2017+ SD Towing Pictures!
#226
03-14-2018, 12:11 AM
I want a 450. I drove one initially before the new Superduty came out at the Ford drive event and ended up ordering a SRW 350. I drove a F450 in Bakersfield, CA. last week and couldn't believe the turning radius with the wide track front-end. That thing is awesome! Turns tighter than my SB350 or sure seems like it does. I don't see why anyone needing a dually wouldn't go ahead and get the 450 over the DRW350 with the bigger brakes, etc., etc., but I suppose everyone's needs are different. One thing I didn't care for was the way it wandered on the highway but I think the truck I drove had an alignment issue. My SRW 350 pulls EVERYTHING I've put behind it just fine even nearly twice it's rating at times and for the most part the engine braking stops it impressively well but I have had those moments when I'm loaded heavy and get cut off or have an emergency braking situation where the larger brakes of the 450 would've helped. I've puckered a few times in hard braking situations and that's not a good feeling. I really need the added extra tow rating as well as the ability to put more weight on my drive axle. As it is, even the lightest thing I tow, my Cyclone 4005, overloads that axle with a hitch weight of 3450. One thing I did notice on the test drive of the F450 was the lack of get up & go of the 4:30 gears as compared to the 3:55's when not towing-still impressive but not nearly as much as the 3:55's.
#227
03-14-2018, 09:22 PM
#228
03-14-2018, 10:40 PM
#229
03-15-2018, 12:48 AM
Tuned
I delivered a 2016 F450 from Fairbanks, AK to Green Bay, WI the summer before last. Loaded 1200 pounds of sand bags in the bed before I left. The US and Canadian border agents thought I was crazy, but it was worth the $120 in sand to provide a better ride. Left town after work on Wednesday evening and covered 3900 miles in 99.5 hours, then hopped on a plane Monday morning and back to work that afternoon. Was a rough week.
#231
03-17-2018, 12:01 AM
I want a 450. I drove one initially before the new Superduty came out at the Ford drive event and ended up ordering a SRW 350. I drove a F450 in Bakersfield, CA. last week and couldn't believe the turning radius with the wide track front-end. That thing is awesome! Turns tighter than my SB350 or sure seems like it does. I don't see why anyone needing a dually wouldn't go ahead and get the 450 over the DRW350 with the bigger brakes, etc., etc., but I suppose everyone's needs are different. One thing I didn't care for was the way it wandered on the highway but I think the truck I drove had an alignment issue. My SRW 350 pulls EVERYTHING I've put behind it just fine even nearly twice it's rating at times and for the most part the engine braking stops it impressively well but I have had those moments when I'm loaded heavy and get cut off or have an emergency braking situation where the larger brakes of the 450 would've helped. I've puckered a few times in hard braking situations and that's not a good feeling. I really need the added extra tow rating as well as the ability to put more weight on my drive axle. As it is, even the lightest thing I tow, my Cyclone 4005, overloads that axle with a hitch weight of 3450. One thing I did notice on the test drive of the F450 was the lack of get up & go of the 4:30 gears as compared to the 3:55's when not towing-still impressive but not nearly as much as the 3:55's.
#233
03-17-2018, 08:01 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: SF Bay Area
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#234
03-18-2018, 08:24 AM
You will like your Grand Design. It's not perfect just like all RV's but It tows well and doesn't seem to bounce around like my '11 Keystone Cougar on rough highway. Just make sure you do a good PDI when you take delivery of your new RV. Have the dealer hook up water and electric. Take a tester with you to check all the outlets and run all your faucets and flush the toilet. Afterwards check the basement area for any leaks. I say this because our first camping trip with our Grand design, I had a puddle of water sitting in the front compartment/basement after showering. I spent a couple hours at the campground removing the wall that hides all the plumbing to figure out what was leaking. Turned out the shower faucet was the culprit. Luckily it was a weekend trip, so we used the shower house for the remaining trip.
#240
03-18-2018, 02:20 PM
