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Airslide · 09-20-2008, 09:33 PM

Hello forum?

I have a 94 F350 crew cab dually thats currently getting some upgrades. I have read some posts about guys with these trucks and the concerns of beating up the airstream. So what about that? Should i have some leafs removed and maybe install rear bags? Im running the reese dual cam and when i jump up and down on it i get very little movement. Has anyone already gone through this and might be able to give some advise? I havent used this truck yet so no damage done yet but just trying to avoid and future problems..

The trailer is a 2001 30' S/O

Thanks Vinnie

Diesel1 · 09-20-2008, 09:52 PM

Run your tire pressure lower than the max. On a dually I would run 35-40 psi on the rear tires. That will help a bunch. I have a 1994 1/2 F350 4x4 7.3 DI Turbo. It is a regular cab single rear wheel. It has factory sway bars front & rear. It has a very stiff ride. I do not have a sway hitch and it tows & handles great. I am fairly new to the Airstream but I have not noticed a problem with the ride off the truck adversly affecting the trailer. When towing I run my rear tires @40 psi ,front tires at 45 psi.

Airslide · 09-20-2008, 10:10 PM

Diesel1.. are you afraid that the low tire pressure will heat up those tires to temps that might cause a blowout? The tongue weight on my airstream is upwards of 1200 lbs. The truck is heavy too.. i usually run 65psi in all tires as they will heat up to about 70+.

Thanks Vinnie

Bluto · 09-20-2008, 10:27 PM

I have towed my trailer using a dually all it's 22 year life. With a Ford most of the time and now with a Chevy. I have not seen any problems because of it. Some people say it's a matter of time before problems begin. I really don't know. All I can relate to is my experience with this type of rig. And to me, it is the best way to travel!

Airslide · 09-20-2008, 10:39 PM

Good to hear. The long wheel base on the crew cab really makes it a pleasure to drive. (a little hard to park but thats ok)

overlander63 · 09-21-2008, 05:57 AM

The heat in the tire that leads to a blowout is caused by flexing of the sidewall, either from underinflation, or overloading. A standard one ton truck is designed to haul a minimum of 2000 pounds in the bed, and usually more than that, with only two tires in the back. That means each tire on a duallie will be carrying about 500 pounds of cargo at 80 psi. As far as the load, you shouldn't have a problem. Now, a secret: Reduce the tire pressure to about 50, hook up the trailer, and drive it around for a few miles, then crawl under the truck and look at the space between the dual wheels. If along the widest part of the tires, you see rub marks on both tires, they are touching each other under load. Add some more air and repeat your drive.

mustang · 09-21-2008, 06:45 AM

Hello. I would not advise on lowering tire pressure, however if you must do it 63 is correct, dont let the side walls rub.

My son has a 95 F350 ext cab 7.3 l turbo deisel. I have a 31 ft Airstream. I many times dont even use the torsion bars.

The heavier trucks like to be loaded. They ride smoother under a load. Remember that when hitching up. Use a light torsion bar, and you dont need to crank on them.

When towing, you are pulling from the front , when you hit a bump it is a teeter totter effect, unless you use really heavy torsion bars, the trailer has its own suspension.

I think you have a good set up just weight adlustment / transferr is all that needs to be adjusted.
Good luck

SteveH · 09-21-2008, 06:54 AM

I don't tow with a dually, but recently while picking up our current Airstream at a dealer, I talked at length with a professional driver that transports travel trailers for a living with a Dodge Diesel dually.

I noticed he was not using an equalizer hitch, only one of the adjustable drops, and I asked him about it. His response was interesting. He told me he only used air bags to soften the rear suspension because in his words, "these travel trailers will beat you to death". He also told me he quit using weight distributing hitches after watching a trailer turn over and take the tow vehicle with it. He maintained the dually will handle any travel trailer's tongue weight without a problem, and the air bags were just to soften the ride, and with that truck, weight distribution was not needed.

This from a driver that hauls travel trailers of all sizes and types upwards of 150,000 miles a year, so I suppose he has enough experience to know what he's talking about.

safari 28 · 09-21-2008, 08:47 AM

I would leave your tire pressure at mfg rcmd levels. Your idea to replace the springs with air ride is interesting. You could also invest in a product called air hitch. I would do something soon as you damage levels may be significant with any long tow due to todays road conditions. Good luck.

Diesel1 · 09-21-2008, 09:03 AM

The rear GAWR on the door placard on my F350 is 6084 lbs. The Mfg recomended rear tire PSI is 80. I have only loaded my truck to rear max GAWR once( a pallot of tile). If you are not loaded to max you do not need max air pressure. Not only load but speed also builds heat, Keep your tow speeds at 65 mph or lower,set your tires @ 40 psi with a 1200 lb load and enloy the ride.

Airslide · 09-21-2008, 06:21 PM

Thanks everyone. I just spent 1k on a weight distrubution hitch as the dealer wouldnt let me leave without one. I told them i didnt think i would need it but its their policy to make sure they extort the buyer during the honeymoon stage..LOL.
So what if i just lower the tire pressure to around 60spi without the weight distribution hitch attached and go drive it. Maybe i dont even need the airbags?

Vinnie

richinny · 09-21-2008, 06:26 PM

what weight WD bars came with that?

Airslide · 09-21-2008, 06:45 PM

The bars they sold me at one thousand pound bars.. total overkill for that truck i would think.

Mikethefixit · 09-21-2008, 07:13 PM

vlamcia
I have a F350 Crew/7.3 liter/ SW which has the same springs and rearend housing as the Dually
I respectfully submit that U are WAY WAY over hitched.
We get a ride thats like a Lincoln. We use the Reese Dual cam /straightline a have no problems.
What I always say is
THE TAIL IS IN THE SCALE
no matter what anyone tells ya GET THAT RIG TO A CAT SCALE
and find out where the weight really is.
Best way I have found,is to Weight the truck first bye itself.
Weighing the
STEERIN ///// first THEN
Drive Axle///////// THEN
the WHOLE TRUCK
Then Hook to the trailer /
and repeat the process only adding the trailer axles
STEERING
DRIVE
TRAILER
With a little addition and subtraction U will see where the weight is
I would go back to that Idiot dealer and trade those 1000lb bars for 500rds
U should windup with about the same weights on all axles ,around 5000 lbs on each axle give or take a K lbs
Please post the results
I know Everyone would be interested.
Ok I forgot to say
BEEN THERE
DONE THAT
Roger

Airslide · 09-21-2008, 07:21 PM

Thanks Roger,

I will do just that. Why the dealer would sell such a heavy bar i dont know. I saw it when it was all done. I didnt even know that they would 1k bars until i took it all apart once i got home. Im sure im an owner now. The sale is over. This was not an airstream dealer. They mainly sell motorhomes and Fifth wheels. I will get this done and post the results.

Thanks Vinnie

Inland RV Center, In · 09-21-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

I don't tow with a dually, but recently while picking up our current Airstream at a dealer, I talked at length with a professional driver that transports travel trailers for a living with a Dodge Diesel dually.

I noticed he was not using an equalizer hitch, only one of the adjustable drops, and I asked him about it. His response was interesting. He told me he only used air bags to soften the rear suspension because in his words, "these travel trailers will beat you to death". He also told me he quit using weight distributing hitches after watching a trailer turn over and take the tow vehicle with it. He maintained the dually will handle any travel trailer's tongue weight without a problem, and the air bags were just to soften the ride, and with that truck, weight distribution was not needed.

This from a driver that hauls travel trailers of all sizes and types upwards of 150,000 miles a year, so I suppose he has enough experience to know what he's talking about.

Did he tell you what kind of "DRUGS" he uses when he tows?

Most ridiculous thing I have heard about towing in my 42 plus years.

Andy

richinny · 09-21-2008, 07:50 PM

check out this thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...5&postcount=65

Diesel1 · 09-21-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Did he tell you what kind of "DRUGS" he uses when he tows?

Most ridiculous thing I have heard about towing in my 42 plus years.

Andy

I am confused- what is the ridiculous part? Are you saying he is on drugs because he is not using a load leveler hitch?

SteveH · 09-22-2008, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Did he tell you what kind of "DRUGS" he uses when he tows?

Most ridiculous thing I have heard about towing in my 42 plus years.

Andy

Andy,

I respect your opinion, and experiences, but on the other hand....do you tow travel trailers 150,000 miles every year like the professional driver I talked with??????

My point is, there are lots of opinions, and people with lots of different experinces, and I personally don't think all but one are wrong, but then again, that is just my opinion.

Inland RV Center, In · 09-22-2008, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Andy,

I respect your opinion, and experiences, but on the other hand....do you tow travel trailers 150,000 miles every year like the professional driver I talked with??????

My point is, there are lots of opinions, and people with lots of different experinces, and I personally don't think all but one are wrong, but then again, that is just my opinion.

How many miles a person may tow, has nothing to do with Physics.

When weight is added to the back end of the dually, some weight then is removed from the front end.

Now if you have a Peterbilt, then that's a different story.

We all know, or should know, that when you reduce the weight on the front end of a tow vehicle, huge trucks excepted, that the steering to some degree has been compromised.

Sometimes it takes years for that persons day to come, but Physics says it will.

Is it his luck, or his poor decisions that haven't caught up with him?

When you settle a claim, as I have, with a family, that had it's parents killed in a rollover, because they used that "magic truck", then perhaps you may feel differently than I.

Andy