Hey Folks,

So as some of you have followed my threads along I have been tossing around the idea of converting my truck to a dually. Well I haven't really had much success with it or gotten any real definitive answers to some of what I feel are important questions. My thought process is now if Im going to convert it I would like to swap in a complete rear end, so by the time I pick up all my parts, buy 6 new tires and wheels, and do some paint and body work to the bed and add the dually fenders I may be close to 5-6k.

So I was out and about today and decided I was going to stop at a few of the dealerships in my area...not 1 dually new or used to be had at a FORD dealer. I really like the newer SD's and there track record seems to be pretty good, so on the way between Ford dealers I passed a Dodge and a GMC dealer. The GMC dealer had a used 11 Dually looked nice but I still don't like the IFS on a heavy truck.

I wasn't going to stop at the Dodge dealer but I decided to pull in anyway. I looked at a couple used duallys, they didn't do anything for me, so I went to the new truck row an I have to tell you that the 14 Dodge looks nice. I didn't drive it but I think if I do get serious the Dodge may be contender for my needs.

My question, and I know that it may be biased on this site, but would you look at a Dodge if you were looking at new trucks, also do the new SD's handle the weight any better than the older SD's. When I ask that I'm asking when pulling a 13k 5er with a SRW did you notice a difference going from an older SD to a new SD srw.

I don't want this to turn into a SD versus Dodge Flame event just looking for opinions either Dually to Dually or SRW to SRW.

Sarge

 

New Ram's (dodge) is getting some good reviews. I considered it but I just can't like the dash layout and the mirrors are just wrong, all wrong.

Unless you go big then you now get coil's in the rear, payload suffers.

As far as Fords srw/drw I can tell you they are better every year. I thought my 08 srw was great and it was. Tight, handled all my loads great.

The new drw I have thought is even more refined and drives with ease, even with the loads.

 

I'm gonna echo what Senix said. With that knowledge in mind, I would hold out for a 2015 F450 DRW, they are supposed to be like the 2008 450s. I also considered the Ram 3500, ESPECIALLY with the Mega Cab, but at the end of the day, the 350 just looks better, the mirrors are better, the dash layout makes more sense in my head, etc.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Although I haven't driven any of them Its definitely a toss up between the Ram and the SD. Having owned new trucks since 98 they've all been Fords. It would be hard for me to jump ship and the prices between the 2 are equal so that's not even an issue...comparing a Laramine to a Lariat Ultimate.

I found a 14 SD Dually somewhat close to me, so I may go and see what kind of deal I can TRY to make on it, but judging by what I see it may not happen.

On another note I found a 08 King Ranch Dually with 17k on it for 42k, that's the price on the dealer web site so Im not sure if I should look at that too. My problem is that its only 2 years newer than what I have and I may need to delete/tune it. That's my struggle with getting into a 6.4 truck and letting my 6.0 go.

I would have to go big anyway cause my 5er is right around 13,500 give or take...kinda why I was wondering how well the new SRW are doing with a 5er that big.

Thus this search.

Sarge

 

With my 08 srw 6.4 I towed many a 5er. it did quite will. I did put on airbags as it was a F250 without the overloads but I really could have gotten away without them.

 

I came from an 07 5.9 Dodge dually to my current 13 F350. Not quite the apples to apples your looking for, but when I decided to let go if it, I was not going to look at Dodge. The new ones sure do look improved, but personally after the first one I wasn't going to gamble on it. I put way too much money in mine with 64k on it, and it still had unaddressed issues when I got rid of it. Some of the parts I had issues with are supposed to have been addressed, steering box, trans, steering linkage, but the lame front balljoints are still there as far as I know.


Despite the weak springs (IMO) in the new super duty, I like that the rear of the Ford is MUCH lower and easier to load and get in and out of the bed. The older and newer (4x4) dodge duallys sit really high in the back. I will say that even though the dodge sat much higher, with the same trailer attached both trucks leveled out, but the dodge dropped around 4-5 inches compared to 1-2 for the Ford.

If your so set on the dually as to either convert yours or buy a new one, I'd just stop looking at the SRW trucks. It's not the kind of deal you want to make a mistake on.

 

I was only considering a SRW because I found 2 12 left overs that I can get a rockin deal on. But to me if Im going SRW I may as well keep what I have.

What can I expect to pay for a 14 Lariat Dually I know the sticker is 63k, but how much room is there and what are the incentives if any on a 14?

I haven't bought a truck since 05 when I got my current SD.

Sarge

 

Just picked up a 14' Lariat dually. Ordered it from the factory.

Had about 2,000 in incentives that we're knocked off the price.
For me I ordered all the stuff I wanted on it. Sure it jacked up the price a little. But if I'm towing, driving and keeping this for years and years, might as well get what keeps me happy.
Dealer gave it to me for their cost.

 

I odered my 13 and got it for invoice, -2k in rebates. Sticker was just shy of 63k, got it for 56,2xx. Really not going to get much better unless you can get them into their hold back, but on a special order they don't have the motivation they do with an on the lot truck.

 

Yeah the ESP jacked up the price. Plus we put dual dvd head rests in it, plus train horn, push bar, led light bar and 50gal transfer flow in bed tank. Also had them throw in a reese 25k hitch while it was there.
Made the price go up slightly.

 

So...., Made the fatal mistake of going to the local FORD dealer today cause I saw a few SD's with $6,000 in rebates painted on the window and I decided to drive one. Bad move. That truck ran like my tuned 06, rode great, and was all around a nice truck, and the quiet diesel would be real nice for those long trips. That's the good news, bad news is being self employed and business is so volatile right now I'm not sure now is the right time to try and absorb a $700.00/month payment.

So the dealer has a '12 King Ranch Dually coming in on trade next week wit 22k on the clock. I guess the guy is the dealerships owners brother and he gets a new truck every 2 years. They are supposed to call me when his new truck comes in and his old one is available to test drive. I guess its loaded but has no NAV. I was hoping it did, but I guess I will have to wait and see how clean it is and what they want for it, so until then I may go drive the Dodge just for comparisons sake.

Sarge