Aluminum body F150 not as stable

Kemp716 · 05-11-2017, 08:03 PM

I read on another site about the 2017 F150 with the newer aluminum body and lighter suspension not feeling as stable as earlier trucks when towing. So I thought I'd ask here if anyone else noticed this problem.

I really liked my 2014 F150 with the ecoboost, it had plenty of power and towed well. I thought I was upgrading when I bought my 2016 F150 with the aluminum body, boy was I wrong. I found myself with a loaded truck and TT within 200 lbs. of its max payload capacity (totally my fault), but even with a properly setup WDH and sway bar I found that my truck was being pushed around by the wind and vehicles of all sizes. It just didn’t feel safe. I think that being so close to my payload capacity had a lot to do with it. However, now that I read the other post, I’m wondering if there was more to it than just a truck approaching its weight limits. Has anyone else experienced anything similar with their newer model F150s? To fix the problem once and for all, I upgraded to a 2017 Ram 2500.

notanlines · 05-12-2017, 02:39 AM

Quoting from other posts and articles concerning your cure-all Ram: "the crew cab, short-bed, 4×4 version of the Ram 2500 with the 6.4L V8 Hemi offers only 1,480 pounds of payload" and "This change to coil springs means that new generation Ram 2500 trucks will have significantly smaller payloads"
If you would, can you read the cargo capacity on the yellow sticker for us and tell us what that reads. Dodge has a reputation of a bummer of a 2500 a great 3500 (Yes, Javi, funny mirrors) and a fabulous Cummins. Thanks.

Kemp716 · 05-12-2017, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

Quoting from other posts and articles concerning your cure-all Ram: "the crew cab, short-bed, 4×4 version of the Ram 2500 with the 6.4L V8 Hemi offers only 1,480 pounds of payload" and "This change to coil springs means that new generation Ram 2500 trucks will have significantly smaller payloads"
If you would, can you read the cargo capacity on the yellow sticker for us and tell us what that reads. Dodge has a reputation of a bummer of a 2500 a great 3500 (Yes, Javi, funny mirrors) and a fabulous Cummins. Thanks.

That sounds more like the capacity of a Ram 1500. The yellow sticker on my Ram 2500 HD reads 3,144 pounds.

kfxgreenie · 05-12-2017, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

"the crew cab, short-bed, 4×4 version of the Ram 2500 with the 6.4L V8 Hemi offers only 1,480 pounds of payload" and "This change to coil springs means that new generation Ram 2500 trucks will have significantly smaller payloads"

Where the heck do you get your information?

https://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/

Put in the information, Ram 2500, Big Horn (most common model), Crew Cab, 6.4, 4x4, 3.73, 3198 Lbs Payload. The coils haul just as much as leafs, the axle rate is the same as previous generation 2500 rams. Actual OWNERS like the coils and report just as good of a towing experience. Someone has drank to much kool-aid on a ford or chevy forum.

nellie1289 · 05-12-2017, 06:22 AM

Those payloads must be on a gasser 2500 not Cummins ?

kfxgreenie · 05-12-2017, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellie1289

Those payloads must be on a gasser 2500 not Cummins ?

No, a gasser 2500 has larger payloads than a Cummins due to the weight of the Diesel Engine, and the 10,000 LB cap. My above link works wonders and will answer any questions and stop all this internet speculation. Now the 3/4 ton diesel payload that's another story, lets leave that for the search button and anyone can can read fir days and days and not learn anything.

**sourdough** · 05-12-2017, 07:00 AM

The sticker on my Ram 2500 6.4 4x4 is just under 3200. I round it up to 3200 because it's 319x?? (don't remember what the x is)

Racebug · 05-12-2017, 07:09 AM

seems to be some Ram haters on the net.... I have pulled tons of trailers with lots of different size loads. I highly doubt that the total weight is why you are feeling unstable. I've never used a WDH, but I bet if you either back off a little or pick up a little, you will figure out how to make it better. its usually not weight, just how the weight is distributed. oh wait, you already solved the problem by buying a dodge. hahaha, I couldn't hold back on that one!

ncgrl1 · 05-12-2017, 07:23 AM

Enjoy that new RAM...I do!

notanlines · 05-12-2017, 10:18 AM

Wouldn't do to have someone think I just dreamed this stuff up.
http://truckcamperadventure.com/2015...m-2500-pickup/

kfxgreenie · 05-12-2017, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

Wouldn't do to have someone think I just dreamed this stuff up.
http://truckcamperadventure.com/2015...m-2500-pickup/

So Mello Mike drank to much of the Kool-aid and is the Author of an article he doesn't fully grasp. The payload #'s he's referring too are the Power Wagon heavy duty off road truck, where suspension travel capability is the main focus, not a pulling/hauling rig and clearly does not apply to all 2500 Rams. Do you buy a Ford Raptor to haul any RV? Maybe contact Mello Mike and tell him to edit his article to provide factual information, and at least clarify that the low payload only pertains to Power Wagons, and not misinform readers.

notanlines · 05-12-2017, 01:11 PM

I actually did go back and re-read the article and near as I can tell he never does say that it is power wagon only that is that low. Along these lines, about a year ago I posted a story about a friend in the Phoenix area who bought a Sportsman Sportster, about 36 feet or so. He drove north of Chicago to buy this thing, and towed it home with his Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson model. While at the RV dealer they installed the single leaf extra spring on the rear and then told him "now you have an F-250." He made it to Memphis, on to Phoenix, stopping only to replace the motor mounts. Last May he burned the engine up in New Mexico towing to Colorado and had to buy a new F-250 diesel and have his F-150 towed back to Phoenix.

kfxgreenie · 05-12-2017, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

I actually did go back and re-read the article and near as I can tell he never does say that it is power wagon only that is that low.

Exactly and he needs to clarify that. He groups all 2500's coil suspensions as Power Wagons. Proves he doesn't know what he's writing and should not write an article on the subject.

larry337 · 05-12-2017, 02:45 PM

My son in law has a 2017 Ram 2500 crew cab long bed with a 6.4 hemi. The payload sticker is 28xx something. He has the coil springs and I've driven it and I liked it. Haven't towed with it yet though.

**sourdough** · 05-12-2017, 04:22 PM

The person that wrote the Lance article about the Ram payload was obviously anti Ram. He certainly cherry picked ONE number that is way out of line for the rest of the Ram payloads. Even the numbers on the truck he chose don't make sense compared to the rest of the models so maybe it was a typo (it was the Power Wagon model). The CNG model does have less payload as would be expected.

busterbrown · 05-12-2017, 07:20 PM

My new 2017 RAM 2500 Laramie has a confirmed payload of 2910 lbs. Very respectable considering my previous 1/2 ton TV accommodated just over 1,500 lbs. Looked at the F150's with max towing but fell in love with the Mega cab 3/4 ton, 1000 lbs of more payload, and a lower sticker price!

Pmedic4 · 05-12-2017, 08:34 PM

Same thing on my RAM 2500, the sticker is right below 3200, 3196. My previous 1500 Quad Cab was like 1540. Definitely gave up a more comfortable ride with my 1500, but the towing difference is worth the bumps.

busterbrown · 05-12-2017, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pmedic4

Definitely gave up a more comfortable ride with my 1500, but the towing difference is worth the bumps.

I've been thinking of ways to firm up the soft Denali air and coil suspension for over a year now. New shocks, struts, tires, and rear sway bar helped but it still seemed very plush and cushy.

I drove the Yukon last night after a long day in the RAM. After taking delivery of my 3/4 ton RAM in the morning, I realized that this was the best "mod" to my Denali to date. Don't think ever want cushy again!

kjohn · 05-26-2017, 07:39 PM

WRT the original post, we had a 2013 F150 Supercrew with 6.5 ft box, Ecoboost. It was a good truck. Drove it for about 60,000 km, never had to take it back for any adjustments or fixing of any kind. We now have a 2015, same specs, springed up a bit more. I can't say that I noticed it being not as stable as the 2013. If anything, I would say it handles as good or better. No complaints about it. We did have a driveshaft replaced, as the original was likely faulty. Got the "It's your tires" runaround several times, until I had an older mechanic actually take it out for a drive.

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