What we need to know, going from F150/33' TT to 3/4 Ton FW?

mileshuff wrote:

humblerb wrote:
I've never pulled a FW, but that is what it looks like in my mind. Once you get used to it, it appears to be easier than a TT.

I learned that as soon as the FW starts to move in the direction you want, start straightening your truck. In other words, follow the trailer in. If you wait the FW will turn way too far by the time your truck is straight.

The nice thing about FW's is that sway is a thing of the past. With my TT I had a good hitch with anti-sway but on windy days or when semi's passed I had many two handed moments that were not fun. With the FW I can relax.

That is a really good deal. I solved about 90% of the big rig suck on my TT with a second friction sway bar. Amazing how much difference the second one made.

I don't think I'll have an issue backing. With a little practice, I think I'll figure it out. I have about 50' driveway and I am able to put the bumper pull on the driveway and all the way to my shop in one try now.
Probably take a little practice, but I anticipate it will be the same with the FW.
I always try to visualize in my mind, reversing the action of pulling out of a drive.

Thanks,

pennysmom09 wrote:
and going up and down mountains gives no second thoughts.

Engine and brakes are the same on all 250/2500 and 350/3500 trucks.

humblerb wrote:
I've never pulled a FW, but that is what it looks like in my mind. Once you get used to it, it appears to be easier than a TT.

I learned that as soon as the FW starts to move in the direction you want, start straightening your truck. In other words, follow the trailer in. If you wait the FW will turn way too far by the time your truck is straight.

The nice thing about FW's is that sway is a thing of the past. With my TT I had a good hitch with anti-sway but on windy days or when semi's passed I had many two handed moments that were not fun. With the FW I can relax.

mileshuff wrote:
Biggest difference I found switching from TT to FW was backing up into a spot. The FW responds far slower to steering input. Once I got used to it then backing became much easier than the TT.

I've never pulled a FW, but that is what it looks like in my mind. Once you get used to it, it appears to be easier than a TT.

Biggest difference I found switching from TT to FW was backing up into a spot. The FW responds far slower to steering input. Once I got used to it then backing became much easier than the TT.

humblerb wrote:
Looking to upgrade from a 7000# bumper pull and head for the FW market.
We'll be upgrading to a 3/4 ton truck - looking at them now.
I know about the different pivot point and things like that.
What should I be aware of with the FW that you don't experience or know about towing a TT?

First thing, look for a 1t, SRW if you can find one, unless you want to stick with the "light" FWs. Most 3/4t trucks hit their limits when you get up to about a 12-13k GVW FW. Wish I'd known that 15 years ago...

Lyle

theoldwizard1 wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Get a 1 ton.
The new price difference is minimal, and used you can probably get it cheaper than a three quarter ton.

1 ton (F350) ride a lot rougher, especially when empty, than a 3/4 ton (F250).

I don't think so.... Unless they've changed things in the new model, the only difference between the HD 3/4 ton and the 1 ton SRW is that the 1 ton gets an overload spring and spacer block on the rear leaf and a different door sticker (permitting 1500 lbs more payload) This overload spring only comes into to play when you are loaded quite heavy, as in when you hook on to a 5th wheel.

donn0128 wrote:
Get a 1 ton.
The new price difference is minimal, and used you can probably get it cheaper than a three quarter ton.

1 ton (F350) ride a lot rougher, especially when empty, than a 3/4 ton (F250).

humblerb wrote:
Looking to upgrade from a 7000# bumper pull and head for the FW market.
We'll be upgrading to a 3/4 ton truck - looking at them now.
I know about the different pivot point and things like that.
What should I be aware of with the FW that you don't experience or know about towing a TT?

You will get the hang of the different pivot point with practice. A GN/5th wheel hitch is located over the trucks rear axle and is slower to react to steering input.

A 5th wheel trailer can put 15%-25% of the trailers gross weight on the trucks rear axle.
3/4 ton trucks have 6100 up to 6500 RAWR which will carry most if not all of the trailer pin weight/hitch and other necessary junk in the bed/rear of the cab.
Gas or diesel trucks rear axle weigh about the same 3000 lb estimate from the factory. Depending on brand this leaves around 3200-3300 lbs for a in the bed payload.
I would look at 5th wheel trailers with a 2500-2600 lb dry pin weight.

One ton SRW trucks have 7000-7230 RAWR and good for another 500-700 lb in the bed payload.

The gas 250/350srw has approx 70 lbs more in the bed payload than the diesel. Not enough to worry with.

For those that choose to use those high gvwr based payloads they can overloads certain model trucks RAWR. Overloading a tire/wheel or rear spring pack ain't good.

x6 for getting a 1 ton SRW.