Good All around Rig!

[robertcarmel]

Here is the delemna:

My Mother, and Stepfather are looking for a Rig to tow their 32' + trailer in the weight Range of about 10 - 12K and possibly a 10' Enclosed Wells fargo behind that.

They are looking for a Dually 4x4 F350

So I have some concerns, and questions for the folks that work the Superduty trucks professionally.

Concerns:
1) Will DRW be of much of a benefit if the majority of thier traveling is going to be coast to Coast traveling for snowbird traveling?

2) If they go DRW, should they consider a lower gearing (4:1, or 4:30) , considering the usage above.

Questions:

1) If the decided that SRW F250, or F350 was the way to go which would limit them to a 3:73 rearend, would airbags increase the towing capacity, and payload to compensate for the rear end ratio, without placing undue stress on the tranny?

2) Any other Long haul suggestions?

Your opinions and help are apperciated, and welcomed!

Bob!

[Blue01F250]

To tow something that long and large, I'd definately go with a DRW truck.

[slammedSI]

I would think that a SRW F350 would surfice just fine. But i really dont tow all that much. I would think that a set of airbags would be a + just to have even if you ended up not needing them. But i will let someone that knows about the DRW answer your questions, cuz i really dont know.

[blk99]

I have towed with both SRW & DRW and I would say definatly go with the DRW. I find that they are much more stable on the road with or without a trailer and they seem to handle the weight a little better. I tow a 35' 15,000# 5er with my 350 DRW 2wd and it handles it great even with the 3.73 gears. You will get better mileage with the 3.73 but if you go much over 15 or 16K I would jump down to the 4.11's. But all in all it is up to the the person buying the truck. One other thing that I like is that if you blow a rear tire you can limp some place to get a new one if it didn't hurt the second tire. just my 2 cents.

[StarDriver]

I'm guessing the 32ft trailer is a 5th wheel, if not it is illegal to tow another trailer behind a bumper hitch trailer.

FYI, I'd go with the DRW and airbags.

[robertcarmel]

Originally Posted by StarDriver

I'm guessing the 32ft trailer is a 5th wheel, if not it is illegal to tow another trailer behind a bumper hitch trailer.

FYI, I'd go with the DRW and airbags.

Good to know, about the 5th wheel, but yes it will be a 5th wheel. Do you know if a special drivers license is needed for this type of towing as well?

[MrJohnWayne]

Depends on the GVW. I'm sure if the truck trailer/s combo # is over 26000 you would need a cdl. If under I would think they will be fine.

+1 on the DRW and airbags are def a plus!

[Evil Eye]

FWIW, air bags do not increase load carrying capacity, they simply help level out your ride and provide more dampening for your suspension. Due to the increased load, your suspension is compressed and allows significantly more rebound over bumps, etc and this helps eliminate some of that.

[robertcarmel]

Originally Posted by Evil Eye

FWIW, air bags do not increase load carrying capacity, they simply help level out your ride and provide more dampening for your suspension. Due to the increased load, your suspension is compressed and allows significantly more rebound over bumps, etc and this helps eliminate some of that.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the ONLY thing that is different between the F250 and F450 is the suspension, and Axles.

If that is true, then increasing your suspension would increase capacity correct?

[Evil Eye]

Not sure about the 450, but yes for the 350. Oh, and that little sticker inside the door jamb that insurance agents (like my wife) and law enforcement officers like to look at... While you can pull more than your rated capacity, if you have an accident, you will be considered at fault even if you were not responsible...

I forgot to answer your question. Yes, your theory is correct, but my point is above.