All around best Tow truck option is?

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Nomad2009

OK just FYI I got the specs on this:

Ford F250 Crew Cab 4x4 Turbo diesel 6 1/2 Bed

Front Gawr 5,200
Rear Gawr 6, 084
Total GV 8,800
Towing Capacity 10,600
Payload 1500


I was looking to around this size 5ver so I guess this TV needs to be stepped up:

Length 35'0"
Width 8'4"
Height 12'9"
Hitch Weight 2,160 lbs
Dry Weight 8,960 lbs
Gross Weight 12,560 lbs
Cargo Weight 3,600 lbs

Your desired rig is 1' -6" longer than my Copper Canyon.
Dry weight and pin weight are about the same.
I pull it at between 11.5 and 12K gross, and am at 9,700# GVW with the same specs on my 01 Dodge 2500. I am running right at 1,000# over my GVWR, but run at 89 percent of front GAWR, and only 83 percent of rear GAWR loaded!

If I was replacing the truck I would be looking at a 3500 DRW, but this works fine lots of spring still left in the rear.
Not recommending for you just giving you some information to go on.

PS: F150 HD Max Tow to get their GVWR are at 95 percent of GAWR!

[Nomad2009]

Tx Russ:

I am looking up to the Ford F-350 is the DRW a must do you think?

Looking at the single now.

Turbocharged Diesel V8 6.7L/406 this is only 3.55 I know the DRW has the 4. you guys are recommending but my small concern on DRW is the parking and won't this decrease my mileage considerably or is that a rumor?

Or am I an idiot if I invest and don't do the DRW?

TX so much on assist...

[mhs4771]

One thing to think about, with a Dually if you blow a rear tire you still have three left to help stop that 15K rig behind you. Wally World parking lots can be a pain, so just park a little farther our and always pull through or back into a spot, so you can pull out without having to back up. We sort of did what you're doing, had a 1500 TV & 24' TT and thought about moving up, so went looking for a 3/4 TV, but couldn't find what we wanted, local dealer had a new (2005) Dually on the lot and made us a better deal on it than ordering a 3/4, so a 1 ton Dually is was. Pulled the 24' TT another year using the Dually, what a joy to travel. Then moved up to a 30' TT (piece of junk, but that's another story). Then went to a 34' 13.5K gross 5er. Still a dream towing. Upgraded to a new 2011 3500HD 1 Ton Dually and now have a 40' 16.5K gross 5er and still a dream to travel. Moral of the story, go BIG now and you won't have to worry about the future.

[msp2jxr]

One of the best features of my Ford truck is the (as my wife calls it) the old man step that pops out of the tailgate. I would not have ordered it but this truck was the color and everything else I wanted. Now I can't imagine myself living without it It is really handy. You will also want the electric fold out mirrors. It is so nice to hit a button and drive right into the garage or fold them in at a parking lot. Two very good features for a truck pulling trailers.

[Philip Saran]

Ok, I'll add my 0.02 cents to this.

I own and tow with a 2004 Ford F350 4 dr, 4X4, long bed diesel.
yes it has the 6.0 motor and yes it has been replaced under
warranty. I also purchased another extended warranty when
the factory warranty was about up. Motor was replaced at
81K, I now have 133K on the truck.

My gross tow rate is 20,000 lbs, the truck with full tank of
diesel and 2 people and one 80 lb dog weights in at 8,000 lbs
leaving me 12,000 lbs tow rate. My TT is 29 ft tip to tip and
loaded weights in at 7700 lbs so I have a very good margin of
safety, if you will.

Oh, milage, 17/18 on the road empty and 10-13 with TT depends
on how many hills I have to climb.

My truck has a fold down arm rest so when in the up position
it will seat 6 people.

Back seat is very comfortable, I am 6 ft tall and can and have
slept back there while on the road.

IF you are going to purchase a 5th wheel trailer, buy enough
truck to haul and STOP it safely.

Buy at least a one ton dually truck, if not even a 4500 truck
as for brand pick the one you like and that fits your needs.

For the gentleman who went with the gas motor, that is your
choice. I like the built in "jake brake" effect my diesel provides
on down hills. No gas motor truck can provide that ability.

[Nomad2009]

Sounds about right, thanks for all the replys:


Ford F-450 DRW

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Nomad2009

Sounds about right, thanks for all the replys:


Ford F-450 DRW

So is the F450 new or used?

I was a Ford guy, until my neighbor who was a gypo logger, bought a 96 Dodge Cummins 2500 new, sweet truck. I had just bought a 88 F250 used 460 EFI, 4X4, thought it was great. Well long story short, traded the F250 460, on the current Cummins going from a gas 7.5 liter down to a 5.9 liter Diesel was an eye opener, WAY more POWER!!

You should love the F450, and good choice as it will take a good size 5er to out grow it!!

[lightning79]

I'd also go with a Dodge with a Cummins, for the ease of service, reputation and reliability of the best diesel engine out there, and the ease of service as compared to the other two.

[lightning79]

But the F450 is awesome too!

[Big Boy w/ Big Toys]

Originally Posted by lightning79

I'd also go with a Dodge with a Cummins, for the ease of service, reputation and reliability of the best diesel engine out there, and the ease of service as compared to the other two.

What service on a diesel...change the oil???? There is very little service work that is required for a diesel engine. I have a 7.3 that is 13 years old with just over 200k that just had new glow plugs installed this last winter. My wife and I did those in under 3 hours. The only other thing was a turbo pedstal oil leak also accomplished in under a couple of hours. But those are all repairs not service work and I did not have to ake the cab off either. Also have alot of experience with the Ford 6.0. Now that there is a "Piece of Junk"

You are almost correct about the in line 6 as far as doing REPAIR work that it is easier but as far as day to day service there is not much difference between them.

Run from the Ford 6.0. They are pratically worthless because of all the issues with head gaskets.There is even a head gasket with a lifetime warrenty against leaking for the 6.0, They still leak. If you are going to push the motor hard then stay away from the 6.0, if it is an around town truck and you need something to bring the groceries home then that would be ok. 6.0 junk...had one buyback and the other one I had has been sitting on the dealers lot since March after trade in. He cannot even get a wholesaler to take it, as he cannot get anyone to buy them. So if anyone is looking for 6.0's come to Alaska You can find many for well under 10 g's. I watch many of them loaded on trucks for transport south.

If you think that the Cummins is without issues you need to get out a little more. Now if you are looking at building an engine for lots of power and torque absolutely go with the Cummins, then put the engine in something else...........

[SAABDOCTOR]

The perfect tow truck.has not been built yet!great engine lousey transmission. nice body bad engine good engine pain to work on. so now what? Mybe we should all get together and make our own!!

[JRTJH]

My vote would be for an F350 with a cummins engine, allison transmission, michelin tires and a "PAID IN FULL" title <G>

[Big Boy w/ Big Toys]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

My vote would be for an F350 with a cummins engine, allison transmission, michelin tires and a "PAID IN FULL" title <G>

You don't how how close to the truth you are...Many of those who love their Fords but have issues with the 6.0 are converting to the Cummins engine. About a 10 to 12 g conversion.

[SAABDOCTOR]

I have one guy that comes buy my shop says he has never had a problem with his 6.0. if he is tell ing the truth Ford should buy it back to see what went right with it. i might bump the f350 to a 450 just incase my dw gets any idea's. looks like we may have the truck issue fixed now on to the campers!!!!

[Jimbeau]

If it's not too late, I got the ford f-350 short bed (with the SMALL extra cab) just because it fits in my garage (haha, even if it's by 2" in front and back!!). I put Pullrite 16k sliding hitch. Just be prepared though for the sticker shock of not only the Truck, but the Maintenence will Kill you. A do it yourslf oill change runs about $80. I just paid 113 out the door to have it done. (15 quarts of oil!!). Air filter from $60-80. Uses 2 fuel filters $45.....and on and on and on. Just paid to have replaced a bad injector (did all 4 on that side as a Preventative) $1800. Just be prepared....I wasnt!! haha

[wincrasher]

Sounds like what you need for your current needs would be a Suburban/Yukon with a diesel drivetrain. I wish such a beast existed, because I'd buy it today.

Unfortunately, the "perfect" tow vehicle is going to be a gigantic, dually, long bed crew cab truck. The huge wheel base and payload will let you pull monstrous 5vers up to 45'. I'm sure even some trailers can max out this kind of truck.

The problem with these trucks, in my view, is that they may tow a trailer with confidence, but they are a bear to drive around town, shopping centers, etc, when you are not towing.

I love my 3/4 ton chevy duramax. It's a great size for even a 36' travel trailer. The problem is that if you want to pull a 5ver, you are pretty limited in what you could buy. It just seems that most of them require a 1 ton.

I'd suggest that you have to buy all your equipment fairly closely matched. Don't buy a truck now so that you can buy a bigger trailer 5-6 years from now. in that time, you'd have a nice new trailer and an old truck. If you need a better truck to tow the trailer you have now, just go get one matched for that trailer and maybe a bit more. If in a few years you want the big big trailer, then just get that truck at that time.

Good luck in what you decide.

[datedd]

I would like to know what the 5th wheel Trailering capacity for the Ram 3500 short bed DRW is. There does not seem to be a distinction on the specs sheet from the site. GM for example shows a distinctive capacity for TT and gooseneck / 5th wheel.

Is there any where else where these distinctive numbers are?

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by datedd

I would like to know what the 5th wheel Trailering capacity for the Ram 3500 short bed DRW is. There does not seem to be a distinction on the specs sheet from the site. GM for example shows a distinctive capacity for TT and gooseneck / 5th wheel.

Is there any where else where these distinctive numbers are?

Ram does not specify this information, since the effects on the truck between a TT or 5er should be the same. My reasoning is a properly set-up weight distribution hitch with sway control for a TT will have the same effect as a 5er hitch on the truck. The load will be applied evenly to the front and rear axles and the frame. As long as you do not exceed the GCVW of 26,000 LBS and max trailer weight of 18,350 lbs for the 4:10 differential and Max tow package. Other max trailer weights could apply to your choice of vehicle and trim level. I have chosen just one of many that are listed for an example.

You might be able to do more research on this subject on Pick-ups Trucks.Com see link attached.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2012/06...for-j2807.html

Jim W.

[Bushman512000]

I had them all but the GM line .went away from the goat line now back had 2005 power joker,never left Me but! came real close,back to the goat line oil burner had 3 before this one My Son has My last new 5.9 2003 I now have a 6.7 Power Wagon 4X4 4 door My toy I am sure I will not get a Ford again reason The Ford people do not stand behind the products they sell after the sale ...Bushman

[Hansel]

My 2 cents worth is, if you buying new then I guess you can afford a loan the size of a house ($65,000) IMHO you need to go out and drive and look at each of the 3 big truck companies. I own a 2000 F-250 CC SRW with a 7.3L Powerstroke that has been a treat to own, has towed and hauled everything I've thrown at it, I have a Laredo TT that it pulls without much trouble unless I get into the Georgia mountians, my brother has a GMC Duramax which is a nice truck not sure about the towing, I've never seen him tow with it and I;ve driven it 1 time. The Dodge cummins is a great powerplant but Dodge do not hld the value if try to sell in the future, plus thier drivetrain is not the best. The Ford's STAY AWAY from a 6.0L they have head gasket and EGR cooler problems, the 6.4L isn't the best in fuel mileage. The 6.7L is a Ford design and that's because Ford and International had a falling out when Ford rushed International too push out the 6.0L before it was ready, and basically ruined it's Fords reputation when it came to the dieseal trucks, I will agrue with people that if they think International can't biuld a engine they are wrong.

The ultimate TV isn't made IMHO,

TV= Ford body,Cummins engine, Allison Tranny, so that would be all the big 3 truck's together into 1.