Ford OEM Hitch

[piper guy]

Lwg - in my experience, my Dually rides at least as well as my CCSB F350 FX4 did. In some cases I think better.
Knowing what I know now, I would've gone to an F450 for an even better ride and shorter turning circle.

[5th_Time]

Once , I was considering raising the TriGlide one hole to drop the nose more, but I don't think I have enough TriGlide to bed rail clearance. Even now, the hitch tries to gouge the by black plastic rail trim on a sharp back-in.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by piper guy

Lwg - in my experience, my Dually rides at least as well as my CCSB F350 FX4 did. In some cases I think better.
Knowing what I know now, I would've gone to an F450 for an even better ride and shorter turning circle.

Vaughan, would you have sacrificed the 3.73 to get the tighter turning radius?

[rob_fla]

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

Once , I was considering raising the TriGlide one hole to drop the nose more, but I don't think I have enough TriGlide to bed rail clearance. Even now, the hitch tries to gouge the by black plastic rail trim on a sharp back-in.

I noticed during a tight turn the TriGlide really gets close to the bed, I may have even bumped the edge of the bed once doing a U Turn.

[Jim & Mary]

I've had both SRW and DRW F350 and the ride loaded and unloaded isn't dramatically different, but the satisfaction of knowing I'm not overloaded anymore and can now carry fresh water, etc is worth it. I really liked my SRW F350 but now feel more so about my dually. By the way the DW likes it too, especially the color. A happy home..........You know the rest.

[piper guy]

Brad - the rear axle ratio would be my one concern. If the 450 was a 4.10 it would be a no brainer. Not sure about the 4.30 for a daily driver. My 350 has no problem whatsoever pulling the RL and as a daily driver it gets 16-17 mpg on the normal driving and about 18-19 on straight highway runs. I usually average 10.5 towing the rig (it's a lot flatter in my end of the country though).

All in all, I think the more I weigh everything unless I needed the 450 to pull something really heavy I would stay with what I have.

[atom ant]

Ah, the reason I ask is I'm also looking at a 2015 F350 with that new option for the wider front axle but lower gears - sitting right next to the 2014 I'm working on - both priced close in price. I've debated myself, but ran shy on the 4.30 gears. Mileage is one my huge disappointments on this 08.

[piper guy]

Everything being equal - I would go for a 2015 350 Dually. Ask Jim above. We were talking at the Rally when he had literally just gotten his and it had 1200 miles on it. He said difference between his '12 6.7 and the '15 was amazing. Said it hardly ever came down out of 6th gear when towing .

Power difference between '14 and '15 is substantial. If memory serves, the '15 has 440 hp and 920 lbs torque versus 400-800.

[atom ant]

Ya, the new one is 440 hp, 860 ft lbs torque vs the 2014 at 400 - 800. It's a thought, but remember I'm coming from 450 - 650 so the 2014 will feel like a rocket

That's plan B if we can't come to terms on this 2014.

[johnboytoo]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Ya, the new one is 440 hp, 860 ft lbs torque vs the 2014 at 400 - 800. It's a thought, but remember I'm coming from 450 - 650 so the 2014 will feel like a rocket

a 2008 with 450 hp ?!?!

Boy, you did some tuning

but really think it's a typo...

[atom ant]

Ah good catch. I meant 350 hp. Fat fingered it I guess.

[RCAircraft]

Originally Posted by atom ant

Has anyone had any issues getting the Ford OEM hitch (Reese or Companion) from lowering enough to accept the tri-glide pin box on the Redwood?

My existing hitch is all the way down, and that companion looks tall!

I had Ford install their factory Reese Elite Slider & Removable hitch that has vertical adjustment. The Redwood dealer adjusted the hitch hight. I also had the the standard RW hitch changed out to the a Trail Air Air Ride. Clearance to the bed rails is about five inches. So far, so good. The Reese slide assembly could be adjusted upwards another four inches. That would interfere with the sliding bed cover and hopefully not required.

[Diesel chaser]

Brad, I have the Ford hitch platform with the B&W companion along with the trail air on the RW and have NO issues. Also B&W stands behind thier products better than any company I have ever done business with and I have been using their hitches since 1999. As a side note if you go with the Ford hitch make them throw in the gooseneck kit ( 2 5/16 ball and safety chain hooks ) it's a $250 option so if you want to utilize the gooseneck hitch you can.

[lwg]

Don't forget the upgraded exhaust brake (really a turbo brake) on the '15, also you can now manually engage it which is a huge option in my opinion.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Diesel chaser

Brad, I have the Ford hitch platform with the B&W companion along with the trail air on the RW and have NO issues. Also B&W stands behind thier products better than any company I have ever done business with and I have been using their hitches since 1999. As a side note if you go with the Ford hitch make them throw in the gooseneck kit ( 2 5/16 ball and safety chain hooks ) it's a $250 option so if you want to utilize the gooseneck hitch you can.

Thanks Tom,

It looks like the B&W has a height adjustment of 16.75 to 18, and the Reese 14 - 16.5. I'm right at 16 now.

Haven't decided quite yet.

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by lwg

Don't forget the upgraded exhaust brake (really a turbo brake) on the '15, also you can now manually engage it which is a huge option in my opinion.

LWG,
Does the 14, still have the exhaust brake?

I knew there was something different about the 15, but wasn't sure. Still pricing is quite a bit better on the 14 right now. The 15s really jumped up - across the board. Even the new wife car is up about 5K

[lwg]

Originally Posted by atom ant

LWG,
Does the 14, still have the exhaust brake?

I knew there was something different about the 15, but wasn't sure. Still pricing is quite a bit better on the 14 right now. The 15s really jumped up - across the board. Even the new wife car is up about 5K

Yes it does. However since it's a turbo brake in actuality the upgrade/larger turbo in the '15 is what gives it more power (both go power and braking). The '14's won't have the manual button option though, that's also new for '15.

If it were me I'd lean towards the '15 unless the difference in price was more than $5k. Keep in mind that you'll have a year of depreciation on a '14 at this point in regards to book value. Luckily Ford's seem to really hold their values so it might be a wash in the end.

[atom ant]

I'll have to see where it lands tomorrow, but cost is more important than performance as far as our use right now - We don't full time and it is becoming an expensive hobby already.

The difference is right at 5,500. Mostly cost increase for the truck, but incentives are less for 2015. Oh well, I'm always a day behind the technology curve

PS - The ford Reese hitch just dropped in price since yesterday - Now its 1,400 and 27.5K rated. Yesterday was 1,695. Dealer direct is 13,250. I think the B&W is only 900

[trfield58]

Brad, Not sure if you are aware of this, but if you know the VIN of a truck (new or used) You can download the actual window sticker.... Just replace the VIN at the end of the link with the one you're looking at...


http://fordlabels.webview.biz/webvie...8W3DT1FEA96028

[piper guy]

Brad ~ one other option to make sure it has, especially in your area - is the Rapid Heat Supplemental Heater. Without it, you'll still be waiting for heat on a cold winter day 30 minutes later. It's only a $250.00 option but cannot be added afterwards. Most dealers are smart enough to put it in the truck but every once in a while ............

For me, it would be a deal breaker if it didn't have it. Just my .02