Bilsteins, Roadmaster, or both?

[dog_and_cat]

Originally Posted by jacqui

Could you provide a link to the spreadsheet... thanks

I tried to find the thread where I found this but couldn't locate it. My apologies and thanks to the original author.

[Spaggs]

I second the recommendation to switch to E rated Michelins! Higher pressure, better gas mileage and more truck stability.

[Daquenzer]

It makes no sense to me to buy new tires and spend hundreds of dollars when you have perfectly good tires. The roadmaster will last as long as the truck runs. Not so with tires. Maybe if your tires are worn out or if you are ordering the truck. The roadmaster takes care of any stability or porpoising issues by itself. To spend money on tires, shocks AND the roadmaster is over kill.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

If you read the manual carefully they consider a 150lb driver and a full tank of fuel as part of the truck. it doesn't count against payload.

Not sure what manual you are referring to?? They also have "spec" numbers in the manuals, that are not accurate. The doorjamb sticker on each vehicle is bible, for that vehicle..max payload is spelled out: max payload= all passengers and cargo. Note the sticker below.

[dsatwork]

Originally Posted by Spaggs

I second the recommendation to switch to E rated Michelins! Higher pressure, better gas mileage and more truck stability.

Check my previous post in this thread for the other upgrades I made to my Silverado, but I also upgraded to the E rated Michelin tires. There is no comparison between the passenger tires come with the truck and upgrading to legit E rated 10 ply truck tires. The advantages are numerous and the stability you get when a truck passes by you at high speed may be the only reason you need and it handles better on the higher end of the payload capacity.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by dsatwork

Check my previous post in this thread for the other upgrades I made to my Silverado, but I also upgraded to the E rated Michelin tires. There is no comparison between the passenger tires come with the truck and upgrading to legit E rated 10 ply truck tires. The advantages are numerous and the stability you get when a truck passes by you at high speed may be the only reason you need and it handles better on the higher end of the payload capacity.

The LT (light truck) rated Michelins have stiffer sidewalls and are recommended especially if towing. Many of us have been using these for years. The Passenger (P) rated tires do not have the same composition in the sidewall design as the LT's, and tend to "roll" when cornering, especially noticeable when carrying a load. Not sure why your truck came with P rated tires unless it was a lower trim model?

[Martee]

Originally Posted by dog_and_cat

The payload of our "21 Lariat (also max tow) is 1812# and we manage to keep the loaded/hitched weight a couple of hundred pounds below that.



Our GT's tongue weight is typically 880# (full fresh tank & propane). We went with lithium batteries and that lightened the load a bit.

I would be very surprised your GT27FB has only 880lbs tongue weight. Nearly all of the FB models loaded are north of 1100lbs and some of the 25FB trailers actual push 1250lbs tongue weight. One post last week, a gentleman with a GT27FB was reading 1400lbs on his Sherline scale. Just be aware, some of these Airstream FB models exceed specification hitch weight by alot.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Martee

I would be very surprised your GT27FB has only 880lbs tongue weight. Nearly all of the FB models loaded are north of 1100lbs and some of the 25FB trailers actual push 1250lbs tongue weight. One post last week, a gentleman with a GT27FB was reading 1400lbs on his Sherline scale. Just be aware, some of these Airstream FB models exceed specification hitch weight by alot.

That's our experience also...our last 2014' 25 was 1000lbs tongue weight. Our 2017 28' is 1100lbs.

Update on Bilstiens....wow; what a difference over the stock Ranchos on my F250! Just going over construction bumps now is a whole different experience on the highway then same bumps prior to switching out the Bilstiens few weeks ago! Will be taking the 28' out to West Yellowstone next week; looking forward to handling difference.

[dog_and_cat]

Originally Posted by Martee

I would be very surprised your GT27FB has only 880lbs tongue weight. Nearly all of the FB models loaded are north of 1100lbs and some of the 25FB trailers actual push 1250lbs tongue weight. One post last week, a gentleman with a GT27FB was reading 1400lbs on his Sherline scale. Just be aware, some of these Airstream FB models exceed specification hitch weight by alot.

Yeah, I read that post with interest. I've had the trailer for 4 months now and have taken it through the CAT scales three times. First time was 840# with a light load in the trailer, and twice at 880# when loaded for camping. I posted the most recent tickets earlier in this thread.

But now that I'm thinking about it, when I've done the "truck only" runs I've only unhitched the Propride rather than also removing the 50# P3 stinger. That's a dumb mistake on my part and would right away get me up to 930# tongue weight. Perhaps the rest of the difference to "normal" comes from the lighter lithium batteries, the longer lever arm of the P3 and our general propensity to pack lightly? TT is level with WD applied.

We're taking it on a short trip next week and I'll run it through the CAT scales again on our way out of town.

Thanks for your comment and for getting me thinking...!

[phoenix491]

Lots of good experience on this thread, so I'll just add another vote for the RAS and Bilsteins, as well as Michelin LT's ... I've added all three over the years to my 2014 F150 and they've helped considerably with porpoising and general ride comfort.

I pull a 25' FCFB with a P3 hitch, and I feel my set-up is just about as dialed-in as it's going to get, short of moving up to an F250 (which I will probably do eventually, just to add a bit of comfort zone, since we often find ourselves in the mountains where towing conditions are a bit more taxing).

[GettinAway]

I needed shocks (130,000 miles) so I went with the Bilsteins. I also added the RAS and 20” wheels with E rated tires. Lost a little of the ride comfort, but not much. It also decreased my MPG by 1-2 miles per gallon. But it handles the 25FB very well.

[Northsite]

I've been trying to get Airlift 5000 or 7000 for 4 months. They are not available because the factory isn't making them.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Northsite

I've been trying to get Airlift 5000 or 7000 for 4 months. They are not available because the factory isn't making them.

Check eTrailer they have some in stock for different vehicles. The 7000 is really for a DRW 1 ton. Go with the 5000.

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Not sure what manual you are referring to?? They also have "spec" numbers in the manuals, that are not accurate. The doorjamb sticker on each vehicle is bible, for that vehicle..max payload is spelled out: max payload= all passengers and cargo. Note the sticker below.

Yes!!

Door sticker says "occupants". The confusion arises from the use of the term "passenger" in the owner's manual. The driver is a passenger also, and the example in my manual includes the weight of the driver in the payload calculation.

[rbs]

it's the tires

[2019streammm]

Originally Posted by dog_and_cat

I have a 2021 F-150 that tows our 27" GT FB. There is noticeable porpoising on a variety of road surfaces that I'm looking to reduce/eliminate. Any thoughts on the relative benefits of upgrading the factory shocks to Bilsteins vs. installing the RAS?

I'll add that we use a ProPride P3 hitch and tow with the TV/TT both level (no TV squat) with the WD properly dialed-in and verified via a 3-pass run through the CAT scales. Payload and axle weights are all well within rated capacities.

Thanks in advance.



Chris

I did both and made a big difference

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Fungus

Yes!!

Door sticker says "occupants". The confusion arises from the use of the term "passenger" in the owner's manual. The driver is a passenger also, and the example in my manual includes the weight of the driver in the payload calculation.

Your correct; "occupants" which; "combined weight of occupants and cargo."
Which includes driver, passengers, dogs, and all cargo.."should never exceed:"
Again, please post a picture of that manual which says driver weight of 150lbs is included in payload calculation...never seen that one in any of my truck manuals nor SUV manuals? Which brand/year/model??

[Daquenzer]

Then why include the weight of driver as 150lbs??!!!

It is on the tow specification schedule.

[Fungus]

Originally Posted by Daquenzer

Then why include the weight of driver as 150lbs??!!!

It is on the tow specification schedule.

Easy to settle this issue. Weigh your empty, fully fueled truck. Subtract that from GVWR as stated on the Safety Compliance Certification label. That’s your maximum payload. And it’s more accurate than the Tire and Loading Information label because of the RAS and other forgotten vehicle aftermarket accoutrements that reduce payload. Maybe your Owner's Manual and door stickers are different from mine.

Post photos of payload description from the Owner’s Manual including any examples of how to calculate it.

Post a photo of your door stickers. Maybe it says occupants excluding the driver.

I found the towing specification you mention. It's in the marketing brochure that Ford (in my case) publishes. A footnote mentions the 150# driver. Apparently there is a disconnect between the people who build/test/certify the truck and the people who write the frilly brochures. But it doesn't matter. The Tire and Loading Information label, Safety Compliance Certification label, and Owner's Manual are the official guides, not the marketing brochure. Besides, just weigh your fully fueled, empty truck. Mine weighs 5450#. My GVWR is 7000#. Therefore, my payload is 1550#. Yet the TLI label says 1610#.

If you post the make and model of your TV maybe we can all download the manual and closely read it, too.

My current truck is a 2020 F-150. Here is the link to the manual. Skip to page 282 of the manual (but page 285 of the pdf) for a description of payload.

[GettinAway]

So, I noticed in a post on another thread that one new truck had a payload sticker of 1,000 pounds. I regularly hunt with my two brothers, and a buddy. All of us are north of 200 pounds. Plus, dogs, guns, and gear. We would have to take two vehicles. I just think there is something inherently off about these payload stickers. We have hunted out of a small suv before. Is this just another case of over caution or over regulation? I know most everyone on this forum, or at least the most outspoken ones here are big “door sticker” proponents. It just doesn’t seem right to me that a company would make a four door, six seat pickup, that can barely hold four adults.