2011 F550 "sway"
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2011 F550 "sway"
My company has a pair of F550's with 12' flatbeds and a 6-9k pound payloads. Most of the time we are towing (conventional) either a 10k lb trailer or a 16k lb trailer. The issues that I'm facing is one of "sway" on the highway, particularly when the road is grooved from lots of heavy traffic (like I-84 in CT). There are times when the trucks will steer themselves out of the lane. It can be pretty scary. I even experience this when we have reduced payloads, etc.
The steering is also very light on these trucks. Would upgrading the sway bars help for something like this and if so is the 2011 suspension the same as the 2010? Would we benefit from something like Timbren rubber helper springs?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. These trucks are going to see many highway miles in the next few years and the lack of control on rutted roads is scary and dangerous.
Thanks, Adam
The steering is also very light on these trucks. Would upgrading the sway bars help for something like this and if so is the 2011 suspension the same as the 2010? Would we benefit from something like Timbren rubber helper springs?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. These trucks are going to see many highway miles in the next few years and the lack of control on rutted roads is scary and dangerous.
Thanks, Adam
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This happens regardless of towing or not.
I drove out to New York this weekend for a job with a 1/4 of our normal payload and no trailer, the effect is still very apparent.
A few weeks ago, on our way back to Boston from Philadelphia, I was driving one of the trucks (again with no trailer) and was white knuckled on some stretches at 65-70 mph. This was with a perfectly symmetrical load, that was well balanced fore to aft.
When the road is not rutted the truck is so comfortable that you could cruise at 80 mph with your pinky finger on the wheel!
I drove out to New York this weekend for a job with a 1/4 of our normal payload and no trailer, the effect is still very apparent.
A few weeks ago, on our way back to Boston from Philadelphia, I was driving one of the trucks (again with no trailer) and was white knuckled on some stretches at 65-70 mph. This was with a perfectly symmetrical load, that was well balanced fore to aft.
When the road is not rutted the truck is so comfortable that you could cruise at 80 mph with your pinky finger on the wheel!
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My Question is is it actual sway as a 550 has pretty stout suspension or the square edged tires common on the 19.5 " type tire,I had a big chevrolet with the square edge tires and it would follow and rut or crack in the road,I changed tire brands and some were better than others but stll would follow cracks and lines in the road.
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My Question is is it actual sway as a 550 has pretty stout suspension or the square edged tires common on the 19.5 " type tire,I had a big chevrolet with the square edge tires and it would follow and rut or crack in the road,I changed tire brands and some were better than others but stll would follow cracks and lines in the road.
So you're saying that it could be an effect of the factory tires?
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These trucks tow our 16k trailers smooth as can be at 75+ on a smooth road.
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It's the tires. Try reducing the tire pressure in the front tires in 5lb increments and see if that helps.
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palomino ridge
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Sep 9, 2003 08:03 PM
