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03-25-2011, 10:21 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9
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Truck Modifications
I presently own a 2000 Ford F-350 7.3L w/Banks Turbo/Bank Intercooler/BullyDog Chip/Banks Exhaust. The suspension, however, is still stock. This truck presently pulls our 26ft travel trailer, but we are looking at switching to a 30-34ft fifth wheel.
Any suggestions on suspension upgrades that would help handle a fifth wheel?
Thanks,
CAN-DO
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03-26-2011, 06:09 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chesapeake, Va
Posts: 938
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Wouldn't think with a 1 ton you'd need to do much of anything. I say get the fifth wheel and pull it a couple time then if you feel the need to stiffen the back end get some air bags.
__________________
Jason and Billie
2018 F-250, 6.2L
2011 Prime Time Crusader 320RLT
"PT Crew Member Since 11/2010"
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04-11-2011, 09:55 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 151
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i agree. depending upon the unit you purchase, i would say it wont sag any worse than it did with the TT
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2006 Cherokee Wolfpack 295WP - 2 Interstate U2200 6v, 1500w inverter, clear lens LED clearance and tails, Starlight Revolution 300 lumen LEDs EVERYWHERE!
2012 Dodge 2500 - deleted and tuned by H&S performance
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04-12-2011, 10:57 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 12
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Contact your local Chevy dealer ASAP. Ha-Ha
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04-12-2011, 01:18 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: LAND O LAKES, FL
Posts: 2
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Buy gm!!! Our company has fords and switching over to gm trucks. They had enough of the fords and all the trouble with them. We are junking about 2-4 trucks a month. Sell yours while you still mit get something for it. Good luck
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04-12-2011, 01:24 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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OK guys, play nice. The OPer asked for opinions on his F350 suspension......not what truck to buy.
CAN-DO, I agree with the 1st 2 replies....see how your truck does with a 5th wheel, and then add airbags if there is a big sag.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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04-12-2011, 01:25 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: North Central Kansas
Posts: 543
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUDMAN76
Buy gm!!! Our company has fords and switching over to gm trucks. They had enough of the fords and all the trouble with them. We are junking about 2-4 trucks a month. Sell yours while you still mit get something for it. Good luck
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Wow I am sure that is the input he was looking for! Your don't say if is a dually or not but unless you are going with a 40 foot tri-axle trailer your Ford 350 will do fine.
__________________
 Everett & Joan after 60 years together. 2004 1/2 ton Chevy & 2011 Rockwood 1809S
Number of nights camped in 2012 65
Number of nights camped in 2013 82
Number of nights camped in 2014 105!
Number of nights camped in 2015 81
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04-12-2011, 01:37 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chesapeake, Va
Posts: 938
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Why? The 7.3 PSD is one of the best diesels ever made.
__________________
Jason and Billie
2018 F-250, 6.2L
2011 Prime Time Crusader 320RLT
"PT Crew Member Since 11/2010"
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04-12-2011, 03:55 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M109Rrider
Why? The 7.3 PSD is one of the best diesels ever made.
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__________________
2006 Cherokee Wolfpack 295WP - 2 Interstate U2200 6v, 1500w inverter, clear lens LED clearance and tails, Starlight Revolution 300 lumen LEDs EVERYWHERE!
2012 Dodge 2500 - deleted and tuned by H&S performance
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04-12-2011, 04:16 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 36
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It all depends on the hitch weight of your new camper. I have an 04 F350, I just bought a 2011 Sierra 355QBQ, it is 39' 3" long and has a hitch dry hitch weight of 1,923 pounds. I have already pulled it about 200 miles and haven't had any trouble, or need any upgrade to my suspension. But like M109Rider said, pull it a few times and see how it does.
P.S Don't ever buy anything other than a FORD.
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2011 Sierra 355 QBQ
04 Ford F350 V10
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04-14-2011, 08:32 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 45
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Install a good set of airbags and Bilstein shocks. If the front seems to have become soft, you can install some X code F350 springs. They're stiffer but will also provide a little lift as well, not sure if you want that. You have a great truck with a forged rod motor... Never sell your 7.3  .
__________________
2010 Flagstaff 831RKSS.
2000 Excursion Limited PowerStroke Diesel- ATS ported housing, Riffraff's FRx, HPx & I/C boot kit, DiPricol Optix- Pyro/Boost/Trans, DP Tuner-80t, Drive-Thru, 80e, 120race, K&N intake tube w/6637, Exhaust, AIH delete, Foil delete, 4" lift, Airbags, Dunlop Rover M/TMaxx 315/75/16's, '04 headlights.
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04-19-2011, 05:33 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9
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Thanks for the advice. Still a Ford Guy!!!
I have seen fifth wheel hitches with air bags for the truck bed. Wouldn't air bags that are installed between the frame and axles perform the same job?
CAN-DO
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04-19-2011, 06:59 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lodi CA
Posts: 1,211
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Pulled everything with my F-350 dually with 7.3 PSD never a issue at all. The air bags on the hitch are for trailer bucking/bounce not for truck loading.
__________________
2001 Ford F-350 DRW 7.3
2011 25 RL Wildcat
former fiver 1976 Fourwinds had for 35 years
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04-19-2011, 07:07 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tacoma Wa
Posts: 182
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M109Rrider
Wouldn't think with a 1 ton you'd need to do much of anything. I say get the fifth wheel and pull it a couple time then if you feel the need to stiffen the back end get some air bags.
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agree, air bags would do the trick
__________________
Hatchet
Chevy 2500HD Diesel
07 SandPiper F305
Days camped 2011 "3" so far,
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04-21-2011, 05:17 PM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9
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Thanks for all of the advice.
CAN-DO out.
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04-21-2011, 05:36 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Charles, La.
Posts: 1,536
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i have a 2002 cardnal 33ts. hitch weight is 2100 (probably abt 100 more loaded). i pull with a stock Ford F350 crew with the 7.3 diesel also a 2002. the only issue i have is the headlights are too high when the trailer is on it. low beam is more like high beam. truck does not appear to be sitting lower but the angle chances.
as far as toeing, i don't have any problems whether in the flat lands or mountains. i now have 145k on it.
very important, change out that antifreeze as recommend. if u have the yellow, that's 100k and use ford's antifreeze. if it is green, use the additive as recommended (DCA-4) from international or FW-15 (i think) from ford. the yellow has it in it. from what i told, this is a diesel thing not unique to any one manufacture.
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05-11-2011, 04:51 PM
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#17
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: S.W. Ohio
Posts: 22
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I installed timbren spring on my f-350 installation was fairly easy made a big improvement hauling heavy loads.
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