Quote:
Originally Posted by MagnoliaTom
We mainly pull ours with a 2wd excursion but recently "upgraded" to a newer 4wd version. What were your issues towing with the 4wd? I know the front has leaf springs, but how does that effect the towing? I have RAS springs on the rear to help with squatting and sway.
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The front end will just wander when empty, it is worse loaded. the pull of 39 foot of sail behind the truck does not help.
I had totally rebuilt the front end, and actually converted all springs to the heavier super duty springs. But I still had more wander than I felt comfortable with.
The fundamental problem with leafs up front is they deform slightly under steering torque. This allows for minute changes in steering geometry. Coils do not have this problem because the axle is located not by the springs themselves, but by control arms that allow far less axle wrap.
Axle wrap in the rear is also a big problem. The RAS will help with this (keep a close eye on them, I have seen one explode, it was dramatic to say the least.) There used to be a guy who made rear control arms (ladder bars) called Land Yot I think, they worked well, but no longer in production.
Living in the midwest and often pulling in high winds I wanted better control and went to the 05 F250 because of the coil front end. As a bonus the turning radius is much smaller.