F450 Ford

[gbsb]

We have just bought a 2003 F450 Ford Crew Cab with a custom Aluminum Flatbed and a Arctic Fox 990 slide in Camper. I will use this truck to pull our 383 Fuzion TE11 Toy hauler and the slide in for short trips. The toy hauler is a40 foot triaxle rig and is home since we are retired and fulltime RV. Made a short trip with slide in and truck seems to want to wonder around on the road, installed new tires but didn't seem to help. The slide in is heavy at a little over 4000 lbs but the center of gravity is directly centered on the rear axle. any Ideas from you Ford guys out there I have always had a GMC dually and never had any problems like this. I definatly want to resolve this issue before pulling the 5th wheel.

[jtyphoid]

I don't know about the F450, but the ball joints on my 03 Excursion (same chassis as F250) caused some wander when they wore out.

[Ken / Claudia]

I had a 2002 AF 990. Had it for 8 years on the listed below truck. It said it's weight 3750 (I believe). I checked it at 4400lbs when loaded. The upper and lower ball joints needed replaced at about 95,000 miles. The shop said that was due to the camper. I upgraded the shocks and sterring shock early in it's mileage. Tires had to have max psi 80 in rear, front could go 60-65. I really liked the 990, it was hard to part with until I was told what the dealer would give me for trade in..

[gbsb]

I checked the tie rods and the 450 has a straight axle so it has king pins instead of ball joints and they are tight. I need to have it weighed the truck looks like all the weight is on the rear axle. Just from looking at the rig it looks like the front end is setting high. Don't know how I would shift weight forward.

[Javi]

I checked the tie rods and the 450 has a straight axle so it has king pins instead of ball joints and they are tight. I need to have it weighed the truck looks like all the weight is on the rear axle. Just from looking at the rig it looks like the front end is setting high. Don't know how I would shift weight forward.
Firestone airbags..

[Ken / Claudia]

I just checked the numbers from the AF990 on the truck. It added 300lbs to front axle, and 4400 to the rear. I did not need need air bags until I got the big boat in 2008. The truck sat level with camper on it. My tires will hold 3740lbs. I do not know why a dually 1 1/2 ton would ride worse than mine did, I do have the 4x4 off road package. Could it have carried alot of wt. in it's past and the springs are weaker. Or someone took springs out of the rear axle to get a softer ride?

[chain_dogg]

Firestone airbags..

Might need them, unless the hitch can be raised to the highest level. (Raising the front of the trailer level) I have a F-450 with a trailer saver hitch, and 3 inch raised kit from hensley.. No problems