Gearing
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More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 703
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From: Butler Pa.
Gearing
So I did a dumb thing a year ago. I went to the local Ford garage to purchase my towing vehicle for retirement. I figured F-350 gas I should good, let them know what my interest was. Not one salesperson out of 4 said that you do realize the 5th wheel you want needs a dually. So now I have a 2016 F-350 XLT with 2900 miles to get rid of.
Now to sell mine and find a dually.
I found 2 used diesel duallys with around 67000 miles which I will probably trade on and just take the beating.
2011 F-450 4X4 King Ranch with 430 gears.
2012 F-350 4X4 XLT with 373 Gears.
I do think the 373's would get me about 5 mpg better.
You men towing with these set ups which way should I go?
Thanks for your input.
Now to sell mine and find a dually.
I found 2 used diesel duallys with around 67000 miles which I will probably trade on and just take the beating.
2011 F-450 4X4 King Ranch with 430 gears.
2012 F-350 4X4 XLT with 373 Gears.
I do think the 373's would get me about 5 mpg better.
You men towing with these set ups which way should I go?
Thanks for your input.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
why not look into a dually rear axle and outer fenders. to your current truck.
but the bigger question.. WHY?? the need for a dually
What are the Issues ??? bigger front and rear anti-sway bars... rear air bags... there are things you can do with your current F 350..
as the single rear wheel F 350 is very capable .
how about the details of the 5th wheel trailer..
others will be along with more useful information.
but the bigger question.. WHY?? the need for a dually
What are the Issues ??? bigger front and rear anti-sway bars... rear air bags... there are things you can do with your current F 350..
as the single rear wheel F 350 is very capable .
how about the details of the 5th wheel trailer..
others will be along with more useful information.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 6
Edited because I'm an idiot completely missed the part about you going diesel dulally. You should really post the specs of your trailer if you actually want some help. All the things you can do to your truck don't actually increase the capacity. Though they will make it tow better. I would skip the 2011 though as it was the first model year and there was the valve and glow plug issue which led to a 20k motor and there were also some trans issues but I think they were pretty much sorted out with flashes.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 359
Likes: 19
why not look into a dually rear axle and outer fenders. to your current truck.
but the bigger question.. WHY?? the need for a dually
What are the Issues ??? bigger front and rear anti-sway bars... rear air bags... there are things you can do with your current F 350..
as the single rear wheel F 350 is very capable .
how about the details of the 5th wheel trailer..
others will be along with more useful information.
but the bigger question.. WHY?? the need for a dually
What are the Issues ??? bigger front and rear anti-sway bars... rear air bags... there are things you can do with your current F 350..
as the single rear wheel F 350 is very capable .
how about the details of the 5th wheel trailer..
others will be along with more useful information.
OP - our 2012 F350 Lariat LB CC 6.7 has the 3.73 rear end. Don't get the ratios used on gassers vs. diesels confused - completely different engines and torque profiles. The 6.7 DRW with the 3.73 rear end is a towing beast. We get 11 MPG overall towing 14,000 lbs. On the other hand, we don't buy big fifth wheels and diesel trucks and then worry about fuel economy. Just pick the right tool for the job.
Rob
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
that is why I asked about the trailer..
I think the Srw is limited on pin weight...
without knowing the trailer numbers... nothing is a given.
Salesmen are worthless when it comes to towing.
but selling a new truck with 3,000 miles is a killer on money.
I think the Srw is limited on pin weight...
without knowing the trailer numbers... nothing is a given.
Salesmen are worthless when it comes to towing.
but selling a new truck with 3,000 miles is a killer on money.
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More Turbo
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From: Butler Pa.
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From: Butler Pa.
We have only started looking at 5th wheel campers. We don't own one yet. We are looking at the 35'-40'. We want to be able to add an auxiliary fuel tank and generator in the truck bed. 5th wheel roof will have solar panels also. Washed, dryer, full size refrigerator and so on. We are really looking at the Montanas.
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Posting Guru
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And in followup to your actual question.
First, there is not going to be a 5mpg difference among those gear choices.
Without knowing your 5th wheel specs, I would probably go with the 3.73 in general.
But if you are really getting up in weight and planning to climb long serious grades, then I would go for more gear.
This is all philosophy without the 5th wheel specifics.
Also, are you planning to full-time? Tow it a few weeks a year?
On Edit: I see a few posts happened between the time I started a reply and finally hit post.
First, there is not going to be a 5mpg difference among those gear choices.
Without knowing your 5th wheel specs, I would probably go with the 3.73 in general.
But if you are really getting up in weight and planning to climb long serious grades, then I would go for more gear.
This is all philosophy without the 5th wheel specifics.
Also, are you planning to full-time? Tow it a few weeks a year?
On Edit: I see a few posts happened between the time I started a reply and finally hit post.
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More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Butler Pa.
Plans are leaving for Alaska in June and spending time in various places until September, then heading south to warm weather. We figure on scouting around every year until we can't. 12751 dry weight is the one we are looking at right now, without the washing and drying. Pretty sure I'm maxed out at 12,300. Dry weight is 400 over that.
Maybe have to look at something different if I keep this truck
Maybe have to look at something different if I keep this truck
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
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From: Chico,CA.
Look at Heartland, Grand design and some others as well. Keystone has really let their quality slip in the last few years and it's sad, because Montana was once at the top of the heap.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 10,126
Likes: 7,925
From: Texas
We have only started looking at 5th wheel campers. We don't own one yet. We are looking at the 35'-40'. We want to be able to add an auxiliary fuel tank and generator in the truck bed. 5th wheel roof will have solar panels also. Washed, dryer, full size refrigerator and so on. We are really looking at the Montanas.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...right-now.html
And just some more FYI......I pull my 41'Raptor, 18,000GVW all over the Rocky Mountain States with my '16 F350 DRW with 3.73 gears, 6.7L Powerstroke with absolutely NO trouble.......no need for deeper gearing.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 22
From: very South Texas
Just FYI.........a friends experience with Montana/Keystone
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...right-now.html
And just some more FYI......I pull my 41'Raptor, 18,000GVW all over the Rocky Mountain States with my '16 F350 DRW with 3.73 gears, 6.7L Powerstroke with absolutely NO trouble.......no need for deeper gearing.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...right-now.html
And just some more FYI......I pull my 41'Raptor, 18,000GVW all over the Rocky Mountain States with my '16 F350 DRW with 3.73 gears, 6.7L Powerstroke with absolutely NO trouble.......no need for deeper gearing.
that Link I passed to another shopper just yesterday..
I was a few weeks away from ordering a Montana 380 .. and decided to keep my OLD trailer. because of montana's treatment of the above owner..
I do not know any of the parties ..
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 316
Likes: 13
From: Wautoma, WI
And in followup to your actual question.
First, there is not going to be a 5mpg difference among those gear choices.
Without knowing your 5th wheel specs, I would probably go with the 3.73 in general.
But if you are really getting up in weight and planning to climb long serious grades, then I would go for more gear.
This is all philosophy without the 5th wheel specifics.
Also, are you planning to full-time? Tow it a few weeks a year?
On Edit: I see a few posts happened between the time I started a reply and finally hit post.
First, there is not going to be a 5mpg difference among those gear choices.
Without knowing your 5th wheel specs, I would probably go with the 3.73 in general.
But if you are really getting up in weight and planning to climb long serious grades, then I would go for more gear.
This is all philosophy without the 5th wheel specifics.
Also, are you planning to full-time? Tow it a few weeks a year?
On Edit: I see a few posts happened between the time I started a reply and finally hit post.
My 13 350 has 3.73 and it pulls everything I've hooked to hit just fine. Including my in laws 22,000lb loaded toy hauler. My Sundance is 15000 loaded and I have a 50gal six fuel tank in the bed, wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs all kinds of blocking, 150ft of 6-4 wire among other things and it pulls like they were made for each other. 11.5mpg on the flats and 9-10 in the hills.
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