Finally had a good (or better) excuse to get me a new truck. My sister asked to buy my truck after having multiple sensor issues with theirs. I said, "umm....ok?" Gotta do for family, right?
I was happy with my 2011 F350. Did a lot of suspension upgrades to carry the weight of our 2014 arctic fox 811. Spent a lot of money to do those upgrades too. Things like air bags, rear anti sway bar, and vision heavy hauler 19.5 wheels with tires. They did the job well for us during the last couple years. I'll miss my old truck....
So here's my new addition: an f350 drw. Transferred the air bags from my old truck but it doesn't look like I'll need to use them, as this truck's suspension handles the weight of our camper pretty well. I also like the exhaust brake which wasn't in my 2011. I was concerned about the af 811, which is made for the short bed, sitting in the long bed. There is about a 12-14" space behind the cab area but with this weekend's campout in the rain, it proved to be a handy spot in which to throw all the wet gear without putting it in the camper itself. I see it as a great cargo spot until the urge to upgrade the camper hits. Anyway, the drw does feel more stable. The gvwr of my 2011 was 10,000#. This new truck is 14,000#, so that alone gives me more peace of mind. Looking forward to some great trips this summer. Hope you all get out and enjoy your rigs too!
I was happy with my 2011 F350. Did a lot of suspension upgrades to carry the weight of our 2014 arctic fox 811. Spent a lot of money to do those upgrades too. Things like air bags, rear anti sway bar, and vision heavy hauler 19.5 wheels with tires. They did the job well for us during the last couple years. I'll miss my old truck....
So here's my new addition: an f350 drw. Transferred the air bags from my old truck but it doesn't look like I'll need to use them, as this truck's suspension handles the weight of our camper pretty well. I also like the exhaust brake which wasn't in my 2011. I was concerned about the af 811, which is made for the short bed, sitting in the long bed. There is about a 12-14" space behind the cab area but with this weekend's campout in the rain, it proved to be a handy spot in which to throw all the wet gear without putting it in the camper itself. I see it as a great cargo spot until the urge to upgrade the camper hits. Anyway, the drw does feel more stable. The gvwr of my 2011 was 10,000#. This new truck is 14,000#, so that alone gives me more peace of mind. Looking forward to some great trips this summer. Hope you all get out and enjoy your rigs too!
My gap between my AF811 and cab is filled with the spare. I also block the front of the TC to the head ache rack so it does not creep forward:
I would most definitely recommend building a frame of sorts. I do not know if there ever was a sliding issue as I have always had the brace in place.
You may be fine now, but if there might be a time when you might have to stomp on the brakes a solid support between the truck and camper bulkheads will take up that energy... else, it will be stressing the tie downs. A couple of 2x4's is cheap insurance for this use.
I spaced my such that it allows for a little under 2" at the tail lights.
You may be fine now, but if there might be a time when you might have to stomp on the brakes a solid support between the truck and camper bulkheads will take up that energy... else, it will be stressing the tie downs. A couple of 2x4's is cheap insurance for this use.
I spaced my such that it allows for a little under 2" at the tail lights.
d3500ram wrote:T3PAIR wrote:
...~snip~ I was concerned about the af 811, which is made for the short bed, sitting in the long bed. There is about a 12-14" space behind the cab area but with this weekend's campout in the rain, it proved to be a handy spot...~snip~
Dittos to that!
That space sure is handy. I did the same as you and it is where my 3000 generator lives with a lot of space left over and access the to tho forward wheel wells. Congrats on the new wheels!
Did you ever have issues with camper sliding forward enough to scratch your rear light lenses? I noticed you built a frame to fit between your camper and bulk head. I just made sure my front tie downs weren't as tight as my rear ones. Didn't seem to shift at all.
T3PAIR wrote:
...~snip~ I was concerned about the af 811, which is made for the short bed, sitting in the long bed. There is about a 12-14" space behind the cab area but with this weekend's campout in the rain, it proved to be a handy spot...~snip~
Dittos to that!
That space sure is handy. I did the same as you and it is where my 3000 generator lives with a lot of space left over and access the to tho forward wheel wells. Congrats on the new wheels!
