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Old 09-24-2017, 12:36 PM   #1
Charli
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2017 F350 PSD Lariat - 1st Impression

Just brought our 2017 F350 PSD Lariat home from the dealer. We traded in our 2011 KR.
Here are some initial impressions and I'll apologize in advance for the length of this post.
- It goes like stink. The acceleration is faster and smoother. Looking forward to see how it pulls the 5er with all that extra torque.
- Fuel mileage, perhaps the downside of the increased HP/Torque, on the trip home wasn't great but it's new and I was driving into a headwind so will have to see how it does going forward. I got about 18mpg highway and 10-11mpg towing on the 2011.
- Put in the Titan 55 Gal replacement tank. Going to love that. Sits a couple of inches lower and skid plate wouldn't fit but we don’t off-road so the reduced clearance shouldn't be a problem.
- All the technology including the Sync 3 system and the 5 cameras are pretty impressive. Now I have to learn how to use it all.
- The flat floor and extra leg room in the back will be great for our dog. Better place for her than scratching up the nice leather seats.
- There seems to be more storage room under the rear seat and the fold flat feature is nice. I have all my safety gear, winter scrapers, rope, tie downs, 12V compressor, etc under the seat so don't have anything on the back floor, except for the dog.
- The truck bed is 2” higher and the bed rails 3” higher than the 2011. This is concerning as my 5th wheel towed nose high with the 2011. Going to hook up the trailer this week and see what it looks like. May have to adjust the suspension on the trailer or lower the rear of the truck.
Has anybody lowered the rear of the truck and did it affect the driveability of the truck?
I have a 2 step folding step stool and I'll be using it even more now. I can hardly reach over the bed rail and get something on the floor. The integrated tailgate step is nice but I almost need a step to get to the step. One of the mfg's has to stop this competition to make their truck the biggest and tallest.
- As I mentioned, the cameras are great, but why are the rear cameras not available when in N or D. Would be nice to see what's in the bed when your driving and when backing up a trailer you loose the trailer backup camera every time you shift into Drive to reposition the truck.
- The headlight dial is way down to the left of the steering wheel. Hard to see and access. Not a big problem as I will set on Auto and leave it but would hate to be reaching down trying to make an adjustment while driving.
- The tailgate step and hand rail is very nicely integrated into the trailgate and the spring in the tailgate makes opening and closing an easy one hand job.
- The mirrors seem to be smaller which makes for a more stylish look but not as effective for viewing. Will no doubt get used to it.
- The 11,500 GVWR plus the Aluminum body less the fully boxed stiffer frame netted me 125# more payload, although the Titan fuel tank ends up putting me in a deficit in that regard. It seems that you still feel each bump in the road but with the stiffer frame there is less residual vibration so effectively a better ride. Perhaps it's just that it's new and there aren't any squeaks yet.
- The Adaptive Steering will take some getting used to and not sure if I appreciate the supposed benefit.
- Don't have the sunroof which I am happy about. Seldom used it in the 2011 KR.
- Do have the 20” tires. The aluminum wheels look great but would have rather had the 18” tire. Took another 2017 for a test drive at another dealer with the 18” tires and the ride seemed to be slightly softer. Also 18” rubber is cheaper to replace than the 20”.
The biggest single improvement is the addition of the exhaust/engine brake. Going to love that coming down a mountain pass with 14,000 in tow. Whatever the 2011 had was ineffective at best.

I think we are going to enjoy the truck. Just have to resolve the height issue for towing the 5er.
I’ll post some follow ups as I get some on the road experience.
 
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Old 09-24-2017, 01:54 PM   #2
BB_TX
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Sounds like a new toy you are really going to enjoy.

Did you get a SRW or DRW? I had the rear lowered on my previous 2007 F350 FX4 SRW. At the time Ford had a TSB (technical service bulletin) advising that the rear may be to high for towing a 5th wheel. Their recommended solution was to replace the 4" blocks under the axles with 2" blocks. And I had the dealer do that. The 4x2 and (I believe) the DRWs use the 2" blocks. The DRWs appear to be lower in the rear than the SRWs.

I have not lowered my 2012 F350 SRW and the Monte does ride a little nose high.
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Old 09-24-2017, 04:06 PM   #3
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6.7s pretty well have passed the test as a great diesel engine.
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Old 09-24-2017, 06:26 PM   #4
DadsHemi
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Congrats on your new truck,
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Old 09-24-2017, 07:18 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1retired06 View Post
6.7s pretty well have passed the test as a great diesel engine.
I think because of it's compacted graphite iron block it will come to be seen as the best Diesel engine ever put in a pickup. Time will tell. Not downing Chevy or Ram. They are truly fine trucks.
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Old 09-24-2017, 07:29 PM   #6
Charli
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX View Post
Sounds like a new toy you are really going to enjoy.

Did you get a SRW or DRW? I had the rear lowered on my previous 2007 F350 FX4 SRW. At the time Ford had a TSB (technical service bulletin) advising that the rear may be to high for towing a 5th wheel. Their recommended solution was to replace the 4" blocks under the axles with 2" blocks. And I had the dealer do that. The 4x2 and (I believe) the DRWs use the 2" blocks. The DRWs appear to be lower in the rear than the SRWs.

I have not lowered my 2012 F350 SRW and the Monte does ride a little nose high.
I have the SRW. My dealer said Ford hadn't come with a "fix" yet given it's a new model. They said changing the blocks might alter the way it handles although I suspect that's a CYA response till Ford comes out with something. I may well swap the rear blocks once I find out how much the squat is when I hook up. The Titan fuel tank did reduce my clearance a bit so that is another consideration. I can lower my hitch just over 1 inch which will help but the higher bed rails might come into play. Hopefully have a solution by next week.
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Old 09-24-2017, 08:03 PM   #7
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Sounds like a nice truck good luck
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Old 09-25-2017, 08:09 AM   #8
grumpylane
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i have a 2017 f350SD w/6.7 DRW 4x4 and a 356TBF i had to raise my hitch by 2 inches for bed clearance. it is a bit nose high but not that bad.
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Old 09-25-2017, 06:05 PM   #9
Charli
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Hooked up the trailer today to see what the increased truck height was going to do to my already nose high Trailer towing position. Turns out there was very little difference from my 2011 KR. Perhaps there is more squat in the 2017!
Still have over 7" clearance from the bedrails to the bottom of the trailer nose so I can adjust the hitch to its lowest setting, about 1" lower.
We are getting the axles replaced, both are bent, and the dealer will look to see if they can raise the trailer 2" when switching axles. That will put me level.
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2015 Mountaineer 331RLT, Dual pane windows, Dual A/C, Fireplace, 5th Airborne Sidewinder, Sailun tires.
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Old 09-26-2017, 05:41 AM   #10
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As you brake the truck in you will get better fuel millage. I get around 11 when towing my 13,000# Montana no matter the terrain. Head winds hurt that considerably. Not sure why you added the 50 gallons of fuel. I believe you had the 36 gallon tank in the first place and by the time I run out with 26 gallons I need a brake from driving and it's time for a bathroom brake anyway. LOL
In my travels I have never needed a generator but i never boondock. I see you have the 11,500# package that's good I couldnt get that when I got my truck. I waited to late in the year. I was at the dealer last week and the 18's are on the lot. Isn't that crazy?
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Old 09-26-2017, 08:05 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charli View Post
Hooked up the trailer today to see what the increased truck height was going to do to my already nose high Trailer towing position. Turns out there was very little difference from my 2011 KR. Perhaps there is more squat in the 2017!
Still have over 7" clearance from the bedrails to the bottom of the trailer nose so I can adjust the hitch to its lowest setting, about 1" lower.
We are getting the axles replaced, both are bent, and the dealer will look to see if they can raise the trailer 2" when switching axles. That will put me level.
The reason for the extra squat is the softer ride at the top, squats about 2.5 inches pretty easily then stiffens up setting truck level under load.

You didn't mention the exhaust brake I don't think, you will love it.
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Old 09-26-2017, 10:23 AM   #12
Charli
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Yes the exhaust brake was one of my major considerations in upgrading. Had a 2008 Ram 2500 CTD a few years back and loved the exhaust brake. Really disappointed with the 2011 F350 in that regard.
With respect to the fuel tank, the truck came with a 34 US Gal tank and yes bathroom stops have to happen before that tank will run dry however we have found it frustrating at times to find a suitable gas station with good access. The larger tank will allow me to use Rest Stops or Travel Centres for the required bio breaks and not have to worry about refilling. Also now I won't carry the 5Gal gas can in the bed. Cost me $2000 for the fuel tank switch, installed, and now I have a fuel tank to sell.
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Old 10-26-2017, 10:25 AM   #13
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A quick update on MPG.
Went on a 688 km / 430 mi out and back drive with light headwinds on the way out and even lighter tailwinds on the way back as wind speeds decreased in the afternoon. Was probably about a 1-2 mpg difference due to the wind. The terrain was flat.
Used 99 L / 26 US Gal and with the 55 Gal tank I was showing just over 1/2 tank left. The trip computer showed 15 L/100km on the drive out and 13 L/100 km on the way back with an average of 14 L/100 km. I filled up on my return and manual calculation showed 14.4 L/100km vs 14 on the trip computer.
That equates to 16.7 mpg overall as shown on the trip computer and 16.4 manual calculation.
I had the cruise set at 110 kph or 68 mph. I have less than 1000 miles on the truck so perhaps some improvement down the road. This is very similar to the mileage on my '11 F350.
Keep in mind that this is with winter Diesel and I have found in our winter Snowbird trips that mileage improves as I get further south.
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Old 10-26-2017, 04:08 PM   #14
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Wow... I went Missouri to Wisconsin, around 1600 miles, don’t remember any winds, 8.1 MPG. 2017 F350.
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Old 10-26-2017, 04:09 PM   #15
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Leaving for Dallas this weekend, will check it again but I average 11-12mpg Town and travel between cities 60 mph.
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Old 10-26-2017, 06:39 PM   #16
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Iretired06, The 6.7 test was not passed by the guy I camped next to at the Talladega Nascar race.

He had a 2011 truck with the 6.7 (60k miles) and the HPFP blew up costing him 10k to repair. Two weeks later it spun a main bearing.

That would have cured me of buying another one which is just what he did. He was there driving a newer ford 6.7 truck.

I don't care what manufacturer it is, if something like that was to ever happen to me (not fixed under warranty) THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD BUY ANOTHER, EVER
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Old 10-26-2017, 07:22 PM   #17
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Ford won’t fix a HPFP that shows sings of rust or dirt in it. They say that is abuse. I guess they think it’s not their fault you got water or dirt in the fuel.
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Old 10-27-2017, 06:30 PM   #18
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We just bought a 17 F350 powerstroke. I like the truck! Had a 2012 Chevy 2500 Duramax. The Ford is quieter, rides as good, like the cameras and rear tailgate step is the neatest thing since buttered bread, ( well, almost) You will like your truck I’m thinking.
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Old 10-27-2017, 07:26 PM   #19
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Charli
What does your Montana weigh? My dealer told me today that my F350 (11,500 GVW) would be overloaded with our 2014, 3511RL .... I almost fell over. I can’t believe that’s right.
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Old 10-27-2017, 09:32 PM   #20
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Your dealer is probably right.
The GVWR of my 5er is around 13,300 but that's not the weight that will cause the problem. It's the PIN weight. Once I'm fully loaded my pin weight is probably around 3000# and I will probably come in in at 11,800 GVW for the truck.
That said my '11 towed level and always felt in control. When we pack up for our winter trip this year I am going to try to pair back some of the stuff in our basement and with our bicycles on the back I hope my pin weight will come down a bit.
Your GCWR and axle and truck capacities should be fine. And the engine has lots of power. On trailers this big the solution is to travel real light with some stuff packed in the back of the trailer or go dually. That said lots tow heavy units with SRW but that's a hole other debate and there are lots of threads that discuss this issue.
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