Roadmaster Active Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit Installation - 2018 Ford F-150
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ธ.ค. 2021
- Click for more info and reviews of this RAS Vehicle Suspension:
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Susp...
www.etrailer.com
Don’t forget to subscribe!
/ etrailertv
Full transcript: www.etrailer.com/tv-install-r...
Hey everybody, how's it going Today, we're gonna be going over and showing you how to install the Roadmaster Active Suspension System here on our 2018 Ford F1-50. So with our RAS kit here, we do have two options. We have the standard duty model, which has a 2000-pound weight capacity. And we have the heavy duty model, which has a 3000-pound weight capacity. The correct one for you is really gonna come down to what you're towing and how often. If you have a car hauler trailer that you travel across country every day, that's what I would probably recommend the HD version or if you just simply have a really heavy trailer that's close to the capacity of your truck.
But for all those other instances, the standard duty model, which is rated at 2000 pounds is gonna be perfect for you. So the active suspension system is gonna be categorized as a suspension enhancement. It's going to aid our F-150 here when we're towing or hauling heavy loads. So the way this works is we're essentially gonna be installing an extra leaf onto our leaf spring pack. It's going to strengthen the rear leaf springs, preventing them from flexing as much when we put some weight in the bed or we hook up the trailer.
And what this does is it's gonna prevent rear end sag/squat and the issues attributed with that. So one of the biggest issues with sag and squat is gonna be reduced braking power. So if we think about it this way, the majority of the breaking from our truck here comes from the front axle, roughly 60% of the vehicles braking is done up here. Therefore, if we transfer weight off the front axle to the rear via the trailer or heavy load, we're gonna be reducing our stopping power quite significantly. So you're definitely gonna notice some adverse side effects there from towing your hauling without suspension enhancements 'cause you're gonna be drastically reducing your stopping power.
So another thing we're gonna notice from that excessive squat and sag in the rear there is gonna be improper tire wear. So our truck from the factory is gonna come preset with certain caster and camber adjustments. They're gonna be ideal for just the normal driving conditions. But again, when we take away off the front axle, we're actually gonna be lifting this up. And what this does is, it actually raises the suspension as well.
Therefore, throwing off our caster and camber adjustments leading to irregular tire wear. And if you do any towing or hauling at night, you're definitely gonna notice that your headlight aim is gonna be shining other motorists in the eyes, which is gonna be annoying them and it's also not giving us the best visibility of the road potentially causing safety issues. So there's tons of different suspension enhancements on the market. The RAS kit here is gonna be a great option because number one, that load or that preset is gonna be engaged immediately. Therefore, if you compare them to an option, such as the Timbren's, they actually don't engage until the trucks already squatted a few inches. With the RAS kit here, they're gonna engage immediately. Therefore, we don't have to have that initial take-up. So the RAS kit here, we talked about it being a better option than the Timbren's because there's not additional take-up. However, airbags are another common option for this truck here and the big draw of those are adjustability, which thankfully our RAS kit has as well. Now, what I mean by this is we can actually adjust the tension of the spring on this kit here to provide more or less support. And the reason that's important is we can always get the ideal ride conditions for any given load we may have. I get a lot of questions here personally at etrailer of people wanting to increase the rigidity of the rear suspension when they're towing or hauling so they don't get as much sag, but they also don't wanna give up ride quality. And unfortunately, that's sort of a fine line between the two, because in order to reduce the sag and squat, you do have to stiffen the rear suspension. And the adverse effect of that stiffening is gonna be an uncomfortable ride. But with the RAS kit here, you're really gonna be able to balance those two to get the best comfort and right settings. So furthermore, airbags are a great option, but there is sort of one drawback of those, and they do require maintenance. You do wanna periodically check over your airbags to make sure there's no holes or punctures or aligns kicked up. So that is something you need to keep track of. With the RAS kit here, it is completely maintenance free. Therefore, it's the best of the both worlds. So we talked a little bit about
Just installed these on my 2017 F-150 4x4. I used the 2nd hole and set the gap with the 1mm spacer as I don’t tow my travel trailer very often and I didn’t want to affect the unloaded ride. Can’t tell hardly any difference in the unloaded ride quality. Haven’t had the opportunity to see the difference it makes with the trailer, but I’m confident it will help. One thing I did notice that I haven’t heard mentioned is that it does raise the rear of the vehicle a little bit. In my case, the rear wheel opening height went from 39 3/4 to 40 1/4.
I have watched a number of videos over the last several years and I think I may give these a try.
F150 has very soft rear springs so I am going with the HD version.
Good video.
I'm leaning towards the HD myself. I've watched another video of a guy who actually works for Roadmaster and he recommended if you think you need the HD get the HD. I'm planning on setting mine at 1 mm and when I tow (maybe twice a year but long distances) I'll set it at 2 mm if I think I need it.
Great video. I’ve added a truck camper to my f150. My payload won’t be fluctuating too much. If I install the RAS and It still sags, could I add a leaf in addition to the RAS?
I definitely need to try these cause my ‘05 Ram bounces like a 3 year old on pixie sticks!
HAHA! Yeah we think you should do something about that! Just make sure you input your vehicle information in our fitguide so you get the right part for your truck. www.etrailer.com/susp-2005_Dodge_Ram+Pickup.htm?fUrl=-pm-RAS
‘21 Titan P4X. Towing a 22’ enclosed car trailer about 6 times a year. Roughly 700lb tongue weight, 6000lb trailer. Do you recommend the standard or HD version?
Since I already have several weight distribution hitches I'll just use one on them instead .
Who cares
Agreed, much better option. They won’t compare with WDH, especially if scales were used.
I always see these installs using the very last hole in the bracket. Wouldn't it be best to move the bracket closer to the leaf pack? I just bought this kit from you guys a couple minutes ago.
You can install this kit using the other holes in the bracket but it will make you unloaded ride rougher than factory ride. We install it on the last hole so that it is as if it is not there when you are not hauling a load.
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/RAS/RAS3611-Y.html
So Many people with Nissan frontier, yet they don't not offer this for the Frontier but for the Xterra which is an SUV many people won't use for towing
What model year is your Frontier? If you can reply with that info, we'd be happy to make a recommendation!
Is the yhd 1 mm system solid if the cart has no load? Or is it the same as the factory use? Thank you for this review
You can adjust the Roadmaster Active Suspension so that the vehicle rides like factory when unloaded.
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/RAS/RAS3611-Y.html
Can the HD version 3611-YHD be installed on a two-wheel drive 21' F150. Selection defaults to the standard version
The 3611YHD won't work on a 2wd 2021 F-150 but there is a high capacity model available for a 2WD, which is part # RAS94FR.
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Ford/F-150/2021/RAS94FR.html
Is it better to get this or airbags or both for heavy towing?
For the best all around performance, the Roadmaster Active Suspension is what we recommend unless you're right at capacity.
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/RAS/RAS3611-Y.html
How much stiffer would the ride get at the lowest settings.
The ride is very much like the factory ride quality when the Roadmaster Active Suspension is set at the lowest setting.
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/RAS/RAS3611-Y.html
I have Tembrens bump stop’s already installed. Would I still need to add the spacer with the Tembrens.
Which Timbren kit are you using?
@etrailer I have same year and have same question. Looking at having this and timbren ses. Is the spacer RAS provides necessary?
Is it redundant to use it with a WDH with Sway control when towing a travel trailer??
The two will work together just fine!
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/RAS/RAS3611-Y.html
Does it help with axle wrap
It sure does! it eliminates axle wrap, wheel hop, and bottoming out. It also reduces sway and body roll during cornering. It will also help keep your vehicle level when towing or hauling a heavy load and improves traction while breaking and accelerating.
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/RAS/RAS3611-Y.html
I bought the HD version for my 2022 F150 Hybrid. My truck has the on-board scales which have a body position sensor on both sides of the truck very close to the rear springs. The same sensors are used for automatic leveling headlights in the higher trim versions of the F150. They neglected to mention in the "generalized" instructions to use the second hole position. I only found this out after doing the complete install and then seeing the potential interference after the sensor position changed while driving. I contacted them about it and the tech support got back to me immediately and we confirmed the correct positioning. I had to go through the whole install a second agonizing time. Be very careful with these kits and their "generalized" instructions. Yes, they may fit but there may specific things on your vehicle that you need to watch out for. Get in touch with their tech support if something doesn't look right. Also, make sure your rear suspension is hanging completely free when installing, Note that you have to have your truck up pretty high to accomplish this, particularly if you want to leave the tires on while doing the install. I'm talking like up over 20 inches on jack stands! And make sure you have really good jack stands and a suitably sized floor jack to lift you vehicle - DO NOT use the spare tire jack for this job!!! And never work under a truck on jack stands or up on a jack of any type at all (mechanical or hydraulic). By the way, the tension adjustment nut is a 14mm. Why the hell they picked that bolt head is beyond me. We live in America - we use inch-based fasteners here!! The tech told me that you can use the 15/16 nut at the base of the spring to adjust tension as well if you don't have a 14mm socket or wrench. Also, I'd invest in an anti-sway bar (like a Hellwig) as well if hauling 1200 pounds or more in the bed of any pick-up to reduce body sway and the handling issues that creates. The RAS system solves some of that, but not all. The two work well in tandem.
Thanks for that input. It's always good to hear advice and tips from folks who have completed their installations!
www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/RAS/RAS3611-Y.html
Your advice on the jack stands is incorrect. Jack stands are for that reason to secure the vehicle so you can work under it