As an introduction I just joined after reading thru a bunch of the threads for the past several days. Currently I have a 2015 GMC Denali dually with the Duramax that I use to tow our 15.5K pound fifth wheel. I was a lifelong Ford owner up until about 9 years ago. Only went to GM because a friend of mine has a local dealership. I no longer do business with them but that is another story. I did own a couple of the early Super Duty 250 diesels, a 99 and an 01, if I remember right.

The reason I joined is because I am seriously considering a 17 F350 dually. They offer a lot of towing options that just aren't there in a GM, like the camera system, brake assist and adaptive cruise. With both of us retired we spend as much time on the road as we can so comfort and safety is a top consideration.

I have been searching for a truck that matches my requirements and so far haven't found anything in a KR or loaded Lariat. One thing I have found is most have the 4.10 rear end. My Denali has a 3.73 and works great. Not sure if I need the 3.55 or the 4.10. Maybe someone has some advice for me. We do use the truck for other purposes so mileage is kind of important but so is the grunt to get our fifth wheel rolling and keep it there.

Also I would like to know how the camera system works with a fifth wheel. Is it worth it? Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE. The 4.10s will put your tow ratings over 30k lbs. 3.55s will easily get 15.5k going though. Hopefully some of our DRW owners will chime in.

 

As for the cameras, you have the option of the CHMSL camera that assists in hooking up gooseneck/5th wheels trailers. They also have cameras you can mount on the rear of your trailer to see when backing up. You also have the 360* cameras that show a birds eye view of what is around the truck. Neat stuff.

 

Here are some of the camera functions:

 

If you need a dually, I suggest that you test drive and consider the F450. The sharper (much sharper) turning radius is a real help with parking and maneuvering a trailer. The bigger brakes and stronger tires are nice as well.

 

15k lbs is nothing for the 3.55s. I've drug around 12-13k lbs with mine with ease accelerating through mountain passes. I personally wouldn't go 4.10 unless I was pulling 20k+ regularly, or 15k everyday. Ive pulled plenty with a F-350 DRW with 4.30s, and the 3.55s in this 17 don't give up much.

 

Thanks for the responses. We are kind of in between an SRW and a dually. Our hitch weight is about 3100 pounds. By the time I add in the wife and I, a 150 pound hitch and 2 Boston Terriers, I'm over the 3400 or so load capacities I've seen on some of the SRW's. In addition, I would probably want swap the 34 gallon fuel tank for a 55 gallon Titan replacement or add an in bed tank which would add even more. I tried pulling our fiver with a GMC 3500 SRW when we first got it and it wasn't pleasant. Plenty of cushion for the dually but would be way, way under for an F450. Not sure about the empty ride differences.

Those cameras look like something I could really use.

 

My long bed F-350 has a 48 gallon tank from the factory.

Are you looking at a gas or diesel engine?

 

Diesel. I know the long beds have a 48 gallon tank. When I mentioned the 34 gallon I was referring to a standard bed, SRW. I looked at a SRW long bed Platinum and it had about a 100 pounds less capacity than most of the KR standard beds on the dealers lot. A few more options plus the larger fuel tank probably made the difference.

I have a 60 gallon Titan replacement tank in our Denali and I can safely go about 500 miles in a day without stopping for fuel. That's generally enough for me. I can unhook and go find a station with better diesel prices than a Pilot, Flying J or TA. I think 48 gallons would work for most of our travel days.

 

With the amount of travelling you and your wife will be doing, I'd think the cameras would be a real safety factor that would make it worth while. With a King Ranch (especially the KR ultimate) you'll be getting most of this and the BLIS system, which would be another nice feature for pulling.
Good luck with your purchase.

 

From what I understand, if your trailer is too long or too wide then the BLIS won't work. Otherwise, the BLIS is very handy. I think some guys have told the system a shorter length of trailer than they really have and that keeps the BLIS working but it may not be reporting when a vehicle is at the rear corner of the trailer.

 

Hopefully someone will see this. One more question. Do the DRW trucks have a tire pressure monitoring system available or standard? Looked on the Ford website and could not find anything definitive.

 

F350 DRW has standard six-tire TPMS. My understanding is that the F450 does not feature truck tire TPMS.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Hi FishRanger,

I have a 2017 F-350 dually with the 3.55 rear axle. It is a loaded Lariat Ultimate 4x4 diesel, and the rated towing capacity is 27,300lbs. Opting for the 4.10 axle will give you 4,000lbs more towing capacity, to 31,300. The 3.55 will allow you to run lower RPM on the highway and theoretically a little better fuel economy, especially when unloaded. However, many folks here report good fuel economy with the 4.10 axle or even the 4.30 axle found only in the F-450.

I drive my dually every day and the larger turning radius (compared to the same-length 450) is not a bother. However, I'm sure being able to turn sharper is nice.

Keep in mind the F-450 is only rated marginally more on towing than a 350 dually (32,500lbs) yet the rated payload is always going to be less than a 350 dually because the 450 weighs a little more thanks to the larger brakes, wheels / tires, etc. I think 2009kr points out that it is about 800lbs.

The 450 does not currently offer a tire pressure monitoring system at all, unfortunately. The 350 dually will read out all 6 tire pressures. Here is a pic of my dash awhile back:

 

Yes they have it standard, I think its law now that all cars have to have it, no?