F250 owners -- pre-purchase nitpicking time!

[Jekerrville]

Greetings,

We have one 2012 F-350 SD Lairet w/tow package (diesel)the 2015 F-150 KR (gasser) with tow package, 2015 F-250 SD KR as well with tow package and factory sprayed liner.(diesel) All are FX-4 machines.


The '12 is the mule of the family, ranch limo. The 150-KR was taken away from me by my loving wife. However, with 32 gallon tank and the 5.0 V8, it pulled the 28'FC just fine. However, pulling all types of trailer in my lifetime, I wanted a bit more certain control over what was being towed. (Short wheel base 150 KR)

To the point of your original question(s), the 2015' F-250 KR knows not that the AS is behind it. However, the AS has a dry toung weight of 974 pounds. (There will be static from all the load leveler and WD folks). But, the 250 would not level out because Ford did not allow for the distance between the bumper and the trailer, thus the rear springs were just not beefy enough to my liking. Don't like upsetting on-coming traffic at night when low beams are on and the others disagree.

The solution was very simple. Roadmaster Active Suspension. This kit is very simple to install over the rear springs and allows you to "adjust" the capacity of load. Thus, you get excellent ride, level line from steering gear to the AS back bumper, and complete control in any conditions. (Axel weight specification folks please just chill.)

The deeper and thicker leather of the KR seats is much better than the Lairet leather seats and don't wear out at the stitches along the edge of the seat.

Electronics on the 250 do not compare with the 150. The 150 has a much more advanced system, but self parking, radar assisted side and forward object advoidance and adaptive cruze control is neat, but for the additional $3000.00 may not be to your liking. The 2017 will offer all of those upgrades in an aluminum skin F-250, 350 and 450 configurations late 2016.

Slap on a 50 gallon Transfer Flow tank, ( comes with built in skid plate) and the RAS spring overfit in a KR package and you will love your new ride. Just don't forget that there is a AS tailgating you.��

Happy trails

[IanPoulin]

yeah - your points on the 2017 are taken as well... It may actually behoove me to hold onto my 2013 F150 ecoboost one final season and order a 250 for the 2017 season.... meh!

URL - Car and Driver

[paiceman]

Our F350 has GVW of 11,500. 20" Tires are nice and we have a 20" spare. Replaced one due to road hazard, not in stock, came in the next morning by 9:00am, don't see and issue.

[Firedog1]

I second the 50 gallon Titan tank, I had Ford dealer install that as my first upgrade, nice to drive 600 plus miles with no worries. I still can't believe Ford puts a 26 gallon tank in that truck.

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by IanPoulin

yeah - your points on the 2017 are taken as well... It may actually behoove me to hold onto my 2013 F150 ecoboost one final season and order a 250 for the 2017 season.... meh!

URL - Car and Driver

The F250 and F350 in 2017 will be an Aluminum body just like the new F150s. The exterior height of the two trucks will be higher than the ones currently being produced, not sure on interior height. I was told this by a Ford Regional Manager and my dealer. Dealer knows I trade trucks every two to three years, mine is a 2015 and wants my truck so he is trying to get me to pre-order a new one. I told him doubt it as they threw in the 7 year bumper to bumper when I bought this one.

The Aluminum will save about 750 pounds in truck weight which will possibly increase the payload weight of the truck.

Bud

[IanPoulin]

Originally Posted by Firedog1

I second the 50 gallon Titan tank, I had Ford dealer install that as my first upgrade, nice to drive 600 plus miles with no worries. I still can't believe Ford puts a 26 gallon tank in that truck.

Hey Firedog -- as your Ford dealer handled the install, does that impact the vehicle warranty (if still applicable)?

Ian

[Alphonse]

A couple of points:

1. If you change the fuel tank to 51 gallons, you have a corresponding decrease in remaining cargo capacity. You use up cargo capacity with the addition of extra fuel. Not a bad thing but just reminding folks of how this works. The truck comes with a design limit on "payload capacity". Slice it, dice it, anyway you want it but the payload capacity is fixed. You use it up with options, accessories, or fuel.
2. The 18" tire is likely essentially the same outer diameter as the 20". I must say that I am not totally informed on the Ford offerings and haven't confirmed the finite details. However with other manufacturers you get an 18" steel rim and tire for the spare when you upgrade to the 20's as an option. This is not a problem because they are the same outer diameter. While the profile is different for the 20's, the 18"s are the same O.D. In theory the 20's have less sidewall squirm due to their profile.

[BDowse]

I have a 2012 F-250, 6.7 Lariat with 20" wheels and tow a 27FB. My wife and I love this truck! I had always driven GM products and was so pleased with this vehicle I would have recommended it to anyone; until I experienced the "death wobble" which I find out now is not uncommon in this vehicle. Apparently, since 2005 when coil springs replaced leafs up front, this wobble can be a problem. I have 41,600 miles and had to replace the tires, which are always properly inflated and rotated at every service (nearly $300 each) and the drag link. I suggest anyone who owns a late model F-250 or anyone considering purchasing this model simply google Ford F-250 Death Wobble and see what pops up, then follow a thread or two.
I am not trying to talk anyone out of buying an F-250, but current and prospective owners should be aware of this issue. May never happen to you, hopefully not, but be advised of the possibility. I am more disappointed than angry, first that this truck is not perfect as I have believed since driving it off the lot and second, that no dealership or the Ford Motor
Company had warned me about this.

[graysailor]

A couple of quick notes. The weight savings on the 2017 will only be about 3-400lbs. If you go with an 8' bed then you will get a 36 gallon fuel tank (that was the case with the 2016's)

[switz]

No one at Harley Davidson ever told me the batwing fairing models (Classics) can generate a death wobble untilI I experienced it twice at speed on mountain road curves.

Then the research showed some folks were not as lucky as I was to survive the "laundry generating" experience.

I sold the bike and never got a replacement as it was the design and not just one bike.

Just saying the analogy may apply to other vehicles as well....

[IanPoulin]

I was reading up on the 2017 improvements as to ascertain if I ought to wait a year, and came across the following quote attributed to a Ford spokesman:

"Using the same cab for both trucks likely saves Ford money, but a benefit for the buyer, Ford truck spokesman Mike Levine says, is that Ford can bring innovations and updates to both trucks more quickly."

This means, if true, that starting in 2017 I will no longer fit into Ford vehicles as I've already confirmed I am unable to fit into a current year F150 crew cab due to the headliner bumps and lumps.

decision made -- 2016 is it.

Source URL: http://autoweek.com/article/car-news...ord-super-duty

[paiceman]

Ian: Sounds like a good move.

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by BDowse

I am more disappointed than angry, first that this truck is not perfect as I have believed since driving it off the lot and second, that no dealership or the Ford Motor
Company had warned me about this.

I don't think anybody at Ford or any other manufacturer will ever tell you about "death wobble" or some other inherent problem with a design.
The key is to keep up with the wear items in the front end of the vehicle and replace them accordingly. Sometimes aftermarket suspension parts can be better quality than OEM parts. It takes a little bit of time and knowledge to flush out the answers.
Rough roads and heavy diesel engines wear things out quicker.
Don't sweat it - enjoy your truck.

[m.hony]

18" wheels-
Lariat- unless you like the brown leather-

[Bob662]

m.hony has it right.

As a generalization, 18" tires ride more smoothly and 20" tires handle better. This is because of the lower profile of the 20's.

[TheDuke]

Just a little over a year ago, I too was specking out a new truck to order. I built two identical trucks, one a 250 and the other a 350. Both I and the dealer was amazed to find that the 350 retailed for only $947.00 more! This quickly became a no-brainer for me. If you ever notice that all the 250's that you see towing or hauling anything heavy are tail-draggers. The 350's have a heavier spring set and rear axle, therefore they don't squat under a load like the 250. The ride difference is hardly noticeable if at all. If you are concerned about the ride when empty, install a set of "Sulastic" rubber spring shackles like I did. My 350 now rides better than a 250. I have the KR and love it. As for wheels you should go with 20". The taller a tire is in overall height, the better it will ride. The larger diameter tire does not fall into holes or ripples as deep as a smaller diameter tire does. Also the 20" tire has a shorter sidewall, which is where most of your sway comes from. The 20" tires also last longer, not as many RPM's. If you look at the resale values of used 250's and compare them to 350's, you will see a difference of somewhere between two and three times the initial difference. I always look and think about resale when I buy because I like to trade quite often. Whenever my wife and I are traveling, I can always tell the difference between a 250 and 350 because of their attitude difference when towing or hauling. Around here the farmers which are pulling or hauling something most of the time never buy a 250 nor would I, especially after finding out the difference in cost. Just my "two dollars worth!" Yeah I know, but the way I see it, my opinions are worth more!

[Plan-B]

Originally Posted by BDowse

I have a 2012 F-250, 6.7 Lariat with 20" wheels and tow a 27FB. My wife and I love this truck! I had always driven GM products and was so pleased with this vehicle I would have recommended it to anyone; until I experienced the "death wobble" which I find out now is not uncommon in this vehicle. Apparently, since 2005 when coil springs replaced leafs up front, this wobble can be a problem. I have 41,600 miles and had to replace the tires, which are always properly inflated and rotated at every service (nearly $300 each) and the drag link. I suggest anyone who owns a late model F-250 or anyone considering purchasing this model simply google Ford F-250 Death Wobble and see what pops up, then follow a thread or two.
I am not trying to talk anyone out of buying an F-250, but current and prospective owners should be aware of this issue. May never happen to you, hopefully not, but be advised of the possibility. I am more disappointed than angry, first that this truck is not perfect as I have believed since driving it off the lot and second, that no dealership or the Ford Motor
Company had warned me about this.

I had a 2007 (6.0L) and a 2011 (6.7) liter. I have experienced the death wobble on both models. The 2011 was much much better than the older front end on the 2007 f250s. But when the ball joints and front end steering stabilizer became worn on the 2011 (approx 110k mi. ) the truck became dangerous to drive. I had these replaced and ran like new.

I also received FORD warning letter on my 2011 model that warned to never let your tire pressure get below 65psi or loss on control was possible.

[switz]

I spent a lot of money trying to "fix" my Harley wobble. Even after all the mods, it happened a second time. That was the end of the road for me as I felt I might get through a third experience.

[pappy19]

I can highly recommend the snow plow option even if you don't live in snow country or plan on plowing snow. For around $100 , this is a great option with HD front springs, shocks, alternator and radiator. This option basically levels your truck as well. I like the Lariat over the KR since the KR seats are very bad to stain. Maybe since I've had the snow plow option, in 170,000 miles, I have never experienced the death wobble.

[Moflash]

The leather in the Platinum and the King Ranch is real leather.The Lariat is pleather (bonded leather)and does not wear well.The 20 inch wheels look great and ride well and add to resale value.I looked at the F250's then drove it along with the F350.I found that they ride the same as they share the same primary leaf spring but as the load increases the other springs come into play one by one..I also realized for the small difference in price ($650) that it was a no brainer for me.I purchased a new 2012 F350 Lariat 6.7 Supercrew 8ft box.Then in 2015 I traded it for a 2015 F350 Platinum with the same features.I have 20k miles on it now and its a real pleasure actually a lot better truck than the 2012.We pull a 28ft international and this combination is unbeatable.The truck actually rides very smooth and the 2015 is whisper quiet.We tow approx 10k-15k per year.We don't ever worry about power or payload anymore and I will not change this combo.I will wait and trade for a 2018 aluminum as the first year of a model is not always a good thing.