New Owner of 2017 F-150
01-10-2019, 06:50 PM
#1
New Owner of 2017 F-150
Alright guys!
I traded my duramax that was trouble from day 1 in for a 2017 F-150 5.0. This truck is the lariat with 3.55 gear and FX4 package, extended range fuel tank.
I’m towing weekly with it 24 foot enclosed trailer. 3,000-6500 pounds, about 500 miles a week.
This truck surprised me and pulls very well considering I came from a 3/4 ton duramax. But I do feel like you could always improve it some. What have you done to yours or would do to help out? CAI,TUNE,Helper springs ? Anything? Thanks for the input.
I traded my duramax that was trouble from day 1 in for a 2017 F-150 5.0. This truck is the lariat with 3.55 gear and FX4 package, extended range fuel tank.
I’m towing weekly with it 24 foot enclosed trailer. 3,000-6500 pounds, about 500 miles a week.
This truck surprised me and pulls very well considering I came from a 3/4 ton duramax. But I do feel like you could always improve it some. What have you done to yours or would do to help out? CAI,TUNE,Helper springs ? Anything? Thanks for the input.
01-10-2019, 10:25 PM
#3
Senior Member
Consensus seems to be that the oem tires are a bit soft for towing. Might look at swapping out for something a little more stout if you're maxing out the tongue weight a lot. A 'D' equivalent tire would probably work, don't really need 'E' tires, unless you get flats a lot.
01-11-2019, 10:31 PM
#5
Senior Member
More improvements for towing can be had by installing a rear sway bar, thicker front sway bar, or replacing the Fx4 shocks with... most anything. Bilstein 5100 and Fox 2.0 get mentioned a lot. Eibach is similar.
But change the tires first if you are planning to do that. Some are happy with just a tire swap.
But change the tires first if you are planning to do that. Some are happy with just a tire swap.
01-12-2019, 12:31 PM
#6
Those FX4 shocks are crap. Just putting OEM non FX4 shocks is a huge improvement. My 16 had FX4, and my 18 Plat does not, Night and Day difference in how they handle and tow. Since I have 20" wheels, can't say anything about tires, though I do know my 16 came with the 18" LT tires and they were not as firm as the 20's I have now, so that could help with handling to go to a stiffer tire. The 20's and tires I have handle my RV towing very well, no complaints.
Can always add Sumo springs or Timbrens for towing that will stiffen the suspension when loaded, they do work well, and no worries about air lines or filling/deflating to balance out a trailer. One item I am going to replace on my truck this spring before towing are the brakes. Going to put Powerstops on, at least the rotors, and maybe go with EBC pads this time around. Once the Powerstops are bedded in, they stop the truck a whole lot better than OEM, but they take at least 1500 miles before the pedal gets back to normal. That's my only complaint about them, and I know EBC pads bed almost instantly.
As for additional power, tune it, but you don't need to change anything under the hood as Ford did a great job matching the intake and exhaust to the engine for best performance.
Can always add Sumo springs or Timbrens for towing that will stiffen the suspension when loaded, they do work well, and no worries about air lines or filling/deflating to balance out a trailer. One item I am going to replace on my truck this spring before towing are the brakes. Going to put Powerstops on, at least the rotors, and maybe go with EBC pads this time around. Once the Powerstops are bedded in, they stop the truck a whole lot better than OEM, but they take at least 1500 miles before the pedal gets back to normal. That's my only complaint about them, and I know EBC pads bed almost instantly.
As for additional power, tune it, but you don't need to change anything under the hood as Ford did a great job matching the intake and exhaust to the engine for best performance.