Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-01-2019, 02:53 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
alain h's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 119
Shocks for my 2017 F150

Since I had my Vibe 224 Rls last years
I find that truck is squirming on the road
I bought a 4 way friction hitch last year
This made big improvements in the handling
Less sway
But was also told that the ford standard shocks that comes with the truck are the cheapest shocks they can find to put on
Go figure I have a towing package
I already change the garbage tire that came with the truck for BF Goodrich T/A K02
D rated
Now I’m thinking to replace the rear shocks with a set of Bilstein 33253190
Any advice on these
Let me know
Alain
alain h is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2019, 10:45 PM   #2
Grammar Pedant
 
67L48's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Frederick, CO
Posts: 1,580
Bilstein and Rancho 9000 get great reviews pretty much everywhere. Can't go wrong with either. Bilstein makes 4600 series and 5100 series as the standard. Those shocks share the same valving. 4600 is for stock and has a blue/yellow finish. 5100 states it's for 0-2" lift (I've never figured out the difference between stock and 0" lift) and has a sort of chrome finish.

Shocks help dampen the effects of springs (which absorb the bumps). Without shocks (or with crappy ones), you will bounce a lot more, which will cause loss of control.

For example, it's really easy to lose your rear end on washboard dirt roads with crap shocks. Better shocks will keep your wheels/tires planted and in better, more consistent contacts with the road. With good shocks, you can go much faster on that same washboard dirt road before you start feeling the rear end getting loose.

Factory shocks are just terrible. Probably 10-40K miles is as good as you'll get. Some people replace their shocks straight away on a new truck. I tend to keep mine for a while.
__________________
Every time you use an apostrophe to make a word plural, a puppy dies.

TV: 2019 F-350 Lariat 4WD CCSB 6.7 PSD 3.55, 3,591 lb payload
Former RV: 2018 Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S
Former RV: 2007 Fleetwood/Coleman Utah
Former TV: 2005 F-150 King Ranch 4WD SCrew 5.4L Tow Package
67L48 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2019, 11:10 PM   #3
Member
 
dodr33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 56
I have a 2017 F150 and thought the same thing...after 2 years of towing it feels a lot more squirmy than it used to... thinking of switching to the Bilstein 5100's....glad I'm not crazy
dodr33 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2019, 10:23 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Greensburg pa
Posts: 198
When we got our trailer I asked about air bags for our 2017 F150. The dealer (who I would buy and have install) told me that older F150s had the cheaper Springs but in 2016 upgrades and I didn’t really need the air bags. I figured if they are giving up the sale and install they were believable. Though better shocks wouldn’t hurt.
sunnman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2019, 12:16 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
jd50i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Maryville, Tn.
Posts: 594
I have the 4600's and will install them this weekend on my 2016. Lot of good reviews on them.
Bilstein 24-248112 and 33-253183 front and rear.



Trailer sway could be another problem, several threads on it. Ford recommends a trailer level or slightly nose down stance.
__________________
2016 F150 XLT 4X4 SCREW 5.0

2014 Grey Wolf 21RR
jd50i is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2019, 06:22 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3
I was towing a Freedom Express Select 29se with a 2018 F-150 max tow package LWB. I put on Bilstein 5100s, LT tires, and SumoSprings but I could never get rid of the squirm you mention. I am using the Equilizer hitch with the 4 point sway. I was very careful about my weight placement and hitch setup. I never could get the ride the way I wanted. On 2 lane state highway I felt ok, but 65 on the interstate with trucks passing me I felt uncomfortable. I really liked my F-150 and the gas mileage from the 3.5EB with the 10sp trans but I just couldn’t get comfortable with the combination. I ended up trading for a Titan XD. While I gave up mpg, I am much more comfortable with the towing experience.

I’m not suggesting you switch truck but I’m just providing what my experience was. I towed previously with a 2012 F-150 that weighed ~700 more than the aluminum truck. Again not bashing the aluminum truck but I was surprised by how different the two trucks felt pulling similar weight.

I actually still have the Sumosprings. They replace the stock bump stops and help the lead springs when the truc saga more than 1.5-2 inches. I’ll offer them to you for free, you just pay shipping if you want to try them. Send me a PM if you do.

Best of luck.
ludlow is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
f150

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:17 AM.