Bed tilted/crooked?
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
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Bed tilted/crooked?
Okay so this is bugging me. The drivers side/rear of my long bed is lower than the passenger side to the point the bed looks tilted/crooked from the rear. I measured the distance from the ground to the top of the rear fender wheel well and its lower on the drivers side. With a full tank of gas its 1/2 inch lower.
So I thought maybe its the weight of a full tank of diesel 48 gallons. So now I'm down to about 2/3 tank full and last night I measured it and its 1 inch different backed into my garage on fairly flat pavement. Anyone else have this issue? Any ideas on how that's even possible on a truck sprung this heavy? F350.
The distance from the ground to the top of the fender wheel well on the front is even on both sides.
So I thought maybe its the weight of a full tank of diesel 48 gallons. So now I'm down to about 2/3 tank full and last night I measured it and its 1 inch different backed into my garage on fairly flat pavement. Anyone else have this issue? Any ideas on how that's even possible on a truck sprung this heavy? F350.
The distance from the ground to the top of the fender wheel well on the front is even on both sides.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
Okay so this is bugging me. The drivers side/rear of my long bed is lower than the passenger side to the point the bed looks tilted/crooked from the rear. I measured the distance from the ground to the top of the rear fender wheel well and its lower on the drivers side. With a full tank of gas its 1/2 inch lower.
So I thought maybe its the weight of a full tank of diesel 48 gallons. So now I'm down to about 2/3 tank full and last night I measured it and its 1 inch different backed into my garage on fairly flat pavement. Anyone else have this issue? Any ideas on how that's even possible on a truck sprung this heavy? F350.
The distance from the ground to the top of the fender wheel well on the front is even on both sides.
So I thought maybe its the weight of a full tank of diesel 48 gallons. So now I'm down to about 2/3 tank full and last night I measured it and its 1 inch different backed into my garage on fairly flat pavement. Anyone else have this issue? Any ideas on how that's even possible on a truck sprung this heavy? F350.
The distance from the ground to the top of the fender wheel well on the front is even on both sides.
I would love to see a photo that shows this sag on the driver's side? None of the new trucks I have seen appear to have this issue, including mine.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
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All trucks of all makes are affected by this to some degree, fuel tank, bed weight, where it is parked ect.
What you do depends on how fussy you are.
No way I would let the boys at the dealer try to "solve" this problem on my new truck.
What you do depends on how fussy you are.
No way I would let the boys at the dealer try to "solve" this problem on my new truck.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
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From: Western New York
My 2001 has always leaned to the left. I replaced the front springs a couple of years ago and had part of it shimmed out but the culprit is in the rear shim pack. Turns out there was and advisory back then about the issue, which is really a non-issue except for appearance. It was not caused by the fuel tank and I never found an explanation, other than to shim the left rear springs to correct it. There was also an advisory to shim the entire rear axle on the F250 to change the angle in order to eliminate the driveline vibration between 57 and 65MPH. Had to do with the alignment of the transmission yoke with the differential yoke. I used the vibration like the massaging seats of today.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
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I'm still waiting to hear if someone elses F350 long bed leans as mine does. Assuming this is not the weight of the fuel tank, either the rear leaf spring on that side is weak in comparison to the right or the frame is twisted. I have owned 4 previous trucks, none had beds out of whack like this.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
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From: Western New York
I'm still waiting to hear if someone elses F350 long bed leans as mine does. Assuming this is not the weight of the fuel tank, either the rear leaf spring on that side is weak in comparison to the right or the frame is twisted. I have owned 4 previous trucks, none had beds out of whack like this.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2016
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Tilted Bed
This might be an early production issue that will have an eventual adjustment to the production line. It is these types of "teething pains" that are common for any new vehicle being just begun in its production life. The Previous generation Super Duty trucks had minor flaws with fit and finish at the start of the run back in 1998-2000 and then on through the rest of the run until 2016. I think you should raise a fuss with the dealer and when they stonewall you, immediately request a meeting with the zone manager. Ford wil appreciate that you show them the flaw so it will be fixed sooner rather than later. Don't be put off by the dealer. Go right up the ladder and find the district and zone representatives and strongly state your concerns!
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
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Update:
1. I took my tape measure with me into town. First measurement was at the gas station. The concrete was lower front/right for drainage. Left rear measured 1/8th inch higher than right (vs .5 to .75 lower at home). This told me this truck is sensitive to pavement level in the front which will raise or dip the rear corner of the truck. Perhaps due to the stiffer frame?
2. I put 18 gallons of diesel in the truck, topping off the tank. Rather than lower the left rear it actually raised up 1/8 inch higher which was the opposite of what I expected. So much for the theory that the fuel is weighing down that side of the truck.
3. I then measured in a parking lot in front of Walmart on what appeared to be fairly level blacktop. The left rear was again lower, .75 inch lower than the right.
So perhaps there is some bias built in, a typical road that slopes left to right would mostly level the truck as like the gas station the front right tire would be lower than the left.
1. I took my tape measure with me into town. First measurement was at the gas station. The concrete was lower front/right for drainage. Left rear measured 1/8th inch higher than right (vs .5 to .75 lower at home). This told me this truck is sensitive to pavement level in the front which will raise or dip the rear corner of the truck. Perhaps due to the stiffer frame?
2. I put 18 gallons of diesel in the truck, topping off the tank. Rather than lower the left rear it actually raised up 1/8 inch higher which was the opposite of what I expected. So much for the theory that the fuel is weighing down that side of the truck.
3. I then measured in a parking lot in front of Walmart on what appeared to be fairly level blacktop. The left rear was again lower, .75 inch lower than the right.
So perhaps there is some bias built in, a typical road that slopes left to right would mostly level the truck as like the gas station the front right tire would be lower than the left.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
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The issue simply is that these trucks are heavier on the left side than the right, and the spring rates are the exact same on the left and right. This means the left side will always be lower. At times it may appear to be low in the front left and other times it will be low in the rear left. You will never see it low on the right side. Swapping the springs side to side makes no difference, since the spring rates are the same.
The only solution is heavier springs on the left side, or spring spacers/shims on the left side. My 2006 currently has 7,500 lb coils in the front and a add-a-leaf in the rear. I still had to add two 1/4" spacers above the front left coil to get it close to level side to side. The rear is fine.
The only solution is heavier springs on the left side, or spring spacers/shims on the left side. My 2006 currently has 7,500 lb coils in the front and a add-a-leaf in the rear. I still had to add two 1/4" spacers above the front left coil to get it close to level side to side. The rear is fine.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
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From: NH
skanj0, I don't agree. I've had 5 Super Dutys now including this 2017, and every one of them has sat level. I'm as **** as it gets on this stuff...I can just sit and stare at these things. A 1.5" difference is very noticeable and not right.
These trucks are pretty well balanced. A full 48 gallon tank and a full DEF tank does add about 410lbs to the right side of the trucks. Maybe the plastic fuel and DEF tank adds another 30 lbs. Call it 450 lbs on the left side. But the right side includes the entire exhaust system from the engine back. The DOC, SCR, and DPF system combined with 18 feet of 4" steel pipe is very heavy. Maybe not 450lbs, but at least 200. But at 1/2 tank of fuel and full DEF, that side only weighs 235lbs...or nearly equal to the other side. So at least at 1/2 fuel load it should be level. Mine is level at full fuel load, but it is a dually and has much stiffer springing. However, my previous 4 Super Duty's all set level with a full fuel and DEF load and they were CCSB models.
These trucks are pretty well balanced. A full 48 gallon tank and a full DEF tank does add about 410lbs to the right side of the trucks. Maybe the plastic fuel and DEF tank adds another 30 lbs. Call it 450 lbs on the left side. But the right side includes the entire exhaust system from the engine back. The DOC, SCR, and DPF system combined with 18 feet of 4" steel pipe is very heavy. Maybe not 450lbs, but at least 200. But at 1/2 tank of fuel and full DEF, that side only weighs 235lbs...or nearly equal to the other side. So at least at 1/2 fuel load it should be level. Mine is level at full fuel load, but it is a dually and has much stiffer springing. However, my previous 4 Super Duty's all set level with a full fuel and DEF load and they were CCSB models.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,824
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From: Boise
My friends new CCLB sits totally level, I just checked. I think it could be possible that your truck got one F250 leaf pack mixed in?... I'm pretty sure the 250-350 springs rate are different, or at least they once were. Maybe you can read a part number on their and compare it to others.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2016
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I had a 1994 F150 that, when I looked at the tailgate through the rear view mirror, it visually looked tilted. It was an unnerving feeling that I never quite got over until I replaced the truck. Similar to having a picture on the wall that doesn't hang straight. Maybe it is an OCPD thing. All the other trucks I've owned I never had the same feeling. If it gives you a niggling feeling, better to get it fixed than live with it. Not worth it.
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2016
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I had a 1994 F150 that, when I looked at the tailgate through the rear view mirror, it visually looked tilted. It was an unnerving feeling that I never quite got over until I replaced the truck. Similar to having a picture on the wall that doesn't hang straight. Maybe it is an OCPD thing. All the other trucks I've owned I never had the same feeling. If it gives you a niggling feeling, better to get it fixed than live with it. Not worth it.