First big trip
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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First big trip
First trip with my 2017 F350 PSD
7500 miles, 23 campgrounds and some of the steepest passes in Colorado. The truck was flawless. Towing a Heartland Bighorn +/- 14,500 lbs.
I added Timbren springs before the trip (also had them in my Duramax 3500 that I traded). In short, there is no comparison between the two trucks. Ride quality, towing performance flawless. Suspension with 2900 lb pin weight didn't even squat to the helper springs.
Because of the high sidewalls and tailgate I had to move my Curt Q25 to the highest setting but that is perfect.
A bit disappointed with mpg while towing...about 10.2 seems average at highway speeds of 65ish. I also thought that this truck used more def than my 2011 Chevrolet, but could be wrong.
My truck suffers from the fueltank tsb, and that was a pain, but will soon be fixed.
For some reason, the driver display always starts with the towing screen ...is that a bug of sorts?
7500 miles, 23 campgrounds and some of the steepest passes in Colorado. The truck was flawless. Towing a Heartland Bighorn +/- 14,500 lbs.
I added Timbren springs before the trip (also had them in my Duramax 3500 that I traded). In short, there is no comparison between the two trucks. Ride quality, towing performance flawless. Suspension with 2900 lb pin weight didn't even squat to the helper springs.
Because of the high sidewalls and tailgate I had to move my Curt Q25 to the highest setting but that is perfect.
A bit disappointed with mpg while towing...about 10.2 seems average at highway speeds of 65ish. I also thought that this truck used more def than my 2011 Chevrolet, but could be wrong.
My truck suffers from the fueltank tsb, and that was a pain, but will soon be fixed.
For some reason, the driver display always starts with the towing screen ...is that a bug of sorts?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,628
Likes: 4,711
From: Itinerant
7,500 miles with no breakdowns sounds like a great trip! These mountain passes aren't that big of a challenge pulling heavier loads now it's almost like "set it and forget it" with the cruise control. 
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17
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Leaving on Sunday for our first trip with the Ford and pulling our Bighorn 3760. We also traded in our 2015 Chevy 3500 DRW. We have done a "test tow" around the storage lot to check everything. Our's also shows the towing screen when started. I would like to know why that is.
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Joined: Oct 2017
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This gives me hope as we are about to purchase a large 5er with only a SRW 350 PSD.
Straight from FORD: (I am a Ford Technician)
46507 2015–2017 F-150/2017 F-Super Duty - Instrument Cluster Information Screen Defaults To Trailer Tow Set Up Every Key Cycle With No Trailer Attached
Some 2015-2017 F-150, 2017 F-Super Duty vehicles may have concerns where the instrument cluster defaults back to the trailer tow setup screen every key cycle with no trailer attached. Refer to the Information Display section of the Owner’sManual or the following steps to correct this concern. Type 1 and 2 Cluster small display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing and press OK, select Trailer Options and press OK, choose Select Trailer and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK. Type 3 Cluster large display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing tab, select Trailer Setup and press OK, then press OK to enter Trailer Options, select Change Trailer Selected and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03-APRIL-2017
Straight from FORD: (I am a Ford Technician)
46507 2015–2017 F-150/2017 F-Super Duty - Instrument Cluster Information Screen Defaults To Trailer Tow Set Up Every Key Cycle With No Trailer Attached
Some 2015-2017 F-150, 2017 F-Super Duty vehicles may have concerns where the instrument cluster defaults back to the trailer tow setup screen every key cycle with no trailer attached. Refer to the Information Display section of the Owner’sManual or the following steps to correct this concern. Type 1 and 2 Cluster small display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing and press OK, select Trailer Options and press OK, choose Select Trailer and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK. Type 3 Cluster large display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing tab, select Trailer Setup and press OK, then press OK to enter Trailer Options, select Change Trailer Selected and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03-APRIL-2017
New User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
This gives me hope as we are about to purchase a large 5er with our SRW 350. I really don't want to drive a dually everyday, but if we need to I will have to do it I suppose.
As per Ford: ( I am a Ford Technician BTW)
46507 2015–2017 F-150/2017 F-Super Duty - Instrument Cluster Information Screen Defaults To Trailer Tow Set Up Every Key Cycle With No Trailer Attached
Some 2015-2017 F-150, 2017 F-Super Duty vehicles may have concerns where the instrument cluster defaults back to the trailer tow setup screen every key cycle with no trailer attached. Refer to the Information Display section of the Owner’sManual or the following steps to correct this concern. Type 1 and 2 Cluster small display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing and press OK, select Trailer Options and press OK, choose Select Trailer and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK. Type 3 Cluster large display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing tab, select Trailer Setup and press OK, then press OK to enter Trailer Options, select Change Trailer Selected and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03-APRIL-2017
As per Ford: ( I am a Ford Technician BTW)
46507 2015–2017 F-150/2017 F-Super Duty - Instrument Cluster Information Screen Defaults To Trailer Tow Set Up Every Key Cycle With No Trailer Attached
Some 2015-2017 F-150, 2017 F-Super Duty vehicles may have concerns where the instrument cluster defaults back to the trailer tow setup screen every key cycle with no trailer attached. Refer to the Information Display section of the Owner’sManual or the following steps to correct this concern. Type 1 and 2 Cluster small display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing and press OK, select Trailer Options and press OK, choose Select Trailer and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK. Type 3 Cluster large display – Use the information display controls on the steering wheel and the information display menu. Navigate to Towing tab, select Trailer Setup and press OK, then press OK to enter Trailer Options, select Change Trailer Selected and press OK, finally select No Active Trailer and press OK.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03-APRIL-2017
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2017
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Leaving on Sunday for our first trip with the Ford and pulling our Bighorn 3760. We also traded in our 2015 Chevy 3500 DRW. We have done a "test tow" around the storage lot to check everything. Our's also shows the towing screen when started. I would like to know why that is.
And I just found the issue with the tow screen. You have to go into your tow settings and select "no active trailer".
You're really going to like this truck for towing. I set my cruise control and put the exhaust break to "auto" and towing 11000 ft mountain passes was like driving on the freeway.
Also fyi, I changed the oil to the mandatory 5-40 before the trip. Still no change oil message. Nice.
Safe trip!
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New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17
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Just completed the first trip with the F350 DRW and the fifth wheel.
Thanks for the advice on the bed rail height. I looked at that and will lift the hitch in the truck and on the fifth wheel if I can.
The fuel mileage surprised me, it was less than I expected. I thought the Chevy did a little better. I do have the 48 gallon tank so I am sure we will be ok, maybe some sticker shock when I have to put 40 gallons in it. I drove about 65ish most of the way. After getting used to some new noises, it towed great. I was very impressed with how the truck did.
We started off with the Temps in the mid 30's. About an hour into the trip we ran into wet snow and rain. To top it off we both just got new bifocals. New glasses, new truck, semi new fifth wheel, and bad weather, retirement is great!
Thanks for the advice on the bed rail height. I looked at that and will lift the hitch in the truck and on the fifth wheel if I can.
The fuel mileage surprised me, it was less than I expected. I thought the Chevy did a little better. I do have the 48 gallon tank so I am sure we will be ok, maybe some sticker shock when I have to put 40 gallons in it. I drove about 65ish most of the way. After getting used to some new noises, it towed great. I was very impressed with how the truck did.
We started off with the Temps in the mid 30's. About an hour into the trip we ran into wet snow and rain. To top it off we both just got new bifocals. New glasses, new truck, semi new fifth wheel, and bad weather, retirement is great!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
Krazyhorse, your mpg is the norm while towing for us. The def useage....it will use a lot more while towing and on quality/cetane of fuel you get. I know fuel at truck stops are not the best.
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