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  1. #1
    Fireside Member tent2tt's Avatar
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    F-150 Aluminum Body- Any Noticeable Change as Compared to Earlier F-150's

    Our current TV is a 2012 F-150 and thinking about trading for a 2017 model. I am concerned about the lighter truck and how it does with sway control. The specs show they can pull mode and they have more payload capacity but they are overall lighter. Does anyone have any experience using the older F-150 and then the new aluminum body F-150?
    2018 F150 4x4 3.5 ECO 3.55
    2017 Imagine 2500RL, Fastway E2 10K Hitch

  2. #2
    Fireside Member Scout27's Avatar
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    I have a 2016 f-150 and tow an Imagine 2500RL like yours. No sway problems using a 10K Equalizer hitch. I really can't imagine that a few hundred pounds lighter truck would have any effect. In other words, get the truck you desire. The 2500RL is well within tow weights for any half ton pickup.
    2017 Imagine 2500RL
    2016 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew 4x4 5.0 V8 3.55

  3. #3
    Left The Driveway
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    The max tow actually went up 1000 lbs on the 2018 F150 although the cargo capacity remains the same. Captured this from a review - Ford actually cranked up the 3.5-liter F-150's maximum trailer weight for 2018 by increasing the frame gage in the rear, thickening the frame’s mid-rails, beefing up the rear axle tubes and shafts, and revising the steering gear to meet SAE sway requirements. The result is a max tow rating of 13,200 pounds—1,000 pounds more than last year.

    The max tow on a Super Crew Cab with 5 ft bed is actually listed at 12,700
    http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/2018...s/f150-lariat/ We were looking at the 2500RL too, although the 2670MK is also in the running, but would probably move up to the 6 ft bed which adds an extra 200 lb cargo capacity in the 4x2 config to tow that one, .

  4. #4
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    tent2tt - I have a 2014 heavy payload F150 and have a good friend who tows a similar size (not GDRV) 5th wheel with a newer aluminum F150. His is also a heavy payload version. We have closely compared the two trucks and they both seem to be equally capable. Note . . . these are heavy payload versions with heavier rear suspension and LT tires, so a little different than yours.

    At a specs level, the 700 lb change from steel to aluminum was split between GVWR and payload. (Talking Ecoboost 4x4 crew cabs) The GVWR went down 400 lbs (from 8200 to 7800) and the payload went up 300 (from 2300 to 2600). The main reason for this seems to be so that they can now use standard wheels on the heavy payload package rather than the special 7 lug wheels needed with the steel body version. You can now get 18" LT wheels and tires . . . which look a little better than the 17" which were the only option with the steel body.

    If you are thinking of a new F150, you might want to consider a heavy payload Ecoboost truck to make towing even easier.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
    2015 Reflection 303RLS

  5. #5
    Long Hauler
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    I rented one of the aluminum F150's from Enterprise when my F250 went into a diesel shop in Atlanta for a day. I had a chance to put the pedal to the metal on a downhill mountain grade up to 90 mph with the 5.0 Coyote engine. It was downright fast. I'd hate to think how fast the newest 3.5 Ecoboost with the 10 speed automatic.

    Ford really pulled a coup with the new model F150--leaving the competition in the dust. Now, they're sinking a few more nails in the competition's coffins by doing a 2 year front end redesign even though it wasn't needed.

    It'll be interesting to see how much of GM's next generation truck (next year) is aluminum. Their present truck already has some aluminum body parts (they won't admit.) And the new model Ram pickup is also coming.

    It's just such a competitive retail market--like there's never been before. Too bad the pricing is just about out of the affordability of the common working man.

  6. #6
    Seasoned Camper Ruach-Elisha's Avatar
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    I have used aluminum and steel F150's and overall like the aluminum better. I love my aluminum f350 as well.
    R. H. & Jessica, Virginia http://blog.borderlinechaos.com/wp-c...dStatesMap.gif
    2017 Momentum 350m 5th Wheeler, B&W Companion 18k hitch
    2017 Ford F350 6.7L Powerstroke, SRW, 4x4, Long Bed

  7. #7
    Rolling Along johndeerefarmer's Avatar
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    I had '11 and '13 F150's and had a '16 and now a '17 aluminum F150. All were max tow, 18" LT tires and 157" WB. Without a doubt the older steel trucks rode better and wind affected them less. Not towing, lighter winds than before blow me around on the road. Add a bumper pull trailer and it's worse than before as well.
    I just ordered a Reflection 220rk as towing my 29rs in the Texas winds blows me and my F150 all over the road. I am hoping the 5' shorter 220rk will make quite a bit of difference in that.

    Dropping the weight helped with fuel economy slightly but not as much as the 10 speed did. I would have preferred that Ford kept the steel body.
    Donald AKA johndeerefarmer
    2020 Ford F350 Powerstroke diesel
    2017 F150 ecoboost max tow
    2016 Reflection 29RS VIN# 573FR322XG3305717

  8. #8
    Site Sponsor
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    I have the 2016 F-150 with the 3.5 eco boost. I am pulling a 2018 2500RL, for about a month. No problem at all with power speed or stability.

  9. #9
    Seasoned Camper
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    The 3.5L Ecoboost is completely new and stronger, plus produces 50 more ft/lbs of torque. A friend who has one with the 10-speed is delighted with it and this is his 4th Ecoboost.
    2015 Ford F350 SRW CrewCab SB 6.7 PSD, Andersen Ultimate fifth wheel hitch
    2012 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde pin box, 300w of solar
    1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps, RVN

  10. #10
    New Member
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    Just bought the 10k Equilateral Dist/anti sway. I have same truck and camper as yourself. Any tricks I should know when setting up the hitch? Thx.

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