So - broaching the age old question...
Apparently I am about to be in the market for a new truck. Per my signature we are currently towing an Imagine 2400BH and my half ton truck (with 4x4 and the larger SuperCrew cab on new trucks simply called "Crew Cab") is probably a little light for what we are pulling.
While I hope I am years out on a 5th wheel - the DW has been dreaming of a larger Solitude or Momentum for a year or more...so this could be in my future.
I won't buy a truck that is not 4x4 and the larger passenger Crew Cab is also required to haul the family comfortably while towing. I recognize that I may be buying something larger than what is needed - but would like to be clear of being right at cargo or at times over my cargo capacity when towing. Not to mention - possibly be able to tow a 5th wheel in the future.
Advice / Criticism is very much appreciated. Please question things!
1. I am leaning towards an F350 over other manufacturers and the 250. Would anyone recommend I look at RAM or others? My last truck buying experience was anti-Ford....and when I looked at the Ford's compared to others....well...I bought a Ford....ha! I also do not believe in my state that a commercial registration is required for the F350 - I am looking into as well as have a message to my auto insurance for some additional details.
2. I am leaning towards diesel > gas. Specifically the Diesel 6.7L PowerStroke V8 Turbo 10 Speed. What is the risk of the turbo going out on a Diesel truck? I know that is an issue that I have heard with Turbo's and can be pricey to repair/replace.
3. I am leaning SRW > DRW just for convenience (parking/drive throughs, cheaper on tires, etc.). I realize that a DRW may tow better and that it has better traction and inherently reduces/fights sway. I could be convinced to go DRW potentially. Probably way overkill for my current rig.
4. I am leaning toward the long 8' box to hopefully increase cargo capacity and towing (is this flawed thinking?) Longer wheelbase = more cargo/better towing? Also concerned in the future with 5th wheel hitch options on the short box? (just less options). Based off the 2021 spec sheet it looks like on the Crew Cab the shorter bed has great payload?!? (pages 6-10)
https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North%20America/US/product/2021/super-duty/21-Super-Duty-Pickup-Tech-Specs.pdf
This same greater payload is true of the F-250 SRW 4x4 short box over the long box in the Crew Cab. However, at GVWR 11,400 it appears to flip and start to favor the longer box truck. It looks like the heaviest Solitude hitch weight is ~3,100 lbs. and the heaviest Momentum hitch weight is ~3,600 lbs. (rounded up). Assume both of those are empty weights per GD's website. Per these numbers - concerned about payload on a future rig. The Momentum if maxed out at 20k would have an approximate pin weight of 4k lbs. The max Solitude weight of 16,800 x 20% would = ~3,360 lbs. Not a lot of point to a Crew Cab if the rig's tongue weight, driver, hitch, and misc. stuff in the truck maxes/exceeds cargo capacity and I don't have room for the DW and kids...
5. I was thinking truck would be purchased with 5th wheel prep even though I do not have one. Is that a mistake? Is that easy to add later or better to have factory prep?
6. Was thinking of going with the 3.31 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio - do I need to change this to 3.55? It does not look like it makes a difference to the towing rating. This may be too insignificant a difference. I think the lower ratio will grant 0.5-1 mpg better fuel economy.
Sorry for the long / detailed post. 5th wheel owners and truck aficionados please advise!
Apparently I am about to be in the market for a new truck. Per my signature we are currently towing an Imagine 2400BH and my half ton truck (with 4x4 and the larger SuperCrew cab on new trucks simply called "Crew Cab") is probably a little light for what we are pulling.
While I hope I am years out on a 5th wheel - the DW has been dreaming of a larger Solitude or Momentum for a year or more...so this could be in my future.
I won't buy a truck that is not 4x4 and the larger passenger Crew Cab is also required to haul the family comfortably while towing. I recognize that I may be buying something larger than what is needed - but would like to be clear of being right at cargo or at times over my cargo capacity when towing. Not to mention - possibly be able to tow a 5th wheel in the future.
Advice / Criticism is very much appreciated. Please question things!
1. I am leaning towards an F350 over other manufacturers and the 250. Would anyone recommend I look at RAM or others? My last truck buying experience was anti-Ford....and when I looked at the Ford's compared to others....well...I bought a Ford....ha! I also do not believe in my state that a commercial registration is required for the F350 - I am looking into as well as have a message to my auto insurance for some additional details.
2. I am leaning towards diesel > gas. Specifically the Diesel 6.7L PowerStroke V8 Turbo 10 Speed. What is the risk of the turbo going out on a Diesel truck? I know that is an issue that I have heard with Turbo's and can be pricey to repair/replace.
3. I am leaning SRW > DRW just for convenience (parking/drive throughs, cheaper on tires, etc.). I realize that a DRW may tow better and that it has better traction and inherently reduces/fights sway. I could be convinced to go DRW potentially. Probably way overkill for my current rig.
4. I am leaning toward the long 8' box to hopefully increase cargo capacity and towing (is this flawed thinking?) Longer wheelbase = more cargo/better towing? Also concerned in the future with 5th wheel hitch options on the short box? (just less options). Based off the 2021 spec sheet it looks like on the Crew Cab the shorter bed has great payload?!? (pages 6-10)
https://media.ford.com/content/dam/fordmedia/North%20America/US/product/2021/super-duty/21-Super-Duty-Pickup-Tech-Specs.pdf
F350 SRW 4x4 Crew Cab
GVWR = 9,900 Short box = 3,120 vs Long box = 2,890
GVWR = 10,000 Short box = 3,220 vs Long box = 2,990
GVWR = 10,600 Short box = 3,820 vs Long box = N/A
GVWR = 10,900 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 3,890
GVWR = 11,100 Short box = 4,260 vs Long box = N/A
GVWR = 11,200 Short box = 3,700 vs Long box = N/A
GVWR = 11,300 Short box = 4,460 vs Long box = 4,230
GVWR = 11,400 Short box = 3,900 vs Long box = 4,390
GVWR = 11,500 Short box = 3,940 vs Long box = 4,420
GVWR = 11,900 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 4,730
GVWR = 12,000 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 4,190
GVWR = 12,400 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 4,580
GVWR = 9,900 Short box = 3,120 vs Long box = 2,890
GVWR = 10,000 Short box = 3,220 vs Long box = 2,990
GVWR = 10,600 Short box = 3,820 vs Long box = N/A
GVWR = 10,900 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 3,890
GVWR = 11,100 Short box = 4,260 vs Long box = N/A
GVWR = 11,200 Short box = 3,700 vs Long box = N/A
GVWR = 11,300 Short box = 4,460 vs Long box = 4,230
GVWR = 11,400 Short box = 3,900 vs Long box = 4,390
GVWR = 11,500 Short box = 3,940 vs Long box = 4,420
GVWR = 11,900 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 4,730
GVWR = 12,000 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 4,190
GVWR = 12,400 Short box = N/A vs Long box = 4,580
This same greater payload is true of the F-250 SRW 4x4 short box over the long box in the Crew Cab. However, at GVWR 11,400 it appears to flip and start to favor the longer box truck. It looks like the heaviest Solitude hitch weight is ~3,100 lbs. and the heaviest Momentum hitch weight is ~3,600 lbs. (rounded up). Assume both of those are empty weights per GD's website. Per these numbers - concerned about payload on a future rig. The Momentum if maxed out at 20k would have an approximate pin weight of 4k lbs. The max Solitude weight of 16,800 x 20% would = ~3,360 lbs. Not a lot of point to a Crew Cab if the rig's tongue weight, driver, hitch, and misc. stuff in the truck maxes/exceeds cargo capacity and I don't have room for the DW and kids...
5. I was thinking truck would be purchased with 5th wheel prep even though I do not have one. Is that a mistake? Is that easy to add later or better to have factory prep?
6. Was thinking of going with the 3.31 Electronic Locking Axle Ratio - do I need to change this to 3.55? It does not look like it makes a difference to the towing rating. This may be too insignificant a difference. I think the lower ratio will grant 0.5-1 mpg better fuel economy.
Sorry for the long / detailed post. 5th wheel owners and truck aficionados please advise!
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