curious what the hellwig is like. i don’t like how the bigwig attaches on my gm, hence the reason why wanting one from the factory

 

Please post part number and information when you get it. I would like to do the same thing.

 

I have only had factory in past since they all came with camper package. From what I understand the hellwig is more heavyduty, so that is why I was leaning toward the hellwig.

 

Part number 7736, for 2017 350 4x4 SRW. Information is on www.hellwigproducts.com

 

Any idea WHY?

 

Thank you

 

The 20" wheels are rated to handle the same load as the 18's. However, they aren't rated to handle the lateral force imposed by a top heavy load like a truck camper.

 

Thanks! Answers that...

 

Since I use a truck camper I have given much thought to this theory and although I do not doubt its validity I would propose a different reasoning. Please point out any error in my thinking, Rodney. Taking a turn or curve with a truck camper does not impose huge lateral forces on the vehicle at the ground level. The lateral forces are much higher up and they create lean and would cause substantial transfer of weight to the outside wheels and in my feeble thinking the load is a vertical increase much more than lateral. A lateral load would be more of plate steel or a load of bricks in the same corner. But I am not a mechanical engineer by any means, just someone who has been around and studied the effects of high and low loads on the performance and handling of vehicles for many years.

I do not mind the 18" wheels but I am looking for a higher level of support to the ground. In consideration is the Michelin M+S LT 295x70rx18's. Load rating is 4080 lbs each which is 600 lbs over stock. If the tires are indeed the weak point in the sticker ratings this would theoretically increase MGW by 2400 pounds. Yes I understand there are other limiting factors but I like the margin of safety for a high center of gravity up to 4000 pound load (maybe more with a 65 gallon Titan fuel tank).

 

Ras, your think is correct except you are missing a component. Its the fulcrum-lever effect. At the axle level the lateral forces are on a 180 plane. But as the CoG raises it alters the angle and now you have the multiplication of leverage and now with a camper installed has really raised the CoG. Bear in mind the wheels are on a fixed plane (axle) and they cannot lean into the curves.

 

That makes total sense and I understand what you explained. But that being said is not the lateral force of the 4000 pound brick load also applying an uneven force to the wheel? Although a more lateral moment I do not see a dramatic difference enough to warrant the exclusion of a 1" greater radius wheel. Yes it may be somewhat less but there also is no restriction on stacking hay bales up 12 feet high or any other load or equipment. Should there not be a warning regarding the vertical COG if purchasing the 20" wheels? If anything, the inclusion of the anti sway bar would be a positive effect. Just musing while waiting.

 

Wish forums had a white board feature...

Looking at an axle-wheel set you see the 180 plane. Above that is a point at which you CoG and for our purposes lets say the vertical CoG is 12 in above the plane of the axle. Slide in a TC with full tanks etc and lets say it raises it another 18 in. you can measure the angles, but here the gotcha, driving around a corner at x speed and the corner from a hairpin to a long sweeper, now compute lateral weight transfer.

While (I think) the 20 wheel vs 18 is only 1 in radius and given the wheel-tire height remains the same (?) the stresses are on the wheel itself. My bet is the wheel is rated at x vertical load and x lateral load.

Add in possible lawsuit and you have your answer.

Speaking of the answer, you have it: Swaybar. I installed the Hellwig BIG WIG on my dually front and rear and WOW the difference is nothing short of amazing. But I drive a lot of ranch roads here in Texas and they are a motorcycle riders dream. Most of them were put in to work around ranches, creeks and rivers. [ Our school districts are based upon creeks and rivers, not city limits or county lines]

A set of "StableLoads" and the Big Wig's makes my dually feel more like a sports car than a truck...


I don't think the f350 SRW comes with a swaybar, so I will need to figure that out.

 

I wish I could add more. I'm quoting what I was told by an engineer from Ford (same kind of job as MediumDan) back when I ordered my 2009 and was wondering the same thing. He went by PowerstrokeHD here on FTE and was a FANTASTIC asset to the forums years back. He lost his job at Ford. I hope Dan didn't get in trouble posting here...

 

I ordered the camper package and will try Fords anti swaybar again. I had replaced the factory bar on my '01 with a BigWig and it made some difference, but the ride also got harsher. I am ordering the Stable Loads this week (unchanged from the 2016) so they will be here when the new truck gets in and also the Tork Lift camper tie downs. Just got the new part numbers this morning although they won't be in the books for a while. I am hoping to not have to add air bags between the combination of heavier springs and the Stable Loads to keep the camper upright.

 

It does if you order the camper package. If you have 20's and are procluded from the camper pkg., you can easily add it after the sale.