Thanks guys... good points all that I will take to heart. I was primarily looking at Super Dutys for the following other reasons.

1) I'll likely have upwards of 2,000 lbs in the bed, including a 300 lb motorcycle loader that's 57 inches wide and 103 inches long

2) In addition I want the option of also towing another 1,800 lb trailer with another 1,700lbs of bike sitting in that trailer (3,500lbs total in the pull behind trailer) + the 2,000lbs sitting in the bed

3) I would like the option of the crew cab... but most of those crew cab beds are too small

4) COST... now that you guys have me leaning toward the V10... it appears that I can purchase a V10 for several thousand less than I could a newer F150.

5) I also want it to look good and look like a fairly modern (1998 or newer body style) in the F250 or 2004 or newer in the F150.

I realize now that this isn't just ANY message board I have signed up with. You guys really know your stuff. Hence I have to be much more explicit and much more on the ball around here! Thanks again for your help.

 

This thread is interesting to me.
I also went thru the debating game ( 7.3 vs. V-10)

I ended up getting a V-10 dually based on these reasons:

* I have a 2000 lb. slide in camper.
* At the same time I will be pulling a 8K trailer.
* It sits in the driveway 90 + percent of the time (even more in the winter)
* The cost of fixing a worn out 7.3 PS scared me
* V-10's were cheaper and mine only had 138K on it.
* Got it for $ 8,700 in great shape.

Also...I had a bad experience with owning a 7.3 (it was a 1993 IDI non turbo) No power.
So, after months of debate I started looking for a gas truck.
The 3V 5.4 is o.k., but I doubt it would pull everything I listed above.

I wanted an x-cab but this crew cab showed up for the right price. No regrets so far.

 

That truck/camper combo looks good! I wonder when color matching the camper to the truck will come into style.

 

He could just get a white truck and make it easy.

 

You got that right. I'm on all sorts of car and truck boards and this is the one where I find great answers and (mostly) well behaved folks. It seems like all the car boards are full of adolescents.

With your payload needs I think an SD is the way to go. They say you can't have too much truck - I agree - to an extent. Sure you could go all the way to a diesel SD but a v10 SD I think would be the sweet spot for you.

That is such a great looking combo. I like the V10 dually + truck camper setup. Lots of payload and still plenty of power for carrying the house. And you do that plus pulling an 8k trailer - I bet it does just fine?

 

Crew cab long bed 4x4 f350 6.8 v10 264kmiles has a simple tune. 2 pallets on concrete in the bed (8000lb roughly) truck rides smooth and doesn't have any issues. It's pulls 18 almost 19klb on a gooseneck at about 60mph. Pulling that much it runs at about a hair over 3000rpm but doesn't seem to complain. I average 13.2mpg empty. I get about 8mpg towing heavy. I use it for my business. Truck has done everything I've ever asked besides getting better gas milage. She scoots nice for such a monstrous vehicle. And reliable, I've driven this truck across state line a few times pulling and never had issues except one old coolant line busted. That was an easy enough fix

 

Holy crap, nine years after the last post and your revive this thread!? Lol
second come on now, 8k in the bed? LOLOLOLOL we all own super duties in this section. And NO srw 250/350 or f350 dually can carry 8k in the bed. SMH

 

Towing heavy at 19klbs and get "about 8mpg" at "over 3000RPM"? I tow 11klbs and get 7.07 - 7.95mpg and easily cruise at 60-65mph at 2400-2600RPM.

 

Towing heavy at 19klbs and get "about 8mpg" at "over 3000RPM"? I tow 11klbs and get 7.07 - 7.95mpg and easily cruise at 60-65mph at 2400-2600RPM.

 

2 pallets of concrete from Lowes.
Had to use a fork lift and pusht eh first pallet to the front of the bed to fit the second. Each pallet has 42 80lb bags of concrete. Do the math. Truck didn't have a problem with it. Mine is a 2004 4x4 with the long wheel base. Has the factory lift on it. Im running 265/75/r16 12 ply tires which look a tad small but it's my work truck. Truck has 4:30 diff thought it was 4:10 but it's 4:30 It was originally an ordered cab/chassi truck for a plumbing company in Michigan. But yes it's has 2 fully loaded pallets of concrete