Bilstein

waltheraustin · 03-30-2018, 01:52 PM

Will new 5100 bilsteins help with wind pushing? Don't think it's trailer sway but not 100%. Mostly feels like a windy day having it's way with me. Anything that can be done about that?

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Tbos · 03-30-2018, 04:17 PM

Do you have LT tires? They help. A bigger tow vehicle was the final answer for me when I bought my current TT.

2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

drew999999 · 03-30-2018, 04:42 PM

What are you pulling? Shocks and LT tires are a big help with handling.

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waltheraustin · 03-30-2018, 06:15 PM

Truck does great except with wind. Probably won't do much for extreme wind. Brand new P rated tires unfortunately so I'll run these a little longer with Max inflation but I'm almost there convincing better shocks. Before dusk it was smooth sailing but close to wind farm was a little nuts

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waltheraustin · 03-30-2018, 06:34 PM

Tires or shocks first? Probably won't be able to do both with recent truck and trailer purchase

2017 f150 3.5L with 2015 hideout 27dbs

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rhagfo · 03-30-2018, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltheraustin

Tires or shocks first? Probably won't be able to do both with recent truck and trailer purchase

2017 f150 3.5L with 2015 hideout 27dbs

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Really should be tires, but with new “P” tires, I would do the shocks first. That said the tires would likely make a bigger difference.

X

busterbrown · 03-30-2018, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltheraustin

Before dusk it was smooth sailing but close to wind farm was a little nuts

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I don't know how shocks will improve (lessen) "wind pushing", ie sway. This was the exclusive reason I had to upgrade to a Hensley hitch as I had a losing fight against 30 mph winds in my 1/2 ton and 35' coach. Unfortunately, the Hensley took away the rest of my payload so I ended up moving into a 2500 Ram. With my wheelbase 2.5 feet longer and the trailer mated to my Hensley, I laugh in the face of the prairie winds, the down hills, and passing 80K lbs semi's.

My wife does too as she tows just as much as I do.

Ken / Claudia · 03-30-2018, 10:07 PM

Shocks reason is to control bounce of suspension. I guess if the wind is bouncing the vehicle they might help. Getting rid of the passenger rated tires and going to a true load carrying tire will help. I have 2002 trail blazer as a daily driver. The 1st corner I turned at speed was like day and night when I put on LT tires and I do not tow the TT with it. Even full of air p tires will not handle like the LTs with a heavier sidewall.

waltheraustin · 03-31-2018, 05:45 AM

I'll see if I can swing both. Ecoboost is a powerhouse. I have to let off most of you time so I don't venture North of 65. Hills were nothing. Most of them, no downshifting, just moving. Gas mileage isn't that great! 6-11 mpg. Long trip was expensive!

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Dave W · 03-31-2018, 05:51 AM

Shocks will always help, especially since the Big Three seem to think we all 'need' a boulevard ride. Bilstein's are a fine shock but that ride quality will go (way) down. I used them on my last truck but went with Koni's on this one. Still have great control but they don't rattle your teeth fillings out as they are well valved internally.

Another upgrade would be a heavier duty front sway bar along with adding one in the rear if it doesn't have one as OEM(most F150s don't). Look at what Hellwig* offers for your F150. Then of course, there are those add on friction sway devices which mount between the hitch and the TT (I 'assume' you have a TT).

A good brand of tire should be OK , even as a P metric if everything else is set up right though they may have some weight capacity issues in some cases

*http://www.hellwigproducts.com/

busterbrown · 03-31-2018, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

Another upgrade would be a heavier duty front sway bar along with adding one in the rear if it doesn't have one as OEM(most F150s don't). Look at what Hellwig* offers for your F150.

I swapped out a rear OEM sway bar for a Hellwig when I owned my Yukon XL Denali. That was one thick bar compared to the factory. It helped with stability a little in the corners, don't know the effect on trailer sway reduction. I think LT tires would have more noticeable improvement.

waltheraustin · 03-31-2018, 08:37 AM

So between shocks and a hellwig, which one would be the most bang for the buck? Don't think I'll be able to convince the DW I need new tires yet

Thanks guys! Wind is really the only problem and semis. I had 20s in my last truck so that's why it probably helped. That and the fact it had a rear sway bar. I forgot that Fords don't put them in. That might be the beginning to an answer

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Ken / Claudia · 03-31-2018, 08:54 AM

Hey, is your tranny OK, or what ever caused the noise you heard.

Dave W · 03-31-2018, 08:59 AM

Try a good brand HD set of shocks then consider a sway bar and possibly a hitch mounted friction sway control

......and those tires .......

waltheraustin · 03-31-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken / Claudia

Hey, is your tranny OK, or what ever caused the noise you heard.

Turned out to be the wastegate actuator. Sounds good now

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waltheraustin · 03-31-2018, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

Try a good brand HD set of shocks then consider a sway bar and possibly a hitch mounted friction sway control

......and those tires .......

Thanks!

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NorskeBob · 03-31-2018, 09:57 AM

They helped when I put them on a motor home. On may last 2 trucks I installed them after i took delivery. On my present truck I installed them at about 20,000 miles. Improved the towing - helped the front of the truck more than the rear because I have air bags on the truck.

My opinion - OEM shocks are not the best.

Purchase mine from - http://www.kennedydiesel.com

waltheraustin · 03-31-2018, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltheraustin

Turned out to be the wastegate actuator. Sounds good now

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Service manager was like, "good thing you brought it now". I'll definitely keep a warranty on it.

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Dave W · 03-31-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waltheraustin

Service manager was like, "good thing you brought it now". I'll definitely keep a warranty on it.

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Exactly why my '11 6.7 still has Ford's ESP at 110,000 miles with 25,000 and 3 years to go

waltheraustin · 03-31-2018, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave W

Exactly why my '11 6.7 still has Ford's ESP at 110,000 miles with 25,000 and 3 years to go

Yup, ain't paying for new turbos or anything.

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