I'm picking up my new-to-me raptor 3712 next month (39ft, 16-17k# fully loaded). It will be my main living place for the next year due to travelling for work. I'm looking at a couple truck options. Hopefully next year I'll be getting into a 6.7 dually but for now I'm buying something outright in the 10 to 17k range. I know that's not much for a serious puller but I'm ok sacrificing options comforts for the time being. I've got 3 trucks I'm considering currently and would love your input. The trailer will be towed 10k miles or so, I'll drive the truck another 10 to 15k miles.

1999(e99) f250 ccsb. 4x4 7.3 auto(pretty sure it's original). 275k but has been really well maintained, looks and drives like a 80k truck. Family member's truck so I'm familiar with it. I'll be into it $11k ready to go down the road airbags, tires, hd torque converter.

2002 f550 cc. 4x4. Auto. Flatbed 7.3. 4.88 gears. 120k on truck 3k on complete new engine (turbo down). Know the owner he bought it new(truck and engine) About $17k ready to go down the road.

2004 cclb dually duramax.4x4. Auto 5spd allison. 165k. Clean. Craigslist. Unsure of injectors etc. $16k

What are your thoughts? Thank you for any input

 

Editing my signature.. sold the obs a while back.

 

The F550 is one heck of a tow vehicle! New motor too! Known history.

The F250 is small for the trailer your describe. Be leery of pay load, tire/axle ratings.

The Duramax dually is a heck of a truck. Unknown history. Get it checked out by a good mechanic.

 

With that kind of weight (16-17K loaded), you are clearly into at the very minimum a 1Ton truck, and the reality is, most likely a Dually. To me, the ONLY option of the three that you listed is the F550. You are looking at a pin weight of at least 3200 to 3400 lbs and the F250 is severely underrated for that kind of weight.

 

the 1999 is "OUT"... its carry maybe less then 2,000 pounds... as 4x4 and diesel reduces carry on a 2500/3500 class truck.

the "PIN" weight maybe over Max carry.. without people/fuel/stuff... in truck

 

Yup, watch that loaded pin weight. You're way over what a 250 is rated for. Plus, if that trans on that 99 is original, plan on it falling out of the truck in the next 10K miles. Maybe it wont', but plan on it doing it. And naturally plan on it happening while you're towing your 5er.

I'd take the "known" F550 over the "unknown" Duramax. Unless you know an exceptional diesel truck shop you can run the 'max through to check everything out before you make any offer on it.

 

I appreciate the feedback. The thing that concerns me is the 4.88 gears (on that f550). It looks like 245/70r19.5 would work helping reduce the low range of the 4.88s. The dually with 19.5s would be really nice. I'm just trying to get my head around the fact I'll go 70 unloaded unless I want that 7.3 turning at 3k.
Do the large truck 7.3s have the same 140cc injectors etc as a regular f350? Thank you guys again. I'm trying to do the best/safest option in my price range.

 

Almost forgot my other option. 1997 f350 dually 7.3. 2x4 118k on it, clean. I can buy that from a good friend and be into it with new rubber about 7000. Other than 2 wheel drive I love the truck. I've considered it, some tunes and exhuast and plan on driving slower (least power of the 3 mentioned). With thee 4.10s it should be ok. Any votes on this route? I just spoke with the owner of the 550 and he's not certain about selling it and if he does it's going to be well outside my budget for outright purchase. He'll know after Christmas what he's going to decide.

 

If it was me, I would go for the dually, even back to '97. I pull a 5th wheel the same length and weight as yours. This summer we upgraded from a 2002 7.3 SRW SB to a 2017 dually. I never worried about the 7.3 as far as power, though the 6.7 is fantastic. The difference in stability between the SRW and DRW is unbelievable. I could never go back.

 

God help me for saying this, but the Duramax looks (to me) to be the best option of those presented. Everybody is spot-on about the dually. You really should have one for that kind of pin weight, especially if towing with an empty garage. I have a 350 SRW (in my sig) and a 37' Montana with a typical pin wt. of around 2700. Along with the usual camping gear that goes in the truck bed, it is all I'd want to put on a SRW.

 

2 X 4 is actually better in terms of payload - not hauling around the front drive axle, transfer case, etc. That's why ours is a RWD dually. Of the choices you've listed, this is the one I'd go for.

Rob