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09-16-2019, 08:23 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
Cypress
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 70
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Made The Move F-150 to F-250
So I debated for quite some time, making the move from an F-150 to a 3/4" ton truck. Our F-150 3.5EB had more than enough power to pull our AS GT 27FB and it handled the trailer fairly well on low/no wind days. With that said, there were quite a few white knuckle moments and sometimes it felt as though the trailer was driving the truck, especially on windy days.
About 6 weeks ago, we made the move from the F-150 to a F-250. Made a few local trips setting up the hitch and tire pressure monitors, and made a 400+ mile trip this past weekend, in some fairly high quartering and cross winds.
Wow what a difference. The F-250 is a drastic improvement. I never once felt as though the AS was driving the truck. In addition I felt very comfortable driving 65-70mph, something I never felt comfortable with in the F-150. Truck was very stable, the trailer never wandered behind the truck and it has so much torque it just settles into 6th gear and stays there, on all but fairly steep grades.
If you are considering the change, my vote is do it and debate less than I did. You will not regret it. Although I am a Ford guy I am sure GM and Ram 3/4 tons would provide the same upgrades.
Just do it....
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09-17-2019, 03:27 AM
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#2
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4 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 377
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Congrats on the new TV. Yet another example of how increased mass and strength of the TV improves stability.
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09-17-2019, 06:13 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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The F250 is at least 50% heavier than a comparable F150, and your new truck likely has a longer wheelbase too. However, unless you changed your hitch setup, your trailer that wandered behind the F150 is probably also wandering behind the F250 in crosswinds. It's just that the greater mass of the F250 probably now masks that movement.
I assume you did, but if not, carefully recheck your WD hitch setup and trailer loading. A well setup hitch goes a long way to managing crosswinds regardless of tow vehicle/trailer combo.
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09-17-2019, 06:15 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2009 34' Panamerica
2005 28' Classic
Still
, in the thick of it
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 677
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Great job. A perfect match to a 27' RV. I know there are a number of folks around here that firmly believe that reinforcing a minivan rear end is equal to what you have done, but honestly, I've never subscribed to that way of thinking. I firmly feel you made a great decision. I also feel that when you eventually take it into the mountains, you'll find it equally impressive and capable in comparison.
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09-17-2019, 09:04 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2017 28' International
Jim Falls
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,300
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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.
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09-17-2019, 09:55 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2017 30' Classic
Anna Maria
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by olgoat
So I debated for quite some time, making the move from an F-150 to a 3/4" ton truck. Our F-150 3.5EB had more than enough power to pull our AS GT 27FB and it handled the trailer fairly well on low/no wind days. With that said, there were quite a few white knuckle moments and sometimes it felt as though the trailer was driving the truck, especially on windy days.
About 6 weeks ago, we made the move from the F-150 to a F-250. Made a few local trips setting up the hitch and tire pressure monitors, and made a 400+ mile trip this past weekend, in some fairly high quartering and cross winds.
Wow what a difference. The F-250 is a drastic improvement. I never once felt as though the AS was driving the truck. In addition I felt very comfortable driving 65-70mph, something I never felt comfortable with in the F-150. Truck was very stable, the trailer never wandered behind the truck and it has so much torque it just settles into 6th gear and stays there, on all but fairly steep grades.
If you are considering the change, my vote is do it and debate less than I did. You will not regret it. Although I am a Ford guy I am sure GM and Ram 3/4 tons would provide the same upgrades.
Just do it....
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You are echoing my exact experience and subsequent move to an F-250 in 2017.
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09-17-2019, 10:21 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Temple
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 286
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We made a similar change 4 weeks ago, trading our 1500 Ram for a new 2500 Ram Diesel. Our (smaller then yours ) AS is a 25FB but the towing improvement was evident on our recent 2800 mile tour to Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. We had better stability and towing power plus improved comfort for the trip. We had no towing issues at higher elevations and especially liked the engine braking system on the long downwards grades in the western states. The 1500 may have been adequate but as many have stated in the other posts heavier, power and braking all make the 3/4 trucks a winner for towing AS's. An added benefit is there is no question that we are not over loading this truck while towing our AS instead of always being on the cusp of being over weight on the 1500.
__________________
2014 Flying Cloud 25FB
2018 Ram 2500; Cummins
Blue Ox WDH
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09-17-2019, 10:40 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2017 28' Flying Cloud
2014 25' FB Flying Cloud
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Georgetown (winter)Thayne (summer)
, Texas & Wyoming
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,620
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Congratulations! I loved our F150 EB when pulling our 25's, but when we went to the 28' AS the wife convinced me to go with the F250 6.7 KR model...28K miles now....very glad we made the switch. As you no doubt notice, the TV experience pulling the 27' AS is much more pleasurable with the larger F250, not to mention the extra payload being a plus. Enjoy...
__________________
Empty Nesters; Gypsies on the road! 2017 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2017 F250 King Ranch, 4X4, 6.7L, Blue-Ox WDH
Summer-Star Valley Ranch RV Resort (Thayne, WY); Winter-Sun City (Georgetown,TX)
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09-17-2019, 12:35 PM
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#9
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Retired Navy Veteran
1964 26' Overlander
Warner Robins
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 260
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Great move for rear axle weight and payload and peace of mind driving whatever the WD is. We use an Andersen and happy with it. Not sure what kscherzi’s info comes from, but our F150 weighed about 5,000 lbs and our F250 6,500 lbs with 3500 lb payload and over 6,000 lbs for rear axle, not >50% heavier. CHeck out int’l Rally with TV’s for 700 rigs and check tow vehicles on 26’ and longer trailers = 3/4 and 1 ton from all manufacturers.
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09-17-2019, 01:29 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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Saw it here... 2017 F250 Platinum, 8,300 lbs.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...b-test-review/
Obviously this trucks weight is highly variable depending upon trim, engine, options, etc.
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09-17-2019, 02:02 PM
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#11
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1 Rivet Member
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by olgoat
So I debated for quite some time, making the move from an F-150 to a 3/4" ton truck. Our F-150 3.5EB had more than enough power to pull our AS GT 27FB and it handled the trailer fairly well on low/no wind days. With that said, there were quite a few white knuckle moments and sometimes it felt as though the trailer was driving the truck, especially on windy days.
About 6 weeks ago, we made the move from the F-150 to a F-250. Made a few local trips setting up the hitch and tire pressure monitors, and made a 400+ mile trip this past weekend, in some fairly high quartering and cross winds.
Wow what a difference. The F-250 is a drastic improvement. I never once felt as though the AS was driving the truck. In addition I felt very comfortable driving 65-70mph, something I never felt comfortable with in the F-150. Truck was very stable, the trailer never wandered behind the truck and it has so much torque it just settles into 6th gear and stays there, on all but fairly steep grades.
If you are considering the change, my vote is do it and debate less than I did. You will not regret it. Although I am a Ford guy I am sure GM and Ram 3/4 tons would provide the same upgrades.
Just do it....
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Thanks for sharing your experience.
Diesel or gas?
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09-17-2019, 02:09 PM
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#12
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3 Rivet Member
2020 30' Classic
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Blue Ridge
, Georgia
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 215
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Just switched from F150 to the F250 Diesel. Have not made changes as of yet to my hitch. I did order and receive the 2.5" hitch bar. Out of curiosity what changes did you make to your hitch bar/stinger?
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09-17-2019, 03:43 PM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
Cypress
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi
The F250 is at least 50% heavier than a comparable F150, and your new truck likely has a longer wheelbase too. However, unless you changed your hitch setup, your trailer that wandered behind the F150 is probably also wandering behind the F250 in crosswinds. It's just that the greater mass of the F250 probably now masks that movement.
I assume you did, but if not, carefully recheck your WD hitch setup and trailer loading. A well setup hitch goes a long way to managing crosswinds regardless of tow vehicle/trailer combo.
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WD hitch was properly set up when transitioning to the new TV.
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09-17-2019, 03:47 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
Cypress
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luftstromer
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Diesel or gas?
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Diesel.
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09-17-2019, 03:51 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
Cypress
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gleverett
Just switched from F150 to the F250 Diesel. Have not made changes as of yet to my hitch. I did order and receive the 2.5" hitch bar. Out of curiosity what changes did you make to your hitch bar/stinger?
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I wanted to change the drop bar from 2” to 2 1/2” to match the receiver, but apparently there isn’t one available for the Reese SteadiFlex WD system. So I simply adjusted the head placement to be approximately 1” above level prior to hitching. The fine tuned the head angle to restore front TV rise back to acceptable limits. I could add more downforce, lowering front rise even more but I think I like it as is. If I could determine how to post photos I would, but no luck so far.
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09-17-2019, 04:08 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2019 30' International
Pennsylvania
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,234
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I considered an MG Midget to tow a 30 foot International but I couldn't fit the grill in the trunk. So I traded in the F-150 for an F-250 and never looked back.
The difference is night and day. Absolutely no comparison in my experience. Happy to hear so many have found the same results.
__________________
If you ain't havin' fun you ain't doin' it right
2017 Ford CCSB F250 XLT 6.2L Gas 4x4 Ruby
2019 International Serenity 30 Rear Twin
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09-17-2019, 04:41 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2021 30' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
Airstream - Other
Lady Lake
, Florida
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,172
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Yep!
Congratulations
I did the exact same thing. And we never looked back.
Night and day feeling of stability power and braking.
I loved my F-150 until I hitched it to a Airstream.
I felt the trailer controlled the truck. With the 6.7 Diesel I have to sometimes remember I’m towing.
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09-17-2019, 08:07 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2018 28' International
Fayetteville
, Georgia
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 826
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I went from a 2016 Expedition EcoBoost to a 2018 F250 Lariat Diesel. AS is a 2018 Serenity 28. Plenty of power with the Expy, but it just felt overwhelmed by the AS. The F250 tows so much better. Night and day difference. Towing is easy and effortless. I went with a 2.5 inch shank that extends an extra 6 inches, which allows the tailgate to drop,when hitched, without hitting the jack stand. Will not tow with anything less.
__________________
brick
2018 International Serenity
Cute wife...
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09-17-2019, 08:42 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Globetrotter
McHenry
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,163
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Did the same thing - 1500 to 2500 towing GT
Olgoat, congratulations on making the change. We did the same thing (1/2 ton to 3/4) in July and did a 2400 mile trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi is 1000 lbs heavier than our 1500 and tows like a dream.
Now you can sit back and smile! Post some photos please
__________________
2019 27’ Globetrotter FBT Walnut/Dublin Slate
2018 FC23FB
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Laramie Blue Ox 1000#
WBCCI# 10258
RETIRED!
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09-18-2019, 04:23 PM
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#20
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2 Rivet Member
2019 27' Globetrotter
Cypress
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 70
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Photos Of New TV / AS Combo
She tows like a dream. Night and day difference vs our F-150.
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