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Old Nov 1, 2023 | 11:20 AM
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F550 ride

How do the F550 ride compared to a F350? Ride quality, steering etc? Looking at several motorhomes that are based on a F550 or F600 chassis.

Thanks
 
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Old Nov 1, 2023 | 11:35 AM
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From: Itinerant
Originally Posted by johndeerefarmer
How do the F550 ride compared to a F350? Ride quality, steering etc? Looking at several motorhomes that are based on a F550 or F600 chassis.

Thanks
Comparing a motorhome ride with weight distributed throughout the entire length of vehicle to a work truck isn't apples to apples. I know the 3 F550s our crews use which are crew cabs with a 12' utilty bed suck if your in the back seat riding. These trucks weigh in near 12-13k #. Maybe someone elses mileage differs.

The F350s are much better because they're not so heavy duty suspension compared to the 550s.

Different animals for different tasks.
 
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Old Nov 1, 2023 | 02:26 PM
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Terrible if you are looking at it for a work truck, as it pertains to an RV, I would think better, as stated, due to the weight distribution, I would definitely drive one to experience it. Also, as I found out, unfortunately the 450/550's are detuned IIRC to 330hp compared to 475 for others, it is very noticeable when pulling grades, you're pretty much stuck at 50mph.
 
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Old Nov 1, 2023 | 03:26 PM
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The more weight on the back, the better it will ride.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 07:33 AM
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Hi are you going to insure a motorhome on an f-550?

every insurance company I called said 15k gvwr is their limit and a low end f-550 is 16k gvwr.


typical f-550’s are 19k gvwr to 22k gvwr

 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 08:09 AM
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Originally Posted by speakerfritz
Hi are you going to insure a motorhome on an f-550?

every insurance company I called said 15k gvwr is their limit and a low end f-550 is 16k gvwr.


typical f-550’s are 19k gvwr to 22k gvwr
Haven't gotten that far yet. How can their limit be 15k? who insures all of the diesel pushers that you see on the road?

quick search shows lots of companies: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/dies...ce-481691.html
 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Pickupmanx2
Terrible if you are looking at it for a work truck, as it pertains to an RV, I would think better, as stated, due to the weight distribution, I would definitely drive one to experience it. Also, as I found out, unfortunately the 450/550's are detuned IIRC to 330hp compared to 475 for others, it is very noticeable when pulling grades, you're pretty much stuck at 50mph.
50mph won't do. We plan on towing a SxS on a trailer so tow weight around 5k. We go up Raton Pass multiple times per year
 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by johndeerefarmer
50mph won't do. We plan on towing a SxS on a trailer so tow weight around 5k. We go up Raton Pass multiple times per year
Not sure if that's across the board, but in my '22 F550XL CC/4x/6.7 that's where I'm at towing... of course my Sno-cat probably weighs a tad more than a sxs, about 10-12k# I'm figuring, and yes, 50mph absolutely sucks, I thought something was wrong with it the first time I went up a long grade my '15 3500/cummins would just cruise up like nothing... I'm hoping the Banks Derringer will cure that a bit when they finally come out with it for the 550's. Empty, well, not towing, I can keep up with traffic and run 76mph max up most grades, granted, that is with a 10' utility bed and 2 - 100gal diesel tanks GVW being about 14k+
I can't speak to whether all are this way, but I have read and heard that all 450/550 chassis cabs are detuned and speed limited, your results may vary
 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 11:01 AM
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F550 empty is rough, better have an air ride seat in most F trucks above a 450. We drove a F750 empty and my teeth nearly rattled out.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Pickupmanx2
I can't speak to whether all are this way, but I have read and heard that all 450/550 chassis cabs are detuned and speed limited, your results may vary
the detuning goes all the way down to the F350 CC.

https://www.ford.com/commercial-truc...odels/f350-xl/

"330 HP @ 2,200 rpm | 950 TQ @ 1,800 rpm (6.7L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel)"
 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 03:50 PM
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You're probably going to have more luck in the camping forum than here, most guys here have trucks for work, you're asking about an RV which is about like asking if an apple tastes like an orange, both are round but that's where the buck stops. Why not go and test drive one and see yourself, what one person thinks isn't a rough ride may be a rough ride to someone else. I don't think my F250 rides harsh but I've driven others around that thought it was the worst riding vehicle they've ever ridden in, different strokes for different folks. My parents have a smaller RV built on an F450 platform I believe, it's not a diesel but its a V10 gasser. They've not mentioned it riding rough but they've also not put a ton of miles on it either.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by johndeerefarmer
Haven't gotten that far yet. How can their limit be 15k? who insures all of the diesel pushers that you see on the road?

quick search shows lots of companies: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f59/dies...ce-481691.html
As you'll find, most guys will pipe in and talk rubbish. Don't have a clue as to what they're talking about.

Since when was 950tq a bad thing?

I have a fleet of Ford vehicles that ranges from transits to 750s. While true the commercial line of engines are" derated" to 330HP, and torque to 950, they will move you. My DD is a 17 with only 300HP and +300 miles, and my gross is often 45 to 50 thousand pounds. It climbs the grades. Just that somebody else will probably clear it 3 seconds ahead of me.

My GVW is 18000, in and rides very well. Contrary to what was said above, max GVW is 19.5, in those are a rougher riding truck, the back likes to kick. I have a few of those.

 
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Old Nov 2, 2023 | 11:33 PM
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From: Chaz
Ram doesn’t derate their 4500/5500 diesels. Since its personal recreational I would also look at them.


The ride should be ok since it will probably be near gvwr. May want to throw some good shocks on it.


Also the 450 can be derated to 15,000.
 
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Old Nov 3, 2023 | 01:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Joe T
Ram doesn’t derate their 4500/5500 diesels. Since its personal recreational I would also look at them.


The ride should be ok since it will probably be near gvwr. May want to throw some good shocks on it.


Also the 450 can be derated to 15,000.
Admittedly, pay much attention to Ram, since when did they stop the "derated"?

 
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Old Nov 3, 2023 | 08:18 AM
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Does the 6.7 in the F550 have the 10 speed? If so you would think it would move right along?
 
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