Takeoff vibration under load
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 162
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From: Las Cruces, NM
Takeoff vibration under load
My 2015 F-350 Super Duty has a noticeable vibration between 5 and 15 mph when accelerating with my 5th wheel. The 5th wheel is heavy--around 14000 pounds. The pin weight is heavy--around 3000 pounds. The Owner's Manual says on page 191 "When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight vibration or shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight..." (This was brought to my attention by my dealer.)
Seeing the thousands of F-250 and F-350 Fords pulling 5th wheels out there on the road, I wonder how many have this "slight vibration or shudder" and what they have done about it.
Have you experienced this vibration? If so, what have you done, if anything, to alleviate it?
Seeing the thousands of F-250 and F-350 Fords pulling 5th wheels out there on the road, I wonder how many have this "slight vibration or shudder" and what they have done about it.
Have you experienced this vibration? If so, what have you done, if anything, to alleviate it?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 162
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From: Las Cruces, NM
I saw that. One of the problems with the "fix", was that by fixing the vibration under load, it could cause a vibration when not under load. Whether the fix was done had to do with what the primary use was--empty or loaded.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 162
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From: Las Cruces, NM
I agree with all of that, but I was wondering if I was the only one experiencing the problem. I've heard of ladder bars, air bags, etc. but how many of you are actually encountered this problem.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Frederick, MD
hard numbers is hard to come by but several have. Usually in the F250 trucks more than the 350 since the 350 comes with the overload spring.
Enough that we know the best option of airbags.
Enough that we know the best option of airbags.
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Posting Guru
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I have a crew cab dually and have a constant load of at least 3000lbs. I had the vibration until I added stable loads. But they are just for people like me who have constant loads. I have had air bags on all my other trucks and will get air bags for my current truck. The air bags have a better ride and I can adjust the pressure when I hitch up the RV. The stable loads work well but I think mine are starting to wear out after 2 years.
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New User
Joined: Apr 2016
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me too!
I am SO glad I found your post. I just bought my 2015 F350 long bed Platinum a month ago, and the first trip with my 12,000 lb. 5th wheel had the same vibration when starting out, but only from a stoplight with some acceleration or an incline, not at slow startup. Don't want to invest in air bags just for this, so guess will try to start out slowly, even though I have plenty of power to jerk the RV. Anyone else experience this?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 984
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As mentioned earlier the issue is the driveline angles. Adding the payload is lowering the truck. This is pushing the driveshaft toward parallel with a level plane while the pinion does not change angle and is still pointed upward. When you apply throttle the reaction at the axle will force the pinion up even more. The shudder is the ujoint being run at a poor angle. Traction bars will prevent the axle wind up but it the payload is heavy enough they won't help with any driveline angle. Adjusting the carrier bearing would fix it but when you remove the load it has to be adjusted back. They aren't really all that adjustable in factory from anyway. They are on a fixed bracket. Airbags are the logical fix being you can andd or remove air to level the load.
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