Newbie here, and apologies to anyone who replied to my mistaken post over on the Excursion list.
I've been towing a racecar with the family VW eurovan (like the talking dog: it's not that it does it well, it's that it does it at all...)
It is time to get a real tow vehicle and an enclosed trailer, ideally a 30+footer.

I need a crew cab configuration, like the idea of the new 6.0 diesel.

I have two questions:
1) what are pros and cons of dual rear wheels for towing? I have a narrow driveway and live right in town, so the extra width worries me. But I hear DRW is more stable, better if I ever get a fifth wheel.
2) what are the pros/cons of 2wd vs. 4wd? I will use this 99% on hard dry pavement, and imagine 2wd = lower maintenance, less to go wrong, better ride? However, 4wd maybe = better resale value, better for those rare snow days or pulling the trailer out of muddy racetrack infields? Will a 2wd w/a locker suffice?

thanks, great forum you all have!

Brandon

 

IMHO I would think two is better for your conditions. You will get better milage with the two(marginally)I like dual rears for towing-much more stable when I had one. If you get a Ford with the TT mirrors then you can keep them extended and I would think that they are about the same widthas the wells. Of course, that could be a hair brained scheme.As far as re-sale, I would bet that their as many if not more folks looking for clean twoies as 4x4's. Not me,but someone I am sure.

 

My current truck is the first 4x4 out of the 11 Fords I have owned. I bought it used from a guy who had to get rid of it NOW! (I actually almost stole the truck) I really didn't care about the 4X4 at first, but boy have I really used it. No way could I go back to a 2WD now. I came home today with a load of composted manure for the garden. Two years ago there is no way I would have even thought about driving around the back of my house in a 2WD truck. My back yard is really low and always stays wet. I droped my truck in 4 HI and went right around the house to our garden spot with just a little slipping and sliding. After unloading the compost I pulled back up on high ground and rinsed the bed out, and knocked the mud off the side of the truck. No way I could have done this in a 2WD. I will always own 4X4 fron now own just my .02 cents worth.

Mark

 

My current truck is the first 4x4 out of the 11 Fords I have owned. I bought it used from a guy who had to get rid of it NOW! (I actually almost stole the truck) I really didn't care about the 4X4 at first, but boy have I really used it. No way could I go back to a 2WD now. I came home today with a load of composted manure for the garden. Two years ago there is no way I would have even thought about driving around the back of my house in a 2WD truck. My back yard is really low and always stays wet. I droped my truck in 4 HI and went right around the house to our garden spot with just a little slipping and sliding. After unloading the compost I pulled back up on high ground and rinsed the bed out, and knocked the mud off the side of the truck. No way I could have done this in a 2WD. I will always own 4X4 fron now own just my .02 cents worth.

As far as your dually question goes, can't help you there, never owned one.

Mark

 

First off, you'll have to change your User Name soon

The pro's of using a dually for towing is stability, safety and stronger axles.
A lot of it is also how much does your loaded trailer weigh? If it is within the rating of a SRW truck, then you would be fine.
Another option is to go with a wheel and tire setup like mine (see user gallery) for added strength and less sidewall flex for towing and not having to put up with the width of a dually on a day to day basis. It won't increase your GVWR any, but it will be MUCH more stable over the stock 16" wheels and tires.
Con's of a dually are that they handle poorly in snow, are wide as barges, and hard to park in limited spaces, especially a crew cab. They also are rougher riding, lousy for tire rotations, and won't fit in most garages.

Wait till next year for the 6.0. It's having lots of problems.

As far as 4x4 vs. 2x4, I won't own a 2wd 'cuz I'd be stuck 100 days a year. But for you, a 2wd may be fine. It is more $ for 4X, and higher maintenance, less mpg. It only takes once for it to be worth it though

Besides, nothing gets "stuck" easier than a 2wd dually

 

GAV10 nailed it. Once you have a 4X4, you won't know how you ever got along without it. I don't "wheel" like lots of folks here on FTE, but it still matters. When you need it, <b>you need it!</b> If you don't get it, you WILL need it.

If you go DRW, I don't know the effect on resale. I do know that 4X4 SRWs hold their value way better than the twosies in my area.

I went with the SRWs with the camper package. If your truck's gonna live under a trailer, it might make sense; otherwise, I think it's a matter of preference. One of the guys at the dealership recommended duels if I was going bigger than a 30ft 5th-wheel, but someone else here can address this with better first hand knowledge ().

Finally, I'd wait for one of the diesel guys to chime in about the 6.0. I've seen them recommend either getting the 7.3 or waiting 'til next year for the 6.0 to get some of the bugs worked out. I got the V10, but I'm not getting into that whole gasser vs. oil-burner discussion. I hope you are as pleased with your choice as I am with mine.

 

Well, I guess that I'm going to be the one to disagree with the majority. I'm the guy that won't run without DRW. I do pull a 5th wheel, 34 foot, and have had rear a wheel blow out withe the trailer on board. Before I bought I looked and talked to about a bazzilion people. (just kidding) it was quite a few. The people that use thier vehicles for farm and mud applications will need the 4x4. I'm on the other side of that house. I use mine for pulling and general use. I won't run without the DRW. But I did choose to go he 4x2 route. I haven't had any problems and never have gotten stuck. As far as the chances of being in the snow and such, I havn't had any problems. Outpost stated that holding of value well I guess that the area does really make a diffrence, here they are about equal.
If I had it to do over again, I would still go with the 4x2 DRW.
Now, concerning the 6.0, well its a toss up. I do know people that have the new motor and most of them love it, there are however several, none that I know personnaly, that have had problems.
Good luck with what ever choice you make.

BTW. I do know one family that was killed when thier 4x4 SRW with a 5th Wheel (28 ft) blew a tire and flipped the truck. Sorry but I thought that I should include that.

God Bless our Troops.

 

well everyone beat me to the good answers

I can speek from my experiences.

My set up works great for me. the only problem I have is that my truck and trailer, when fully loaded, is about 4-500 pounds over weight. it is very stable even with the over size tires.

2x4 - 4x4 is all in what you want out of it. Like many have said. Once is all it will take for you to wish you had it. And resale like you staited will be greater.

 

put me in a two wheel drive with a locker and i'll walk away from 99% of guys in a 4x4 without one..... of course, best to get a 4x4 with a locker

i'd bet that your best bet is a 2wd with a locker..... can anyone comment if there are issues with running a locker with a DRW??? (i doubt there is any, but i am not sure). nothing wrong with a 4x4 mind you... but you could save a few pennies if your on a budget.

to diesel or not..... you didn't say how much you were pulling, what kind of area your in (hills, flat, etc.), or how often you pull.... these would all be deciding factors for me..... BUT, i'd stay far away from the new 6.0 for at least this model year and maybe next.... let them work the bugs out as others have said!

 

Well put. My '96 tbird that I put an Auburn LS and 3.73 gears into it is a trip in the snow! As long as I have good tread on the tires, it'll go through mud and snow quite easily, and that's with a 60/40 weight ratio front to back (or thereabouts).

With a little weight in the back, a dually will go through anything. I've seen my brother and lots of other people go through crap with F-600's and bigger that a 4x4 F250 highboy (srw) had problems in. It's all in the tires - and how many you have!

Also, ditto on the blowout problems. I drove a little Isuzu box-truck (11K GVWR) part time for 5 years as a side-job and had more than a few times where one rear tire was flat and I had no idea when it was unloaded. Even fully (over)loaded, it was still almost OK on the highway. I knew it happened but in no way got close to losing control.

If you're towing something big enough to kill more than a couple of people at once, dually is the only way to go.

ak

 

When I was looking, the difference in 4x4 and 4x2 was like $3500. I don't think you will get $3500 more for a 4x4 after 5 years. With 99% pavement driving, I just didn't need it. I may consider a locker if I get a camper though.

Matt

 

[QUOTE][Re:2x4 vs. 4x4 ?
It must be said that likely driving a 2x4 would pose serious problems. What with no wheels, wooden handling..........

 

Duallys may go through the snow, but my experience with mine (living at the base of a ski resort for ten years) is that they go a lot of DIFFERENT unintended directions in the snow, especially when there are previous tracks to drive through. As far as the F600's, etc. go, a lot of that has to do with the fact they have 19.5" and 22" wheels and LOTS of weight. That will make a lot of difference in snow travel. The correct tire choices being equal, the 4X single rear wheel wins snow travel every time. Adding lockers helps, but for that matter chain up 4 wheels and see where you can go....just make sure you can get back

As far as towing something that kills more than a few people, how many pedestrians get killed by dually tire flares at intersections because the owners cut the corner ...just kidding

 

LSD does NOT equal LOCKER

not saying a LSD is a bad choice, but a 2wd with a LSD will not go as far as a 4x4..... a 2wd with a LOCKER is better than a 4wd (open or LSD) in most scenarios.

 

Thanks everyone for the collective wisdom/opinions. Yes I will eventually have to change the user name. I need to get out there and drive some of the alternatives. And bring a tape measure. Thanks also for the head's up on the 6.0, I didn't know it was an issue. I think it is sourced from International, and figured they'd have the bugs out by now.

Brandon