OK, I just finished day 1 of our summer trip. Truck has 5000 miles and I did an oil change Monday to get it trip ready. Figure I've been changing oil since 1957 and don't need a computer to tell me when it's time. Got some pics of the rig in the driveway making ready to go. RV loaded, basement loaded, tool box loaded, back seat loaded (the seat belongs to the dog but I get to use the floor). Left Sharpsburg GA at 0830, got all the way to ATL bypass (30 miles) before coming to a complete stop. Routine trip up until we left I 40 for the run down to Pigeon Forge. Then bumper to bumper for an hour or more. Got a space in a really cramped campground. But we are only here till Monday and then going somewhere. Can't decide right now between the outer banks or Michigan. Or, maybe we will go off the board and go elsewhere.

The truck did fine except for a serious vibration during hard pulls from a stop, but only with the trailer attached. I should have already had it to the dealer for that but I didn't. The oil is just like my 6.4L was when stock, black and ugly. Did not see any signs of oil growth though. That's an improvement over the 6.4. Went out to eat and looked up at the Edge and saw DPF at 100%. Did the best I could but I could not get away from the heavy traffic. It cleaned regardless of the situation (35 or less MPH) and all was well. Much better deal than the 6.4L under the same circumstances. Also, I think the "CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER" message stays on a lot longer than the last version of the 6.4L did. I see it every time. For you guys pulling 5ers, I installed a Demco Glide Ride pin box last week. I didn't think it would make a lot of difference but it does. Smooths out the bumps nicely. Fuel mileage was 10.7 MPG on the computer. I've never hand checked it as I'm committed to staying stock so there is nothing I can do about it anyway. The 10.7 is consistent with what I got on my first two short trips, Once out of the ATL traffic I drove in cruise almost the whole way. Had several good hills up and down. Truck down shifter and then upshifted at what seemed the proper times. Went down to 4th gear on some of the down hills and retarded it nicely. I guess if there is more slope it will go on down to lower gears to hold the speed. I estimate the trailer is at 16,500 or so. Not as heavy as I've had it but full fresh water and a lot of gear. Over all really a nice ride. The truck's starting to grow on me.

 

Great report so far. I changed my oil at 5K intervals as well.

I also reverted to manual mode on the really big downhill grades out west.

had the vibration upon take off as well if really getting on the throttle.

 

I like trip reports. Thanks keep us updated.

 

Good report! Nice looking rig as well! Truck looks just like mine, so I'm kind of biased, lol. I just spent 10 days in Sevierville/Pidgeon Forge. Next time check out Riverside RV Park where we stayed. Its about 4 miles off of I40 on 66, trn rt on Boyds Creek Rd, parks on the rt just over the Little Pidgeon River bridge. Nice park, nice staff, well maintained, and reasonable. Enjoy your trip, be safe!

 

That driveline vibration on acceleration under load has been reported for a while now. Some have been able to resolve it with bags to adjust the drive shaft angle.

 

Mine went away when I put the 4" rear blocks in it. On the last truck I could get rid of the vibration by raising the air pressure in the rear bags.

 

Air bags. Makes sense. Change angle at rear axle? Or at tranny? My vibration feels more like it's up front. Back of tranny, and raising the rear end tilts the diff forward and decreases the angle. Makes sense. I guess the guys at Ford didn't think we would use these trucks to haul anything heavy.

Whatever it is either Ford or I need to fix it. I mean it is a bit embarrassing for my $65.000 dollar truck to vibrate leaving every light.

 

I had to raise the rear of my 08 because of that.

With this truck I loose two inches. I bit much for only 3K of pin weight.

How much are you loosing Stanley?

 

Don't know, never measured it. I'll check when I load up next. I never had any trouble with the 08 and it went down quite a bit. I guess my pin weight is around 3000 lbs. I have 2 7000 lb axles which leaves 3000 for the pin. GVWR is 17,000.

BTW you have mail.

 

Probably the same as I then.

 

Went into the park today and got in line with hundreds if not thousands of other tourist. Traffic was stop and go and I spent about 5 hours at speeds below 20 MPH or stopped. That is the hardest deal for these trucks but when you tow a 5er you either drive what you towed with or rent a car.

Anyway, truck was flawless. A lot of shifting up and down as we were in the Smokey mountains. Of note was the exhaust filter cleaning which began in stop and go traffic and cleaned in stop and go traffic. I could not get over about 20 MPH and much of the cleaning was done below that speed. EGTs were 450 to 650. I am very impressed. it cleaned down to about 35% and if I didn't have the Edge I would not have know it ever cleaned. I missed the truck signal. That is much better than the 6.4L was. Since I unhooked the trailer my fuel mileage is now up to 11.2, UGH. BTW, my pre trip fillup was just over $450 for fuel and DEF at the nearest Pilot. Put 87 gallons in my 85 gallon auxiliary (Hmmmm) and about 28 in the truck tank. Two pics today. One is the view I had most of the day, the other is a picture showing why they are called the Smokey Mountains.

 

Is the second pic Cades Cove?

 

Pretty, I'd like to go there someday.

 

Yes, we were on the loop and got caught in a rain shower, this is just a bit after it cleared.

 

Thanks for sharing Stanley
Haven't been there since the late 70's