I'd like to buy the right truck the first time. While I know I want a 3500/350, I'd like some feedback on a SRW's ability to tow/carry this load vs. a DRW.
I would choose a long bed dully....especially if it is a "for towing only" unit. With the long bed you will have room for things like an aux. fuel tank, and no need for a sliding hitch. Dual wheels are much more stable and can carry more wight.....Since you will have room....consider the TrailSaver air ride hitch....It cost less to buy the right stuff the first time. I hope this has been of some heip?
05 Dodge 3500 Q-Cab,GearVendor 8 Sp,PacBrake,Banks intercooler & intake,TST R49,Transferflow 70 tank,TrailerSaver Hitch,05 Raptor 3612,Second AC, solar 6 battery sys Xantrex 3000, WEB SITE
http://home.earthlink.net/~wbrown02/wildbillwashere22/index.html
I have a Class A so I don't have any personal experience, but I had an experienced 5th wheeler tell me that a dually adds so much more stability in towing a 5er.
Not saying a SRW won't do it for you but since your looking to buy get the DRW...I look at like this 4 wheels in the back have to be alot better than just 2.At least your asking around first.Good Luck!
wild bill wrote: I would choose a long bed dully....especially if it is a "for towing only" unit. With the long bed you will have room for things like an aux. fuel tank, and no need for a sliding hitch. Dual wheels are much more stable and can carry more wight.....Since you will have room....consider the TrailSaver air ride hitch....It cost less to buy the right stuff the first time. I hope this has been of some heip?
I used to tow a 28ft 5er. with single wheels. Don't recall the pin weight. We lost a rear truck tire running about 60 mph across the desert 115 degres & I had My hands full to keep the rig on the road. After I changed my pants, I swore I'd never tow with out a dually.
Towed a 29' 5er with a SB F250 supercab SRW for 8 years. Bought a new toy hauler- 36' 5er,towed it home with same truck. Now have a F350SB dually. Very noticeable difference in the stability with the dually.
I think that you might find a single rear wheel truck is just as stable, and easier to park in the tiny parking lots that are showing up these days.
The F-350 SRW has a 3,500 pound cargo rating. The DRW might go as high as 4,500 - 5,600 pounds.
If you pick a truck with a really heavy option, like 4 wheel drive, it can take away some cargo capacity.
Are you thinking gas or diesel?
The 5.4L is rated for 300 HP, and the V10 a little more with 2 more cylinders of the same size. It is about 400 - 500 pounds lighter than a diesel engine truck.
I have towed a 7,000 pound 60 KW diesel generator with a fairly loaded up F-250 cargo body truck. It had a 351 cubic inch engine - 5.8L, probably factory rated at 175 - 190 HP. It worked fine. The 5.4L that I had in a work truck was great, only about 225 HP in that model year. After 2004, I think Ford went to the three valve heads, and that upped the HP to 300.
Did I mention that I like Fords?
You are considering a total gross combined load of about 20,000 pounds. Make sure that you read the towing guidelinies for all three manufactures. Make sure the truck you pick will have the GCVWR, and has the ability to carry 3000 + pounds of cargo, passengers, and whatever else you will bring along.
At least you are not writing "I just bought a 7,500 pound shortbed diesel 4 wheel drive GM with a GVWR of 9,200 pounds. What can I tow with it, and carry 600 pounds of passengers". That answer is not much weight. Especially a fifth wheel.
You are ahead of the game by asking what truck before buying one.
I would not suggest a used F-350 before 2004, as the GVWR is about 3,000 pounds less than the 2005 and newer ones!
These folks have given you some great answers! I agree with going dually when you go over around 12,000# trailer weight. I speak from experience when I say you can't have too much truck.
Marv
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK (20K GVWR, tandem duals)
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
Offline
