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After 11,000 miles on my 2018 SD - PSD, and looking to validate the accuracy of all the information the truck can display, I don't think I expect gauge accuracy beyond what I have bench marked as "it's OK or I need to do something". When my DEF gauge reads a little over 1/2 full, I add 2.5 gal of Wally World juice. When my Fuel warning gauge says 50 miles to go, I know I have at least 70 (maybe more...), I buy fuel. My TPMS sensors read +/- 2-3 psi from my "high dollar" pressure gauge. My MPG meter calculates "high" (I hand calculate for my records). I guess my temp gauges are fairly accurate, and I have oil pressure. Particulate filter % - regen takes care of itself. I appreciate the heads up on the CEL triggered by the trailer tow circuit, as I use my SD almost exclusively for towing.
Hey, I was simply reporting what Ford service technicians told me. It seemed to make sense given what my DEF guage was indicating prior to them filling the DEF tank with what they claimed was 7 gallons. The service advisor also told me that the charge for the DEF would have been $34.93 had I not had the PMP. He was only corroborating the volume with the charge.
By the way, I did check my manual after the page number was pointed out. The DEF capacity is on page 430 in my manual, so I admit missing this and incorrectly reporting that the information was not there. MY BAD.
In all honesty and sincerity, it will not surprise me one bit if it turns out that my DEF tank volume is 7.4 gallons as indicated in the manual. This of course means that the service advisor was lying to me, which again is not a big surprise. And it will also mean that it was a DAMN GOOD THING I had the DEF refilled. Had my truck started misbehaving and only going 5mph when my truck told me “all was OK with the DEF, I would have been exceptionally pissed. It will also indicate that Ford engineers are incapable of building an accurate guage and float system for the DEF tank. This is a sad testament since gauges and float systems for liquid vessels (e.g. fuel tanks) have been around for an awful long time and work quite accurately in my 49 years of experience using them.
I will figure out which scenario is correct, what the volume of my DEF tank is and whether my DEF guage is accurate or unreliable. That you can count on. This is my FIRST Ford vehicle and my first go around with a Ford dealership service department. So far, the jury remains out. I do truly hope that the manual is wrong and the DEF guage on “my” truck is accurate and reliable. I will find out.
No big deal. Who are you going to believe? A bunch of knuckle-draggers that live on the Internet or your service advisor? Seriously, the service guys can be wrong on so many things. Guys are frequently coming here as a sounding board. "My service advisor said...", is a common way threads start. If I had a way to lock the cap on my DEF tank I would as I don't want ANYBODY touching it, especially the dipwads at the dealership.
The method to measure the level of the DEF tank changed with the 2017 model. It's not a simple system. One reason for that is that the DEF fluid can and will freeze. By comparison, the level reporting in my RV trailer's fresh water tank is horrible. I get empty, 1/3, 2/3 and full and I don't trust it that much. It makes my DEF tank gauge look like rocket science.
The truck won't go into limp mode until the DEF tank is a lot closer to empty. You would have to ignore the warning for quite a while.
After 11,000 miles on my 2018 SD - PSD, and looking to validate the accuracy of all the information the truck can display, I don't think I expect gauge accuracy beyond what I have bench marked as "it's OK or I need to do something". When my DEF gauge reads a little over 1/2 full, I add 2.5 gal of Wally World juice. When my Fuel warning gauge says 50 miles to go, I know I have at least 70 (maybe more...), I buy fuel. My TPMS sensors read +/- 2-3 psi from my "high dollar" pressure gauge. My MPG meter calculates "high" (I hand calculate for my records). I guess my temp gauges are fairly accurate, and I have oil pressure. Particulate filter % - regen takes care of itself. I appreciate the heads up on the CEL triggered by the trailer tow circuit, as I use my SD almost exclusively for towing.
I too have a high dollar tire gauge. What I ended up doing is figuring out how far off the gauge is from the TPMS sensor/system. Then I inflate the tires +/- that amount so that the dash readout is exactly what the sticker calls for. That way the dash number looks correct and I don't have to mentally adjust for it. For example, my prior truck's sensors were all 3 PSI under the target when I set the pressure according to my gauge. So the tire gauge would say 35 PSI when the dash read 32 PSI. So I aired up the tires to 38 PSI on the gauge and the dash read 35 PSI.
I can confirm that the truck is pretty damn smart when it comes to trailer light issues. My ATV trailer had one of the lights going out and the truck reported that. Replaced the lights on both sides (sealed units, no bulbs to replace) and no more dash warning. On my RV trailer the breakaway system got triggered due to something snagging the cable as I drove down the road. The truck sure knew there was a problem even though I could feel only a slight drag.
Nice truck and in the correct color too! That front landing gear looks like its pretty low. Any clearance issues?
Uh, you know, now that you mention it, it does look strange. I looked at other pics of my setup with my old trucks and camping trips, and some they seem lower, some not. Very strange. I will look at that closer when I hook up again. I didn't have any problems on this trip. But now you have me looking. Thanks...I think??
Well, I finally got the trailer out for a good run today. I had to get it inspected (Texas), so I figured I would take a small run with it to see how it handled without airbags (my last two trucks really benefited from the airbags). Good news. It pulled wonderfully. It still has a bit of the bounce, but recovers easy enough. And with the camper package on the truck adding an extra leaf, the truck actually levels out perfect. This was a trip of only about 40 miles (a quick trip up the road), but it gave me good roads (mix of concrete and pavement). So as of right now, I cannot justify the cost or need for airbags. Which is a good thing. I of course will get a better feel on a real trip, so wish me luck.
At the inspection place, waiting for the guy to come check my lights (the sum total of the "inspection).
Hey, I was simply reporting what Ford service technicians told me. It seemed to make sense given what my DEF guage was indicating prior to them filling the DEF tank with what they claimed was 7 gallons. The service advisor also told me that the charge for the DEF would have been $34.93 had I not had the PMP. He was only corroborating the volume with the charge.
By the way, I did check my manual after the page number was pointed out. The DEF capacity is on page 430 in my manual, so I admit missing this and incorrectly reporting that the information was not there. MY BAD.
In all honesty and sincerity, it will not surprise me one bit if it turns out that my DEF tank volume is 7.4 gallons as indicated in the manual. This of course means that the service advisor was lying to me, which again is not a big surprise. And it will also mean that it was a DAMN GOOD THING I had the DEF refilled. Had my truck started misbehaving and only going 5mph when my truck told me “all was OK with the DEF, I would have been exceptionally pissed. It will also indicate that Ford engineers are incapable of building an accurate guage and float system for the DEF tank. This is a sad testament since gauges and float systems for liquid vessels (e.g. fuel tanks) have been around for an awful long time and work quite accurately in my 49 years of experience using them.
I will figure out which scenario is correct, what the volume of my DEF tank is and whether my DEF guage is accurate or unreliable. That you can count on. This is my FIRST Ford vehicle and my first go around with a Ford dealership service department. So far, the jury remains out. I do truly hope that the manual is wrong and the DEF guage on “my” truck is accurate and reliable. I will find out.
. So for my first service I watched them do it from the window. The def fluid is not poured in by 2.5 gallon jugs, it was a 55 gallon drum. At first I was pissed because the tech filling it spilled all over the side of my truck and on the floor, he wasn't able to stop it quickly so it definitely over filled. Their not goin to charge you for what only made it in your truck but whatever was lost especially since it's a maintenance package vehicle. I also have the maintenance package so I wasn't worried about being charged. I also go over the papers very carefully just to make sure all what needs to be done was, and they had wrote they added 9 gallons of def. Which wouldn't fit in a 7.4 gallon tank. I'm just glad they wash my car for every service so no complaints.
This is EMC Towing and Service in New Caney TX. They have a lot where towed vehicles are stored that they let you drive through to turn around. It make it very convenient and easy.
This is EMC Towing and Service in New Caney TX. They have a lot where towed vehicles are stored that they let you drive through to turn around. It make it very convenient and easy.
Yep, that's where I get all my vehicles inspected. Great guys, been going there for ever. No matter if you need an oil change, tires or simple fixes.
Well, I finally got the trailer out for a good run today. I had to get it inspected (Texas), so I figured I would take a small run with it to see how it handled without airbags (my last two trucks really benefited from the airbags). Good news. It pulled wonderfully. It still has a bit of the bounce, but recovers easy enough. And with the camper package on the truck adding an extra leaf, the truck actually levels out perfect. This was a trip of only about 40 miles (a quick trip up the road), but it gave me good roads (mix of concrete and pavement). So as of right now, I cannot justify the cost or need for airbags. Which is a good thing. I of course will get a better feel on a real trip, so wish me luck.
At the inspection place, waiting for the guy to come check my lights (the sum total of the "inspection).
Nice looking rig! I'm curious if you have done anything to raise the 5th wheel or anything like that? My truck is supposed to be here any day and I am concerned as to how my 5er is going to fit over the bed. Looks like your truck sat down a bit and your rig is sitting a bit nose high....but not too bad at all. I sure hope mine works as well! Sitting level, My trailer is at 62.5 inches where it goes over the bed of the truck, and it seems as though most trucks are showing up with bed rail heights in the 58" to 59" range.
I didn't do a thing to my trailer, or my hitch. Which baffles me, knowing how much higher this truck sits than my 2011. I did of course have to raise the jacks on the trailer much higher to get to the hitch. But no adjustments to anything. As the camper came down on the hitch, it dropped about 2 inches (give or take 1/4"). But you can see it sits pretty perfect. I did notice yesterday backing into my driveway that the tailgate seems to get closer to the bottom of the trailer. I will have to watch that close next time I leave and return. I have a nasty rise from my driveway to street level. I would love to level it out, but I don't know how to make a "ramp" on a concrete driveway!
Yep, that's where I get all my vehicles inspected. Great guys, been going there for ever. No matter if you need an oil change, tires or simple fixes.
I've been taking my camper there since the inspections became mandatory. I take all my vehicles there also. But just inspections. I haven't had any other work done since I've been going there. Haven't needed to (knock on wood!!).
I didn't do a thing to my trailer, or my hitch. Which baffles me, knowing how much higher this truck sits than my 2011. I did of course have to raise the jacks on the trailer much higher to get to the hitch. But no adjustments to anything. As the camper came down on the hitch, it dropped about 2 inches (give or take 1/4"). But you can see it sits pretty perfect. I did notice yesterday backing into my driveway that the tailgate seems to get closer to the bottom of the trailer. I will have to watch that close next time I leave and return. I have a nasty rise from my driveway to street level. I would love to level it out, but I don't know how to make a "ramp" on a concrete driveway!
Well that makes me feel better. I'm coming from a 2012 and I hope it works out as well! By any chance, have to taken any measurements? Clearance between bed rails and bottom of RV - Bed rail height unhooked - Bottom of overhang (on RV, sitting level) height - and then, while hooked up...how much nose high is the rig? I am thinking I am, at least, going to have to take the 3" blocks out and replace them with 2" blocks....my trailer is already sitting over the axles.
Well that makes me feel better. I'm coming from a 2012 and I hope it works out as well! By any chance, have to taken any measurements? Clearance between bed rails and bottom of RV - Bed rail height unhooked - Bottom of overhang (on RV, sitting level) height - and then, while hooked up...how much nose high is the rig? I am thinking I am, at least, going to have to take the 3" blocks out and replace them with 2" blocks....my trailer is already sitting over the axles.
Sorry for all the questions.
No worries on the questions. Unfortunately, I am the world's worst at remembering this kind of stuff. I measured the before and after the first time I hooked up, but I can't remember the numbers. I just know it was around 2" on the squat. I was ready to get airbags to help with what I was sure was going to be an issue still, but I think with the leaf the camper package added, I will not need to. But I did nothing to either the trailer or truck. I just got the hitch in, backed up and hooked up. What you see is what it is. Below is a picture of the truck unloaded.Just so you can see it does ride a bit high in the rear. Just enough for the camper to level out.
That front landing gear looks like its pretty low. Any clearance issues?
