Hellwig Helper Springs
After weeks of research and a recommendation from Anthony of glamourstream.com fame, I ordered a set of Hellwig 61902 Pro-Series Helper Spring with Silent Feature for my Ford F-150 Platinum EcoBoost. I installed them the day after delivery but it was not a one hour job as advertised nor did I beat the snappy 90-minute install Anthony mentioned in his post.
Does the Ford F-150 EcoBoost with Max Tow Package really need helper springs? Maybe or maybe not, depending on your needs. I had a couple of reasons in mind for trying them. First, I wanted the truck and the Airstream level when fully loaded for travel. WIth our ProPride 3P hitch and more than a few things in the bed, it was a challenge to remove rear-end sag without cranking up the tension on the weight distribution bars. Second, I don't like the way most 4-wheel drive pickups blind oncoming traffic due to the ridiculously high aim of the factory headlights. Do pickup trucks and cars have different alignment criteria? Apparently so.
Here's what Hellwig has to say about the benefits of helper springs:
It’s patented bolt on design, “Silent Ride” polyurethane stability blocks, plated and powder coated components and easy to follow installation instructions make this the helper spring of choice for do-it-yourself and professionals alike. Manufactured with heat treated ASTM 5150 alloy spring steel in our California based facility, these units increase your vehicles level load carrying capacity up to the manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. With its progressive rate design this helper spring system enables trucks and vans to carry loads with more control and stability. As your load increases this spring automatically increases its rate to resist sagging and tail dragging.
Hellwig Pro Series Features and Benefits:
- 2500 lbs of level load capacity system enables trucks to carry loads with more stability and control includes silent ride feature unique polurethane block applies tension to the ubolts to maintain a quiet ride stabilized the helper spring in reverse or rebound mode
- Fast easy bolt on installation
- Includes heavy duty hardware
- Progressive rate leaved do not effect the ride when unloaded, set it and forget it
- Made in the U.S.A
- Limited Lifetime Warranty.
It's important to note that the springs were not added to increase any weight carrying capacities. The F-150 load capacities were determined by the engineers at Ford Motor Co. and I'm not attempting to exceed those limits with an add-on or go against the recommendations of Hellwig:
Once installed and adjusted you are free to haul and or tow a multitude of equipment and commodities with greater control and stability. Manufactured with heat treated ASTM 5150 alloy spring steel in our California based facility, these units can increase your vehicles level load carrying capacity up to the manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
The Hellwig 61902 Pro-Series Helper Spring with Silent Feature is a great product. The F-150 Platinum EcoBoost still rides like a luxury car when the bed is empty and there's no longer any rear-end sag when fully loaded for an Airstream adventure. Color me a happy camper.