Community Forums

jimjnc · 12-09-2007, 12:23 PM

guys i really need your help, i am was planning on ordering a Ford super duty truck this week, i am almost set to order an F350 dual wheel with tow boss package, this truck will vary rarely be pulling anything put we plan to buy a 5th wheel next summer in the 38 to 40 ft range, do i really need to buy an f450 for this 5th wheel, or will the F350 be okay pulling that size RV 4 or 5 times a year? secondly do i really need the 4.30 gears for this weight as compareto a 4.10 rear?? I am confused-PLEASE HELP

jimjnc · 12-09-2007, 12:23 PM

guys i really need your help, i am was planning on ordering a Ford super duty truck this week, i am almost set to order an F350 dual wheel with tow boss package, this truck will vary rarely be pulling anything put we plan to buy a 5th wheel next summer in the 38 to 40 ft range, do i really need to buy an f450 for this 5th wheel, or will the F350 be okay pulling that size RV 4 or 5 times a year? secondly do i really need the 4.30 gears for this weight as compareto a 4.10 rear?? I am confused-PLEASE HELP

RustyJC · 12-09-2007, 01:01 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by jimjnc:
guys i really need your help, i am was planning on ordering a Ford super duty truck this week, i am almost set to order an F350 dual wheel with tow boss package, this truck will vary rarely be pulling anything put we plan to buy a 5th wheel next summer in the 38 to 40 ft range, do i really need to buy an f450 for this 5th wheel, or will the F350 be okay pulling that size RV 4 or 5 times a year? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
With all respect, without weights for the trailer, no one can give you an absolute answer regarding which truck will have the ratings you need.

I would consider this, however. What if your question was, "I am planning on lifting a 5000 lb load, but I'll only be lifting it 3 or 4 times a year. Do I really need a 3 ton hoist, or can I get by with a 2 ton hoist?"

I've never heard anyone complain that they had too much truck, but I've heard quite a few complain because they didn't have enough truck for the job.

Rusty

jimjnc · 12-09-2007, 01:56 PM

Rusty, Your right I didnt give enough info, the following is the 5th wheel I have looked at that I like the most, Glendale Titanium overall length 39'1" dry pin weight 2,084 dry weight 11,594 G V W R 14,751. I guess I like you dont want to not have enough truck but truly do not want to buy way to much truck. The 4.30 rear gear vs 4.10 Changes F350 drw to the following 4.10 GCWR 23,500 4.30 GCWR 26,00 and 5th wheel towing 4.10 15,200 and 4.30 to 17,700 coventional towing is the same- I am new to 5th wheel life so I hope my questions dont appear to be to uneducated. Jim

Roam America · 12-09-2007, 02:59 PM

Agreed, need more weight info to help. But what is the issue with the F-450? If you are worried about driving a 450, I had an `06 F-350 dually and now have an `08 F-450. Not a dang bit of difference between driving them. But if I go to a heavier trailer, I don't need to worry about the weights. I got the 4:30's and like them.

jimjnc · 12-09-2007, 03:10 PM

John, posted my weights , only concern about F450 is that I would be driving it 85% of the time not towing anything, and I am sure from what I have read that you get about 10 miles to the gallon empty and 6 towing-dont get me wrong< I LOVE THE FORD F450-it looks like an awesome machine, but I am the worlds worst at over buying everything, and I do not want to screw this up, 2 things- this will be the first big truck I have ever bought, second when I get the 5th wheel I asure you it will only be used 8 to 10 times a year. have test driven the F350 drw with 4.30 gears, king ranch version, what a wonderful, comfortable truck- I know the Horsepower has been knocked down by ford on the F450 and I am told it drives some what rough when empty. you tell me

xc-mark · 12-09-2007, 05:21 PM

If your towing in the mountains more gear is a must. You dont state where your from or how long your going to tow this trailer. If your retired and going to run threw the Rockies 10 weeks a year or 10 weekend trips 10 miles from home, again it does make a differance ! Auto or standard trans ?

jimjnc · 12-09-2007, 06:12 PM

xc-mark,
I am 38 years old and a long way from retirement. I live on the coast on North Carolina. I cant say if I will spend much time going through the mountains but it is a possibility. I am really leaning towards the F350 drw with 4.30 rear gear, It will give me better mileage during all the non-towing time, and I think the 5th wheel I listed in my earlier post is well within this trucks limits, I am just looking to all you guys with a lot f towing experience to double check me on this. By the way it will be auto trans. Thanks

Barney & Cheryl Fife · 12-09-2007, 06:50 PM

I can't help but agree with the previous posts about not being able to buy too much truck. I too have a Titanium 3439QS. love the trailer, full timing since March 05. Traded the F350 off this spring and built an F550. world of difference. If you are serious about towing and mileage install an OverDrive unit from US Gear or GearVendor. I've had both, and they work very well. Best wishes Barney

Roam America · 12-10-2007, 05:06 AM

jimjnc

Missed your post with the weights. Sorry.

According to Ford, both the F-350 and F-450 Powerstroke have 350HP and 650 Ft/Lbs torque for `08. Not sure who told you it is less in the 450. I had an `06 F-350 with 4:30 gears. It towed my 16,500# trailer very nicely. No issues driving out west during my recent trip. Pulled the hills very nicely. You won't be disappointed.

As for the ride. The `08 is a very different creature than previous years. I drove both an `08 F-350 dually and F-450 dually. Both rode about the same and is a much better ride than my `06. If fact my wife (and her herniated disc) is much more comfortable riding in our new truck (F-450) than in her Honda Accord. My truck is a daily driver. I went with the F-450 as I plan on getting a new trailer in a few years and I will have a more broader choice of trailers with this truck. After all we are beginning out life fulltiming next year and our trailer will be our home.

And as of today, I am getting around 14 solo and 10 towing. MPG on all of the 6.4L diesels suck regardless of model. It has to do with the motor, not the model. Some do better and other worse. Also, if I believe the many Ford forums I read, it should continue getting better as the motor breaks in. It has improved since I first picked up the truck.

jimjnc · 12-10-2007, 05:27 AM

John, you have been a lot of help, thanks, according to Ford the F450 motor is governed to 325 horsepower at 3000 rpms, a friend of mine at Ford told me this was to make sure trans doesnt break?? Anyway You told me what I needed- you will be full timing- And I will be a part timer, I truly think in my situation the f350 will be great, for now, in the future it may change as life gives me more time to travel. I just want to verify that the f350 will be fine on the specs for the trailer I listed in the earlier post, by the way how do you like the titanium trailer?? Thanks so much jim

Roam America · 12-10-2007, 10:36 AM

We stopped at a local RV dealer when they first came out. I think they looked very nice and well built. The only thing that did not fit our needs was the lack of a bedroom slideout. Not that that is a strike against them, it's just a bedroom slide is a MUST for us. The sales person to us that a bedroom slide in not possible with the double overhang. Although I now see that they have figured that out for one of their models.

Based on the weights you listed, in MOHO, the F-350 with 4:30's should do just fine.

And I did some checking. Seems the F-450 with a 6-speed manual tranny OR an auto tranny with 4:88 rear is governed to 325HP/600# torque as you stated. That said, by ommision, the F-450 auto tranny with 4:10 or 4:30 would not be governed.

jimjnc · 12-10-2007, 02:47 PM

John, once again thank you, i just re read your post about your F450- and you state your gas mileage is around 14 solo and 10 pulling, you know that is truly good for that truck- on the ford forums no one is telling that they get that type of mileage, you have me reconsidering the trucks f350 vs f450, i dont think the f350 with 4.30 is getting much better, a question- is your truck with the 4.30 still governed to not exceed 82 miles per hour?? I didnt know if that was all F450 trucks or just those with 4.88 rear- not that any of us needs to be going faster than 80!! Thank you Jim