dave_in_delaware wrote: Holy crap!!! An F650?? That thing looks like it should be part of an 18-wheeler! I kind of can't see myself driving back and forth to work and home daily in that. What is that? a V-20?
What is the difference (generally) between the F350 and the F450 (other than 100 points in the name)?? Does it have a higher towing capacity?
I guess I need to hit a few websites and get the low-down on some TV's and their capabilities.
Also, when I eventually buy one from a dealer, will they have hitches there as well, or is that a separate purchase somewhere else?
The F350 Tow Boss and F450 with 4.30's both have 26,000 lb GCWR but the F450/F550 also could have 4.88's with 33,000 lb GCWR and F650/F750 up to 80,000 lb GCWR with Cat diesel.
If this trailer is for weekend trips with the kids, the F-350 will be more than sufficient. You're trailer won't be loaded to the full GVWR like the full timers on here do. The F-350 will handle 15,000 pounds with the 4.10 gears.
Get the diesel engine, 4.10 gears locking rear axle, 4x4, dual rear wheels, and a crew cab or super cab (not for the length but for the seats).
The F-350 will be much easier and cheaper to insure. Once you go to a F-450, insurance is much harder to find.
A 35 series dually from ANY brand will handle a 15K trailer just fine. GCWR be damned, that is nothing more than a performance factor, it has NOTHING to do with safety! The main thing to do is make sure the truck will not be overloaded GVWR/axel wt rating wise. Yeah lower gears help to a point! I eem to recall the Dodge cummin combo with the new manual tranny being rated higher than the ol NV5600, and the new G56 tranny had 3.73 gears vs 4.10's for the N! yet, if you cranked teh numbers, the G56 was a better setup for heavy towing than the NV setup. It had a lower overall low, and still the same overall final drive numbers for when on the freeway.
I've gone down the road at over 26K in my GM 3500, no issues, and I have one of the 05 supposidly overheaters! If GM could be had with 4.10 gears, I would get one, only because with the DOD allison, that would allow me a bit better freeway rpms, ie lower, and still have a lower overall low than I have now, 4.33's would allow me the same top end as my 3.73 setup, but two gears lower on the low end, better yet if you ask me for the type of driving I do. But if i was teh typical commuter weekend RV tower, 4.10' and the 6 spd allison would be the cats meow!
marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
Wow. You're planning on 'spoiling' your kids much more than we do, giving them both their own room in the trailer. I have two children (boy and a girl), and our trailer has the quad bunkhouse in the back. Works just fine for us. If they have to have their own separate room...They can set up a tent outside and stay in it. Haha, j/k.
Anyway, I have to agree, that you are talking about towing a LOT of trailer there. You're going to need at least a dually one tone of some kind regardless (but I think you knew that). I would not be scared off, or intimidated into not doing this. Just do like was already said - go slow & easy at first, and take it easy until you get used to driving with something this big behind you. You'll get the hang of it.
I think, either an F350 dually with the tow boss package, or one of the new F450s is the way to go. Either one will work, I think. F450 will indeed tow better, but will get somewhat worse mileage the rest of the time than the F350 would. Those 4.88s in the F450 will make it use up more fuel than an F350. I believe the F450 will be a good bit more expensive, too, but dont know for certain. F450s sure are nice, though, especially if you can get one with that King Ranch package.
I say, go test drive both a F350 dually with the tow boss package, and an F450. Pick whichever you like best. Either one of those will work, its just a question of what YOU want/like. One will be better on fuel when not towing (F350), the other will have more 'oomph' when towing (F450).
Will & Angela
2 wonderful children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2003 Ford Excursion V10 4x4
2003 Thor Citation 33M, Hensley Arrow hitch, Brakesmart Brake Control
(wanna see? Here is a picture of it )
Quote: I think, either an F350 dually with the tow boss package, or one of the new F450s is the way to go. Either one will work, I think. F450 will indeed tow better, but will get somewhat worse mileage the rest of the time than the F350 would. Those 4.88s in the F450 will make it use up more fuel than an F350.
The 2008 F350 tow boss with 4.30's and 17" tires and 2008 F450 PU with 4.30's and 19.5" tires should get about the same MPG.
If you are going to pull a fifth wheel, and never pulled a trailer before, I would suggest you go to a truck driving school, and explain to them what you are going to be using for a RV combo. Tell them you need instruction in backing up. I am sure they will offer you a decent rate for instruction on backing only, as you will not be needing the full course.
DW, 2 girls, and me
07 Freestar
76 Parklane Tent Trailer
08 Minn Kota 30 lb Troller
56 Featherlite 10' Cartopper
Nights camped in 2007: 14
Nights camped in 2008: 10
17 years Professional Driving accident free all over North America
Dave in Delaware said: " Holy crap!!! An F650?? That thing looks like it should be part of an 18-wheeler! I kind of can't see myself driving back and forth to work and home daily in that. What is that? a V-20?"
No on the V-20. I think the stock engine is an ISB Cummins ... basically the same engine as in the Dodge Ram 3/4 ton and up.
The F350 with the old 235-85-16 tires will get the same mileage, revs per mph etc as the newer versions with 17, 18 or the 19.5 tires, as all are 32.5" in diam, and about 645 revs per mile! So having a 350 w/17" rims is not big deal. They went to bigger diam rims for the brake caliper sizes!
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Holy crap!!! An F650?? That thing looks like it should be part of an 18-wheeler! I kind of can't see myself driving back and forth to work and home daily in that. What is that? a V-20?
