I am the second owner of a 2011 F150 screw XTR 4x4. I moved to Montana and now have access and use logging and gravel roads regularly for hunting and fishing. I used to live here and drive a 96 Ranger 4x2 4cyl short box on the same roads--with no issues.

My current truck floats around when I drive the roads. At one point the washboards were so bad I had to stop and creep to stay incontrol of my truck. 4 wheel drive didn't give me any help. I was passed by several sedans during this trip...not something I was proud of, but given my wife and three young children were with me, I needed to be safe.

As far as I know everything on the truck is factory. Though my tires are 18" Hankook highways that I put on for the move and towing a trailer out here.

Do you think it is my suspension?

My family all has super-duty Fords or Chevys and they handle like a dream. The ride is rough but I never feel out of control when driving them. Granted they are heavier...

 

How many miles are on the truck? Any sign of leakage from the shocks? What tire pressure are you running?

 

48k for miles, 40psi for pressure and there is no sign of leakage on shocks. Springs look fine, too.

 

I looks like at least the rear-shocks need to be replaced. I have a friend who can help me get a good deal through a chain auto parts store. I definitely want to upgrade to off-road shocks rather than combined because I will be driving on forest service and heavily traveled (wash boarded) secondary and county roads in NW MT at least once a month.

I'll sacrifice hwy comfort for off-road stability.

The front shocks are strutted, and I'd like to keep them under $200 each (the $500 each options I found online are way out of my price range).

I won't be hauling heavy stuff too often, maybe an elk () once a year and occasionally a full bed of larch or fir when bucking firewood with buddies.

Thanks for any help in selecting the proper gear to match my rig!