First long towing experience
10-05-2015, 02:21 PM
#11
A 9-10K lbs 31 foot camper is a lot for any 1/2 ton truck. When you're pushing a truck like that you really have to get the weight distribution hitch set up perfectly to expect it ride comfortably and set level.
It is a bit disconcerting to me to hear you say the rear end feels softer than previous generation F-150s. I have been borrowing my mother-in-law's 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. I really hope my 2016 F-150 is at least as solid as that.
It is a bit disconcerting to me to hear you say the rear end feels softer than previous generation F-150s. I have been borrowing my mother-in-law's 2014 GMC Sierra 1500. I really hope my 2016 F-150 is at least as solid as that.
10-05-2015, 02:25 PM
#12
Senior Member
Steel truck = Heavier Truck = Better towing experience.
Wheel base has a lot to do with it also.
This new Aluminum thing is not the best thing since sliced bread.
.
Wheel base has a lot to do with it also.
This new Aluminum thing is not the best thing since sliced bread.
.
10-05-2015, 02:42 PM
#13
add a leaf and add a swaybar and the truck will work fine. The spring rate in the rear of these trucks is too soft for real work. You were probably riding the bump stops a lot. Adding a leaf does not change the ride that much at all but it makes a much better stable truck and it is maintenance free once installed. One leaf is usually all you need. Two is overkill sometimes. I have done both in the past.
10-05-2015, 02:53 PM
#14
Good share, I've been shopping for a travel trailer for next season and we sat in some beautiful 28-30ft trailers, but I suspected that even though they come in a bit lighter than your report, they might be a bit much for the truck without some additional suspension work.
I definitely think 6000-7000 target weight is my max, and about 26ft, based on my reading so far. Even then that will be weight distributing of course... but likely on my stock suspension.
I definitely think 6000-7000 target weight is my max, and about 26ft, based on my reading so far. Even then that will be weight distributing of course... but likely on my stock suspension.
10-05-2015, 03:01 PM
#15
Senior Member
add a leaf and add a swaybar and the truck will work fine. The spring rate in the rear of these trucks is too soft for real work. You were probably riding the bump stops a lot. Adding a leaf does not change the ride that much at all but it makes a much better stable truck and it is maintenance free once installed. One leaf is usually all you need. Two is overkill sometimes. I have done both in the past.
I pondered on the Hellwig sway bar system for the 15 F150. I just don't like the way it looks and hangs to low for my taste. My daughter inlaw has a Nissian Pro X4 Frontier and following them the other day you could see the rear sway bar and it was well above the read axle and looked good. Well thought out.
I towed several times with the 14 F150 Eco and did not add anything and it was a rock solid towing machine. I did after a while add the airbags just to help the rear end a little and level it out.
.
10-05-2015, 03:42 PM
#16
Senior Member
Adding to the chorus in this thread as I have others: My 14 towed better than my 15, which feels softer and less secure. I haven't had a chance to fix it yet but my recent thought is that the hitch is higher than on the 14, so much so that I need to get a longer WDH shank. I've only measured two different trucks but from what I can tell it's ~2inches higher.
Hoping the sway bar will help, but I agree with an earlier comment regarding the WDH setup. If you are new to one or borrowing one it really helps to understand how it works and what it should look like when setup right. If the truck is sagging in the back (assuming the tongue weight isn't ridiculous) something is setup wrong.
The other important caveat with the tow ratings is that they don't include payload, and if I remember are based on one driver with nothing in the truck. There are lots of towing calculators out there but the reality is that the 11,300 (or whatever) rating is really ~9,000lbs when you actually do the math. And tongue weight varies between rigs and isn't always the 15% that is quoted.
Hoping the sway bar will help, but I agree with an earlier comment regarding the WDH setup. If you are new to one or borrowing one it really helps to understand how it works and what it should look like when setup right. If the truck is sagging in the back (assuming the tongue weight isn't ridiculous) something is setup wrong.
The other important caveat with the tow ratings is that they don't include payload, and if I remember are based on one driver with nothing in the truck. There are lots of towing calculators out there but the reality is that the 11,300 (or whatever) rating is really ~9,000lbs when you actually do the math. And tongue weight varies between rigs and isn't always the 15% that is quoted.
The following users liked this post:
kendive (10-05-2015)
10-05-2015, 03:59 PM
#17
I hung on to my '06 FX4 when I got my '15. After driving the '15 for a long time now and I go back and drive my '06, my '06 feels like a F250. It is way more stable and it just has the add a leaf without any swaybar. I also think the 750 lbs lost to aluminum may not have been a good thing after all. I'll take the heavier truck just make it out of aluminum also .... '17 F250! it has the same cab.
10-05-2015, 04:06 PM
#18
Senior Member
If the Toyota Tundra got better gas mileage I would be all over it. They have always towed and ran great.
I am keeping the 15 for now since ford gave me a ESP plan. I will be a beta tester for a little while longer I guess.
I am keeping the 15 for now since ford gave me a ESP plan. I will be a beta tester for a little while longer I guess.
10-05-2015, 06:24 PM
#19
Senior Member
add a leaf and add a swaybar and the truck will work fine. The spring rate in the rear of these trucks is too soft for real work. You were probably riding the bump stops a lot. Adding a leaf does not change the ride that much at all but it makes a much better stable truck and it is maintenance free once installed. One leaf is usually all you need. Two is overkill sometimes. I have done both in the past.
10-05-2015, 07:01 PM
#20
Sounds like some folks should be opting for max payload. It also sounds like the OP was fighting some strong winds.
The following users liked this post:
Velosprout (10-08-2015)