Ultimate camping and towing rig

Not much imho.

1) Same warranty as the rest of the truck.
2) Possibly a cleaner install.
3) Possibly more expensive aftermarket.
4) The OEM system doesn't have the pin through the fender anymore.

If that was the only thing holding up my order I'd go aftermarket, but supposedly the bedliner (no problem going aftermarket) and adaptive steering are also holding up my order.

Supposedly the adaptive steering really helps with handling while towing so I opted for it.
You also get the outlets in the bed and it’s just well done.

I didn’t do the adaptive steering. I like how it drives without it so didn’t see the need.
 
Not much imho.

1) Same warranty as the rest of the truck.
2) Possibly a cleaner install.
3) Possibly more expensive aftermarket.
4) The OEM system doesn't have the pin through the fender anymore.

If that was the only thing holding up my order I'd go aftermarket, but supposedly the bedliner (no problem going aftermarket) and adaptive steering are also holding up my order.

Supposedly the adaptive steering really helps with handling while towing so I opted for it.
Interesting... Maybe the adaptive steering helps with sway control if needed?

The factory kit does have a nicer finish with the trim rings that slip over the mount holes and plugs for each hole when not in use...

I'm not so keen on the "Detent ball" style retainer for the drop in ball. I'm sure it's more than adequate but, I still like the idea of a pin going all the way through the ball mount.

Details:
This under the bed crossmember package is required when adding a Ford 5th Wheel or Gooseneck Hitch Kit.

  • Designed specifically for your Super Duty, kit includes Inner and Outer Frame L-Brackets; under bed Hitch Crossmember; all required hardware; Bed Mount 7-pin Wire Harness and Trim Kit.
  • Available for 6.75’ or 8’ bed lengths
  • 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitches cannot be used with drop-in bedliners, sportliners, bed mats, etc
  • Requires Dealer VIN Match

1642202705674.png


https://accessories.ford.com/products/super-duty-2017-2021-5th-wheel-gooseneck-hitch-package
 
Question for the tire guys...

I can go to 8k axles with 16" wheels. Instead of a 235/80r16 rated at 3638lbs each, do I understand correctly that a 255/85r16 rated at 4079lbs would mean that I can increase my cargo capacity by 1764lbs without going to 17.5" wheels? Just raise the inner-fenders by 1.4"? I expect to be 500lbs under 17000lbs anyway, but margin for safety would be nice. Any cons to doing this?

Edit - It looks like Goodyear Endurance tires in these sizes are 10-ply. Any idea why they don't make them in a 14-ply?
 
Last edited:
Question for the tire guys...

I can go to 8k axles with 16" wheels. Instead of a 235/80r16 rated at 3638lbs each, do I understand correctly that a 255/85r16 rated at 4079lbs would mean that I can increase my cargo capacity by 1764lbs without going to 17.5" wheels? Just raise the inner-fenders by 1.4"? I expect to be 500lbs under 17000lbs anyway, but margin for safety would be nice. Any cons to doing this?

Edit - It looks like Goodyear Endurance tires in these sizes are 10-ply. Any idea why they don't make them in a 14-ply?
As long as moving your fenders doesn't present a problem, going with a slightly larger diameter tire won't hurt. It's not a large enough change to really affect braking, and as long as you don't go over the axle rating with your load you're golden.
 
More online searching has turned up 225/70R19.5 as a common commercial truck size. Way less prone to failure. Rated at 87mph (above any speed limit in the US). Serviceable at any place that does newer F450s or Semis.

Downsides are that they can be too harsh on weak trailers and not serviceable at tire stores that service passenger car tires. But higher safety margin so maybe that last part won't matter anymore?

https://www.boarwheel.com/cruiser-6...nvert-235-80-or-85-r16-to-225-or-245-70r19-5/
 
More online searching has turned up 225/70R19.5 as a common commercial truck size. Way less prone to failure. Rated at 87mph (above any speed limit in the US). Serviceable at any place that does newer F450s or Semis.

Downsides are that they can be too harsh on weak trailers and not serviceable at tire stores that service passenger car tires. But higher safety margin so maybe that last part won't matter anymore?

https://www.boarwheel.com/cruiser-6...nvert-235-80-or-85-r16-to-225-or-245-70r19-5/

They will be stiff and if the trailer isn’t tough it’ll be hard on them. I’d carry two spares.
 
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More online searching has turned up 225/70R19.5 as a common commercial truck size. Way less prone to failure. Rated at 87mph (above any speed limit in the US). Serviceable at any place that does newer F450s or Semis.

Downsides are that they can be too harsh on weak trailers and not serviceable at tire stores that service passenger car tires. But higher safety margin so maybe that last part won't matter anymore?

https://www.boarwheel.com/cruiser-6...nvert-235-80-or-85-r16-to-225-or-245-70r19-5/
I can tell you first hand 19.5s ride like they are solid rubber. They'll definitely outlast the 16s as far as tread wear, but I wouldn't personally run them on anything that they wouldn't have already come on. It's not just the trailer that absorbs all the road imperfections, the spindles and bearings are the first thing to take the hit.
 
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I checked with my dealer and the manufacture. They are fine with 19.5s being installed and it won't affect the warranty. They said they believe in the Dexter rubber torsion axles and their construction, and if I was worried about fragile cargo or livestock I could put an STI air ride system on the torsion axles to smooth things out even more.

So now I'm looking at these in a 225/70R19.5. Rated at 3970lbs each and 87mph.

1643250622880.png
 
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I can tell you first hand 19.5s ride like they are solid rubber.
I just realized that my last post probably sounded inconsiderate of the advice shared here. Let me say that 1) I have no clue what I'm doing and 2) I recognize that I don't know what I'm doing and 16" or 17.5" wheels and tires will still fit if I find out that this was a mistake.
 
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I just realized that my last post probably sounded inconsiderate of the advice shared here. Let me say that 1) I have no clue what I'm doing and 2) I recognize that I don't know what I'm doing and 16" or 17.5" wheels and tires will still fit if I find out that this was a mistake.
No offense taken, if that's what you were worried about. You checking with the manufacturer was probably the best course of action in the first place. If they have no concerns about running 19.5s that's really all you need to know. Just keep it in the back of your mind that any issues that would normally arise from vibrations will be more prominent with a stiffer tire, basically check your fasteners a little more often.


Another thing about the 19.5s, they're a LOT harder to puncture... So there's also that...lol
 
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No offense taken, if that's what you were worried about. You checking with the manufacturer was probably the best course of action in the first place. If they have no concerns about running 19.5s that's really all you need to know. Just keep it in the back of your mind that any issues that would normally arise from vibrations will be more prominent with a stiffer tire, basically check your fasteners a little more often.


Another thing about the 19.5s, they're a LOT harder to puncture... So there's also that...lol

I'll be sure to give it a solid lookover before the warranty expires!
 
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I checked with my dealer and the manufacture. They are fine with 19.5s being installed and it won't affect the warranty. They said they believe in the Dexter rubber torsion axles and their construction, and if I was worried about fragile cargo or livestock I could put an STI air ride system on the torsion axles to smooth things out even more.

So now I'm looking at these in a 225/70R19.5. Rated at 3970lbs each and 87mph.

View attachment 305196

This tire is designed for driven wheels (drive position) not trailer application. Not saying it won't roll, but trailer position is not its purpose. I would plan to run some sort of dynamic balance. Balance beads at least.
 
This tire is designed for driven wheels (drive position) not trailer application. Not saying it won't roll, but trailer position is not its purpose. I would plan to run some sort of dynamic balance. Balance beads at least.
There are lots of options for 19.5 trailer tires available.
 
There are lots of options for 19.5 trailer tires available.

Yeah, no doubt, just saying the Conti HD3 pictured is not a trailer tire. Believe he is looking for a "winter" trailer tire in 225/70R19.5. Conti does not make such a tire in that size.
 
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I did some research on driven vs steering vs all position vs trailer tires and then the differences between cross country vs regional and I kind of gave up. The biggest difference I could find is tread life. But when the expected life of a tire is 80,000 miles it doesn't seem like too much of a hardship if using a driven tire as a trailer tire knocks a few miles off it's life. Unless I'm missing something?

Conti does sell that as a winter tire but they also say it's an all season compound.

A lot of the 19.5s look like racing slicks and I have concerns about how they'll brake and track in wet and icy conditions.
 
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I did some research on driven vs steering vs all position vs trailer tires and then the differences between cross country vs regional and I kind of gave up. The biggest difference I could find is tread life. But when the expected life of a tire is 80,000 miles it doesn't seem like too much of a hardship if using a driven tire as a trailer tire knocks a few miles off it's life. Unless I'm missing something?

Conti does sell that as a winter tire but they also say it's an all season compound.

A lot of the 19.5s look like racing slicks and I have concerns about how they'll brake and track in wet and icy conditions.
Here's one you might want to take a look at. Tread wise it looks like it would have fairly decent slick road traction.

https://www.boarwheel.com/triangle-225-70r19-5-tr685-lr-g/