I had it easier. I was in the Navy from 1968 to 1974, but never made it to Nam.

My truck is amazing. More power than needed, so acceleration while pulling the 5er is quick. This is not really a complaint, but there is more sag in the back when I lower the 5er onto her. I may get a set of air bags in the future. I would like to see better fuel mileage, but considering my 5er is 40 feet long and has bridge clearance of 13' 5", I can't really complain. Depending on fuel, wind and terrain, I get anywhere between 8.5 to 10 MPH while towing. I really love the way the truck tows using the tow mode and exhaust brake. While coming down 19 into Cherokee, NC, I was able to descend all the way with just an occasional tap of the brake. No riding the brakes like I had to do with my 2011 F-350.
If I had it to do over again, I would have ordered mine with 4 wheel drive. I never thought I would need it because I was going to be full time RVing and I had no intention of ever leaving hard roads. Since my wife decided she didn't want to full time, we bought a house in NW Arkansas. I had to spend $11,000 on a concrete driveway because my truck couldn't push the 5er up the driveway. Shortly after getting our house, I got stuck in some mud (without the 5er) and had to get a tow.

 

Yea I put Air Ride bags on my F-250 and a Pacbrake exhaust retarder, kinda pricey but the Pacbrake really helps on the down grades. Would'nt have a truck without one, I just hope the new F-350's builtin exhaust brake has as much braking power.

 

Has anyone with a 350 put the 450 19 inch factory wheels on? Do they fit ok, cause any drive-ability issues?

 

8 bolt versus 10 bolt

 

Interesting, didnt realize that... hummmm

Is it me, or do all the aftermarket wheels for the 350s suck though? I want a little bigger wheel, but do not want a ghetto redneckish wheel... just a wheel a couple inches larger for looks... I think the 17s look a bit too small in the wheel arches.

 

They make 20" and 19.5" aftermarket wheels for 350's. I want the American Force Classic 19.5" but with wheels and tires I'm looking between $4-5,000. So the 17's will do for now......

I'm only saying this due to hearing it but the 19.5" wheel tire combos may ride rougher as the pressures are higher and the tires are meant for load carrying. And you're buying truck tires not something the local tire store carries. But I could be wrong.... 20" wheels I believe get you more "normal" local tire store tires.

 

I dont really care about ride or mileage of the tires... I dont really drive the truck much anyhow... I just want to make the wheel arches a bit more full looking... just want a nice 19ish or so, with a normalish looking tire sidewall... will still pull my boats or other toys fine, shouldnt be a problem...

 

I just looked at those, they do look nice... I just hate the stuff around the edge of the wheel... if they didnt have that, I would order a set now

 

I have GY Duratracs on mine. The fronts haven't worn well at all, alternating blocks are worn on angles and more than the next block. They have about 36,000km on them now, 1/3 of that towing the fiver, the rest just daily driving. They were unevenly worn at about 20,000km. It won' be getting them again when I replace them which will be this summer. I want something quieter too. Long trips they get annoying and on sweeping curves you get the two tire noise frequencies beating against each other.

 

Pretty picture

 

I learned to drive as a kid on a '56 F100, but it sure didn't sure didn't look like that!!!

 

These??




http://www.ntwonline.com/mobile/195-CLASSIC-DUALLY-8-LUG-DIRECT-BOLT-ON-KIT-POLISHED-AMERICAN-FORCE-WHEELS-P4688.aspx

 

those are nice wheels, I dont like stuff/fake bolts on the outer ring either

 

If I can ever upgrade I will buy those in 19.5 and hopefully the tires will last longer than the current ones based on them being a HD tire. Finding $4-$5 grand just isn't that easy.

 

Good day yesterday. Got the clone VCM-II with IDS working great. Super easy once I got the software all setup and working.
Got rid of hyper flash.
Added DPF % screen
Adjusted tire size.
Going to take some more time to hunt around see what else I can find.