To SRW or DRW that is the question?

[96PSD]

I have followed and read so many threads, but I am still asking for opinions on a major decision I am trying to wrestle with. I have currently a 96 F-350 4x4 CC PSD SRW 4.10 w/ 202k miles that I tow a Cedar Creek 5th Wheel, weighing in about 11,500 most of the time with a pin weight of 1850 lbs pretty much. So I am looking to buy a used or left over 06/07 6.0L CC 4x4 Long Bed. I am flip flopping on upgrading to a DRW or stay with a SRW. It will be a F-350 4x4, but which one. I've looked at the 06/07 literature and understand that 4.10 would only be available in the DRW and I would have to step down to 3.73 in a SRW.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong about that too.

So anyone want to chime in if I should go up to the DRW or be fine with the SRW (if the safety factor is well within means, I don't want to be in the 85+% of capacity of a SRW)? I live in NJ so DRW could mean a minor inconvience, but then again I drive small micro buses for the school I work at from time to time so DRW does not bother me.

[96PSD]

I have followed and read so many threads, but I am still asking for opinions on a major decision I am trying to wrestle with. I have currently a 96 F-350 4x4 CC PSD SRW 4.10 w/ 202k miles that I tow a Cedar Creek 5th Wheel, weighing in about 11,500 most of the time with a pin weight of 1850 lbs pretty much. So I am looking to buy a used or left over 06/07 6.0L CC 4x4 Long Bed. I am flip flopping on upgrading to a DRW or stay with a SRW. It will be a F-350 4x4, but which one. I've looked at the 06/07 literature and understand that 4.10 would only be available in the DRW and I would have to step down to 3.73 in a SRW.
Somebody correct me if I am wrong about that too.

So anyone want to chime in if I should go up to the DRW or be fine with the SRW (if the safety factor is well within means, I don't want to be in the 85+% of capacity of a SRW)? I live in NJ so DRW could mean a minor inconvience, but then again I drive small micro buses for the school I work at from time to time so DRW does not bother me.

[TXiceman]

It all boils down to pin weight and GVWR for the truck. With that said, a DRW will be more stable due to the wide rear end. More width and more stability.

Some say a DRW is bad in the snow and wet roads. I've driven mine in all kinds of conditions and no problems. When we lived in northeastern Oklahoma, I would put about 400 pounds of sand/soil in plastic bags over the rear axle and never had a problem. Wife used it in the spring for gardening.

You can rule out using 99% of the drive-thru windows and may have to park a bit farther out at Wal-Mart.

Ken

[Route 66]

Take a look at the FORD TOWING GUIDE for more info on truck selection.

[Rick A]

I have a '99 F-350 dually. As far as snow and wet roads, mine is 4X2 and I have not missed a day of work because of snow. I keep good tires on it and put weight in it in the snow. As for parking, I park in any open space at Walmart without a problem. The ride is excellent, better than the F-250 4X4's I test drove recently. But I attribute that to the Bilstein shocks and it being 2 wheel drive. My trailer is about the same weights as yours and I do not feel any sway at all. Very little sag in the rear end with the trailer hooked up. I can even get the truck in my garage, a tight fit getting the fat rear end in, but it fits. My only complaints are I have had problems with bank drive thrus, but none with fast food drive thrus. It is costly to replace 6 tires vs four.

[Lee C]

SRW vs DRW is a pretty hot topic on a couple of the forums that I visit. If pin weight is not an issue there are strong arguments both ways.

That being said, we went from a 2500 Chevy to a dually about a year ago and I dont see us ever going back. Loaded, the dually does not sway nearly as much. Four rear tires dont flex as much as 2.

I have not had any problems with drive thru's. The rear tires dont stick out much more than the big mirrors. I use a drive up ATM on a regular basis and have used the drive through at fast food places quite a bit. The length of our crew cab long bed is much more of an inconvenience that the width.

The dually rides a little harsher empty if you don't air down the tires and 6 of em is gonna be expensive when the time comes.

I cant help you with your gear ratio questions. Have you tried Ford's website?

I'm sure you'll take a couple of long test drives before you buy.

Good luck!

Lee

[CD]

96PSD
My vote is for duals. 55psi in the tires will carry more than the axle is rated for and rides a lot better than 80. I agree with the previous posts. I had another 01 dodge just like the present one except it had 3:54 rear. This one has 4:10. I like it much better and since the PSD runs at a higher RPM the 4:10 would be more important. I haven't had any problem on bad roads either. I think where people get into trouble is to much speed and the outside duals will pull you around in snow.

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

I have a SRW 3500 Dodge, and a 5er that lists pin weight empty at 1900. I bet with the weight of hitch, gas cans, passenger and whatever I'm close to GVWR.

It handles fine in wind and what not, but could be more stable on uneven pavement.

If I had it to do over again, I would have gotten a dually. The truck handles my 5th wheel pretty good, but lately I've been thinking about getting a setup with more space that doesn't require big ATV's be turned sideways...

[RobG]

If you don't think you'll ever get a bigger trailer, you can probably do with SRW. If there's any chance of upgrading down the road, get the dually.

I'm on my fourth Dodge dually. I hate 'em, they're a pain when it's time to buy tires and when parking them, but for what I do with it, it's mandatory.

Rob

[96PSD]

Well the topic can be ended. Last weekend I picked up a used 06 Ford F350 6.0L Diesel Crew Cab 4x4 dually, copper metallic exterior and the king ranch interior. She is beautiful. Only had 7800 miles on it.

[TXiceman]

With the 6.0L, I'd be sure and get an extended warranty to cover the engine. I still hear of 06 PSD's with problems. No one knows how they will do on the long haul.

Ken

[Jeff_in_The_Dalles]

Well, congrats on the new truck. Hopefully it will provide you with lots of happy towing.

Even though the newer 6.0's are said to be much better than the very first ones, I think I'd also be looking at an extended warranty.

[96PSD]

I think I have got that one already covered. The miage says 7800 but the hour meter says 12hrs when I picked it up. My guess it was a buy back and they put a new motor in and dropped it out on the wholesale lot or something. I will have to do a little more research when I have time. I did an Oasis at my local Ford dealership and it didn't say anything about a new engine, though it did have an injector problem at 2400 miles.

[RobG]

Congrats on the new truck!! Hopefully it will serve you well!

Rob