Hey Guys,

Since the day I bought our 5th wheel about 2 years ago, I have been trying to build my truck into the most capable tow vehicle that it can be. It really does a good job pulling such a load, but my PMS keeps me from ever being satisfied. That being said, when I get back from this deployment I am planning on taking some more strides towards towing performance.

I doubt any of you will remember, but shortly after I got the 5th wheel I actually had an even trade lined up for an F450 with similar miles, etc. But when it came down to it I couldn't bring myself to part with my truck that I know almost everything about and jump into a truck that I knew nothing about.

Since that time I have added the PHP chip and the JW transmission along with a handful of other supporting mods with the intent of keeping this truck for the long haul. I have been planning for my first mod when I get home to be a swap to 4.10 gears. I know this will help my towing performance. I have also been seriously considering getting some 19.5" Rickson wheels. If you don't know, they are quite costly, upwards of $2500-3000.

I have recently been thinking of doing a dually conversion instead. Finding a dually rearend with 4.10 gears shouldn't be too difficult so that would put me half-way towards the gear swap. I do have a shortbed truck, so that adds a bit of variation to the dually conversion. But, I have a flatbed that I could have painted and installed instead of swapping beds or adding the dually fenders.

In the end, I am looking for the increased stability from either the Ricksons or the DRW conversion. Plus the conversion would give me a greater safety margin if I had a blowout on the rear of the truck. I think I would end up spending about the same amount of money on either the Ricksons or the DRW conversion.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted y'all to have an idea of what all is going through my mind and see if you have any opinions.

Thanks!

 

I kicked around doing the rickson wheels and 19.5 tires several years ago for my 07 and finally decided against it as could find no tire that gave a comfortable ride they all just amplify the bad bumps and pot holes and follow really bad, (I have several 450 & 550's I tried different combos on and just didn't want that ride on my personal rig,and my wife was very vocal that it had to ride nice) a drw conversion is simple as pie on these trucks and you can just graft the pontoon fenders onto any bed without too much work! That's my .02

 

Well are you going to change the bed as well? If so I've always liked the dual wheel. They tow better and stop better due to more rubber on the road. Back in the late 70's when are work trucks kept blowing tires due to the weight we carry I switched and never looked back. If you have a big 5er I would say it is a good investment. Add airbags
and it is really better, with a large, heavytrailer. Good luck it seems you have the trans taken care of. Chet

 

Thanks for the input so far guys. I would probably just get the flat bed I have painted and use it instead of going with the dually bed. I don't know how I feel about the looks of the dually fenders on a short bed. My 5th wheel is just shy of 14,000lbs.

 

Short box duallys look bad a$$! Ford made a few each year but they are rare and mostly single cab but I have seen a couple crews done and one excursion and they looked really good!

 

A dually conversion will not add any load capacity to your truck it may help in the stability department thought. If you do it do it right, get OEM fenders and cut them into your short bed. To take your bed in lea of a flat bed and your truck will look to commercialized. I give massive kudos to Barney for making a dually bed fit on a F450 frame and making it look good too. Instead of just throwing a flat bed on it.

 

It's all about the amount of time and money, Jim.

 

I know that Bob, seems if you have the money you dont have the time and if you have the time you dont have the money, That is exactly why I am on a mad scramble to get my truck all set for RRE right now..........

 

For 3G's, I would get a GTP38R, Injectors, and a HPOP. Make it a tow monster. Or maybe skip injectors and upgrade the brake system.

Putting Dualies on it will make it a little safer... but legally speaking it's still a SRW, and you can never change that. (DOT/Insurance/lawsuit purposes.)

 

I'm familiar with the legalities of it all, I'm just looking at increased safety and stability.

 

I've seen 1 short bed duelly in my time. It was a SC looked kinda cool.

 

You can get sracers for the rear end cause is about 4'' wider on a DRW Dually adaptors.Get f350 front rotors if you have a 2WD or factoy front spacers for a 4WD. The back fenders are around $800. And for the wheels and tires http://www.diesel-accessories.com/pa...ually_wheelsus this is what im planning to do with my short bed 2WD cause i have a heavy camper as well.http://www.diesel-accessories.com/pa...y_truck_wheels

 

I'd say 19.5 convo is best. You will love the 19.5s for towing. And they ride fine. The suspension is the rough part

 

Tough call. I think the 19.5 Ricksons look killer on our truck. And it would be nice to get 100k out of a set of tires. I have talked to a few people who haul a lot and have 19.5 ricksons and they say hands down the BEST mod they have done to their truck. WAY more stable with a load. some were SRW trucks and some were DRW trucks. On the other hand I love crew cab short cab dually's; especially with a flat bed. I do like the idea of having a dually but I have to drive mine everyday and I think parking a dually would get annoying. But I dont know since I have never owned one. Your call. Either way please, please post up pics

 

If you want a dually with 19.5s get a 6.4. They turn super tight. You can park anywhere at walmart even.

I'd go srw convo.