Community Forums

ralbert · 09-25-2005, 04:36 PM

After reading all of the above you have gotten great advice. One other thing to look into is the tail gate opening size. Measure your camper and than make sure the truck body will have the proper size opening. Also if you are looking at used trucks and the truck has a cummins 53 block have someone inspect it for cracks prior to purchase.

Paul Beddows · 09-27-2005, 04:23 AM

I'm in the same dilema. I'm currently leanign towards the GM with the new engive & 6 speed transmission. I liek th ehigher capacity on the Ford, but my brother in law who works for Ford advises aginst the Powerstroke 6.0 engine. I looked at Dodge, but the bodywork is terrible. Give me a Dodge engine with a GM Tranny in a Ford Body. Definitely dually though, anyone knwo if the mileage is impacted much over a SRW?

Don and Sarah · 09-28-2005, 03:14 PM

The fuel milage of srw vs drw has been discussed on one of the forums, not sure which one, and the general feeling is the drw gets 1-2 miles per gallon less than srw.

Harald · 03-09-2006, 10:46 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hmsbeagle:
snip
Single wheel trucks have the same carrying capacity as Duallys (as per the materials from the mfg's).
snip
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm not sure where you got that information, but it's not correct. A camper puts almost all it's weight on the rear axle. A 2000 Ford F350 single rear wheel (SRW) truck is rated 6830 lbs on the rear axle. This is probably not a coincidence that the highest rated 16 inch tires available are rated for 3415 lbs max per tire, which adds up to 6830 lbs tire capacity on the rear. The dually rating with it's stronger Dana 80 rear end is 9750 lbs and there's 4 tires sharing the load. This is probably the biggest factor for carrying a big camper: if you overload the tires, you are asking for trouble. I've hauled a very heavy camper on a SRW truck and even with the rear tires aired up to 90 psi they got really hot. A very hot tire is bad news because it will delaminate and blow out.

So whatever you do, don't exceed the tire ratings. BTW, I'm over Ford's limits for my truck with my camper loaded but well within the tire limits.

Riverdog · 03-27-2006, 08:18 AM

I too would say to avoid the 6.0 Ford diesel. I understand it has around 80 Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) already and the engine is only a couple of years old. The new Cummins I hear has just a couple TSB's & it is roughly the same age as the 6.0 Powerstroke. I believe the Duramax (Chevy) has 12-15, but it is 6 years old now.

So either Chevy or Dodge is probably safe (may Chevy gets the nod with all the positive's regarding the Allison tranny with the DMax). But if you're a Ford guy you might want to consider the 7.3 Powerstroke (2003 & earlier) as it is reputed to be bullet proof.

Good Luck!!

Lorne · 04-05-2006, 04:57 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">you slidein </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I agree with Bed, Ford with dodge engine. Go DWR, havent heard good stuff about 6.0 ford, NEVER TRUST DEALER OR STICKER WEIGHTS! My 11.5 Weekender sticker says 3650, weights 4,200, my AF 1150 says 3,100 weights 4,700! Go with a 450 or 550 if you want a big TC. So, looks like ford is the winner if you want to go big. If you go smaller, Dodge. Maybe Chevy. Lots seem to be happy though.

TexasTortuga · 05-17-2006, 06:13 PM

A couple of other things to consider. A 4X4 is a little heavier than a 4X2 and that eats into the carrying capacity. The ride height of a Ford or Dodge 3500 with camper is going to have a higher center of gravity which is critical in an emergency lane change, etc. The Dodge is a 6 liter, 6 cylinder, the Ford a 6 liter V-8 and the Chevy has a 6.6 liter V-8--cubic inches, yadah, yadah...

Don and Sarah · 05-24-2006, 05:09 PM

I don't think the Ford 6.0 is as bad as the net would lead you to believe. Mine never gave me any trouble for the first 22,000 miles. Then I brunt the #3 piston, Ford replace the engine under warranty in less than 2 weeks. I now have about 10,000 miles on the new engine and it hasn't missed a beat. Other than the engine, I have not had the truck in for any but regular service. My first engine was the first series of the 6.0 that everyone complains about so I expected more problems and was suprised that I had nothing until the engine went, and have had none after so far. It hauls my camper, tows the jeep as well and has plenty of power. It is the auto and has the tow/haul mode like the allison and works great. I don't think people should be as afraid to have one as they think. My partner at work had his 2006 chey duramax/allison leave him sitting in a parking lot 400miles from home. The trany went out all at once, took over 2 weeks to get parts and fix it. So any particular truck from any manufactuerer can give you grief, its the luck of the draw.

WRV of Tennessee · 05-26-2006, 03:25 PM

I have a 2003 F450 PSD with auto and 4x4. Had some difficulty until I was sent to a young diesel mechanic in Nashville who is considered one of the best in the Ford stable.He has one of the lowest returns for work he does and never had a truck boght back by Ford. Since he put his magic on my truck. For the past 35,000 miles the truck has run oh so good. The young man is a very highly paid mechanic. He is almost overwhelm with work. If the 6.0L is treated right by the right mechanic, the 6.0L will do okay and be a good truck.

Dave · 05-27-2006, 04:07 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AllenF:
We just purchased a new Ford F-350 4X4 dually King Ranch with the 6.0 diesel and the 5 speed auto. If you compare this truck to the other 2 manufacturers (Dodge,GM)it for now comes out on top for towing and it is rated to carry more in the bed also. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Really? The Duramax has more HP and more Torque. The auto trans has 1 more gear. The peak torque on the duramax is just over 1600 rpm, which I believe is lower than the 6.0 also.

Is the ford 350 rated to pull 16,000 pounds?

Hemi · 05-28-2006, 03:57 PM

I am using a 1999 F350 dually for my bigfoot 3000. It is my belief based on several years of use that the F350 is really too small for the bigfoot.

If I had the chance to do it all over I would go for the F-550.

Note: the F-350 with the 7.3 powerstroke is an excellent rig-never given me any trouble; however the frame and suspension is not sufficient for the bigfoot 3000 which when fully loaded and equipped weighs close to 4400 lbs.

IVER (Hemi).