Towing 10k pounds- Tremor, or DIY later

[zimm]

I'm planning on a new F350 and a 33' travel trailer, about 9000-10000 pounds loaded (8000 empty) and take a year to travel the country with the family. I was set on the Tremor, but now I'm wondering about sticking with a max lariat and doing my year of travel and towing, and when I settle down, then do a level and 35 or 37 tires and shocks.

I guess what I want to know is will the truck pull and drive much better with a load on the factory street tires vs the tremor package.

The way I'm optioning the truck- the Tremor package only adds about $2500 more because without it I still want a locking rear diff, running boards, and some other stuff that the Tremor includes anyway. Plus the discount when getting the black package. So it's pretty much a no-brainer to get it, unless towing will suck compared to a truck without the package.

 

[KGDilly]

I'm planning on a new F350 and a 33' travel trailer, about 9000-10000 pounds loaded (8000 empty) and take a year to travel the country with the family. I was set on the Tremor, but now I'm wondering about sticking with a max lariat and doing my year of travel and towing, and when I settle down, then do a level and 35 or 37 tires and shocks.

I guess what I want to know is will the truck pull and drive much better with a load on the factory street tires vs the tremor package.

The way I'm optioning the truck- the Tremor package only adds about $2500 more because without it I still want a locking rear diff, running boards, and some other stuff that the Tremor includes anyway. Plus the discount when getting the black package. So it's pretty much a no-brainer to get it, unless towing will suck compared to a truck without the package.

The tremor setup with max tow package (if diesel) is 15K and 21K fifth wheel. The suspension on my F250 6.7 Powerstroke is basically a one ton suspension. So you would not even be close to maxing out the truck's capability. The tires are E rated and match the trucks capabilities so you really wouldn't have any capability difference. Some may argue that a more standard highway style tire would be easier to drive but I've also talked to guys that say outside of a dually (obviously) they don't really tell a difference.
So for only $2500 more I would say hands down go with the Tremor (if you think the look is as amazing as the people on this forum do).

 

[KGDilly]

I'm planning on a new F350 and a 33' travel trailer, about 9000-10000 pounds loaded (8000 empty) and take a year to travel the country with the family. I was set on the Tremor, but now I'm wondering about sticking with a max lariat and doing my year of travel and towing, and when I settle down, then do a level and 35 or 37 tires and shocks.

I guess what I want to know is will the truck pull and drive much better with a load on the factory street tires vs the tremor package.

The way I'm optioning the truck- the Tremor package only adds about $2500 more because without it I still want a locking rear diff, running boards, and some other stuff that the Tremor includes anyway. Plus the discount when getting the black package. So it's pretty much a no-brainer to get it, unless towing will suck compared to a truck without the package.

Here's a little something I got from the church I pastor for Christmas.

 

[zimm]

That's the confidence boost I needed. Of course I love the look. I have pictures of my "builds" from the ford site and I can't even leave the photo of the non-tremor on my desktop.

I have 35x12.50 load range E Duratracs on my Jeep and they're fine. I just didn't know how they do with twice the weight on 'em.

 

[KGDilly]

That's the confidence boost I needed. Of course I love the look. I have pictures of my "builds" from the ford site and I can't even leave the photo of the non-tremor on my desktop.

I have 35x12.50 load range E Duratracs on my Jeep and they're fine. I just didn't know how they do with twice the weight on 'em.

I just looked at the load rating (obviously they are E - 10 ply) - But they are 125 on the load range chart. Over 3,600 pounds per tire. I have a friend who told me that the wider tire actually feels more stable to him. He's done a lot of pulling. But then "feel" is pretty subjective, but it's what he has experienced.

https://vatire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Tire-Load-Index-Rating-Chart.png

 

[ECHO-24]

2020 Ford Tremor Suspension | How It Works | F-250 Super Duty, F-350, PowerStroke Diesel - Autoblog

Our resident suspension engineer climbs under the Ford F-250 Tremor to explain its suspension, including how the diesel and gas engines make a difference.

www.autoblog.com

I own a F-350 Tremor, I would think twice about using it as my main tow rig.
You hear about people on here complaining about the handling of these trucks ( I have no issues with the handling) due too no rear sway bar, and that is because they are set up for "off-road use".
Also, the front sway bar is very small compared to the non tremor.

 

[zimm]

2020 Ford Tremor Suspension | How It Works | F-250 Super Duty, F-350, PowerStroke Diesel - Autoblog

Our resident suspension engineer climbs under the Ford F-250 Tremor to explain its suspension, including how the diesel and gas engines make a difference.

www.autoblog.com

I own a F-350 Tremor, I would think twice about using it as my main tow rig.
You hear about people on here complaining about the handling of these trucks ( I have no issues with the handling) due too no rear sway bar, and that is because they are set up for "off-road use".
Also, the front sway bar is very small compared to the non tremor.

That's a good point. I don't plan to off-road. Extra traction for snow, etc is always good. My '03 F250 was on 37" Open Country M/T's but I never towed more than a 5000 boat with it at the time.

I definitely don't need to "articulate" or need the crawl features either. In the end I'll be happy on 35 or 37's, a level, and tremor air dam. But it'll cost a lot more than $2500 to do that.

Maybe I can just upgrade the sway bars with hellwigs or something?

 

[KGDilly]

That's a good point. I don't plan to off-road. Extra traction for snow, etc is always good. My '03 F250 was on 37" Open Country M/T's but I never towed more than a 5000 boat with it at the time.

I definitely don't need to "articulate" or need the crawl features either. In the end I'll be happy on 35 or 37's, a level, and tremor air dam. But it'll cost a lot more than $2500 to do that.

Maybe I can just upgrade the sway bars with hellwigs or something?

Okay. So first point. What's the best possible towing scenario?
I towed full-time for about 8 years. I do agree that they have given the Tremor more ability to articulate and there may be some difference with a non-Tremor Super Duty. Then again, I have a few friends that tell me I'm crazy to pull over 14K without a dually. If you want something that is "the best" towing experience then there's no question that a dually would be the route. But it's a choice I made because (1) I have enough experience that it doesn't make that much difference to me. (2) I want to garage it and (3) it is my daily drive.

Additionally (second point),
I think Ford engineers would have reduced the capacities if the truck wasn't safe at those weights. You see that kind of modification (in the capabilities charts) all across the build structures.

Finally (third point)
I do agree that strengthening the sway bars is an easy and cheap fix ... especially ... and if ... you were going to be pulling near max weights. You aren't even close to those weights and so in my humble opinion, those discussions are not really relevant at the weight you are talking about pulling. If you don't need the serious off road capabilities (which most of us don't). If you like the look of the truck (which you've already said you do). If modifying a Super Duty aftermarket would cost you more than a factory Tremor. And if you are comfortable and experienced towing a vehicle then there should be no peripheral concerns surrounding capability.

 

[KGDilly]

Here's a good thread for you to ask about beefing up sway control.

Dual Stabilizers Up Front

Anybody got these & if so, are the even necessary? I’m not seeing many owners with these installed.

www.fordtremor.com

 

[Jking]

Here's a little something I got from the church I pastor for Christmas.
View attachment 13510

Nice. That is the one I am leaning toward but I haven't committed yet.

 

[zimm]

I can build up a nearly maxed lariat with black package, or a Platinum and they are the same price. Then one day it could get Carli level and 37's, or just put 35's on the stock wheels. I do like the heavy sway bars. The air dam sucks, but I could bolt on a tremor one. I can't imaging the mpg's will change much towing a 33' trailer.

 

[Chris21667]

I can build up a nearly maxed lariat with black package, or a Platinum and they are the same price. Then one day it could get Carli level and 37's, or just put 35's on the stock wheels. I do like the heavy sway bars. The air dam sucks, but I could bolt on a tremor one. I can't imaging the mpg's will change much towing a 33' trailer.
View attachment 13511View attachment 13512

i like the blacked out to much .... i just hate chrome so much ... but thats me ...

 

[Yukon Bush Tremor]

I can build up a nearly maxed lariat with black package, or a Platinum and they are the same price. Then one day it could get Carli level and 37's, or just put 35's on the stock wheels. I do like the heavy sway bars. The air dam sucks, but I could bolt on a tremor one. I can't imaging the mpg's will change much towing a 33' trailer.
View attachment 13511View attachment 13512

AHHH So much chrome!!

I vote Sport!

 

[zimm]

Good point. I too hate chrome. My F150 had zero chrome.

 

[Loshad]

^^^^ Wait a minute! You don't tow THAT around Italy!

Maybe Naples, FL?

 

[zimm]

^^^^ Wait a minute! You don't tow THAT around Italy!

Maybe Naples, FL?

Notice I said “had”. Sold the whole rig and trailer when we got orders to Italy last summer. I’m going to order a new truck through the military buying program so it is waiting for us when we fly home someday. And a new rv and since we’ll both be retired, cruise the states for a year to find a place to settle down and buy a house.

 

[rhines81]

Can the F350 Tremor tow your trailer comfortably? Yes. If I were planning what you are planning, I'd be look at the long wheelbase 8' box, non-Tremor though. It would be a much more stable towing platform.
I have the F250 Tremor 7.3L on order and will be towing an equipment trailer (~12,500 pounds with payload) a dozen or so times per year on short 30-40 mile trips. I would not want to do long-haul towing with that set-up, but it does have the capacity to tow that load and then some. I'll be replacing the stock hitch receiver with a commercial class V unit to give it a higher tongue-weight rating. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Loshad]

zimm, I'm forever getting in trouble for not reading the fine print!

Enjoy retirement, I'm sure you earned it, especially doing a hardship post like Naples! It does kind of suck there, unless you were billeted on Capri.

 

[Flat-12]

I use to use my dad's F250 diesel, Limited to pull an enclosed car trailer. I am now using my Tremor and I have not seen any negative differences between the two. I don't tow all around the country like you are planning, but it does well for me. I actually bought this truck specifically to tow cars and a large center console boat. No regrets so far.

 

[KGDilly]

Notice I said “had”. Sold the whole rig and trailer when we got orders to Italy last summer. I’m going to order a new truck through the military buying program so it is waiting for us when we fly home someday. And a new rv and since we’ll both be retired, cruise the states for a year to find a place to settle down and buy a house.

Let me be the first to invite you to Dayton, Ohio. We have several defense contractors in our area and a few in our church. Depending on your experience you can make some great "retirement money," be in the Midwest with easy access to tons of vacation spots and a great church. Just sayin!