If you have been looking around for the best shocks for towing your F150, then you have probably realized that this isn’t the simple task it should be.
With all the different features and specifications of each brand and model, you may find yourself in information overload.
With every option claiming to be the best for different reasons, it can give you a headache trying to figure out which choice is worth it.
Well, we are here to help. We have taken the top choices available, and have narrowed them down to the top two. These great options will give you the towing power you need for a smooth ride and will fit perfectly in your F150.
Although both of these two options will work great for any towing job your F150 can handle, there is one that seems to pull ahead of the other. That is why we have chosen the Bilstein 5100 Series Shock Kit our top pick.
This kit offers ride height adjustments with easy installation, and it comes with a lifetime warranty for added assurance. With all these great features, this product earns the title of our top pick.
- Front ride height adjustment capabilities
- Matching rear 5100 shock absorbers
- Fits F150 from the year 2009 to 2013
- East to install, direct bolt-on
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
With this product’s many great features, its no wonder this option was chosen as our top pick of the two. From its adjustability to its added warranty, this shock kit does just about everything. With all that it can do, the only thing that it can’t do is purchase and install itself for you.
Shocks For Towing F150 Comparison Chart
| Char | ||
|---|---|---|
| Photo |
|
|
| MPN | 24-239394 / 33-187501 | 24-187404 / 33-187419 |
| Internal Design | Monotube | Monotube |
| Finish | Zinc Plated | Yellow Paint |
| Boot Included | Black Bellows | Blue Bellows |
| Extended Length | 21.83 / 28.90 inches | 21.63 / 28.74 inches |
| Collapsed Length | 16.93 / 17.68 inches | 16.93 / 17.52 inches |
| Rod Diameter | 1.81 inches | 1.81 inches |
| Lower Mount Type | Eye 20.3 mm / Eye 12 mm | Eye 20.3 mm / Eye 12 mm |
| Upper Mount Type | Stem / Eye 12 mm | Stem / Eye 12 mm |
| Weight | 28 pounds | 25 pounds |
2 Best Shocks For Towing F150 (as of April, 2021):
1. Bilstein 5100 Shocks For Towing F150 – Best Shocks For Lifted Trucks Review
Bilstein 5100 shock kit is made for durability and high-performance with its adjustable front and rear shocks and its lifetime warranty, you can be sure that this kit will give you all that you want.
This kit has the best shock for lifted trucks, but it is also our top pick, so you know that you are getting the best overall, no matter what kind of truck you drive.
Adjustable Shocks
This Bilstein shock absorber kit comes with front and rear shock sets that are both adjustable for the smoothest ride.
Perfect Fit
These shocks are made for F150 trucks and offer a perfect fit. This shock kit will fit F150 models from 2009 to 2013 and that comes with four-wheel-drive. This allows you to know that these shocks are designed for your vehicle and are a guaranteed fit.
Easy to Install
These shocks are great for those who don’t have a lot of experience with automobiles but want to add something extra to their truck for a smoother ride while towing.
These are easy to install and you simply use a direct bolt to bolt them onto the vehicle without any modifications.
Lifetime Warranty
These Bilstein shocks come with a lifetime warranty as an added guarantee of their durability. This lifetime warranty will cover repairs and replacements when necessary, which are the result of defects or a manufacturer’s malfunction.
Main Features
- Level front of F150 with the rear
- 0″ (stock height) or 2″ of front lift
- Mono-tube Gas Shock Construction
- Multiple snap-ring grooves allows different spring seat positions
- Replaces factory strut/shock & maintains factory coil springs
- Corrosion Resistant Zinc Finish
- Alternative for coil / strut spacers
- Massive Self-Adjusting Digressive Piston
- Floating Dividing Piston
- Valved specifically for the Ford F150
- High Pressure Nitrogen Gas Performance
- Adjustable shocks offer up to two inches of lift in the front, up to one inch in the rear
- Designed and fitted for F150 models from 2009 to 2013
- Easy to install with direct bolt-on installation, no modifications needed
- Comes with a lifetime warranty for defects and malfunctions
- Price is on the higher end of the range
- Durability is in question due to negative customer reviews
2009-2017 F150 4WD Bilstein 5100 Adjustable Leveling Shock Kit Install:
2. Bilstein 4600 Shocks For Towing F150 – Best For Trucks With Stock Suspension Review
Bilstein 4600 shocks are built for better performance and handling when towing and are best used for trucks with stock suspension systems.
This shock set comes with a front pair and a rear pair included with the purchase price and can fit four-wheel-drive vehicles.
With its good pricing and wide compatibility, these shocks are a great option for those looking for a smoother F150 ride.
2 Shock Pairs
This Bilstein set of shocks comes with a front pair, and a rear pair, for the purchase price. With this set, you get more for your money and get two great pairs of durable shocks for a smoother F150 driving experience.
Wide Compatibility
These shocks are great for F150 trucks, but they don’t just fit these models. These shocks are a great fit for four-wheel-drive vehicles and can be used for many different vehicle brands and models to offer them a smoother ride.
Comes With Necessities
These shocks also come with the factory shock mounting bolts needed for installation.
Lifetime Warranty
These shock sets are backed by the Bilstein brand’s manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. This warranty guarantees protection from product defects, malfunction, and premature failure that was caused by a manufacturer’s mishap.
Main Features
- Mono-tube Gas Shock Construction
- Massive Self-Adjusting Digressive Piston
- Floating Dividing Piston
- High performance shocks/struts ideal for towing, off-road & daily driving
- Valved specifically for the Ford F150
- Yellow powdered coated, with blue boot or cover
- High Pressure Nitrogen Gas Performance
- Comes with two sets of shocks, front and rear
- Great for trucks with stock suspensions
- Wide compatibility to fit four-wheel-drive vehicles
- Comes with all necessities for installation
- Backed by a lifetime warranty guarantee
- Reliability is in question due to a low number of customer reviews
How to Install Bilstein 4600 Series Shocks & Struts:
Buyer’s Guide
When you are looking to buy shocks for your truck, you may find that if you aren’t very knowledgeable about cars, then you may be a bit confused with all the different types.
Each kind is made for a different truck or a different kind of trip. So, how many types of shocks are there?
We took a look at these different kinds and gave some basic information below about what these types are, and what sets them apart.
Twin-Tube
These twin-tubes shocks have two cylinders and are often a more cost-effective option than the other kinds. These options are great for those do usually do a lot of freeway driving, or don’t go off-roading often.
Gas-Charged Twin-Tube
These shocks are similar to the regular twin-tube as they have two cylinders, but they also use gases to reduce aeration. The outer chamber is filled with nitrogen, so it is not susceptible to aeration, and it allows for a better and faster rebound.
Monotube
These shocks are different because they only have one valve that evenly distributes pressure over the entire area of the shock. This option offers better heat dissipation so that it runs cooler than other options.
These shocks can be mounted upside down and still work properly and they have extra strength because of the larger pistons. These shocks offer great performance for those who go off-roading often.
Bilstein Shocks -- Monotube vs Twintube:
Reservoir
These shocks come with an outside reservoir that helps to hold fluid, therefore the name is appropriate. During compression, the excess fluid is pushed into the reservoir, therefore dampening at a consistent rate.
This reservoir also increases travel as the piston can stroke through the body of the shocks. These shocks are also rebuildable and offer many more valving options that other shock types.
Coilover
These shocks are a bit different from the others because they have a long coil spring that has a shock absorber mounted down the length of the coil. Many of these shocks are adjustable and allow for adjustments of the ride height as well as the dampening performance.
These shocks are great for load carrying and towing because they help provide lots of extra support. These shocks are also rebuildable.
FAQ
Now that you know the different types of shocks available and the pros and cons of each kind, you may have some questions about shocks in general. Well, you are not alone.
So, we have compiled a list of some of the most commonly asked questions from other customers and found answers so that you can have all the information that you need to make your final decision about which shocks to buy for your F150.
So, here are the most frequently asked questions about shocks.
How long should my new shocks last?
There are many different factors that can affect the lifespan of shocks, like the amount of use and the type of terrain that you are driving on.
However, it is safe to say that under typical road conditions with light to moderate travel that your shocks are likely to last around 4 or 5 years.
Should I get an alignment after replacing my shocks?
It is recommended to do an alignment anytime that a suspension piece is removed or replaced, so it is a good idea to do so after replacing shocks.
This will ensure that your vehicle has everything in its proper place, and it also makes sure that no other part of the suspension was tinkered with by accident.
Will bad shocks make noise?
Shocks that are wearing out will not necessarily make any noise, although they could cause a thumping sound, the main thing to notice is the driving experience. When shocks are wearing out, the control of the vehicle will likely feel more difficult.
Do I have to replace all four shocks at the same time?
It is not necessary, but it is recommended to replace them in pairs. If one of the front shocks is wearing out, then you should switch out both instead of leaving the one without wear. This ensures that there will be more even wear.
Conclusion
If you have been looking for new shocks, then this article helps to give you the best option to narrow down your list so that you can purchase them faster than ever.
Whether you are looking for the premium option, or you would like a budget-friendly shock option, the two on this list will give you everything that you want in new shocks for your F150 so that you get the smoothest ride, even when towing a large load.
