Aug-28-2019 07:14 AM
Aug-30-2019 05:49 AM
Fishwater wrote:johndeerefarmer wrote:
I am looking for people that had an aluminum bodied max tow F150 and moved over to a HD F150. If so how much more stable is the HD version vs the max tow version for towing, and specifically towing in the wind?
I currently have two trucks and two RV's and within the next year and a half or so need to move to a single truck and RV.
I would consider trading both trucks for a HD F150 if I knew it would tow the 29rs in 15-20 mph winds. Since I am retired from farming I no longer have much heavy stuff to tow. I bought the 16 F250 last year to specifically haul my 29rs to Colorado because I knew trying to do it in the west Texas winds would be a nightmare. The vacation home should be done in a year or so, so at that time I need to bring the 29rs home and at that point sell some RV's or trucks
Thanks
I would suggest that you test drive a new F250 vs your 2016. I just upgraded(downgraded?) from a 2015 F350 to a 2019 F250 & the ride is noticeably better. I think some of it may be that I had 20’s on the 15 & now have 18’s but either way it’s a noticeable improvement. Both my daughters & my wife can get car sickness, especially while towing. We just completed a trip of 1100 miles towing the fiver & no one got sick, everyone felt the new truck rode much better so you have nothing to loose by road testing one, may not beat your elbows up as much?
Aug-30-2019 05:35 AM
johndeerefarmer wrote:AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
As you already know the HDPP has heavier axles, heavier suspension, heavier shocks and LT E tires. Provided you were staying within rear axle rating and you already had LT E tires I would consider Timbrens which will provide additional suspension without impacting the unloaded ride and putting on some Bilstien shocks. That would give you a pretty good idea of how the HDPP would handle before making a large $ decision. I would run a good WD hitch.
Good luck,
Stu
I have Bilstein 4600's on the rear, I haven't replaced the front yet.
I just can't imagine how having a stiffer suspension would help with stability in the wind- which is my problem. Now if I was hitting a bump and it was bouncing excessively or from side to side I would say I needed heavier springs,etc. That's not the problem.
I have bad tendonitis in both elbows, the solid front axle of the F250 transfers dips, bumps in the road back to the steering wheel. This excessive movement of the steering wheel increases the inflammation in my elbows so I can't drive as far. The EPS in the F150 is way better. On the F250 (I have had several) I have tried dual steering stabilizers as well as the Bilstein adjustable ($475 one). They don't help much at all
Both of my campers are fifth wheels
Aug-30-2019 03:33 AM
johndeerefarmer wrote:
I am looking for people that had an aluminum bodied max tow F150 and moved over to a HD F150. If so how much more stable is the HD version vs the max tow version for towing, and specifically towing in the wind?
I currently have two trucks and two RV's and within the next year and a half or so need to move to a single truck and RV.
I would consider trading both trucks for a HD F150 if I knew it would tow the 29rs in 15-20 mph winds. Since I am retired from farming I no longer have much heavy stuff to tow. I bought the 16 F250 last year to specifically haul my 29rs to Colorado because I knew trying to do it in the west Texas winds would be a nightmare. The vacation home should be done in a year or so, so at that time I need to bring the 29rs home and at that point sell some RV's or trucks
Thanks
Aug-29-2019 07:10 PM
lbrjet wrote:
I would keep the F250 and be done with it.
Aug-29-2019 05:05 PM
Aug-29-2019 10:31 AM
Groover wrote:
I think that the bigger wheels, low profile tires and a panhard rod would help but by how much is a wild guess. Longer wheelbases help too. I don't recall if you said what wheelbase F150's you have. The only other thing that I can think of is a trailer that doesn't get blown around so much by the wind. Do you know anyone with an Airstream trailer that you could drag around for a trial?
Aug-29-2019 10:16 AM
Aug-29-2019 09:57 AM
Groover wrote:johndeerefarmer wrote:AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
As you already know the HDPP has heavier axles, heavier suspension, heavier shocks and LT E tires. Provided you were staying within rear axle rating and you already had LT E tires I would consider Timbrens which will provide additional suspension without impacting the unloaded ride and putting on some Bilstien shocks. That would give you a pretty good idea of how the HDPP would handle before making a large $ decision. I would run a good WD hitch.
Good luck,
Stu
I have Bilstein 4600's on the rear, I haven't replaced the front yet.
I just can't imagine how having a stiffer suspension would help with stability in the wind- which is my problem. Now if I was hitting a bump and it was bouncing excessively or from side to side I would say I needed heavier springs,etc. That's not the problem.
I have bad tendonitis in both elbows, the solid front axle of the F250 transfers dips, bumps in the road back to the steering wheel. This excessive movement of the steering wheel increases the inflammation in my elbows so I can't drive as far. The EPS in the F150 is way better. On the F250 (I have had several) I have tried dual steering stabilizers as well as the Bilstein adjustable ($475 one). They don't help much at all
Both of my campers are fifth wheels
First, I am very impressed with the amount of work that you have already put into this.
It sounds like side to side motion is your major issue. 20" wheels are the quickest and easiest thing to do. The next step would be a panhard rod but all I could find in a quick search is a generic that has to be custom fitted.
Panhard rod
If it is rocking side to side a heavy duty sway bar might help as would air bags on separate channels.
sway bar
I know that many airbags interfere with a gooseneck hitch but I don't know about 5th wheel hitches. I did install a gooseneck hitch on a 2013 F150 with Airride 5000lb XL airbags without issue except that they are way too stiff when the truck is empty. My preffered Airride 2000lb airbags are not compatible with that gooseneck hitch.
On the subject of gooseneck hitches you could convert the trailer from 5th wheel to gooseneck and it wouldn't be able to transmit rocking motion to the truck plus the hitch point is lower which would also help. I have no idea if that would create any stability issues with a tall camper but my daughter loves her gooseneck horse trailer with a small living area.
Aug-29-2019 08:11 AM
johndeerefarmer wrote:AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
As you already know the HDPP has heavier axles, heavier suspension, heavier shocks and LT E tires. Provided you were staying within rear axle rating and you already had LT E tires I would consider Timbrens which will provide additional suspension without impacting the unloaded ride and putting on some Bilstien shocks. That would give you a pretty good idea of how the HDPP would handle before making a large $ decision. I would run a good WD hitch.
Good luck,
Stu
I have Bilstein 4600's on the rear, I haven't replaced the front yet.
I just can't imagine how having a stiffer suspension would help with stability in the wind- which is my problem. Now if I was hitting a bump and it was bouncing excessively or from side to side I would say I needed heavier springs,etc. That's not the problem.
I have bad tendonitis in both elbows, the solid front axle of the F250 transfers dips, bumps in the road back to the steering wheel. This excessive movement of the steering wheel increases the inflammation in my elbows so I can't drive as far. The EPS in the F150 is way better. On the F250 (I have had several) I have tried dual steering stabilizers as well as the Bilstein adjustable ($475 one). They don't help much at all
Both of my campers are fifth wheels
Aug-29-2019 07:18 AM
AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
As you already know the HDPP has heavier axles, heavier suspension, heavier shocks and LT E tires. Provided you were staying within rear axle rating and you already had LT E tires I would consider Timbrens which will provide additional suspension without impacting the unloaded ride and putting on some Bilstien shocks. That would give you a pretty good idea of how the HDPP would handle before making a large $ decision. I would run a good WD hitch.
Good luck,
Stu
Aug-29-2019 05:57 AM
JIMNLIN wrote:
Ford gives the F150 three different frames thickness and modulus numbers.
.087 thickness.....4.95 LD modulus
.100 thickness.....5.73 HD modulus
.110 thickness.....6.28 HPP modulus.
Depending on which frame one can't say just slap some heavier spring on the truck and it becomes a HDPP.
Also Fleet Ford specs show the F150 has a ...
8.80 rear axle
9.75 rear axle
9.75HD rear axle.
They don't give differences in a 9.75 and 9.75HD
Aug-29-2019 04:58 AM
Aug-28-2019 10:51 PM
Aug-28-2019 07:52 PM