to get a dually, or not to get a dually

[One Ton Trucker]

I have a rare opportunity to trade my stock 2001 F350 Crew Cab Long Bed SRW straight across for a 2003 F350 Crew Cab Dually 7.3L. I advertise work in the paper and occassionally help farmers and construction crews with big stuff. Winters can get pretty nasty here on occassion. Plus the 03 has an Edge with Juice with Attitude and a cold air intake. Should I do it?

[rajharley]

I would only do it if it is an early 2003 model with the 7.3L. Otherwise stay with your rig.

[whiteboystrokin]

My buddy has an 99 f-350 dully and if I was to buy a truck have an EX...I would get the dully. Man, the dully pulls like a champ, great in all weather and is worth the trade.

[lords88]

The only difference you will see is the dually is going to be more stable with a big top heavy load and you will have to buy two more tires. I live on a ranch and we used to run all dualies but we learned fast that as long as you run good tires you don't need a dually. Personally I think the duallies are over rated stick with your truck.

[whiteboystrokin]

yeah you are right the tires...man he goes though them. I stand corrected.

[Blue01F250]

I would do it because the truck is that much newer and possibly would still have a smidge of the 5yr warranty left (if its under 100K)

but if I could trade up, I would! Think of the resale of that dually!!!

[Logan]

What kind of miles are on both trucks? Condition of both? How do they compare to each other?

[KatieRay]

I say Do It! I have an 2003 7.3 Dually and I love it

[One Ton Trucker]

Thanks for all the input. Anything else?

[JohnO]

I didn't set out to get a dually, but they offered me such a good deal that I just couldn't say no.

It's a bit harder to maneuver in traffic, but not that much harder. Just remember to swing a little wider on the turns, and use the rear view mirrors when backing. You can fit it into a standard parking space, but just barely. I think a lot of this comes not so much from the duallies as the crew cab and 8 foot bed. Watch out for concrete lane dividers, they can sink between the rear tires and tear up the sidewalls.

Tire cost. It's an issue, but remember that a rear tire is carrying half the weight. With a good rotation schedule, they'll last longer. End result is that you'll pay more, but not as much as you might think.

Pulling power? You betcha! I was dragging a big oak log yesterday, first time I've really put Big Duke to the test on the farm. Definitely pulls better than single rear wheel. Had one big trailer on it. Don't know if it's the F350 or the dualies, but it sure keeps a load under control.

Bad weather - I've been through a couple of major thunderstorms, and very high winds. It pulled right through. Again, not sure if this is the F350 or the rear, but I've never driven a truck that was this steady in bad weather. Wind doesn't faze it - just be sure a car doesn't get blown into you.

Finally, appearance. Now, I know that's not a big factor in buying a truck (yeah, right), but there's something about this big, hulking monster that looks right. Clears a hole in traffic. Even the dumbest clod in the biggest suv gives this monster a wide berth. It projects a tough, purposeful, 'dam you fer lookin' appearance to it. Yeah, I'm a big truck. You wanna make something of it?