Finally have decided on Diesel truck,need some advice - RV-Dreams Community Forum

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Finally have decided on Diesel truck,need some advice

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Richard,

While a short wheelbase may be beneficial for turning and parking, a longer wheelbase may prove to be a more comfortable ride. Back when I drove 18-wheelers, the long wheelbase was preferred for ride. Only when one went East of the Mississippi and had to be concerned with legal lengths did one want to use a short wheelbase truck.

Also, considering that you are looking at getting up into the 33 feet plus in length of the trailer, you will be looking at heavier trailers. For handling and parking, the fifth wheels are easier than travel trailers. Take a good long look at weight capability when you are buying the truck first. It would be better to get more capability in the truck than less so that you don't end up with a trailer that a smaller truck can't handle.

For 33 feet plus, I wouldn't even consider anything less than a Ford F350. Even that would need the 4:30 rear end and tow package to keep you in the weight range. A trailer weighing much over 15,500 pounds loaded would just about be the limit for an F350, and that would be pushing it in my opinion.

Many choose to decide on a trailer first, and then choose a truck that will handle the weight of the chosen trailer.

Terry

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Richard,

To add to Terry's comments, the short wheel base is not as stable and you will have to get a slider hitch for towing, which many people find undesirable. I really would recommend the 8 foot bed.

There's a lot of good buys out there in used trucks.

DagoRanch · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you don't plan on ever going off the beaten path, I'd stick with a 2 wheel drive. It will actually give you a little bit more carrying capacity (less weight), less parts to go bad, a "little" extra MPG (not much, probably only 1mpg better). I only have a 4x4 due to my remote "ranch" which I plan on being at for extended periods of time.

The longer wheelbase trucks do give you an advantage, and that advantage is a smooth towing experience and better ride when you're not towing.

I'm currently using my tow vehicle as my daily driver (very short commute) and I was certainly surprised at the smoothness of it. I have an 02' F350 Dually Crew Cab Longbed with a wheelbase of 176". I can make a u-turn better than some cars I've driven, don't have a problem with parking and the only downside that I've seen so far is that I can't fit through some drive thru's... that's actually good for my waistline

You may be surprised at the ease of driving such a long truck, don't let the size intimidate you. Drive one and see how you like it.

I say this knowing that I'm comfortable driving trucks, even Big Rigs, so that may have something to do with it!

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

Richard,

You future plans will dictate the truck to get. Look for a truck with more towing capacity than the 33 footer you plan to end up with. It's always safer to go with more truck than you need.

I've had 4X4s and found I rarely needed it unless I got way off the beaten path. Only once towing my 5th wheel did I run into a situation where having a 4X4 would have helped. I ended up asking a buddy to use his 4X4 to get my trailer up a slippery hill.

Longer is better for ride comfort. As others have said shorter is better for tight turns.

My preferred truck is a long bed, crew cab, dual rear wheel, 2 wheel drive. We use the back seat area to carry the extras we bring along that don't have a permanent place in the 5th wheel. It's also nice for sight seeing trips to bring others along.

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

The weight of the 4 wheel drive componets will cut into your tow weight, by about 300 to 400 lb's. So if you are looking at maximizing your tow capacity, and you don't anticipate going off road, you may want to go with a 2WD.

Flyone

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks everyone. Long bed,2WD.Got it. Have quotes on the extended cab and the crew cab, lon bed.When all is said and done, only about 3k difference for much better equipped crew Cab.Crew Cab has addn'l rebate that Ext. doesn't. 7K diesel rebate, or 0% x60,1.9% x 72. The addn'l XLT rebate of $1200, applies if you take the &k, or the financing. If I had everything sold ,and was ready to go, I'd take the 7K, for sure, that would bring the price down to $34,500 (X-plan). Ultimate TT is 32'Jayco Eagle weighing 7785 dry, but for next two years we'll be towing something in the 19-24 ft range. Since we own our own business, the advantages of buying the truck now, while we are working, are numerous. If I were ready to go now,I'd be more concerned about buying the trailer first, but I need to get the most utility from the truck, for the next two years. Thanks again, Richard

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Well tomorrow is D day for the truck. We have the x-plan prices on two diesel trucks which will do our future needs and more than handle our current 23"4500 lb TT. One truck is a 4x4, which I'll never expect to use. Other one is 4x2,has navigation and leather, and all sorts of stuff I'd never buy,but the price difference is only 1500. Since the 4X2 is 3" lower off the garage floor, that would help a tight garage situation. I'm just concerned about all the electronics in the 4x2. Nav,tailgate camera, Sync, etc,etc. Any thoughts at this late date are welcome. Coming home tomorrow afternoon with one of them, as price is already settled via X-plan.They are even the same color, pewter, or whatever name they give it. A great thing, if you have relatives or friends working for or retired from Ford.Will be the 4th Ford vehicle we bought this way.Thanks, Your help has been invaluable..Richard

johncrenshaw · RV-Dreams Community Member

Having been going through many of the same issues on a tow for a four season 5er as you have/are I find the new Ford trucks somewhat a contradiction.

Per Ford spec's the gears being offered in the 2011 F350 DRW is 3:73's. The gears offered in the F450 is 3:73, nothing lower. The fifth-wheel tow ratings for a two wheel drive F350 is 17,800 +/-. The rating for the F450 is 24,400 +/-.

What happened to all of the 4:10 and lower gears? So frame, springs, brakes, and axles give you close to 7,000 pounds more towing capacity?

Having towed with both the 3:73 and the 4:10 behind diesels I am having a hard time seeing how a six speed transmission can make up that much differance in tow-ability.

I would go with the Crew Cab and 8 foot bed.

John

DagoRanch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow, I just built a new one on Fords site and you're right!

It's not the transmission that's different per-se, it's the new 6.7 (Ford not Navistar/International) motor that they obviously have a ton of faith in producing enough low end torque to make it work.

You can get a 4.30 gear if you get the 6.2 liter gas V8.

Interesting!

rclvnv · RV-Dreams Family Member

We got the Diesel 2wd Lariat,super cab, with all the goodies.The X-plan discount and the rebates offered on the 2010's made the truck a real value for us. I've had diesel cars, but never a diesel truck. Some of you talked about the smile on your face when driving a diesel truck, How true.Hard to describe the feeling We're very happy we decided to do this and again thanks for all the advice/help. Although we are 2-3 years away from our F/T goal, we now have the truck sorted out. Richard

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

I tow with a short bed and do not have any problem