it was about the same. What tires are you running on your F150?

 

[jcyamaharider]

I towed our AR230 with our 2006 F-150 2wd with no issues. Once I purchased our 242X I was like the op and felt like the boat was heavy and pushing me. Once I did the readjustment on the trailer it was a night and day difference.

 

[captras]

I am towing my 2016 242 with 2014 Silverado 1500, 6.2L, Heavy duty towing package and it pulls, tows, stops with absolutley no issues!

 

[LukePrinsloo]

Update, put in a set of Bilstein 5100's for the rear. The truck drives much better while towing now, though I can feel that the front end is dampened a bit too weak now. Waiting for next month and I'll switch out the front as well. This helped a ton.

I can pull no issue with my ecobeast. I can stop no issue, it's the bumps pushing the 2wd truck around that drives me bonkers. Dad's LT Z71 is just much much stiffer dampening with the Rancho's it gets stock.

 

[Just Phishing]

5100's are a great shock, I have no issues with them.

 

[props2you]

Update, put in a set of Bilstein 5100's for the rear. The truck drives much better while towing now, though I can feel that the front end is dampened a bit too weak now. Waiting for next month and I'll switch out the front as well. This helped a ton.

I can pull no issue with my ecobeast. I can stop no issue, it's the bumps pushing the 2wd truck around that drives me bonkers. Dad's LT Z71 is just much much stiffer dampening with the Rancho's it gets stock.

Would strongly consider the trailer bow stop adjustment mod. It will 1000% make a significant difference. I have yet to see or hear anyone that has done that mod that regreted it. It's at least worth the read to consider, and it's incredibly simple! It balances out your load more evenly versus all the weight on your tongue. (that's what she said)

 

[LukePrinsloo]

Would strongly consider the trailer bow stop adjustment mod. It will 1000% make a significant difference. I have yet to see or hear anyone that has done that mod that regreted it. It's at least worth the read to consider, and it's incredibly simple! It balances out your load more evenly versus all the weight on your tongue. (that's what she said)

Bow stop mod? I've already measured it at only 450# on the tongue which is well within ratings. My last boat was closer to 900# (2011 AR240)

 

[2kwik4u]

5100's are a great shock, I have no issues with them.

I'm about |..| that far from putting those shocks on my 2015 Sierra. Hoping they are a solid improvement from the factory Ranchos.

 

[Just Phishing]

I'm about |..| that far from putting those shocks on my 2015 Sierra. Hoping they are a solid improvement from the factory Rancho's.

Stock Rancho's are not real Rancho's they are made by another company that also makes the stock shocks.
Bilistens are the best bang for the buck, they also stand behind their warranty.
Fox's are a little better for hardcore performance, but cost significantly more and warranty is so so.