What Happened???
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
Why not spend the $300 for air bags to make the truck work for your application? I understand the theory that you shouldn't have to, and there's no doubt the springs are softer than previous years, but suffice to say there are other options (i.e. mfr's). And thankfully, there's aftermarket options, so you can make the best truck out there, the best truck for you. 
I thought the factory stereo sucked, I upgraded it. Alllll better.
I thought the factory stereo sucked, I upgraded it. Alllll better.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Not really sure about this one.
Modern trucks are rated to tow more, haul more, and do more than they ever have at any point in history. If you loaded a truck 20 years ago with the capacity the newer ones have it would be badly overloaded. Doesn't matter if it squatted less, they were simply not meant to carry the weight. Less power, worse transmissions, less capacity, and worse efficiency.
What we have today is more choices. You can still buy a stripped down work truck that has vinyl seats, floors, and power nothing. But what you couldn't get twenty years ago were luxury heavy duty trucks that had many of the amenities found in premium cars. I have yet to see or hear of something that could legally be done with an older pickup that a newer one can't. And squatting a few inches under a load just doesn't count; this is the way a suspension is supposed to work. The class 8 KW I used to drive would squat some with an airbag suspension when loaded to capacity. Was my T-600 with its 15-liter Cat diesel not a real truck either?
Times change, and vehicles change with the times.
Modern trucks are rated to tow more, haul more, and do more than they ever have at any point in history. If you loaded a truck 20 years ago with the capacity the newer ones have it would be badly overloaded. Doesn't matter if it squatted less, they were simply not meant to carry the weight. Less power, worse transmissions, less capacity, and worse efficiency.
What we have today is more choices. You can still buy a stripped down work truck that has vinyl seats, floors, and power nothing. But what you couldn't get twenty years ago were luxury heavy duty trucks that had many of the amenities found in premium cars. I have yet to see or hear of something that could legally be done with an older pickup that a newer one can't. And squatting a few inches under a load just doesn't count; this is the way a suspension is supposed to work. The class 8 KW I used to drive would squat some with an airbag suspension when loaded to capacity. Was my T-600 with its 15-liter Cat diesel not a real truck either?
Times change, and vehicles change with the times.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 2
From: Onalaska WI
Here is my biggest dilemma. Hook truck to trailer. Trucks sag in rear end. Go past the state patrol or any weigh station. Try to explain to the officer why your truck is sagging! Frist thing out of their month you must be overload. Then a trip to scale. Then you know what happens.
And for you guy that pull campers yes you don't have to stop at weigh station or worry about the state patrol. I also have a camper. When pulling a camper you are considered an RV and do not need to stop at weigh stations
But when it comes to moving constitution equipment around the state patrol has no patience
And for you guy that pull campers yes you don't have to stop at weigh station or worry about the state patrol. I also have a camper. When pulling a camper you are considered an RV and do not need to stop at weigh stations
But when it comes to moving constitution equipment around the state patrol has no patience
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 2
From: Onalaska WI
Why not spend the $300 for air bags to make the truck work for your application? I understand the theory that you shouldn't have to, and there's no doubt the springs are softer than previous years, but suffice to say there are other options (i.e. mfr's). And thankfully, there's aftermarket options, so you can make the best truck out there, the best truck for you.
Don’t get me wrong I have already upgraded my truck; titan tank (who ever decided to but 26 gallon tank on a truck should be shot) also put timbern SES on. But why!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 2
From: Onalaska WI
Fill up three times a week for one. Also get out in some areas were there is no fuel available.
If an aftermarket can design and install a big tank why can't ford?
If an aftermarket can design and install a big tank why can't ford?
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,113
Likes: 3,939
From: Ohio
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5,983
Likes: 2
Guilty as charged. I just had 60 large laying around and I wanted to fit-in with my local farm community. Unfortunately, it didn't entitle me to receive any of those farm subsidies that would have helped me better afford the truck; heck I can't even write it off on my taxes even though I use it to travel to my place of income gathering. 
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
We posted about this a while back... think the small fuel tank on the sb is so they can keep it under 10k gvwr AND legally give you some payload...
if not, they would have to certify it for more than the 10k gvwr and they don't want to do that since MANY would complain now they are required to get commercial licenses over 10k....
if not, they would have to certify it for more than the 10k gvwr and they don't want to do that since MANY would complain now they are required to get commercial licenses over 10k....
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Guilty as charged. I just had 60 large laying around and I wanted to fit-in with my local farm community. Unfortunately, it didn't entitle me to receive any of those farm subsidies that would have helped me better afford the truck; heck I can't even write it off on my taxes even though I use it to travel to my place of income gathering.
As far as the farm subsidies, they don't even come close to helping pay for the cost of putting the crop back in the ground or better yet the cost of farm machinery(which the epa has their hands on too). With $700/ton for fertilizer and $3.50 diesel and then you have a pickup go down and buy a 2012 F-350 to replace it only to find out it won't handle anything without putting another $300+ for airbags. So don't go there on the "farmers are rich with their subsidies" routine. It's getting old!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 2
From: Onalaska WI
We posted about this a while back... think the small fuel tank on the sb is so they can keep it under 10k gvwr AND legally give you some payload...
if not, they would have to certify it for more than the 10k gvwr and they don't want to do that since MANY would complain now they are required to get commercial licenses over 10k....
if not, they would have to certify it for more than the 10k gvwr and they don't want to do that since MANY would complain now they are required to get commercial licenses over 10k....
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Don't think anyone ever said that. You could give me a quarter which would help me better afford a truck...that doesn't mean I'm going to get rich off of it.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
The F350 is the new truck, when one thinks of hauling. I too wished mine would sag when I hitch up my 5er (2500 lb pin weight) it does not touch the overloads, pulls like the old red masey furguson tractor 
