I am looking at upgrading my current F-150 to a new Deisel 6.7L F-250.
But after a lot of conversations I am wondering if this will be enough truck.
I am hoping to by a new 5th wheel camper GVWR of 14,000. I would like to pull my boat behind that. GVWR of about 4,500.
So my total weight being pulled would be around 18,500lbs.
I don't want too big of truck because 95% of the miles put on it won't be towing.
What are your thoughts?

 

Personal opinion, I would go to at least an F350, mine is a dually and I pull a 15K 5'r and an 18ft boat behind it. I have 5 million miles as an over the road driver and you will not believe the number of accidents I see when people where towing with a single wheel truck that involved serious damage and unfortunately quite often serious injury, that in most cases would have been prevented by having dual rears. My daily driver is a crewcab dually and I don't even notice any inconvenience because it is to big except there are very few car washes that it fits into.

 

My thoughts are if you want to tow heavy don't go light. I've pulled doubles with a SRW and DRW and I would never go light again, stability is the main concern.

Denny

 

Not to argue, but to clarify. Are you saying regardless of towed weight, you believe a dually is necessary? I agree with the true heavy weights, but how about 10,000 pounds or less?

And I guess here is where I would argue. Having both a DRW and a SRW I find having the added width in the rear is Hell when it comes to parking. Sometimes it just means walking a lot further and sometimes it means means good luck finding a parking space at all (I'm thinking of the Cape Coral and Naples areas in the snowbird season).

Just a thought,

Steve

 

Wherever I want a truck to tow a load I always try and get the heaviest rating I can , so if a F250 is barely able to do the job then a F350 would be my choice. As far as towing doubles the more stable the tow truck the less sway the last trailer will have. I've towed doubles for years and I will guarantee a DRW will do a better job especially in a cross wind. Any movement in the truck will transmit to the trailers and with the tail swing because of the over hang on the first trailer it's amplified on the second trailer. That overhang also helps the second trailer follow in the first trailers tracks so it's not all bad but don't turn to short because it will also jackknife the second trailer, guess how I know

Denny

 

I agree with all of that.

Steve

 

I tow double now and I really should have a DRW but it works and not that bad with the SRW F350. Any longer of either trailer I would need a DRW but as it is I am just under 65' could not imagine a 18' boat at 4500lbs behind my 5th.

 

I have a DRW, a nice option for sure. Not an inconvience at all really, but I have towed with a SRW as well.

 

Man, there is nothing subtle about that load!

Steve

 

If I were you I would be looking at a DRW at the very least. Probably would be in the market for a F-450 if I was looking at long term use though.

Do you have anyone that travels with you? Maybe a significant other or family members that can drive? We have begun taking our Subaru with us wherever we go, and it has worked out very well each time. Two times so far the truck was out of commission (steering gear and other was cracked rim) and we had the Subaru to grab parts or supplies making the parts change out very easy. Also, taking the Subaru to downtown Charleston or Chicago makes things a lot easier than driving "The Beast" down there.

We use good 2 way radios for communication between vehicles. Just another idea if it is feasible.

 

That was with my 2012 (which I still like the colours on it the best) that same combo pulls better with my 2017.