Moving from 1/2 ton truck to HD truck

[Too many Kubotas]

First trip home I realized just how stiff the suspension is. I knew a HD truck would ride stiff and I am fine with it. I’m just surprised at HOW stiff it is.

Most likely the dealer filled the tires to max. Try running them at pressures correct for the actual axle weights, according to a load chart, and the ride quality should improve a lot.

 

[deezler]

I went the other way, 3/4 ton back to 1/2 ton. So far so good, but I don't haul too heavy these days.

When I bought my '03 2500HD from the original owner, he was searching for mpg improvements and had 80 psi (max sidewall) in the tires. About ruptured my spleen just to drive it home. Unfortunately he didn't realize a simple 1-minute "crank relearn" procedure could fix the crank-cam timing misalignment and get the torque converter locked up again, for a quick 2 mpg boost. I typically drove around at 45/60 psi after that and the ride was far better (though still quite rough!)

Still no comparison to the plush comfort of a modern 1/2 ton ('19 F150) at 40 psi all around. I have way more power, same tow rating (11k lbs), and 20 mpg instead of 13. Only downside, which I have yet to really suffer from, is the 1820 lbs of payload rating instead of 2600+ in the 2500HD.

 

[dodge man]

Nice looking truck, congratulations!

 

[deezler]

I did decide to go ahead and pull the trigger, signed the papers last night. It’s a 2019 F-250 Super Duty Supercrew 4x4.

First trip home I realized just how stiff the suspension is. I knew a HD truck would ride stiff and I am fine with it. I’m just surprised at HOW stiff it is. My Dad has a 2017 Silverado 3500 diesel and it rides the same or slightly better than this Super Duty F-250. Granted, the previous owner did put airbags on the rear of this truck, and I haven’t had time to investigate yet to see if they are hooked up to an automatic load leveling system or if they are manual inflate/deflate. The power from this diesel engine is ridiculous. It’s a 7,800 lb. truck and it’ll eat the tires for lunch when a light turns green if I’m not careful.

Payload rating on the door placard is 2,350ish which is a 44% increase over the Ram 1500 I traded in. Trailer towing capacity on this truck is 14,700 which is a 77% increase over the Ram 1500.

Beautiful truck! Love that color.

Interesting to see tow rating that low on a '19 with the 6.7L scorpion diesel. You could get an F150 3.5L EcoBoost over 14k towing and ~2600 lbs payload back in 2019 (max payload, max tow packages). I think you still can now, but only on the base trim, for whatever reason.

 

[dodge man]

Keep in mind that 2600 payload for an F150 is possible but how many do they build. It a 2wd regular cab XL with absolutely no additional options except the max payload option.

 

[Blue Mule]

Initial impressions after 28 years of driving ½ ton trucks from all the brands:

This thing sits up high. Feels like a ½ ton truck with a 6” lift kit on it. My 5’3” wife ain’t gonna’ be happy.

This truck rides like a tobacco wagon. My father has a ’17 Sierra 3500 HD that rides better than this ’19 F-250. My truck has the standard suspension. Does not have heavy service package, etc. I can’t imagine driving one of these trucks with that up-rate suspension. That would be brutal.

The steering on this truck is very slow. Seems like the ratio in the steering is a very low ratio. Takes a lot of turn on the wheel to get response from the tires. This is probably the biggest thing I’m having to adjust to. It heavily affects driving on our one-lane rural roads.

The driver seat is just terrible. The lower cushion is soft and comfy, but the back of the seat is curved far too aggressively. It pushes really hard right in the middle of my back. Adjusting the lower lumbar helps just a tad, but overall the contour of the seat is a joke. The human spine curves in low, then curves out in the middle, then back in toward the neck. This seat is contoured exactly the opposite.

More positive notes: The Power Stroke engine is amazing. Good power, showing 16 MPG so far. All fluids are easy to get to. Air filter box doesn’t require tools. And I love that the 6R140 has a real dipstick and a drain on the trans pan. That’ll make maintenance at home easy as pie.

 

[caver]

I switched to an F250 after many F150's owned. I hate the ride but do like the 6.2 when towing in the mountains out west. Yeah rides like and old covered wagon...very stiff. I will go back to an F150 after the current truck hits 200K

 

[Hay Dude]

Initial impressions after 28 years of driving ½ ton trucks from all the brands:

This thing sits up high. Feels like a ½ ton truck with a 6” lift kit on it. My 5’3” wife ain’t gonna’ be happy.

This truck rides like a tobacco wagon. My father has a ’17 Sierra 3500 HD that rides better than this ’19 F-250. My truck has the standard suspension. Does not have heavy service package, etc. I can’t imagine driving one of these trucks with that up-rate suspension. That would be brutal.

The steering on this truck is very slow. Seems like the ratio in the steering is a very low ratio. Takes a lot of turn on the wheel to get response from the tires. This is probably the biggest thing I’m having to adjust to. It heavily affects driving on our one-lane rural roads.

The driver seat is just terrible. The lower cushion is soft and comfy, but the back of the seat is curved far too aggressively. It pushes really hard right in the middle of my back. Adjusting the lower lumbar helps just a tad, but overall the contour of the seat is a joke. The human spine curves in low, then curves out in the middle, then back in toward the neck. This seat is contoured exactly the opposite.

More positive notes: The Power Stroke engine is amazing. Good power, showing 16 MPG so far. All fluids are easy to get to. Air filter box doesn’t require tools. And I love that the 6R140 has a real dipstick and a drain on the trans pan. That’ll make maintenance at home easy as pie.

Heck I drive my 5500 and the rear spring packs are huge, but I’m used to the ride.
Put some weight in the bed. Helps tremendously.

My tires take 110 PSI, but during times of less heavy towing, I air them down a bit. That helps, too. Try experimenting with less air. If you need to haul/tow a heavy load, takes 5 minutes to air them up.

Welcome to the diesel world. You’ll likely never go back to gas. After 30 years with diesel trucks, I never will.

 

[Deleted member 371759]

Welcome to the diesel world. You’ll likely never go back to gas. After 30 years with diesel trucks, I never will.

Best part about the diesel world is all the friends you make along the way.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Welcome to the diesel world. You’ll likely never go back to gas.

I dunno. After three or four diesels, my girlfriend got rid of her 2500 Cummins and bought a 3500 longbed with the 6.4. And she really likes it.

Me, I'll stick with the 3500 Cummins C&C. For normal car duty I have a 1500 gasser.