Made The Move F-150 to F-250

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by tsunami

The FX4 off-road package provides softer shock absorbers to provide a softer ride, whether towing, hauling, or running without a load.

The FX4 Rancho knockoffs are virtually shot when the are new.You can easily push them down with one hand and watch as they will take 15-20 seconds to rebound!Ford must have got a great buy on these is the only think I can think of.Bilstein or Fox shocks change the driving experience totally for the good.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by labans

I just Love this Forum! Especially the postings about "which truck?" You guys just crack me up with all of the back and forth. So over the years I have culled the arguments to boil down to some simple conclusions:

• If your trailer is 25' or less than 25', a 1/2 ton truck, set up correctly by experienced professionals will suffice in most situations
• If your trailer is larger, then common sense, physics and reality dictate that you should have a 3/4 ton vehicle---also set up by a professional

That is the gist of close to a thousand postings back and forth and back and forth on this forum. And this thread is very good because it provides real-life grit on WHY so many folks turned to 3/4 ton after being perfectly happy with a 1/2 ton.
I just completed a survey in my city of 10 moving companies. All of them have trailers to move furniture and home goods that range from 15' to 25'. Every single company will ONLY use a 3/4 ton or larger truck and they rarely haul more than 5,000 lbs---rarely. Many of them use only 1 ton trucks and one company uses a Kenworth.
All readers take note---there is a reason for this and these folks tow trailers like yours, without WD or sway control every day of the week every week of the year, on rural roads and freeways, from 5 mph to 75 mph---AND---There is a reason they only buy hefty trucks. Which is why I think we have this current thread extolling the virtues of 3/4 ton trucks. I know that there are folks who tow their AS's with BMW SUV's and Porsche SUV's and even Acura SUV's but from all of the postings on this forum, that is the worst case scenario, aside from requiring a very very savvy driver.
Great thread!!!

And don't forget Manchaca is pronounced "Manchack"! We are over off of 1826 past in Appaloosa Run area...one of the neighbors told us the other night, they are trying to change the name now to fit the pronunciation?? Anyway, your comments about 1/2T and 25' from my experience is pretty right on. Same with the larger 3/4T....for larger trailers...happy trails.. we are in AR today heading to Jackson Center...

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Moflash

The FX4 Rancho knockoffs are virtually shot when the are new.You can easily push them down with one hand and watch as they will take 15-20 seconds to rebound!Ford must have got a great buy on these is the only think I can think of.Bilstein or Fox shocks change the driving experience totally for the good.

Not sure your correct; with my F250 KR 4x4, the Ranchos after 69K miles now, are still working fine...I will change to Bilstiens sometime in the spring, however and experience "nirvana", according to you all!

[DewTheDew]

A 1/2 ton would be fine with our 27' if we would have bought a truck with fewer doodads. They add up and the problem was the 1500# payload (7k GVWR). I have heard of F150s with over 2k of payload; they should be fine with a 27' AS.

[Profxd]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

A 1/2 ton would be fine with our 27' if we would have bought a truck with fewer doodads. They add up and the problem was the 1500# payload (7k GVWR). I have heard of F150s with over 2k of payload; they should be fine with a 27' AS.

How does a payload # guarantee stability? It doesn’t, it’s just another false assumption on RV forums.

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Profxd

How does a payload # guarantee stability? It doesn’t, it’s just another false assumption on RV forums.

Profxd, you're absolutely correct - more payload does not guarantee stability.

It's what else you get with the 3/4 ton truck. I found this out first hand towing a 27' GT with a 1500 then moving up to a 2500 that is over 1000 lbs heavier. It squats less when you drop the trailer on the ball. It has larger brakes, engine, cooling etc. And, I'm getting the same if not better fuel economy (gas).

Bottom line: Can you tow a 27' Airstream (or larger) with a newer, properly equipped 150/1500? Sure you can! Would a 250/2500 tow it with less effort and with more confidence? Yes it will.

Full details here if you're interested: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...-a-198633.html

Happy Camping!
Jeff

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Profxd, you're absolutely correct - more payload does not guarantee stability.

It's what else you get with the 3/4 ton truck. I found this out first hand towing a 27' GT with a 1500 then moving up to a 2500 that is over 1000 lbs heavier. It squats less when you drop the trailer on the ball. It has larger brakes, engine, cooling etc. And, I'm getting the same if not better fuel economy (gas).

Bottom line: Can you tow a 27' Airstream (or larger) with a newer, properly equipped 150/1500? Sure you can! Would a 250/2500 tow it with less effort and with more confidence? Yes it will.

Full details here if you're interested: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...-a-198633.html

Happy Camping!
Jeff

Agree with your experience completely...but there are still some out there who "don't know" because they "don't have".....yet! Certainly don't have to convince anyone...the proof happens after one trip with a 3/4T-1T on a larger AS...happy trails!

[JonDNC]

Agreed, same experience with a 27 International Serenity different Truck brands but same result.

[egraham]

I tow a 28’Serenity with a F150 3.5 eco boost with no problem at all. Thinking of going up to a 30 Globetrotter RB
With same rig.

[DewTheDew]

Originally Posted by Profxd

How does a payload # guarantee stability? It doesn’t, it’s just another false assumption on RV forums.

No, but it if you are within towing limits (11k pounds, clearly below with my 7600 GVWR AS) and payload (which I was for some trips) then everything is and should be fine. When I had a slightly smaller pile of crap in my truck things were fine. Can I gain more stability by towing my AS with a full-sized Mack truck? Sure. My point is merely that a F150, properly equipped, can safely and legally tow a 27' Airstream FC.

[Profxd]

Originally Posted by DewTheDew

No, but it if you are within towing limits (11k pounds, clearly below with my 7600 GVWR AS) and payload (which I was for some trips) then everything is and should be fine. When I had a slightly smaller pile of crap in my truck things were fine. Can I gain more stability by towing my AS with a full-sized Mack truck? Sure. My point is merely that a F150, properly equipped, can safely and legally tow a 27' Airstream FC.

My point in bringing it up is that even being within all the weight ratings numbers there’s still no guarantee everything is going to be fine. Being within the numbers is surely a good starting point but as many have figured out there’s more to it than just that.

[egraham]

So, Just because it is ok, it not ok??
Sounds like we are headed to a “my truck is bigger and better than yours” on this thread.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by Profxd

My point in bringing it up is that even being within all the weight ratings numbers there’s still no guarantee everything is going to be fine. Being within the numbers is surely a good starting point but as many have figured out there’s more to it than just that.

My 2017 F-250 Powerstroke has close to 2.5 tons sitting on the front axle and a 162 inc wheelbase. Our 30' Classic is like a rag doll behind it unlike my previous F-150 EB with the short wheelbase.
The trailer bullied that one for sure until I got tired of it.

[Profxd]

Originally Posted by egraham

So, Just because it is ok, it not ok??
Sounds like we are headed to a “my truck is bigger and better than yours” on this thread.

You can compare trucks of the same class, cab type, bed length, and wheelbase. A higher payload number adds very little to nothing to increase the damping of a trailer at a particular speed.

[egraham]

Originally Posted by Profxd

You can compare trucks of the same class, cab type, bed length, and wheelbase. A higher payload number adds very little to nothing to increase the damping of a trailer at a particular speed.

Isn't that what my PP hitch does?
I read posts where people say they feel the trailer is controlling the tow vechicle.
I have never had that experience pulling my 28 with the PP.
Just trying to understand.

[KevinFH]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

I drive a 28' AS with an F150. BUT I have a Propride hitch and a Roadmaster suspension system. I have no white knuckle driving even in 30mph cross winds. It's very stable. I am very relaxed driving in all conditions. I don't notice trucks go by me at all. So it's not just the truck. A great deal of it has to do with the hitch set up. When I had a Blue Ox set up it was not nearly as stable. And I do believe with some tweaking of the F150 suspension it makes a huge difference for stability. The main issue with F150's is they porpoise a bit. The Roadmaster suspension system ($600) is a great investment for the increased stability and completely eliminated the porpoising.

Having said that, an F250 is a nice towing truck. More than likely it will be my next pickup only because I want the extra payload. Now the question is gas or diesel for me.

I agree with this generally. I have 2018 28' F-150 with Roadmaster and a Blue ox WD hitch. There is no sway even in wind (not a hurricane). My F-150 is the diesel. It gets about 14.5 mpg on the flat road. The trailer has a lot of tongue wt. The Roadmaster active suspension works great to help level the truck and trailer while dramatically improving the ride and eliminated the bouncing/porposing (Also supposed to reduce sway). I considered replacing the hitch with another one, but after a trip to the scales, I decided it was OK. At the scales:
* Trailer wt. was low (empty) <6000 lbs.
* Front Axel 3320 lbs. / GACW 3800 lbs.
* Rear axel 3300lbs / GACW 3900 lbs.
* Combined wt <15,000, GCVWR= >17K lbs.

The only bad part is I have only 500lbs payload left. My wife and I decided to go a while and see how we are affected by the payload. I would like another 1000 lbs of payload to carry a motorcycle, and other stuff.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by KevinFH

I agree with this generally. I have 2018 28' F-150 with Roadmaster and a Blue ox WD hitch. There is no sway even in wind (not a hurricane). My F-150 is the diesel. It gets about 14.5 mpg on the flat road. The trailer has a lot of tongue wt. The Roadmaster active suspension works great to help level the truck and trailer while dramatically improving the ride and eliminated the bouncing/porposing (Also supposed to reduce sway). I considered replacing the hitch with another one, but after a trip to the scales, I decided it was OK. At the scales:
* Trailer wt. was low (empty) <6000 lbs.
* Front Axel 3320 lbs. / GACW 3800 lbs.
* Rear axel 3300lbs / GACW 3900 lbs.
* Combined wt <15,000, GCVWR= >17K lbs.

The only bad part is I have only 500lbs payload left. My wife and I decided to go a while and see how we are affected by the payload. I would like another 1000 lbs of payload to carry a motorcycle, and other stuff.

Ah, that pesky payload issue creeps up everytime.
When the tongue weight eats up 1k it doesn't leave much with a 1/2 ton unless it's a stripped down model with a buckboard and not much else.

[KevinFH]

Frank: If you are out east of I75, I live in Braden Woods at 6218 99th St E.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by KevinFH

Frank: If you are out east of I75, I live in Braden Woods at 6218 99th St E.

I do get out that way occasionally. Will keep it in mind.

[wbrisett]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

Bottom line: Can you tow a 27' Airstream (or larger) with a newer, properly equipped 150/1500? Sure you can! Would a 250/2500 tow it with less effort and with more confidence? Yes it will.

Just returned from an 'almost didn't make it' camping trip with our 27' Airstream. My ¾ Chevy decided to go all wonky and my dealer and GM are in the process of now replacing the main brains (aka Engine Control Module), after replacing the brake control module which was what GM initially thought would fix the issue. Anyhow, the dealer gave us a ½ ton (2020 1500 Silverado) to take while our ¾ ton diesel was in the shop and salvaged our planned trip. So, yes you can take it...I just did a thousand mile round trip tow with our 27ft AS. So, that's the good. We had high winds in the panhandle of Texas (no surprise, we normally do), and you could certainly tell you didn't have the power of the diesel engine going up the hills. I also missed the exhaust brake, but putting the 1500 into low descending into Palo Duro Canyon helped.

I think other than stability the worst part of the trip was the fuel economy, granted I'm spoiled by the ¾ ton diesel and how effortless it is to tow with it, but I only got 8.4 MPG towing in the high winds, and 10.2 MPG without the high winds. Normally that would be 11 or 12 MPG in winds and 13-15 MPG without. Plus having a smaller tank meant stopping more often.

So, can it be done? Yes. Can it be done safely? Yes. Would I want to do it all the time? No. But again, I think I'm spoiled by knowing what I do from towing with a ¾ ton diesel.