must haves/wants

[vandy]

the time is getting closer to us pulling the trigger on a travel trailer. the ones we have been looking at are around 30-35 foot and around 8-10k lbs.
i picked up an OBS f350 srw 2x4 auto with 3.55 gears. suspension is bone stock. and as it stands there is no reciever hitch on the truck.

so ive been searching thru here for a while and have found some good suggestions, but here is my question.

what would yall suggest i should look into. either from a safty stand point, a "this **** is pretty cool" stand point, or "from my expirience you might want/need" stand point.

basically a lot of towing will be local (within an hour or so from home), but there will be some trips from OKC to the Macon GA, south texas, Phoenix Az areas. i got this rig for an awesome deal. id rather dump my money into building what i want, than spending an extra 10k on a newer truck.


so that said:

im sure the gears will be an issue. what is a good all around gear to go with to get a balance of power/mpgs. im guessing a 3.73 at a min, but probobly more around a 4.10? keeping in mind that the truck sits stock, id like to go to a light lift (around the stock height of a 4x4, so tires will get a little larger)

is a air ride system something that will be needed pulling these weights? if not needed is it one of the "nice to haves"

the truck has a trailer brake controller, unknown brand off hand, ill take a look and post up. might need an upgrade?

as far as truck power goes, its stock to the bone. i plan on an intake exhaust a DP tune. possibly some injectors and Hpop at some point. i think this should have plenty of power from what im doing.

any thoughts on tires? something that looks nice but still has a good tow rating?

anything for the interior upgrades? the truck has 265k miles of fat a$$ wearing down my seats. as much as i hate to say it, im looking for some newer chevy cloth seats. we have a work truck thats an 05 2500. feels like im in a recliner.

gauges. fuel presure, trans temp, egt. any point in a boost gauge? or will an egt tell me everything i would see on a boost gauge.?

speaking of trans temps, a trans cooler.... go for a 6.0L cooler or after market?

will an intercooler be worth the investment in the long run?

anyway i know that was a slight ramble, but i know you guys have more honest answers than i can find most anywhere else.

[Solid98]

Originally Posted by vandy

the time is getting closer to us pulling the trigger on a travel trailer. the ones we have been looking at are around 30-35 foot and around 8-10k lbs.

5th wheel or bumper pull? How many axles?

im sure the gears will be an issue. what is a good all around gear to go with to get a balance of power/mpgs. im guessing a 3.73 at a min, but probobly more around a 4.10? keeping in mind that the truck sits stock, id like to go to a light lift (around the stock height of a 4x4, so tires will get a little larger)

How much taller, in inches, are the tires you want? I have 3.73s with stock size 265-75-16 tires (31.7" tall) and find they are just about right for me. At 60-65 my rpms are around the ideal 2000 rpms and at 70-75 I rarely have to downshift for the hills. anything 60mph and under I leave OD off to not lug the engine. My rig is 27' and 8000 lbs loaded for bear.

is a air ride system something that will be needed pulling these weights? if not needed is it one of the "nice to haves"

Depends on the tongue weight. For a bumper pull I would say mandatory and nice to have for a 5er. A bumper pull will porpoise on you and without the added stability of a DRW will increase the likelyhood of losing control on the highway. A bumper pull will put much more leverage on your trucks suspension than a 5th wheel which is right over your drive axle. A weight distributing hitch with sway control is a really good investment.

the truck has a trailer brake controller, unknown brand off hand, ill take a look and post up. might need an upgrade?

A brake controller isn't really considered an upgrade, what you have will probably work fine unless it is malfunctioning.

as far as truck power goes, its stock to the bone. i plan on an intake exhaust a DP tune. possibly some injectors and Hpop at some point. i think this should have plenty of power from what im doing.

Can't help you there. I've got no experience with OBS.

any thoughts on tires? something that looks nice but still has a good tow rating?

Load range E all the way. Some all terrain or mud tires are pretty squirrely when loaded but match the tires with the rim width. I have Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs on the rear and Silent Armors on the front and am happy with them.

speaking of trans temps, a trans cooler.... go for a 6.0L cooler or after market?

I don't even know if the 6.0 will fit the OBS? Hopefully someone else can answer that one.

will an intercooler be worth the investment in the long run?

Only if you can do it on the cheap. Check the OBS boards.

anyway i know that was a slight ramble, but i know you guys have more honest answers than i can find most anywhere else.

If you are looking at bumper pull trailers, I highly recommend the largest reciever hitch combined with a weight distribution/sway control system. Without an exception every jacknifed RV I have seen was a bumper pull on the back of a SRW vehicle. However you go, just be safe and have fun.

[terryknight]

4.10s are nice. you may need to think about upgrading tranny parts: TC, VB, upgraded/second cooler.

intake, exhaust and tune will be fine for what you do. you won't need an IC until you add bigger injectors. Gauges are a MUST EGT, Trans Temp, you can get a boost or fuel pressure or a scan gauge if you want, but those two (EGT trans) you need.

air bags are nice, but a WD hitch is much more important.

personally i would leave the truck lower and run 235/85s E tires with slightly aggressive tread on the rear

that's all i can think of

[351fifty]

6.0 ic will work, just need a DIY set up with e99 spider, or banks kit. You need trans and egt, boost is nice too, another good idea is what terry said, upgrade your trans. And go ahead and do a dually swap, I got an axle off a guy in Wichita falls parting out a couple duallys pretty cheap