A Call for Auto-Leveling Headlights
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Senior User
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A Call for Auto-Leveling Headlights
I just towed my 5th wheel for the first time with my new truck. I traveled approximately 350 miles through the mountains at night. The truck towed the trailer beautifully, and was far superior to my 2015.
The great exception to all of this was the LED headlights. My 5th wheel squatted the bed of my truck almost 3.5" (I was surprised it was that much), rendering the front 1" higher than the rear. As a result, 1 out of every 5 vehicles flashed their brights at me (seriously, it had to have been over 100 cars!) thinking I had failed to dim my lights. I am not surprised by this given the brightness of these LEDs. Nevertheless, I can see that this will get old very fast!
Ford ... please consider installing auto-leveling headlights in the very near future!
The great exception to all of this was the LED headlights. My 5th wheel squatted the bed of my truck almost 3.5" (I was surprised it was that much), rendering the front 1" higher than the rear. As a result, 1 out of every 5 vehicles flashed their brights at me (seriously, it had to have been over 100 cars!) thinking I had failed to dim my lights. I am not surprised by this given the brightness of these LEDs. Nevertheless, I can see that this will get old very fast!
Ford ... please consider installing auto-leveling headlights in the very near future!
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
I just towed my 5th wheel for the first time with my new truck. I traveled approximately 350 miles through the mountains at night. The truck towed the trailer beautifully, and was far superior to my 2015.
The great exception to all of this was the LED headlights. My 5th wheel squatted the bed of my truck almost 3.5" (I was surprised it was that much), rendering the front 1" higher than the rear. As a result, 1 out of every 5 vehicles flashed their brights at me (seriously, it had to have been over 100 cars!) thinking I had failed to dim my lights. I am not surprised by this given the brightness of these LEDs. Nevertheless, I can see that this will get old very fast!
Ford ... please consider installing auto-leveling headlights in the very near future!
The great exception to all of this was the LED headlights. My 5th wheel squatted the bed of my truck almost 3.5" (I was surprised it was that much), rendering the front 1" higher than the rear. As a result, 1 out of every 5 vehicles flashed their brights at me (seriously, it had to have been over 100 cars!) thinking I had failed to dim my lights. I am not surprised by this given the brightness of these LEDs. Nevertheless, I can see that this will get old very fast!
Ford ... please consider installing auto-leveling headlights in the very near future!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: North of Salt Lake City
Airbags are in your future, which is great. If it's really bad like you say, you can just run parking lights and fog lights. Keep the driving lights off. Not perfect but no worse than the current regular headlights.
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Two thoughts:
1) So the new trucks have massive forward rake and they still need air bags to be level under load? Might as well lower the rear of the truck while you're installing your bags so that it sits level both empty and loaded. Wish Ford had an option for factory bags like Fiat.
2) Under which load condition do you suppose Ford aims the headlights? I would guess partially loaded (aka truck level), but this would mean that your throw is shortened when running around empty.
1) So the new trucks have massive forward rake and they still need air bags to be level under load? Might as well lower the rear of the truck while you're installing your bags so that it sits level both empty and loaded. Wish Ford had an option for factory bags like Fiat.
2) Under which load condition do you suppose Ford aims the headlights? I would guess partially loaded (aka truck level), but this would mean that your throw is shortened when running around empty.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
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From: Western New York
Another idea is the Torklift Stableload which pre-loads the helper springs for towing without as severe a squat. Just turn them on before hooking up.
Truck Camper Suspension - truck sway - truck sag - reduce camper roll | StableLoad
There is also a review of them and Mr. Truck
Truck Camper Suspension - truck sway - truck sag - reduce camper roll | StableLoad
There is also a review of them and Mr. Truck
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I am actually kind of glad it squats. I had to extend my pin box as far as it would go to get enough rail clearance (these beds are tall!), and it raised my trailer nose about 1" above level. If the truck didn't squat so much, I would need a massive trailer lift. It certainly is complicated to get the whole tow setup dialed in just right.
BTW, all great ideas, thanks ... but I'm still hoping the next gen will get auto leveling lights. After all, they need some new tech to break the $100k barrier.
BTW, all great ideas, thanks ... but I'm still hoping the next gen will get auto leveling lights. After all, they need some new tech to break the $100k barrier.
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From: N Alberta
On our '11 and '15s the headlight level was easily adjusted with a long shank phillips screwdriver. Whenever we hooked up to a trailer it was 3 or 5 turns left (or right?) depending on how much it squatted. Hopefully the '17s have a similar adjustment, although I agree auto levelling lights or suspension would be a better fix but a bit more money than keeping a screwdriver in the door.
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Another idea is the Torklift Stableload which pre-loads the helper springs for towing without as severe a squat. Just turn them on before hooking up.
Truck Camper Suspension - truck sway - truck sag - reduce camper roll | StableLoad
There is also a review of them and Mr. Truck
Truck Camper Suspension - truck sway - truck sag - reduce camper roll | StableLoad
There is also a review of them and Mr. Truck
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[QUOTE=Highjumper;16626396]...1 out of every 5 vehicles flashed their brights at me (seriously, it had to have been over 100 cars!) thinking I had failed to dim my lights. I am not surprised by this given the brightness of these LEDs. [/19392QUOTE]
Reminds me of guys in 1987 saying the same thing with the new Fords and the flush headlights and 9004 bulbs!
Reminds me of guys in 1987 saying the same thing with the new Fords and the flush headlights and 9004 bulbs!
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Hey Highjumper, I was reviewing this thread and just noticed...is your truck leveled? The photo in your sig looks leveled to me. If so, I suppose this (raising the nose) would contribute to your nose high attitude when towing.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
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From: Western New York
That is a good point. Those who level their trucks might already be classified as "annoying" even without a load unless the headlamps were re-adjusted as part of the modification. Hate those too bright inaccurately aimed low beams.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northern California
I was driving home the other night from work and a vehicle was coming up behind me and I was sure they had their bright lights on...well it was a F250 with the LED headlights blaring due to his bed being full of some stuff. The whole time I thought it was one of those people that use HID's in normal headlight housings. I agree ith Epic...air bags in your future.
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