Community Forums

LERD · 03-05-2022, 07:31 AM

I have personally experienced over 200k miles of the F450's much better turning radius. But what about tire and brake wear while towing? My work truck was subjected to extreme road conditions, so I can't answer my own question. Under normal towing situations, do the tires and brakes last twice as long? Does it make financial sense for overkill?

wrvond · 03-05-2022, 09:24 PM

As an RV transporter I averaged 80,000 miles per set of Michelin tires. I replaced the brake pads at 250,000 miles mostly because I was sure they must have been worn down by that point. Turned out there was still quite a bit of pad material left. Oh well. I still felt better having new pads all around.

Since the trailer brakes itself there really is no advantage to the 450's larger brakes. I personally think the smaller Michelins ride better than the commercial type tires found on the 450.
One thing I can't forgive Ford for is the stupid polished aluminum wheels they put on my truck. They haven't held air since the day I bought the truck new in 2017 and Ford has steadfastly ignored the problem. I've spent money on different valve stems with limited success. I keep threatening to buy four steel XLT wheels (the inners are already steel) and switch to those my next tire change. Other than that, it's been a great truck. It has been in the shop since before Christmas for a new rear end and I expect to get it back this coming week. With nearly 300,000 miles, I'm not kicking too hard about this repair.

LERD · 03-06-2022, 06:18 AM

I hope you get your truck back soon. Thank you for the heads up on the wheels losing air. My work truck was those crappy looking gray steel ones. But they never lost any air till I got a puncture.

Brakes seem to be a non-issue then. And it sounds like the tires get about 30% better life, but cost about 40% more. I'm only planning on pulling 16.5k. So for my situation, the only real benefit is the steering, but it's really something. Did you have a F350 before this truck to compare it to?

wrvond · 03-06-2022, 07:26 AM

Hi and thanks!
Prior to this truck I had a 2012 F250 and prior to that a 2006 F150. This is my first F350 and first dual rear wheel.
When unhitched the tighter turning radius of the F450 can be a real plus. There's been more than a few times I've had to back up and pull forward to make a tight turn or U-turn. But when hooked up to a camper, the turn radius is limited by the trailer rather than the truck.
I'd like to think that Ford solved the leaking wheel issue with the next model year, but I haven't kept up with the Ford-truck forum to know.
To be clear, the 2017 F350 DRW was the first year Ford equipped with TPMS, and it was the galvanic corrosion between the wheels and the valve stems that caused the problem. They came out with a different valve stem that I had to purchase out of pocket but my wheels are so corroded around the hole the stem mounts in they'll likely never completely seal.

Dieselguy4 · 03-06-2022, 02:54 PM

Brakes on either truck should last about the same. F450s larger brakes work out the same stopping power due to the larger heavier 19.5 inch tires. The F450 tires may last longer but cost allot more. Both the F350 and F450 tend to wear the outside edge off the tire. Ford told me it was due to towing my fifth wheel. I just rotate them allot.

wrvond · 03-07-2022, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselguy4

Brakes on either truck should last about the same. F450s larger brakes work out the same stopping power due to the larger heavier 19.5 inch tires. The F450 tires may last longer but cost allot more. Both the F350 and F450 tend to wear the outside edge off the tire. Ford told me it was due to towing my fifth wheel. I just rotate them allot.

I've never had to rotate the rear tires and I can't imagine what pulling a 5er would have to do with the outer edges of the tires.
Does this happen equally to all four of your tires? It just doesn't make sense to me since the weight of the trailer is centered between the wheels.

Palmeris · 03-07-2022, 06:56 AM

the outer tires on a dually will wear faster than the inners when there is no payload weight on the truck.

Dieselguy4 · 03-07-2022, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrvond

I've never had to rotate the rear tires and I can't imagine what pulling a 5er would have to do with the outer edges of the tires.
Does this happen equally to all four of your tires? It just doesn't make sense to me since the weight of the trailer is centered between the wheels.

It is just the front tire outer edges. I don't rotate may back any more. I just go right to left on the front. Ford tried to tell me that when loaded my camber changed on the front. I ask him to explain how that happens on a solid axle. He could not. I rotate them every 2500 miles or so.