12 replies to this topic

[WjColdWater]

Hello all. My wife and I have a new Grandby arriving in four weeks. We are super excited to receive her! We own a 2017 F-150 standard cab with a eight foot bed. I ordered it with the max towing package. Mods I’m doing are changing the tires to E range for starters. I’m wondering if I should add air bags also? Would appreciate F150 owners input on this. Thanks in advance for your responses.

[XJINTX]

Welcome!! Not an F150 but I have an F250 with a fully optioned Hawk. I added airbags and onboard air with controller. I use the bags aired up for better stability on the road. Let air out when off road and let suspension do it's job. Hence the onboard air and controller making it easy. I can also use the controller a bit to help level the rig when camping dispersed or off grid. You will love your setup stock but little upgrades help. GOOD idea on the E rated and more aggressive tires!

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Wj, welcome to WTW. It’s a great group of folks. Let’s see some photos of that new camper.

[WjColdWater]

When she arrives I’ll share some pics. Thanks all.

[ski3pin]

Welcome!

[Old Crow]

Hi, WjColdWater....

 

My experience with my Hawk on an '01 F150 and a '13 Tundra is that I didn't HAVE to add airbags but in the end I decided I wanted them.  And I'm glad I decided to go ahead. 

 

I had bought my Hawk used and as a rig (both truck and camper).  The previous owner never had airbags and I used the camper for a year before deciding to add them.  When I moved the camper to the Tundra, I again waited a year to see if I thought them necessary.

 

In the end, my reasons for adding the bags were (1)  correct a side-to-side lean, (2) correct a very minor rear-end sag and (3) stiffen the suspension a bit.

 

Also-  I'd take FWC's advice on this Getting Your Truck Ready for Your Camper page and contact FWC for advice on your specific truck and your specific camper.  I'd want to be ready to get the most out of that call or email by providing details on my truck (including its payload) and what I'll be taking with me (estimated weight of gear and passengers would be helpful, for example) and how I'll be using the rig.  In making this contact, we have to recognize that FWC is probably going to say you'll need airbags (if not more).  But the point would be you want to see what the reasoning is for the recommendation. 

 

Also--

 

In the weeks you have left before picking up the camper, you might want to view (or re-view!) the troubleshooting and how-to videos on the FWC web site and perhaps write down questions on anything that doesn't seem clear or needs more explanation.  On pick-up day you'll have a lot of information coming at you and those can help you be ready for it.

.

[PaulT]

It would be good to also pay for 2 gauge or 4 gauge wire instead if the typical 10 gauge wire for the power leads from the truck to the camper. You will have 30 to 40 feet round trip from your truck’s battery to your camper batteries. The voltage drop in 10 gauge wire for that distance will significantly reduce the amount of camper battery charging the truck alternator will provide as you drive.

Welcome, and happy camping.
Paul

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Welcome to the cult.

This is a great site for lots of info.

Frank

[longhorn1]

Welcome to the group. I have a 2014 Grandby on a 2013 F250 crew, longbed with no changes to the suspension, only E rated tires.

Hello all. My wife and I have a new Grandby arriving in four weeks. We are super excited to receive her! We own a 2017 F-150 standard cab with a eight foot bed. I ordered it with the max towing package. Mods I’m doing are changing the tires to E range for starters. I’m wondering if I should add air bags also? Would appreciate F150 owners input on this. Thanks in advance for your responses.

[firemen7]

Welcome to WTW it’s one of the best site for information you will ever come across.
Enjoy you new setup!