2019 Ford F350 SW - Cedar Creek 37MBH

[texgirl]

Originally Posted by mrgrayaz

We did it for years mate. Under rated tow rating, under GCWR, under Rear GAWR. Smidge over GVWR of the truck sometimes. Entirely stock suspension. And this was at Max trailer load (16,200lbs GVWR), which is relevant for fulltimers, likely not for weekenders. Very stable, very secure, i'd do our truck/trailer again without second thought. I've never understood the people who think SRW's trucks towing heavy are "White knuckling" it around and unsafe.
I always recommend working with GVWR on trailers that have a low CCC (especially travel trailers), but on these big boys - with nearly 4000lbs of CCC, its less relevant for weekenders.
Keep under the axle/tire ratings, keep under GCWR (cooling and durability considerations) and go camping.

oh my goodness.. so many different opinions... taking all into consideration... so excited about the trailer but this truck situation is stressing me out! Thanks so much. KIM

[tuffr2]

As you sift thru all these posts I will add that those that tow big(ish) 5th wheels with SRW trucks probably never used a dually. If they did they might change their story. A dually adds a bunch of stable characteristics that you do not have in a SRW truck.

My new wife was excited because she likes to RV. Her ex and her used to RV too. So the 1st time she rides with me towing a 16,000lb trailer she comments and asked how much the 5th wheel weighs. I say 16,000lbs per CAT scale. She said her and her ex used to tow a 13,000lb 5th wheel with a Chevy diesel SRW diesel. She said this ride feels different. I asked 'How so'?
She said it did not feel squishy or wiggly. Again, she was in the passenger seat. She could tell the difference between towing with SRW vs DRW. The wider rear track with 4 tires instead of 2 tires does make a difference.

Do some research on the Ford 2nd gen 6.7 powerstroke. I am not sure if it was 2014, 15, or 16. You will want the 2nd gen over the 1st gen.

If you can swing for a 2017 that is the model year Ford uses a new high strength steel boxed frame. Prior to 2017 they used a 'C' channel frame that would flex.

I had a 2012 super duty and now a 2017. I really liked the 2012 but like the 2017 better.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

As you sift thru all these posts I will add that those that tow big(ish) 5th wheels with SRW trucks probably never used a dually. If they did they might change their story. A dually adds a bunch of stable characteristics that you do not have in a SRW truck.

My new wife was excited because she likes to RV. Her ex and her used to RV too. So the 1st time she rides with me towing a 16,000lb trailer she comments and asked how much the 5th wheel weighs. I say 16,000lbs per CAT scale. She said her and her ex used to tow a 13,000lb 5th wheel with a Chevy diesel SRW diesel. She said this ride feels different. I asked 'How so'?
She said it did not feel squishy or wiggly. Again, she was in the passenger seat. She could tell the difference between towing with SRW vs DRW. The wider rear track with 4 tires instead of 2 tires does make a difference.

Do some research on the Ford 2nd gen 6.7 powerstroke. I am not sure if it was 2014, 15, or 16. You will want the 2nd gen over the 1st gen.

If you can swing for a 2017 that is the model year Ford uses a new high strength steel boxed frame. Prior to 2017 they used a 'C' channel frame that would flex.

I had a 2012 super duty and now a 2017. I really liked the 2012 but like the 2017 better.

X2!
many don't want to have the hips. I don't feel the hips are that big of deal. What is a big deal is the difference is stability way better!

[tuffr2]

2015 model year and newer have the 2nd generation 6.7 litre power stroke engine. My 1st Gen 2012 that I had for 6.5 years gave me zero problems. As a matter if fact every bell and whistle still worked on my King Ranch dually. It had 400HP and 800 ft. lbs. torque. Gen 2 has 440HP and 860ft. Torque.

Again, if you can spring for a 2017 that would be one heck of a truck. You get a great engine coupled with a rock solid frame.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

X2!
many don't want to have the hips. I don't feel the hips are that big of deal. What is a big deal is the difference is stability way better!

One gets used to turning tight corners like a truck driver. I have driven both SRW and DRW with 10 000lb to 16 000 lb loads. I know 2 here that will say I exagerate but the feeling in a SRW is kinda scary. Sidewall (tire) flexing in back, wiggliness when a truck passes, heck, even just badly rutted roads all feel 2x worse in a SRW.

Blow a rear tire when loaded on a SRW=very risky situation. A dually has that margin of safety. It really is SO much more stable.

My guesstimate is probably half the 34ft+ trailers I see on 3/4 ton trucks are at or over limits be it total payload, GCVWR or especially RAWR. Many 3/4 ton trucks run those semi low profile tires which are crap for hauling if you ask me.

There will always be some that dole out bad or unsafe advice, I hope the original poster can figure out what's best for them and what IS safe. A few grand, a few feet a few thousand lbs, nothing is worth a human life or safety.

[mrgrayaz]

But is a DRW required for a 16k trailer?

No - a SRW can satisfy all of the requirements. You can tow it under GCWR, GAWR, GVWR. Under all legal and Ford required weights. The government and Ford has determined these are safe weights. Therefor - I believe it to be safe. Also I've ton a heck of a lot of SRW towing and never had a *white knuckle* moment once, so my personal experience backs up the Legal and Ford numbers.

Some prefer the added stability of a dually - and perhaps they live outside the city and have plenty of parking. These are clearly here in this thread...loudly. And thats fine! And the new dually's can tow more then 30K+ pounds. They are impressive machines.

Some prefer the ease of driving a unloaded 1 Ton SRW for the 95% of the time they aren't towing. *raises hand*. (except I tow a lot more then 5% of the time)

Many - prefer to run entirely over weight in all regards on 3/4 ton trucks (250/2500's) - and you know what? They mostly seem to do fine too. Lots of safety factor built in for the general public. Otherwise they wouldn't be doing it by the hundreds of thousands (if not millions)

Is anyone wrong? Well, I think the 3/4 ton guys are wrong...As long as its within spec and under the numbers, I cannot fathom why anyone would recommend against a SRW 1 Ton Diesel for a weekend duty on a 16,000lb trailer, which will never ever see 16,000lbs. Is a DRW better? YES! but so is a Class 8 truck! But not very practical for daily driving.

But a SB SRW will do the job safely, and comfortably as I've proved over the last 50k miles and under required specs *shrug*. It will be easier to park. It will get better fuel economy unloaded, it will ride better unloaded. It can fit through car washes and drive through easily. It is the correct truck for the job. You can always go for what everyone seems to think is a better towing experience - and get a DRW, and that's fine too. But of course there are certain compromises in daily driving to be had for that. There is a balance here that each person needs to reach according to their needs.

I don't know why this always devolves to an almost religious argument.

[Off Road]

I will stay out of the dually vs srw discussion. What I will say is, get a diesel, don’t even consider a gas truck. I don’t know who said diesels can’t sit but I have multiple green tractors that sit all winter, until late Spring. They start right up and are out working in minutes after sitting. The fuel doesn’t go bad, just fill it full of fuel before you put it away and it will be fine.
Gas trucks are not nearly as relaxing to drive.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by Off Road

I will stay out of the dually vs srw discussion. What I will say is, get a diesel, don’t even consider a gas truck. I don’t know who said diesels can’t sit but I have multiple green tractors that sit all winter, until late Spring. They start right up and are out working in minutes after sitting. The fuel doesn’t go bad, just fill it full of fuel before you put it away and it will be fine.
Gas trucks are not nearly as relaxing to drive.

I was one who mentioned that. Algae gowth in diesel is still an issue in 2019. Go to any diesel specialist and ask, many major repairs are caused by it.

New turbodiesels are no longer the same as they were 15 years ago. I think they all have variable vane turbos now. There are tight tolerances involved. Many folks have had turbo issues (vane sticking) from trucks sitting too long and not being run hard enough (exercised) regularly.

I have a gasser and some days wish I had more power but I can't say it's not relaxing. My next truck could still be a gasser, reliability of the new generation will determine my choice.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by kdauto

I was one who mentioned that. Algae gowth in diesel is still an issue in 2019. Go to any diesel specialist and ask, many major repairs are caused by it.

New turbodiesels are no longer the same as they were 15 years ago. I think they all have variable vane turbos now. There are tight tolerances involved. Many folks have had turbo issues (vane sticking) from trucks sitting too long and not being run hard enough (exercised) regularly.

I have a gasser and some days wish I had more power but I can't say it's not relaxing. My next truck could still be a gasser, reliability of the new generation will determine my choice.

No issues with algae around here that I know of, sticky turbo vanes, caused by only using exhaust brake when towing, I use mine every time the truck is driven.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by mrgrayaz

But is a DRW required for a 16k trailer?

No - a SRW can satisfy all of the requirements. You can tow it under GCWR, GAWR, GVWR. Under all legal and Ford required weights. The government and Ford has determined these are safe weights. Therefor - I believe it to be safe. Also I've ton a heck of a lot of SRW towing and never had a *white knuckle* moment once, so my personal experience backs up the Legal and Ford numbers.

Some prefer the added stability of a dually - and perhaps they live outside the city and have plenty of parking. These are clearly here in this thread...loudly. And thats fine! And the new dually's can tow more then 30K+ pounds. They are impressive machines.

Some prefer the ease of driving a unloaded 1 Ton SRW for the 95% of the time they aren't towing. *raises hand*. (except I tow a lot more then 5% of the time)

Many - prefer to run entirely over weight in all regards on 3/4 ton trucks (250/2500's) - and you know what? They mostly seem to do fine too. Lots of safety factor built in for the general public. Otherwise they wouldn't be doing it by the hundreds of thousands (if not millions)

Is anyone wrong? Well, I think the 3/4 ton guys are wrong...As long as its within spec and under the numbers, I cannot fathom why anyone would recommend against a SRW 1 Ton Diesel for a weekend duty on a 16,000lb trailer, which will never ever see 16,000lbs. Is a DRW better? YES! but so is a Class 8 truck! But not very practical for daily driving.

But a SB SRW will do the job safely, and comfortably as I've proved over the last 50k miles and under required specs *shrug*. It will be easier to park. It will get better fuel economy unloaded, it will ride better unloaded. It can fit through car washes and drive through easily. It is the correct truck for the job. You can always go for what everyone seems to think is a better towing experience - and get a DRW, and that's fine too. But of course there are certain compromises in daily driving to be had for that. There is a balance here that each person needs to reach according to their needs.

I don't know why this always devolves to an almost religious argument.

I am curious as to how you manage to full time with a 16.2K 5er, in a TV with a 11.5K GVWR? Either you have nothing except you and DW in the TV, the Alfa is a triple axle 5er with a pin closer to 15%. You need close to a 4,000# payload on that F350 SRW.

[bross]

To me, the biggest benefit of diesel vs gas is the exhaust brake. Our Canyon Star with the Ford V10 had plenty of power for climbing hills, it just would have been nice to have an exhaust brake for descents. Now that we've downsized to a smaller 5300lb TT don't have a need for an exhaust brake but if we ever go back to a bigger 5th wheel toy hauler, it would be a diesel for the simple reason that I'd want the exhaust brake.

[Gsykora]

This is just my experience, so take it for what you will.

We had a 2014 F350 SRW Platinum edition Powerstroke. I added a Titan replacement 50 gallon fuel tank and a Superglide auto slider hitch. Otherwise, the truck was stock - stock 20in wheels and tires, no airbags, etc. Truck has 3400lbs of cargo capacity and GVW of 11,400 lbs.

Our 5th wheel is a 2018 Cedar Creek 36CK2. GVW is 16,900lbs, about 3500lbs of cargo capacity and we added the washer/dryer option that sits in the front over the hitch area.

When we took this setup through the CAT scales, it was overweight by 247lbs. However, front axles and rear axles and tires were all below max. I figure if I didn't have the larger fuel tank and didn't have the washer/dryer option and maybe something way lighter than the autoslide hitch, we would be easily under capacity on all measurements.

Towed with this rig for over 6000 miles from Dallas up through Rushmore, Glacier, Yellowstone, Utah and Colorado and we had absolutely no issues. Truck handled all those mountains just fine (going up and coming down).

I got in a wreck last Sept and the truck got totalled, so I took the opportunity to move up to a 2015 F350 Platinum Edition dually. Thought driving a dually around as my daily would be tuff, but it really isn't. Park further out in parking lots and have to wash it myself vs going through the full service wash. Would love to have kept the SRW but the dually really does a better job - plus it looks better under the trailer.

[texgirl]

I am starting to think all this is not worth it! We are not living in it.. just camping.. we may just go back to a smaller option that we can tow with what we have... we LOVE the CC but it is so big... its that mid bunk we really want causing it to get to 42 feet... I am worn out, this should be more fun....

[mrgrayaz]

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

I am curious as to how you manage to full time with a 16.2K 5er, in a TV with a 11.5K GVWR? Either you have nothing except you and DW in the TV, the Alfa is a triple axle 5er with a pin closer to 15%. You need close to a 4,000# payload on that F350 SRW.

Correct - nothing in the truck but me and the lady (and dog).
We did 35K miles on the 2005 F-350 (3640lbs payload)
15k miles on the 2017 F-350 (3704lbs payload)
Trailer was dual axle, usually about 13k lbs (scaled) on the axles, basement loaded to the gills.