13/14 vs 2016
11-12-2017, 06:10 PM
#31
I wasnt trying to be a dick, just doubt many people have gone this route. I read the thread(and even made a few posts), i knew what your reasons were. I am pretty hesitant to get a new body F150 with all the threads around here about towing problems.
Last edited by mass-hole; 11-12-2017 at 06:14 PM.
11-13-2017, 10:39 AM
#32
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sorry! I may have jumped the gun a bit on that one. When you sign your life away on a new truck you get a little tense, haha! If your old body style is working as it should, I would stick with it. I am already madly in love with my 2014 Max Tow. Stable, obscene amount of torque and feels more solid (in my opinion). 2016 is faster unloaded, handles better unloaded and has a much more modern interior. Plus if you go 17+, you get the Gen 2 Ecoboost and the 10 speed. Aside from that, I like my good old fashioned steel
11-16-2017, 06:59 AM
#33
Senior Member
I have a 2014 XLT, SCAB, 4x4, Max Tow and HDPP. SCAB HDPP only came with 8' boxes so my WB is 163" long. Stable platform for towing, but hell to turn in a parking lot. The "tell of the tape" is this. 17,100# GCWR, 8200# GVWR, 4800# r-GAWR, 2286# CCC, 3.73 Limited Slip rear end. It also came with LT245/75R17 LRE tires with the very odd 7 lug rims.
11-16-2017, 07:33 AM
#34
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I put about 70 miles on my trailer with the new (old) truck, and early results are overwhemingly positive. Going down the road, the trailer is much more controlled and I’m able to relax. Tractor trailers still upset the rig a little, so I am going to move the load in the trailer around a little and switch to a Reese Dual Cam. The Blue Ox works really well at stopping away once it tries to start, but I know from experience that the Strait Line doesn’t even let the trailer get upset by wind or whatever else may take it off course. The Blue Ox is excellent and MUCH easier to set up, but I think with the Strait line I’ll be ready for 1000s of miles of happy towing
11-19-2017, 01:02 PM
#35
I put about 70 miles on my trailer with the new (old) truck, and early results are overwhemingly positive. Going down the road, the trailer is much more controlled and I’m able to relax. Tractor trailers still upset the rig a little, so I am going to move the load in the trailer around a little and switch to a Reese Dual Cam. The Blue Ox works really well at stopping away once it tries to start, but I know from experience that the Strait Line doesn’t even let the trailer get upset by wind or whatever else may take it off course. The Blue Ox is excellent and MUCH easier to set up, but I think with the Strait line I’ll be ready for 1000s of miles of happy towing
The Blue Ox is a much better hitch system.
Last edited by Mike Up; 11-19-2017 at 01:05 PM.
11-20-2017, 04:59 PM
#37
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You'll notice I had a Reese Strait-Line hitch system with my 2012 from the picture. I now have the Blue Ox. Strait-Line system did not tow as well. I think you'll be sorry going to the Strait-Line. Hek, my old Strait-Line is still in my shed in a box with both 1200 lbs trunnion bars used for the 2012 F150 and the 800 lbs trunnion bars I used for the 2008 Sport Trac when I had my lighter 2008 Jayco Jay Flight 19BH travel trailer.
The Blue Ox is a much better hitch system.
The Blue Ox is a much better hitch system.
12-03-2017, 05:52 PM
#38
It has some unique design characteristics that limit it's movement and how much it can be adjusted.
Several people, including myself, have had their hitches self destruct when setting them up according to direction or just slightly off. In fact the reason I have the Blue Ox is that it couldn't be adjusted correctly due to design limitations in movement (trunnion bars interfering with cam bracket which is common issue). After several tries, dealer said that the Strait-Line couldn't be adjusted correctly without part interference.
The other bad thing is that the Strait-line system has no 1000 lbs spring bar option, only 800 lbs and 1200 lbs. Maybe if it had 1000 lbs, it may had worked with the 2016 F150. The 2012 F150 had weaker rear suspension so it worked but had to have bracket drilled and installed on a nats *** without self destruction. The first time the brackets were off slightly and grenaded the hitch head. Thank god no one was hurt as some neighbor kids were backing me in when it blew up.
I can't say for sure if the Blue Ox is better but it surely tows better on my 2016 F150 than the Strait-Line did on my 2012 F150, which were configured the same, CC, 4WD, 3.73 axle, etc.
Blue Ox is so much better in every way, I'd never go back. My opinion is shared by many on rv.net
Last edited by Mike Up; 12-03-2017 at 05:59 PM.
12-04-2017, 09:12 AM
#39
Have to agree. The BO makes the trailer one with the truck. It also confirmed the suspicion that the truck has been my issue all along.
My only complaint of BO is the cam setup. If not careful, you can really hurt yourself when unhooking the bars.
Of course finding a sweet deal on one is even better. Got mine with 1500# bar for $514 shipped. Though the bars do seem a bit much, 1000# bars would have been too light. Turns out that the tongue weight plus hitch weight came out at 990#.
My only complaint of BO is the cam setup. If not careful, you can really hurt yourself when unhooking the bars.
Of course finding a sweet deal on one is even better. Got mine with 1500# bar for $514 shipped. Though the bars do seem a bit much, 1000# bars would have been too light. Turns out that the tongue weight plus hitch weight came out at 990#.
12-04-2017, 06:19 PM
#40
Senior Member
Using the Blue Ox I use the a-frame jack to remove some hitch weight and than a braker bar and 1" socket. Yes the cam release can take you by surprise.
