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ACZL's avatar
ACZL
Explorer
May 30, 2018

1st pull w/ new F350

Had my 1st pull w/ RV last w/e w/ new '17 F350 dually. Trip was pretty flat, so no hills to test things out better if you will. Pulled very well and did notice right away how there was little if any sway w/ trailer. Still have to get use to wider turn radius--especially pulling into campsite. One thing I did notice tho was that when I went over heaved pavement seams, the rear of truck seemed like she really slammed to get back down. This despite having close to 4k on it's back. Just read another thread where poster was asking about the rear susp upgrade (Sulastic) and it's claims to reduce what seems like the same thing I experienced. Is this normal for a dually? Really don't want to hear/feel every seam/expansion joint all the time. Suggestions as well?
Tow Vehicles
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    May 30, 2018
    Wow, nice combination you have there!
    Never pulled with a dually but I can only imagine how much more stable it would be.
    Congrats!
  • JAC1982's avatar
    JAC1982
    Explorer
    May 30, 2018
    We found with our last dually, which was a 2015 Ford, that it really helped to have at least a half tank of water in the trailer. On our first trip with 5er with it, we were feeling every single bump etc. Once we stopped halfway and put some water in, it rode so much nicer. Our 5er is a similar size to yours... a bit shorter but around the same weight.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    May 30, 2018
    I've pulled with two duallys and my pin weight is 3500lbs. The first truck was a 3500 with overload springs. My current truck is a 4500 with a complete Link Air Rear suspension.

    The 3500 would float over bumps similar to the ride in a Cadillac. There were times when I could feel the suspension hit the overload springs on larger bumps. When that happened there was a noticeable bump but it wasn't jarring. The overall ride was very smooth.

    The 4500 with the air suspension is also smooth over bumps of any size. Over larger bumps the air system senses and adjusts the pressure automatically to overcome the bump.

    Air bags may help your situation.
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    May 30, 2018
    Cummins,

    Running 65 psi as this was my very first pull w/ truck/RV.

    Not sure if air bags are really needed just yet as truck comes down on rear of aux spring. It's the "rebound" if you will where susp is forcing itself back onto the "smooth" blacktop ASAP which I feel the abrupt "bang".

    Scott,

    TY.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    May 30, 2018
    ACZL wrote:
    Cummins,

    Running 65 psi as this was my very first pull w/ truck/RV.

    Not sure if air bags are really needed just yet as truck comes down on rear of aux spring. It's the "rebound" if you will where susp is forcing itself back onto the "smooth" blacktop ASAP which I feel the abrupt "bang".

    Scott,

    TY.


    Look up your tires weight/inflation chart. Add 5 psi to your Actual rear tires weight. You mY be running more air pressure than needed.
  • shepstone's avatar
    shepstone
    Explorer
    May 31, 2018
    Congrats on the new truck! That 6.7 a heck of an engine, wait till you see how it flattens any mountain you point it at, had ours for about nine months now and it’s never been back to the dealer or had a recall, only problem has been a flat tire.
  • ACZL's avatar
    ACZL
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2018
    shepstone wrote:
    Congrats on the new truck! That 6.7 a heck of an engine, wait till you see how it flattens any mountain you point it at, had ours for about nine months now and it’s never been back to the dealer or had a recall, only problem has been a flat tire.


    Thanks. This is my 2nd 6.7 in just over 3 years. Weight of new 5er on SRW's tires and going to FL in height of summer heat precipitated the need to go w/a dually. Was very impressed w/ my '15 and 3.55 gears towing the BC and new truck has 4.10's so she should be even better on the hills.
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Jun 01, 2018
    ACZL wrote:
    shepstone wrote:
    Congrats on the new truck! That 6.7 a heck of an engine, wait till you see how it flattens any mountain you point it at, had ours for about nine months now and it’s never been back to the dealer or had a recall, only problem has been a flat tire.


    Thanks. This is my 2nd 6.7 in just over 3 years. Weight of new 5er on SRW's tires and going to FL in height of summer heat precipitated the need to go w/a dually. Was very impressed w/ my '15 and 3.55 gears towing the BC and new truck has 4.10's so she should be even better on the hills.


    Our '12 6.7PSD will be making a pull from Texas to Florida this summer. About the biggest hill on this route is the Mississippi river bridge.

    The last time we drove this route it was unbelievable the amount of travel trailers with blow outs on the side of the road and was always during the afternoon heat.
  • mkirsch's avatar
    mkirsch
    Nomad II
    Jun 01, 2018
    I've experienced what I call "overload slap" on my DRW when just the camper is loaded, and nothing else.

    The overload springs are just barely engaged, so when the truck goes over a bump, it unloads them and comes back down on the springs, SLAP! It is very jarring.

    If you're running airbags I would recommend trying less pressure in them. This will allow the overload springs to engage more, so hopefully they won't unload when you go over a sharp rise or hit a bump at speed.

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