F150 EB owners who have moved to F250/F350?

[LaBigDogs]

Someone in this thread said that if you get a 3/4 ton truck 1st you will not go back. Wrong. 1st TV was a 2011 F-250 4X4 Loaded top of the line Oil Burner, keep it for 6 months, poor handling, poor maneuverability combined with a harsh ride. I traded for a 2011 F-150 4X4 V6, loved it so much got a 2013 F-150 4x4 v6 loved it so much got a 2015 F-150 4X4 V6. On all of the f-150's I replaced the factory tires at time of purchase and installed a Roadmaster Active Suspension. I have now logged over 35,000 miles pulling my Airstreams FreeBalling... So easy to pull, power to spare paired with monster torque in a simple gas engine. I drive with confidence with the enhanced handling and safety. I feel the Aluminum F-150 is unsurpassed, with is aggressive but agile maneuvering and handling with it's low center of gravity. And I get all this for the fraction of owning and operating an oil burner in the USA. It is the perfect marriage for the Airstream. The reason I purchased the Airstream in the first place was to keep things simple.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by pappy19

You don't need a diesel, you want one.

Amen. I've been pulling with a 2011 EB now going on 5 years. And I love it, except going down 7% plus grades. Even in 2nd gear, it requires some heavy brake time. I do about 15K a year towing and it is a comfortable truck.

But I miss my Touareg V10 diesel which was a beast at towing and downshifting. Unfortunately they don't make them anymore!

So will be checking out the 3/4 ton 2017 diesel selections (can't believe I'm saying that!) when they come available. All I can say is what I have driven in the past has been luggish, loud and exhaustive. Hopefully the 2017's will be getting a little more civilized. But do want an exhaust brake!

[graysailor]

My 2016 F250 is quiet with more power that I need with no exhaust fumes to speak of. The 2017's promise to be as smart as the F150's.

[Wanna EB]

Most of the input here has been very helpful...thank you.

I was able to go across the scales with my F150 hooked up and observed that I was about 600 pounds over my truck GVWR when hitched. I am sure that explains some of the suspension stress I am feeling.

The local Chevy dealer let me take home a new 2500 HD Diesel yesterday and hook it up to my trailer for a test drive. I gave it a thorough drive and was pretty amazed at the difference...not in power, but in suspension control. And, the unloaded ride was way better than I expected. Something to think about for sure.

[dbcolimon]

Originally Posted by Wanna EB

Most of the input here has been very helpful...thank you.

I was able to go across the scales with my F150 hooked up and observed that I was about 600 pounds over my truck GVWR when hitched. I am sure that explains some of the suspension stress I am feeling.

The local Chevy dealer let me take home a new 2500 HD Diesel yesterday and hook it up to my trailer for a test drive. I gave it a thorough drive and was pretty amazed at the difference...not in power, but in suspension control. And, the unloaded ride was way better than I expected. Something to think about for sure.

I just did the same thing yesterday at the local Ford dealer - F250 and F150 4x4. Both of them had a superior towing experience then my 4x2 2015 F150. Ended up going with the 2016 F150 EB 4x4. The stiffer suspension took care of the boating and squishy tow and The 150 's size makes it a great daily driver.

Thanks everyone for the very useful feedback.

[youngpeck]

Originally Posted by dbcolimon

I just did the same thing yesterday at the local Ford dealer - F250 and F150 4x4. Both of them had a superior towing experience then my 4x2 2015 F150. Ended up going with the 2016 F150 EB 4x4. The stiffer suspension took care of the boating and squishy tow and The 150 's size makes it a great daily driver.

If I may ask, what kind of weight distribution system are you planning on?

[Wanna EB]

Originally Posted by dbcolimon

I just did the same thing yesterday at the local Ford dealer - F250 and F150 4x4. Both of them had a superior towing experience then my 4x2 2015 F150. Ended up going with the 2016 F150 EB 4x4. The stiffer suspension took care of the boating and squishy tow and The 150 's size makes it a great daily driver.

Thanks everyone for the very useful feedback.

The term you use "boating" is perfect. That's is what I have been trying to describe. Glad you were able to find a good solution.

[dkottum]

"Squishy" sounds like too low tire pressure or too soft sidewall tire type. "Boating" sounds like not enough weight distribution hitch adjustment or capability, made worse by weak shock absorbers.

Both can result in some "talk wagging the dog" feeling; all easily curable and you don't need a new truck to do it.

If the truck's axles/tires are all overloaded, that's another story curable with taking out some stuff or a heavier truck suspension.

I'm catching some flack for suggesting staying the course and fixing what you have, but not everyone has new truck money in their pocket to spare.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by dkottum

"Squishy" sounds like too low tire pressure or too soft sidewall tire type. "Boating" sounds like not enough weight distribution hitch adjustment or capability, made worse by weak shock absorbers.

Both can result in some "talk wagging the dog" feeling; all easily curable and you don't need a new truck to do it.

If the truck's axles/tires are all overloaded, that's another story curable with taking out some stuff or a heavier truck suspension.

I'm catching some flack for suggesting staying the course and fixing what you have, but not everyone has new truck money in their pocket to spare.

Forgive me Doug, I very fond of you but I must ask...
Didn't you recently purchase a new truck to replace an otherwise serviceable truck?
Sometimes people just want a new vehicle, sometimes they will have an opinion that differs from yours and sometimes a big truck is an ok answer...
Bruce

[dkottum]

Bruce, you are absolutely correct. The o.p. listed some concerns about his current truck and the forum is here to help fellow Airstreamers. If he needs a new truck to solve the issues that's fine.

Our new truck is the same brand and size as the one we had, your new truck is larger than the one you had. No problem, we buy what we like.

I fully understand some folks are not really looking for advice on their present truck, but seeking confirmation of a decision they have already made. That's where good intentions can be taken as argumentative and will be punished.

[rostam]

"If the truck's axles/tires are all overloaded, that's another story curable with taking out some stuff or a heavier truck suspension."

The OP said he is 600# over the GVWR. How in the world is the OP going to shed 600# off the truck weight by "taking out stuff"?

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by rostam

"If the truck's axles/tires are all overloaded, that's another story curable with taking out some stuff or a heavier truck suspension."

The OP said he is 600# over the GVWR. How in the world is the OP going to shed 600# off the truck weight by "taking out stuff"?

I would use a wheelbarrow.

[rostam]

Originally Posted by dkottum

I would use a wheelbarrow.

Could you please stop trolling this thread, and let members help the OP?

[graysailor]

I suppose you could add a leaf to the springs however that would not legally make you ok. Then you still would have tire and axle concerns.

[switz]

When we did the complete Kelderman level ride air bag suspension, all the steel springs front and rear were replaced with air bags. The rear has a pair of 5,000 pound rated airbags. Great, an increase in load capacity....

Nope! The axle is still rated 6,010 pounds as are the tires at 70 psi. That is the controlling weak link n the chain.

So adding an air bag or another spring to some other vehicle may stiffen the ride, but the axle and tire ratings may still control what weight can be carried.

Only a modification shop that could issue a new "modified" door sticker can make any legal difference by putting a more capacity axle on the vehicle taking into account if the metal in the frame of the vehicle can handle the higher loads.

One would need access to the parts books to see if the frame rails are the exact same part number between a ¾ and a 1 ton truck of the same brand.

[dbcolimon]

I have an Equalizer E2 WD hitch

[dbcolimon]

Originally Posted by dkottum

"Squishy" sounds like too low tire pressure or too soft sidewall tire type. "Boating" sounds like not enough weight distribution hitch adjustment or capability, made worse by weak shock absorbers.

Both can result in some "talk wagging the dog" feeling; all easily curable and you don't need a new truck to do it.

If the truck's axles/tires are all overloaded, that's another story curable with taking out some stuff or a heavier truck suspension.

I'm catching some flack for suggesting staying the course and fixing what you have, but not everyone has new truck money in their pocket to spare.

Thanks for the suggestions Doug. Unfortunately after adjusting tire pressure, weight and weight distribution the towing did not get better. It never felt like a controlled and secure ride.

I agree that a new truck may not be the answer for everyone. Usually I do try to be prudent and fix what is broken. Fortunately, my trade-in is still very new and the dealers are willing to drop the 2016 prices significantly so I am not losing too much on the upgrade cost. And let me tell you, I figured that if I am making the change I am going all in - this is an upgrade beyond just the suspension.

[Wanna EB]

Originally Posted by switz

When we did the complete Kelderman level ride air bag suspension, all the steel springs front and rear were replaced with air bags. The rear has a pair of 5,000 pound rated airbags. Great, an increase in load capacity....

Nope! The axle is still rated 6,010 pounds as are the tires at 70 psi. That is the controlling weak link n the chain.

So adding an air bag or another spring to some other vehicle may stiffen the ride, but the axle and tire ratings may still control what weight can be carried.

Only a modification shop that could issue a new "modified" door sticker can make any legal difference by putting a more capacity axle on the vehicle taking into account if the metal in the frame of the vehicle can handle the higher loads.

One would need access to the parts books to see if the frame rails are the exact same part number between a ¾ and a 1 ton truck of the same brand.

Switz,

This is helpful for sure. I was about 500 pounds over my rear axle rating. I suppose I could try more WD, but that seems to make the ride more harsh. I am at 5.5 inches of lift with my ProPride using 1400 pound bars on a 157 inch wheelbase.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Wanna EB

Switz,

This is helpful for sure. I was about 500 pounds over my rear axle rating. I suppose I could try more WD, but that seems to make the ride more harsh. I am at 5.5 inches of lift with my ProPride using 1400 pound bars on a 157 inch wheelbase.

Your rear axle is probably rated around 4000 lbs so that's a lot of overload on your half-ton. A couple of things that may help.

If you have a lot of heavy gear loaded in the bed behind the truck's rear axles, that adds to the weight the w.d. hitch must lift. You could move some stuff around to get the weight forward in the bed?

We usually end of with 6 1/2 inches lift with our ProPride, but you may be out of vertical travel with the bars. You can add more washers under the rivet to tilt the head rearward and the bars downward, put as many as you can in there. This will give you more vertical lift and possibly more weight transfer.

Also be sure your truck tires (especially the rear tires) are inflated to maximum sidewall pressure.

[switz]

Even tough 70 psi makes the E rated Michelins carry the 6,010 load of the axles, we run 80, psi which is sidewall maximum both front and rear. In the front it helped make the steering less vague and wandering.