Safer Towing & Better Handling: Part 2
In our last issue, we covered the installation of Firestone’s Ride Rite airbag system in the rear of our ultimate F-150 work truck. This straightforward modification drastically improved our ability to tow and haul heavy objects, while preventing suspension sag and allowing on-the-fly ride height leveling. Now that our F-150 is a more effective tow vehicle, we needed to focus on improving its handling for everyday use and especially when towing. Fortunately for us, the suspension pros at Hellwig had the solution in the form of new, larger front and rear sway bars.
| safer Towing And Better Handling Part 2 ford F 150 Rendering
With our truck carrying hundreds of pounds of extra weight and riding several inches higher than stock, the factory sway bars couldn’t handle the strain, resulting in cornering ability that was less than stellar. Hellwig’s upgraded sway bars are constructed of stiff 4140 chromoly steel, which translates into reduced body roll and increased traction. We ordered a new 1½-inch front bar (PN: 7704, $242 at andysautosport.com) and 11/8-inch adjustable rear bar (PN: 7705, $281 at andysautosport.com) to eradicate this truck’s body roll. Follow along to see how this simple upgrade improved our ultimate work truck’s handling abilities.
