Is it just me

[snowpatrol]

how will the hellwig sway bar affect the ride when empty ( not towing ) ? will it feel any firmer or rough riding ? will there be a little less rear suspension articulation when off road ?

 

[catastrofe]

Hello all, new here but I'm curious about if this is just me or others experiencing something similar.

I tow every single day with my 2022 f250 tremor. It's anywhere between 6000lbs and 10000lbs towing.

My question is does anyone else find the tremor tows terrible in terms of stability? I came from a 2021 chevrolet silverado 2500, before that a 2020 ford f 250 xlt with the 7.3 and before that a 2018 ram 2500 slt and non of them have given me experiences like I have with this truck. Even my 2005 dodge ram 2500 tows more stable.

I don't know if its the stupid adaptive steering or what but being on the highway the amount of sway I can generate is brutal. Even cars passing is enough to start it.

I've never had to use WD and on any trucks I've had so I don't really care for that as a suggestion.

I guess the point of this post is I expected more from this truck and definitely not a fan of highway tows. On really windy days or transports hauling up beside me yeah my trailer would generate sway on my chevy but that was it.

When it's time to trade up assuming I go to another ford again I don't think I would do the tremor or adaptive steering again.

I find just the opposite...our F350 tows like a dream.

We travel full-time, so I tow weekly on average. Trailer is ~6,000 lbs loaded with around 750 lbs tongue weight, and we carry close to 1,000 lbs in the truck combined between gear and family.

Our trailer is designed for off-road, and does not have a WD setup, so our connection is a single point of contact via a Cruisemaster DO35 hitch. We use a Rhino adjustable hitch in our 3" receiver.

The only thing I feel the need to address is a very slight "squat" when the trailer is connected. Otherwise, I couldn't be happier with the setup.

I've seen a number of posts on various forums regarding poor towing characteristics with Tremors, and I was expecting the worst. Fortunately, my experience has been the opposite.

 

[A. GoFast582]

I feel the same "instability" when towing the same weight range (22 - 6.7). Highway speed near semi truck keeps you awake. Same trailer loaded the same way, hate to say it, but less effect behind my tundra.
Not many miles yet (3k), so I am going attribute it to getting used to truck characteristics.

 

[Apparition]

OP are you a 7.3?

My belief is the added weight of the 6.7 makes it a better tow rig.

 

[gommer]

Seems like anyone commenting on these towing issues threads needs to at least give the details of their truck beyond the model number.

Specifically relevant, in my opinion, is the nearly half a ton engine weight difference between gas and diesel.

I say this because it seems like the only people making these sway issue complaints are people with 7.3's -- but since it's more often somewhere in the middle of multiple posts that it comes out what engine they have -- it's hard to really tell if that's the case or not.

 

[catastrofe]

Seems like anyone commenting on these towing issues threads needs to at least give the details of their truck beyond the model number.

Specifically relevant, in my opinion, is the nearly half a ton engine weight difference between gas and diesel.

I say this because it seems like the only people making these sway issue complaints are people with 7.3's -- but since it's more often somewhere in the middle of multiple posts that it comes out what engine they have -- it's hard to really tell if that's the case or not.

Great point...my positive experience is with the Powerstroke.

 

[2020Tremor]

Seems like anyone commenting on these towing issues threads needs to at least give the details of their truck beyond the model number.

Specifically relevant, in my opinion, is the nearly half a ton engine weight difference between gas and diesel.

I say this because it seems like the only people making these sway issue complaints are people with 7.3's -- but since it's more often somewhere in the middle of multiple posts that it comes out what engine they have -- it's hard to really tell if that's the case or not.

Good point will edit previous post with truck details for other just going through this. From what I have gathered in previous posts seems both engines are experiencing some complaints, looks like op has the 6.7L if running a 3” shank hitch. I wonder if the newer Duratrac tires that are no longer mountain snowflake rated has something to do with the recent complaints.

 

[gommer]

Good point will edit previous post with truck details for other just going through this. From what I have gathered in previous posts seems both engines are experiencing some complaints, looks like op has the 6.7L if running a 3” shank hitch. I wonder if the newer Duratrac tires that are no longer mountain snowflake rated has something to do with the recent complaints.

Yeah, I've heard a lot of complaints on the tires. The newer tires are presumably a stiffer rubber -- which I would think would improve towing.

Something that does come to mind -- I've seen dozens of guys complain of some kind of noise from their rigs that turned out to be shocks. Most guys who ride dirt bikes have some experience of what happens when your shock dies -- you'll land a jump and the damn thing will throw you off.

Presumably you, as a rider, weigh less than a super duty truck -- so I could envision that translating into sway, especially if you have just one going out causing the axle to twist (or try to twist, I guess).

Second thing I'd look at is alignment -- at a good shop that you trust.

Sucks spending money on a $90k truck.

Tire pressure, obviously -- running too low of a pressure is going to give those tall sidewalls room to wonder.

Probably most obviously but also easily overlooked when going to a new truck -- don't be tongue high. Easiest way to introduce sway and a horrific tow experience is to be tongue high -- which is really easy to do on a tall truck.

 

[TomcatF14]

Towed same trailer with the same hitch for the last 18 years. Same tongue weight. Hell even the same wife. 1998 Expedition. 2011 F150. 2021 F350 Tremor 6.7. Running around 12% tongue weight on a 28’ travel trailer. 7000 lbs.

Stock truck towed like crap. Wandered. Not trailer induced but truck induced. At first I thought it was me. Constantly countering. Best I can determine is oversteer.

Adjusted tire pressure front/rear 60. Helped.
Helwig rear sway. Helped.
Fox ATS front stabilizer. Helped.
Duratrac break in. Helped.

All have combined to better the experience but it’s still not quite right. Next it’s the tires which has helped many with the crazy Ivan experience.

Wildcard is I also tow a boat which has more tongue weight. Much more solid. I’m starting to believe this suspension needs more tongue weight % in order to get the same solid ride. My two cents.

 

[Brink182]

Hello all, new here but I'm curious about if this is just me or others experiencing something similar.

I tow every single day with my 2022 f250 tremor. It's anywhere between 6000lbs and 10000lbs towing.

My question is does anyone else find the tremor tows terrible in terms of stability? I came from a 2021 chevrolet silverado 2500, before that a 2020 ford f 250 xlt with the 7.3 and before that a 2018 ram 2500 slt and non of them have given me experiences like I have with this truck. Even my 2005 dodge ram 2500 tows more stable.

I don't know if its the stupid adaptive steering or what but being on the highway the amount of sway I can generate is brutal. Even cars passing is enough to start it.

I've never had to use WD and on any trucks I've had so I don't really care for that as a suggestion.

I guess the point of this post is I expected more from this truck and definitely not a fan of highway tows. On really windy days or transports hauling up beside me yeah my trailer would generate sway on my chevy but that was it.

When it's time to trade up assuming I go to another ford again I don't think I would do the tremor or adaptive steering again.

The tremor is had a off-road suspension that is meant for articulation then stability. The extra height doesn't help either. So it is more squishy, so it will squat and be less stable. My example, I had a F150 w/ max tow pkg and I added air bags and 10 ply tires which allowed me to tow my 26' tow hauler confidently. Now going over the pass was another story, just too me a little longer.

but the antisway bar sound like a good answer, but look into air bags unless your doing extreme off-roading.

 

[mattdm]

how will the hellwig sway bar affect the ride when empty ( not towing ) ? will it feel any firmer or rough riding ? will there be a little less rear suspension articulation when off road ?

Ride is better unloaded. Significant stability improvement in high speed cornering. I didnt notice a change in the ride quality otherwise.

You will loose articulation. Cant have both at the same time.

For me this wasnt a concern as i do not have any intentions to actually take my truck rock crawling. You could always disconnect the sway bar if you needed the articulation for a special occasion.

 

[snowpatrol]

Ride is better unloaded. Significant stability improvement in high speed cornering. I didnt notice a change in the ride quality otherwise.

You will loose articulation. Cant have both at the same time.

For me this wasnt a concern as i do not have any intentions to actually take my truck rock crawling. You could always disconnect the sway bar if you needed the articulation for a special occasion.

ok thank you. how do you know what model to get? on the hellwig site, there is like 4 or 5 different models that fit a 2022 super duty, and i didn't see any difference in them, except the price. thanks again. dan

 

[Supercup]

I find just the opposite...our F350 tows like a dream.

We travel full-time, so I tow weekly on average. Trailer is ~6,000 lbs loaded with around 750 lbs tongue weight, and we carry close to 1,000 lbs in the truck combined between gear and family.

Our trailer is designed for off-road, and does not have a WD setup, so our connection is a single point of contact via a Cruisemaster DO35 hitch. We use a Rhino adjustable hitch in our 3" receiver.

The only thing I feel the need to address is a very slight "squat" when the trailer is connected. Otherwise, I couldn't be happier with the setup.

I've seen a number of posts on various forums regarding poor towing characteristics with Tremors, and I was expecting the worst. Fortunately, my experience has been the opposite.

I had similar concerns before I got my Tremor - sounds like a great set up for you - be to be fair at 6,000 lbs. you are well below the capacity of the truck - so you are unlikely to experience the issues discussed. As you go up in weight things get more interesting.

I tow 10k regularly - with proper tongue weight and weight distribution hitch - Tremor does fine - but it is still subject to areo suck when passing a semi and wind is not its friend. No rear sway bar, flexible sidewalls Duratracs, softer rear springs and shocks tuned for good ride off road (e.g. soft on initial movement to soak up bumps) all contribute to "wander" for those towing with a Tremor.

Set up is everything when it comes to towing - sounds like you are set up properly for your trailer and are very happy. Same for me with weight distribution hitch, proper balancing of tongue weight and a level trailer. It is amazing how much difference 1' movement foward or back my RZR will make in how the trailer behaves.

Enough have have posted up concerns and changes they have made, makes is clear time spent on set up is warranted to give Tremor Owners the the best towing experience!

 

[AFTRSHK]

2020 6.7L with adaptive steering here.

I've found the greatest impact on trailer towing comfort is setting tire pressures properly. When not towing, I run 55F/65R. Going to 60F/80R for towing does tend to take a lot of a$$-end sway out of the truck during towing (even tested this on the same trip when I forgot to air-up on the way out).

I run a 24' enclosed trailer ~7500#, no sway bar or WD hitch and it runs fine (pulled several +300mi trips).

I also run a stubby 21' toyhauler that also comes in around 8000#, no anti-sway bar or WD. I get a little bounce occasionally but most of the time I can't even tell its back there on my way to Dumont (120mi).

I run a weigh-safe hitch with the weight gauge and tongue weights are usually between 750# and 1000# (generally 10-15% of trailer weight). I find with my 24' enclosed that has torsion axles that it tows best when the trailer is level (equal weight on each axle). Even an inch or two out of level changes the towing behavior.

Coming from a Gasser Titan to the 6.7L PS is a dream to drive.

 

[catastrofe]

I had similar concerns before I got my Tremor - sounds like a great set up for you - be to be fair at 6,000 lbs. you are well below the capacity of the truck - so you are unlikely to experience the issues discussed. As you go up in weight things get more interesting.

I tow 10k regularly - with proper tongue weight and weight distribution hitch - Tremor does fine - but it is still subject to areo suck when passing a semi and wind is not its friend. No rear sway bar, flexible sidewalls Duratracs, softer rear springs and shocks tuned for good ride off road (e.g. soft on initial movement to soak up bumps) all contribute to "wander" for those towing with a Tremor.

Set up is everything when it comes to towing - sounds like you are set up properly for your trailer and are very happy. Same for me with weight distribution hitch, proper balancing of tongue weight and a level trailer. It is amazing how much difference 1' movement foward or back my RZR will make in how the trailer behaves.

Enough have have posted up concerns and changes they have made, makes is clear time spent on set up is warranted to give Tremor Owners the the best towing experience!

All good points that confirm the truck tows just fine with appropriate attention to setup.

 

[TomcatF14]

ok thank you. how do you know what model to get? on the hellwig site, there is like 4 or 5 different models that fit a 2022 super duty, and i didn't see any difference in them, except the price. thanks again. dan

2021 f350 Tremor 6.7. Hellwig 7845 fits like a champ. You’re right. It is confusing which one to get. Hellwig even gives out multiple models. There are a few threads here that might help with the decision.

 

[mattdm]

2021 f350 Tremor 6.7. Hellwig 7845 fits like a champ. You’re right. It is confusing which one to get. Hellwig even gives out multiple models. There are a few threads here that might help with the decision.

I installed the 7320 on mine. No issues.

 

[Briski]

Get rid of the Duratacs and get a sway bar. Problem solved!!!

 

[Tyrone "Tye" Brown]

Hello all, new here but I'm curious about if this is just me or others experiencing something similar.

I tow every single day with my 2022 f250 tremor. It's anywhere between 6000lbs and 10000lbs towing.

My question is does anyone else find the tremor tows terrible in terms of stability? I came from a 2021 chevrolet silverado 2500, before that a 2020 ford f 250 xlt with the 7.3 and before that a 2018 ram 2500 slt and non of them have given me experiences like I have with this truck. Even my 2005 dodge ram 2500 tows more stable.

I don't know if its the stupid adaptive steering or what but being on the highway the amount of sway I can generate is brutal. Even cars passing is enough to start it.

I've never had to use WD and on any trucks I've had so I don't really care for that as a suggestion.

I guess the point of this post is I expected more from this truck and definitely not a fan of highway tows. On really windy days or transports hauling up beside me yeah my trailer would generate sway on my chevy but that was it.

When it's time to trade up assuming I go to another ford again I don't think I would do the tremor or adaptive steering again.

I was just about to post with the same question.

I recently towed a 30' BP race hauler with the tremor (22 f350 6.7 3.55). I thought maybe Im over reacting because Ive always towed this trailer with a 450 or 350drw and its been completely stable even on windy days. The trailer loaded ready to race is 13.8, I weighed it years ago and still have the same setup. Maybe its ok I dont know but if I had to make an evasive maneuver I dont think it has the authority. The squat was bad enough were people were flashing me at night and on the windy day it was all over the freaking place. 15-25mph winds.

Im taking the loaded setup to a trusted RV center to get their advice. Dealer tech told me the suspension on these are a little soft for towing as they are for mall crawling/off roading. Its my partners truck and luckily I still own a dually but it would be nice to be a single truck family.

Like I said this could be me from always towing with a dually and being biased/pampered. However its something I AM NOT comfortable with.

 

[Bvlaw]

I was just about to post with the same question.

I recently towed a 30' BP race hauler with the tremor (22 f350 6.7 3.55). I thought maybe Im over reacting because Ive always towed this trailer with a 450 or 350drw and its been completely stable even on windy days. The trailer loaded ready to race is 13.8, I weighed it years ago and still have the same setup. Maybe its ok I dont know but if I had to make an evasive maneuver I dont think it has the authority. The squat was bad enough were people were flashing me at night and on the windy day it was all over the freaking place. 15-25mph winds.

Im taking the loaded setup to a trusted RV center to get their advice. Dealer tech told me the suspension on these are a little soft for towing as they are for mall crawling/off roading. Its my partners truck and luckily I still own a dually but it would be nice to be a single truck family.

Like I said this could be me from always towing with a dually and being biased/pampered. However its something I AM NOT comfortable with.

Do you have a photo of how much the truck was squatting??