you can do little work with a big machine,but you can't do big work with a little machine.

 

Pin weight is 2900 pounds. So it looks to me like YES, the truck COULD drag that 5er around, but not in any sensible manner.

So... look at these numbers for payload ratings on the 2011 F350 DRW 4x4: 4700 lbs on a 13,000GVWR truck and 20,300 lbs pulling. The 450 ups the payload to 4920 on a 13,050GVWR unit and can drag 24,400 lbs around.

Looks to me like the best way to go for an 18,000 lb wet 5er is an F350 DRW. At this point, I'm undecided on 350 or 450. The rating on the 450 is "only" 4400 pounds more.

Unless someone can shed additional insight. I'm all eyes.

 

I've heard this one many times. Thing is, with a triple axle trailer, I have enough stopping power to stop the truck with the trailer, even if the truck's brakes failed going downhill. Especially if I convert the trailer's drum brakes to disc brakes. Hmm... I see the point, however.

It's always better to have more than you need than to need more and not have it. Within reason, of course.

 

If I had a trailer that big I would have a dually, no if's, and's, or but's about it. I drove for a car dealership for a year in a 2005 F350 CC LB DRW with a 2 car goose neck. The stability is great. An SRW 350 may still hold the weight (has the helper springs) but the extra stability in the wider track width/2 extra tires is what does it. The added weight distribution over 4 tires is a plus also, but not as big as the stability.

Even if the truck is your daily driver or you pull less 95% of the time, that 5% of driving with a big a$$ trailer would be well worth having a DRW.

As for gearing - if you only haul big a couple times a year 3.73's. This will keep your mileage decent when you aren't hauling big. The more you haul big I would look at stepping up to 4.10's, if not 4.30's. Expect the fuel mileage to be down in the toilet when empty though. The bigger gears will help load management though.

I believe the 450's come with 4.30's? A 350 you can get with 3.73's, unless that isn't an option in a DRW... I forget what the options were now.

 

A few more thoughts:

Towing with an understressed TV is SO much more relaxing! I camp to relax. Hard to relax when you're driving with white knuckles. Or fearing a vehicle failure. Or just feeling guilty about abusing the tool. Peace of mind is very, very nice to have.

If possible, get the actual trailer first and weigh it - then pick the right truck to pull the real thing.
Hauling the monster on a few short trips with your existing truck won't kill it. Make sure tires are at max psi and take it easy.
Start with weighing just the truck, then the new rig setup as delivered.
Then for the clincher: Load it up like you will use it. Fill the water and gas tanks. Load the dishes, cookware, typical clothing, lounge chairs, grills, sun shades, outdoor carpets, volleyball sets, TOOLS, riding gear. Load the toys. Load all the other stuff you plan to take - like firewood (surprisingly heavy!), people, etc etc etc. Then weigh again. I guarantee you'll be surprised.
Add at least 500 pounds for the food, beverages, you'll be hauling on a real trip.
And then another 500 pounds for the heavier dually truck.
Lastly, add at least 1000 pounds to that to allow for typical "cargo inflation".

Now pick the right tow rig based on your new reality. It sounds like you will be between 350 DRW and 450. It will come down to how many passengers, toys, and relaxation tools you bring with you! If right on the edge, go bigger. Coaches rarely get lighter with time! Stuff accumulates.

As far as gears: I've heard the mpg difference between 3.73 and 4.10 gears is pretty minimal. I'd definitely go at least 4.10. And if you ever plan to put taller tires on her, 4.30 or even deeper.

 

Keep in mind that California is one of those states that has strict "commercial use" requirements on heavy duty trucks. Before buying an F-450, go pull the GVWR & GCVWR off the door sticker of a truck similar to what you would buy. Take those numbers in to DMV and make absolutely certain that DMV in your area is not going to require that you plate the truck as a commercial vehicle, and force you to get a commercial drivers license.

 

Rv's are exempt from the CDL rules.

Sam

 

An RV might be but a F450 might not be. Those trucks are big and rated for a lot of weight. As I have said before a lot of states are *** backwards and it is all about the rating of he truck not what you are actually towing. We all know CA is *** backwards in just about everything.

Personally I think a F350 DRW will handle the 18K lb trailer just fine, that would put you in the 25Klb range combined. I've towed more with a SRW F350 and towed right around that weight with SRW F250 and F350. A dually will definitely help but I think the expense of a F450 might not be justified. The torque shift with tow command has really improved stopping abilities in these trucks over the older aftermarket brake controllers and 4R100's.

 

well, a F350 DRW is 13000 rated (mine is) and 18000 makes 31,000

(regardless of the actuals), but 5ths actuals are notoriously higher as already mentioned

I want to tow two hotrods (hobby) to shows, and bought the DRW to be able to pull a 44/48ft gn car hauler trailer.. but a double 7k axle is 14+13=27, puts me over the 26k limit, and its NOT RV..
trailer at 5k, vehicles & goo at 7k is 12k so 6k axles aren't enough.
triple axle is crazy..

Sam

 

In CA it is how you register the truck that matters.
If you buy F450, or anything with gross over 10,000 lb and register it as a commercial vehicle -you should pull into weight stations and get annual technical inspections.
You put camper shell or 5-th wheel hitch on it, register it as RV and you will save several hundreds $ on annual weight fee, but if the cops will catch you with load of garbage, or firewood on the truck >> you will pay the savings back in accelerated rate.
Coming to original question - you have to really try it to make the judgment. You don't need low gears for flat towing, but than I did own ClassA motorhome on Toyota chassis, that didn't make it to campground site in Sierra. That can get pretty annoying fast.
Generally our trucks are underrated for lower registration fees. Look into my profile what I do with my F450. Than duallies makes big difference in dealing with trailer fishtailing, even if the single wheels have adequate tires for the load.
Bear in mind that trailer axles and their tires are rated for short life. Will you adjust the trailer brakes to stop the truck -you will be replacing trailer brakes and tires every season.