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ibordelon · 04-08-2019, 08:08 AM

I have recently purchased a 2019 F250 Turbo Diesel 4x4. A buddy of mine brought to my attention the "Death Wobble" experienced by F250 owners. Can anyone on here give me their thoughts or experience regarding this topic? I have a 1972 31' Excella 500 that I am wanting to tow. If the death wobble is a real issue with the F250, as well as 2500 Ram and some Jeeps, what TV would you recommend? I do not want to blow this issue out of proportion, especially if it is not really an issue, but I want to have a safe vehicle for my family to travel in while towing the camper. I am thinking the Ford F150 does not have the tow capacity to safely pull the trailer. Am I right or will it tow comfortably, especially out west in the mountains? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Bill M. · 04-08-2019, 08:24 AM

I do not own a F250. I do have 225,000 miles on a 2500 Dodge Ram diesel. And have not had any problems or issues. I have been on many Airstream caravans of several months length always with at least a half dozen F250's. All of the owners loved their 250's. Never heard the "death wobble" mentioned. I think you bought a fine TV and should relax and enjoy the experience. It is not going to wobble.

Use a good hitch. Get the trailer level. Get some weight transfer to the front axle. Put good tires on the trailer. In that particular trailer do not load up a bunch of weight in the rear compartments. Watch for dragging the rear on gutters and curbs.

crispyboy · 04-08-2019, 08:27 AM

Death wobble doesn't happen unless there are worn out components in the front end of a solid axle vehicle.
Watch for play in the track bar bushings, ball joints and steering linkage. Keep good shocks and steering stabalizer. With a little knowledge you can diagnose these issues before it ever becomes a problem. Practice preventative maintenance.

I have been driving solid axle vehicles for 40 years and have never had the "death wobble".

**DKB_SATX** · 04-08-2019, 08:28 AM

It seems like a steering damper and replacing front-end components WAY more often than should be required on an HD pickup is the usual way to deal with that wobble.

Or, you know, buy a truck with independent front suspension. I'm very satisfied with my F150 towing a trailer with dry weight close to the max gross for a '72 31-footer. If I wanted a 4WD HD truck I'd buy a GM because Ford and RAM keep bringing out new solid-axle HDs. I'm sure for "real" offroaders there are lots of good arguments for solid front axles but nearly all my travel involves pavement.

Eagle Keeper · 04-08-2019, 08:52 AM

I’ve done a lot of internet searching on this topic. Ive found that most people that have this problem have worn out suspension components or have modified their truck in some way. It seems to be more of a geometry issue. If you’re worried about it I would suggest https://sdhqoffroad.com/ they have a kit for adding two HD steering dampeners. I have no issues with recommending SDHQ for any fab needs. They are a top notch company.

Also I’ve noticed that a lot of people will post that they have this problem and you never hear from them again...

ibordelon · 04-08-2019, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle Keeper

I’ve done a lot of internet searching on this topic. Ive found that most people that have this problem have worn out suspension components or have modified their truck in some way. It seems to be more of a geometry issue. If you’re worried about it I would suggest https://sdhqoffroad.com/ they have a kit for adding two HD steering dampeners. I have no issues with recommending SDHQ for any fab needs. They are a top notch company.

Also I’ve noticed that a lot of people will post that they have this problem and you never hear from them again...

Thanks for your feedback. I love the truck, but just got a little spooked reading the internet comments. Also what you don't know is how people treated their equipment. I believe in preventative maintenance!

turk123 · 04-08-2019, 09:34 AM

Funny this topic is coming up. I just experienced the death wobble on my 2017 F-250 diesel. Scared the heck out of me but I've experienced it several times before on my wife's Jeep Wrangler.

I just replaced the shocks (Bilstiens went on) and added a sway bar in the rear (Ford). This was on a freeway at about 65 mph and on very smooth road.

I will be going over to my Ford dealer to have them check it out.

tjdonahoe · 04-08-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibordelon

I have recently purchased a 2019 F250 Turbo Diesel 4x4. A buddy of mine brought to my attention the "Death Wobble" experienced by F250 owners. Can anyone on here give me their thoughts or experience regarding this topic? I have a 1972 31' Excella 500 that I am wanting to tow. If the death wobble is a real issue with the F250, as well as 2500 Ram and some Jeeps, what TV would you recommend? I do not want to blow this issue out of proportion, especially if it is not really an issue, but I want to have a safe vehicle for my family to travel in while towing the camper. I am thinking the Ford F150 does not have the tow capacity to safely pull the trailer. Am I right or will it tow comfortably, especially out west in the mountains? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

..never had a problem with ford or Rama...never

Eagle Keeper · 04-08-2019, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibordelon

Thanks for your feedback. I love the truck, but just got a little spooked reading the internet comments. Also what you don't know is how people treated their equipment. I believe in preventative maintenance!

You’re 100% spot on! Preventative maintenance is key to avoiding problems! Not only with your TV but also your AS! Most folks nowadays have never seen the underside of their vehicles. They take them to Jiffy lube and think the dude in the pit will let them know if something is wrong. Then when it does fail they blame the manufacturers, go on a forum and complain.

Next time your in a parking lot look at the condition of the tires on the vehicles as you walk into the store. You’ll be amazed at how many people drive around on tires that are completely unsafe. Basic maintenance is key to vehicle longevity.

turk123 · 04-08-2019, 09:44 AM

Just got off the phone with my Ford dealer. He said, "Yup, happens all the time on 250s and 350s. We will check it out first but you need to add a stabilizer shock on the front steering". That is exactly what we did on the Jeep Wrangler.

It was quite a quick response from the service manager in a matter of fact way. As if he has seen it a hundred times. He told me the 250's are coming in all the time with this. Quick fix and you're out.

Ah . . .OK?

Truck goes in Wedsnday.

turk123 · 04-08-2019, 09:47 AM

The dealer told me it usually happens when you hit a transition between the road and a bridge surface, The bump will set it off. That's what happened to me!

Eagle Keeper · 04-08-2019, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turk123

I just replaced the shocks (Bilstiens went on) and added a sway bar in the rear (Ford). This was on a freeway at about 65 mph and on very smooth road.

I will be going over to my Ford dealer to have them check it out.

Did it happen after the shocks and sway bar change?

crispyboy · 04-08-2019, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turk123

Just got off the phone with my Ford dealer. He said, "Yup, happens all the time on 250s and 350s. We will check it out first but you need to add a stabilizer shock on the front steering". That is exactly what we did on the Jeep Wrangler.

It was quite a quick response from the service manager in a matter of fact way. As if he has seen it a hundred times. He told me the 250's are coming in all the time with this. Quick fix and you're out.

Ah . . .OK?

Truck goes in Wedsnday.

I am highly surprised your truck didn't have the stabalizer on from the factory. All of my past solid axle vehicles had this from the factory.....

turk123 · 04-08-2019, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crispyboy

I am highly surprised your truck didn't have the stabalizer on from the factory. All of my past solid axle vehicles had this from the factory.....

I think it is because it is a Platinum. No rear sway bar in the rear either. I added that.

Countryboy59 · 04-08-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibordelon

I have recently purchased a 2019 F250 Turbo Diesel 4x4. A buddy of mine brought to my attention the "Death Wobble" experienced by F250 owners. Can anyone on here give me their thoughts or experience regarding this topic? I have a 1972 31' Excella 500 that I am wanting to tow. If the death wobble is a real issue with the F250, as well as 2500 Ram and some Jeeps, what TV would you recommend? I do not want to blow this issue out of proportion, especially if it is not really an issue, but I want to have a safe vehicle for my family to travel in while towing the camper. I am thinking the Ford F150 does not have the tow capacity to safely pull the trailer. Am I right or will it tow comfortably, especially out west in the mountains? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Replace any worn parts and you’ll never have an issue. Buy good tires and keep them rotated, inflated, and balanced.

AirMiles · 04-08-2019, 10:24 AM

My son-in-law and recently bought new 2019 F250 Diesels and tow extensively throughout the US. We now have 13,000 miles of experience between the two trucks. I have been very straight forward about the issues I had while trying to dial in my F250 to tow my 2017 FC25FC in this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ml#post2214659 Obviously, if either of us had this death wobble problem, I would have been discussing it. We have not experienced any death wobble on our trucks and I am very comfortable towing my FC25FB now with its newly installed ProPride hitch.

My neighbor has a 2017 F250 Diesel. He did experience this death wobble on his truck AFTER damaging his front end by hitting a pot hole so big it required an insurance claim. As others stated, he would get the death wobble when hitting the bump going onto a bridge after the dealer's first attempt at repairing the truck. He brought the truck back into his dealer where more front end components and new tires were installed which fixed the death wobble. He no longer has the death wobble issue.

Turk123, I'm sorry to hear about your death wobble experience. Please keep us posted. Most F250s do not come with a factory rear stabilizer bar. I posted the part numbers which I used to add one to my truck here: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ml#post2207756 I believe the only way to get a factory installed rear stabilizer bar on a new F250 is to purchase the camper package option with 18" wheels.

Moflash · 04-08-2019, 11:09 AM

Never any wobble on my 2017 F350 6.7 Diesel

AirMiles · 04-08-2019, 11:17 AM

Turk, I just did some research on adding steering stabilizers to an F250. It looks like an easy $150 bolt-on fix. I read all the reviews and many said in addition to fixing the death wobble, it also eliminated the "wandering", "bump steer" and "following the grooves in the road" which is what I was experiencing. Here is a link to a steering stabilizer kit with good reviews: https://www.roughcountry.com/steerin...r-8749130.html

mefly2 · 04-08-2019, 11:33 AM

We had the wobble on a brand new Ram 3/4 T diesel...scary!!!
After about a year waiting for front end parts that never came in on a factory recall, we traded it on a 2015 GM 3/4 T diesel. Never had an issue with the Chevy. Smiles

turk123 · 04-12-2019, 06:40 AM

Well, everybody learned a lot when I took my F-250 in for the death wobble. First of all, they said I need a stabilizing steering shock. They had to order it and it was in when I took my truck. He told me they would get that added and it should be fine.

Picked up the truck the other day and he said there was no charge, covered under warranty. He said my truck already had the steering shock and it was bad. He said he didn't see one when he first looked. Oh, OK!