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Bird_chaser's avatar
Bird_chaser
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015

Ford suspension

I'm researching new tow vehicles (Chevy and Ford), I currently tow with a 2001 Silverado 3500 DRW, 6.0l with a 4l80e. My trailer has a pin weight of 2140 with a trailer weight of 10,460, this is loaded for a two week trip including 1/3 full water tank. I'm not concerned about towing, I'm concerned about the sag or squatting I hear about in the Fords. I'm concidering a Ford F-350 or a Chevy 3500 both DRW. I don't want to drop $50-60k and have to upgrade the suspension. I would like to hear from Ford guys about their experience. Thank you!
  • My 2015 F350 DRW drops 2.5" at the rear fenderwell with 4.5K plus of pin weight from a 38' Mobile Suites and the front went down 3/8" at fenderwell as measured at centerline of axels.
  • The newest 250s are pretty sag prone. I think its in response to Ram's link coil rear suspension that offers a better ride yet has proven very resistant to sag/droop. I think Ford tried to improve the ride quality and in turn made it sag prone. The SRW and DRW F350s don't seem to have the issue.
  • :h

    My previous vehicle was a 2011 Ford F 350 crew cab dually King Ranch.

    Found to my dismay that the old glove box sticker said the vehicle was NOT recommended for a truck camper after I had purchased the truck.

    So, I hauled one anyway.

    The only modifications made to the vehicle were a set of Torklift Upper StableLoads, making the overload springs contact sooner than they would with the factory pads.

    Camper all loaded up was about 4500 pounds, so a good load.

    No sag or squatting, overloads engaged properly, and we drove all over the western US with the camper on board.

    I surely would not worry about any new Ford dually with the pin weights you are contemplating.

    Get the fifth wheel prep to go along with the vehicle. I had this in mine, and although I hauled the truck camper the most, it was nice having the factory installed fifth wheel system.

    The only thing that would have changed the glove box sticker in mine was if I had gotten the camper package, which in mine would have meant stiffer front springs only. I already had the rest of what the package would have contained.
  • I can't speak to the 350/3500 series, or DRW. But, I do have a 2012 F-250 and added a long add a leaf and Bilsteins. The sag with my trailer with a pin of 1850#'s (give or take a little depending on load) was considerable. The truck had basically zero rake from the factory and the springs were weak at best. Now its does fantastic with the load. The combo between the leafs and vastly improved shocks made a world of difference. It was cheaper than trading of course, but it still sucks that mods have to be done to make a Super Duty truck handle the loads such as mine. Now as another poster has already said. I'd bet with the weights you mentioned and a 1 ton DRW truck, you'd be perfectly fine.
  • 2140 pin ain't going to effect the squat very much in a dually from either brand.