2008 F-450

[Don Zink]

Any real world experience with the new F-450 and can anyone give me a good reason not to consider this for my next tow vehicle. Trailer would be 40 Ft. Toyhauler with GVWR of 22,500 lbs. Thanks for any info.

[Don Zink]

Any real world experience with the new F-450 and can anyone give me a good reason not to consider this for my next tow vehicle. Trailer would be 40 Ft. Toyhauler with GVWR of 22,500 lbs. Thanks for any info.

[Roam America]

Don

first let me say a howdy and welcome to iRV2.com. We all hope you continue to visit us and keep us up to date with your adventures. And don't be afraid to ask anything. Folks around hear are real nice.

Now to your question. I just got mine (see sig.) about a month ago. I've towed my 5er (16,500 GVWR) twice so far. Here is my opinion.

My `08 truck:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>rides much nicer than any of my previous trucks (`99 F-250, `02 GMC 3500, `06 F-350 DRW). Much less bouncing on the road with or without the trailer attached.
<LI>Has a lot more power both from a dead stop or while increasing speed while towing.
<LI>Does not squat nearly as much. i had to put air bags on my `06 for it to be level. This one sits nice a level without them.
<LI>The interior is much more "user friendly" and comfortable.
<LI>and the steering is awesome. The turning radius is MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, MUCH better that any truck I've driven to date.[/list]
This is an awesome truck. That said, with the GVWR of your TH, you need to make sure you get the 4:88 gears. I have the 4x4, auto and 4:30's and am rated up to 20,000# trailer. The 4x4 with auto & 4:88's is rated to 24,500 for 4x2 and 24,000 for 4x4.

[jperry29]

Don,

You really need to take a close look at your weights. If you ever did get your trailer up to it's GVWR of 22,500 you may be exceeding your rear axle rating, the GVW of the truck and maybe even the GCVW.

There is not a lot of difference in regards to weight of your truck and my F-550 (if you have a crew cab). I have weighed my truck with 50 gallons of fuel, an air hitch (about 220 lbs) and two passengers and my weight is a little over 9,000 lbs. Lets say that even if your truck weighs in at 8,800 lbs that would put you at a combined weight of 31,300 lbs.

This would put you very close to the GCWR. When I have done the math on the individual weights of rigs that are this close to the GCWR I almost always find that either the axle rating or gross vehicle weight rating are exceeded. It is really hard to get that magical maximum GCWR without violating one of the others.

[Miles]

Awaiting all replys. I have a F250 PSD now only 38k on it And a great 7.3 it is an 02 but would like a bigger 5er and I know the 02 would be overloaded. So all you F450 owners post away.

[Ray,IN]

I don't own a Ford F450, but if I were shopping I'd investigate this further: Ford F450 prices. That is less money for a F450 than any dealer nearby asks for a F350.

[xc-mark]

bigger trucks last longer and have fewer maintance items to deal with.... at over 22,000# combine I would find a truck with 22.5 tires and big brakes and a 6 or 7 speed if your going to haul long distance . basicly a used tractor single axel poss from Ryder corp.

[Michael C]

We have a 08 450 King Ranch with every option but the DVD. Have only towed once, and that was a real good test, as it was to the coast with lots of hills and curves.

The difference between this truck and my old 2000 350 PSD SRW was quite dramatic. My Snowbird weighs in at 15,500#, and it went up and down hills with little effort. I was especially impressed with the torque shift tranny's ability to hold speed where you want it on a 3 mile 6% grade. Holds better than my 7.3 with a USGEAR exhaust brake.I had a 80 hp Superchip in the 7.3, and this truck has more pulling power. Does not accelerate from a stop unloaded as well, but it only has 650 miles on it.

I just got done installig a 91 gal aux fueltank/toolbox from RDS. We are leaving for Florida in 4 days, and this is the first trip we have loaded up for that we did'nt have a big hastle over trying to keep the weight down.

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

Off topic (slightly) but what are you F450 guys seeing for fuel economy?

[Dieselgem]

I have a 2008- F450, it is a great truck. I have had two issues with it, the first not being the trucks fault. It was bad fuel which contained water and mud. The second issue was a bad radiator. The trucks built prior to August 2008 had a different vendor. Quite a few have been replaced already. Mine just went while I was in Nashville. The truck is tow monster and I love the way it handles. It is slower off the line than my 6.0 but the tow power is there. I average 7.6 mpg when tow the hauler. This trip hand figured I got a little over 8mpg. The truck will turn 10,000 miles tomorrow. I would buy another. If you are going to tow a unit with electric over hydraulic brakes go with a P3 brake controller. I like it a lot better than my factory controller. I had one wired to a different plug. My hauler loaded is a little over 19,000 lbs.

[Exposed]

I have a 08 F-550 that I tow a 34' Airstream now. I have a new 08 Newmar 40' X-Aire Toy Hauler on order. I built the custom bed for my 550 and it is heavy. How is your pulling with the 2008 for performance in the mountains??? I also have the 4.30 and not 4.88 rear end. X-Aire will weigh about 18,000 loaded... Here is a link to pictures of the custom bed I built...

http://www.ccb-design.com/Photograph...uler/index.htm

[CoastalDav]

(1)You might ask the dealer how much its going to cost to remove the body for engine work after warranty is over.

(2) Ford is looking at a new diesel engine for their trucks. It might be a I-6 in the future.
This could be the last year for the V-8. Volvo has many I-6 engines that could be used in the ford fleet with some firewall reconfiguration. Ford has a large part in Volvo. The last I heard it was a In house design they were looking at.

You might try the Ford web site and see how other 6.4 owners are doing with thier trucks.

Welcome to the forum.

Dave

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by CoastalDav:
(2) Ford is looking at a new diesel engine for their trucks. It might be a I-6 in the future.
This could be the last year for the V-8. Volvo has many I-6 engines that could be used in the ford fleet with some firewall reconfiguration. Ford has a large part in Volvo. The last I heard it was a In house design they were looking at. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ford bought the automotive division of Volvo and rolled it into their Premier Automotive Group along with Jaguar, Aston Martin (recently sold), Land Rover, etc. This transaction didn't involve the Volvo truck business.

Rusty

[Jersey Camper]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">iRV2.com RV Forum TRAVEL TRAILERS </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
What is the P3 Brake controller