Does anyone have experience Towing with a 2011 or 2012 F-350 Dually ?
I currently have a 08 F-350, 6.4, 4.10 rear, Dually pulling a new #18,000 5th wheel. I've heard that the new 6.7 with 3.73 and the new 6 spd tranny is awesome. Curious as 4.10 is not available and going to the F-450 drops to the 4.30 rear. I'm a nut about having enought Truck.

 

Don't have the 2011 myself. I am still in a 6.4 as well.

With the newer trans in them they are only offering the other gears. Suggest you go to the 6.7 forum and ask as well.

 

Interestingly, the 350DRW and the 450DRW have nearly identical ratings as they relate to fifthwheel towing. The Gross combined rating is higher on the 450, but the GVWR and net cargo capacity are the same. It appears the rating difference is only because of the gear ratio, and possibly brake rotor diameter. I say possibly, because the specs show larger rotors for the 450, but some eye witnesses say that is a mistake and they are the same. So there is some doubt.

So, with combined and cargo ratings being equal, you are left with a choice of going with a 450, or with a 350 and regearing the diff. With either truck you will be within the manufacturers ratings, so that is not an issue. With either truck you will have to be careful to avoid going over the cargo capacity with a fiver that large. Your decision might come down to how your state handles taxation on the two models, and how your insurance company sets their rates.

A prudent move might be to go with the 350DRW, and see how the power of that 6.7 handles the load. With the peace of mind that you can regear for a modest cost. I suspect that regearing will be less expensive overall that the ongoing cost of an F450.

Some people would say you should be looking at MDT models for a fiver that large.

 

I have a 2011 F350 that I tow a Elite Suite with. We have been over the mountains with it and the truck does a great job, the Elite is a very heavy trailer but the 350 handles it with no problems

 

I pull a 22k car hauler with my "old" e99 F-350. But then again she's got some mods and put the same power to the ground, if not more, than a 6.7

 

Thanks, we upgraded to a 38' Mobile Suites. I've herad that the 2011's are an awesome truck. Confused on the rating's of the 350 vs 450, looks like the 350 has more payload than the 450, but, the 450 can pull more ?
I guess with the new 6.7 ,the 6spd tranny...... there's the difference.

 

I currently tow a 37 foot 5th wheel camper with a 2011 F250 6.7 diesel with a 3.55 gear.Camper fully loaded is about 15750 lbs.I know that I am max out, but only drive about 300 miles each way to campground, would it be worth it to go to a 350 DRW.But the 6.7 has plenty of power ,recently had a 6.4 . the 6.7 is definitely stronger, love it.

 

Dlacky. I traded in my 2010 F250 6.4 for the 2011 6.7 dually. I was towing a 40' 5th wheel weighing about the same as your set up. I was 1000 lbs over raw and 1500 lbs over cgvw. No problems towing or stopping it, but going to the dually allowed me to add the washer and generator and still be way under weights. Plus I went from 9-10 mpg towing to 12-13. And I feel a lot better with the new rig. It is one towing machine!

 

Since my last post about the F250, I have decided to trade and get an F350 Dually with 3.73 gear and the 6.7 diesel.Since truck is new, how many miles should I put on it for proper break in before I start towing 16000 lb 5th wheel camper?

 

It tells you in the owners manual....I believe that my 2005 said 1000 miles. I just couldn't wait that long. I towed at about 750, but took it easy....

 

It says 500 miles in the owners manual

 

I's buy that..... all I remember is that I hooked up and left prior to the mileage recommended..... Still a great tow rig for my 5er!