So I recently purchased a 2011 PSD SRW F-350 and love the truck so far. Zero issues. I went the SRW route because I currenty bumper tow a 9000# race car trailer. Plan to get a camper soon, or possibly a 5th wheel down the road as well, and maybe even a gooseneck race trailer. The SRW std box barely fits in my driveway as-is and the long box would not fit. We also use this as a DD and my wife will likely be driving it more than me (I like to let her drive the new vehicles even though I pay for them as it helps to grease the proverbial wheels when it comes to me buying toys to support my racing addiction). Her input also meant that I wanted the 3.31 ratio for fuel economy. That, and I am in a cold climate and heard that DRW's don't handle the snow quite as well. All this lead me to a SRW selection.

Anyway...

After seeing a few dually's around town, I figured I should research them a bit more, even though I realize it's too late to go the DRW route. I do like the look of the DRW's as well (even though many don't). Now reading that a lot of guys with 5'ers use DRW trucks. So I am just wondering if I made a mistake or is there a good selection of 5th wheelers out there that the SRW will have no issues with. I've seen a few pics on here with SRW's towing 5'ers but just want to make sure that I haven't dramatically limited my selection in trailers going forward. I also see lots of SRW trucks pulling 5th wheels, but that doesn't mean many of them aren't overloaded. You camping aficionados, need your input here.

Thanks! JC

EDIT: What's the difference in cost between a SRW and DRW, all else being equal? When I priced it up on Ford.ca I got about $1800 more for the DRW. Does that jive with others' experiences?

 

I think you will be more than ok. I have a 33' fifth wheel that I think weighs around 11000 lbs. I towed it with my 2005 F350 SRW just fine, no need for the air bags that it had. I'm looking forward to towing with the new 2011 just giving some time to accumulate more miles and get the fifth wheel hitch installed. From what I've read here is that the 6.7 tows a fifth wheel like a dream.

 

Thanks, I actually don't think I can afford a MASSIVE 5'er in the coming years anyway. I'm thinking something in the 35' range will be more than ample for my needs. By the time I could afford a massive 5'er, I would likely be ready to trade up trucks anyway and would have a whole fleet of cars I can daily drive.

Also, there is something comforting about knowing that I have 'just enough truck' for my needs, including daily driving duties. It means that I didn't overspend and take on the hassles of DRW unecessarily.

 

It's weird, in MANY of the pics, it actually looks like the DRW's squat down more than the SRW's do. Maybe it's because the lads are pulling more weight with the DRW's than the SRW's on essentially the same springs? Or possibly because the SRW's sit a little higher than the DRW's in the back so you don't notice any sag as much?

 

I have towed 5th wheel trailers (cargo and camper) that are 36' in length with my F250 for years.

My personal feeling is, my F250 is just fine towing a 12,000# or less 5th wheel trailer.

We all have different comfort levels though. I won't tow without airbags either, maybe this is why the SRW trucks out there don't appear to sag in the rear, most of us fix this issue with springs or air bags. The DRW crowd probably does not have to do this as much.

 

I tow a 14K 5er with my 2008 F250. Does just fine as well. I did add airbags. Not because I had to but wanted to.

 

I tow a #9000 lb 5th wheel with my F250 srw. No problems at all. I used to have an 2005 F250, and the 2011 pulls it like it weights #5000 lbs.

Probably over 12000 lbs, I would look at a F350 Drw.

--
Gordon

 

I have a 34' 12,500 lbs dry and up to 14,500 wet 5er and my 2000 F250, 7.3 PSD, short box pulled it just fine. I am sure my new F350. 6.7 PSD, short box will pull even better. My F35O is a SRW, I could not get a dully because it will not fit in my garage, and a little big for my wife to drive. I only have a couple of hundred miles on her so have about 800 miles to go before I can pull my 5er...... My hitch gets put in Monday so I am almost ready. My F350

 

Any idea what the difference in cost is between an SRW and a DRW? Ford.ca indicates about $1800. Sound about right?

 

Here's a picture of my 350 and it's new best friend, goes 14K GVW, tows pretty effortlessly.

 

^^^Awesome rig! Can you fit a car in the back of that thing or just quads?

 

I'm thinking bout a Smart car for it. The DW and I do alot of non toy trips with the trailer and it could be handy. If nothing else for conversation at the campground

 

Upside is its not too late for a dually! Arrowcraft (among others) makes all the parts needed to convert it to dually. I've seen one SB dually using last year styled fenders (which I personally like) and you could also use the new style. I don't believe they offer a SWB dually yet, so you would have a one of a kind truck with the towing / look benefits of a dually with the fuel economy of the 3.31.

 

Here it is:

Chromewheel.com Picture Gallery

With the short bed I personally think it would look better with a smaller wheel/tire combo.

 

I like it, I bet it handles like a sports car.