2015 F550 vs 2019 F550

[HDrider]

Originally Posted by Jshopes81

As far as that exhaust brake, apparently to my suprise, if you decided to get an aftermarket tuner (like an sct livewire that can monitor as well) there are companies that can write custom tunes for the truck. They can write these tunes to include an exhaust brake. It works by closing the veins in the turbo. The reason i bought the sct was that they can monitor everything going on inside the motor and trans, run diagnostics, and you can change your tune settings (i dont think the 6.7s need any more power).

Certainly worth looking into, thanks. I've never been a tuner fan but probably because I've never had one and the only time I think about a tuner is when I see someone punch it in traffic and it bellows black smoke for everyone to deal with LOL. But I'm sure used properly they can be effective and clean.

[Jshopes81]

Most of the big companies will not do a smoke tune. They know its terrible for the motor. I wasnt thinking about a tuner so much for performance increases but for the monitoring capabilities and the diagnostics. I like to know what my engine is doing. I personally cant stand the kids rolling coal. Its stupid and makes diesel truck drivers look bad.

[2002dura]

I would check the 2015 again for the exhaust brake. 2015 is when Ford changed turbos and added the exhaust brake feature. Actually it is variable vane turbo like all brands use, but everyone calls them exhaust brake.

As far as the 2019 having LED's, camera package, technology goodies, it will depend on trim level and options added. Also, with a cab/chassis some technology goodies aren't available to order.

[HDrider]

Originally Posted by 2007dura

I would check the 2015 again for the exhaust brake. 2015 is when Ford changed turbos and added the exhaust brake feature. Actually it is variable vane turbo like all brands use, but everyone calls them exhaust brake.

As far as the 2019 having LED's, camera package, technology goodies, it will depend on trim level and options added. Also, with a cab/chassis some technology goodies aren't available to order.

Very true. We have all the features in our 2016 F150 that we use as a toad now and hardly use them so not a big deal to us I guess. And I can count on 2 hands how many times we have driven after dark over the last year so I guess the led lights don't really matter.
Just handling the load safely, pulling up and down hills and stopping are my main concerns.
A big plus is that it already has a $30,000 aftermarket bed installed that we would need to instill if we bought a new truck. Roughly $97,000 For the New truck and bed compared to $67,000 For a 2015 with the hauler bed already installed. It really should not even be a tough choice but if it's not as capable a truck and we have to switch in a couple years then it's not a good deal.

[Jshopes81]

From what im finding in a 3 minute search you will gain 500lbs gvwr and like 4000lbs gcvwr(if you believe in that number, i dont). We had a 2013 or so f550 that hauled around pressure control equipment. Those trailers were really heavy. When youve got those trucks maxed out in slightly hilly areas they do not have enough guts in them. If you think your going to be at or near the 15 f550s max trailer capacity i would say go medium duty for more motor and better transmission. 30mph up a hill in a 70 zone is no bueno as far as im concerned. In my experience if i needed more than a 350 dually it would be straight to a medium duty to get air suspension, a motor around 12 or 13 liters, and more transmission. I had a ram 4500 pulling a pressure control package hooked to a skidder going up a steep muddy hill with the front wheels of that 4500 ram 3 ft in the air. It was fun times. The equipment on the trailer was around 20k, plus the goosekneck trailer.

[HDrider]

Ok, from what I see number wise.
The truck has a GCWR of 35,000lbs
The truck has a GVWR of 17,500
The truck has a Max 5th wheel towing of 25,500
I won't know the rear axle numbers until I see the truck I guess because I can't find it online.
Our 5th wheel info from what I know so far because it's being built, so close numbers.
5th wheel should weigh 22,000lbs
5th wheel Carrying capacity should be 3500 lbs
Truck has 145 gal fuel tank x 6.3lbs per gallon = 913lbs
truck weighs 10,080lbs with 5th wheel hitch installed
passenger weight about 325lbs
guessing about 200lbs of cargo in truck
guessing if the loaded 5th wheel is 25,500 the pin weight should be around 5100lbs to 5500lbs
When I look at these numbers I see us at 1993lbs over weight. Am I looking at something wrong or am I looking at the wrong truck?
Looking at these numbers I need o forget the 2015 and go with the 2019 that has a 40,000lb GCWR.

[Jshopes81]

That gcwr number is a bogus number and towing will not be enjoyable with either honestly.

[tuffr2]

Humm, I think it would comfortable. I say this because I towed three different 5th wheels with my 2012 F-450 dually. Two 5th wheels were big and overloaded and not mine. I did not weigh them but an educated guess would put both in the low 20k weight range, maybe 22 - 23 k.

These 5th wheels weighed 5 or 6k more than mine. Anyway, neither felt much different...oh, the 5th wheel with disc brakes stopped way better.

If I were going to make a habit of towing a real heavy 5th wheel I would add airbags.

I knew a guy that towed a Newmar Kountey Air 5th wheel. The one with dually axles. Anyway he towed it to Akaska with a 2001 F-550.

A 2019 F-550 would be a comfortable towing machine IMHO.

[HDrider]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Humm, I think it would comfortable. I say this because I towed three different 5th wheels with my 2012 F-450 dually. Two 5th wheels were big and overloaded and not mine. I did not weigh them but an educated guess would put both in the low 20k weight range, maybe 22 - 23 k.

These 5th wheels weighed 5 or 6k more than mine. Anyway, neither felt much different...oh, the 5th wheel with disc brakes stopped way better.

If I were going to make a habit of towing a real heavy 5th wheel I would add airbags.

I knew a guy that towed a Newmar Kountey Air 5th wheel. The one with dually axles. Anyway he towed it to Akaska with a 2001 F-550.

A 2019 F-550 would be a comfortable towing machine IMHO.

The 2015 I'm looking at tonight does have a Kelderman air suspension install, so would the new rig if I go that way.

[tuffr2]

I forgot to mention, the new modern diesel engine is powerful. Even my gen 1 6.7 with 800/400 torque/hp was more than sufficient.

Great, air bags will improve the ride.

What trim level is the F-550 that you are going to look at? If Lariat, I think that is a nice trim level.

[HDrider]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

I forgot to mention, the new modern diesel engine is powerful. Even my gen 1 6.7 with 800/400 torque/hp was more than sufficient.

Great, air bags will improve the ride.

What trim level is the F-550 that you are going to look at? If Lariat, I think that is a nice trim level.

Yes, it's a Lariat. And it has a Utility Body Werks hauler bed installed.

[Jshopes81]

Our f550s were used to pull trailers that probably weighed close to 30k. Definately over 25 ive weighed the individual items but never everything as a unit. We're still screaming for medium dutys to get more motor. Out in the flats they do ok but the 550 pulling that much weight is scared to death of a hill. Our trucks were 550 4x4, xlt package, super crew, 11ft steel flatbed, and the big ranch hand bumper. The 550 is barely adequate for that much weight with the 6.7. It may be a slightly different story with a tow tune and we never had any mechanical issues with them as far as overworking them goes. Im not trying to say the 550 is a bad truck, just that at those weights id be looking a few steps bigger to get away from the psd. It just doesnt have enough power. I really think at 22k youre stepping out of what the pickup motors are ok pulling. No issues stopping that much IF you know how to do it. Riding the brakes down a long hill will absolutely smoke them.

[gtsum2]

What about mdt with custom rack for small car on it for a run about?

[Jshopes81]

Originally Posted by gtsum2

What about mdt with custom rack for small car on it for a run about?

Attachment 221987

I think thats a little past medium duty.