I was building a C&C F-550 Lariat Super Cab on Ford's website and I noticed there isn't an option for LED headlights, push button start, or upfitter switches. I wonder why those aren't available on the cab & chassis. Too little demand? Not a deal breaker but since I'm the only one here with a CDL (for the present time) I would like to have those things, along with the Sync 3 & navigation. If I didn't plan on driving it very much I would just get a plain white one and call it a day (not quite totally plain, but plainer). We are going to be pulling a 40' gooseneck with an unloaded weight around 9800#, GVWR of 25000#. Anyone out there have one of these with the de-tuned PSD? I will probably get the 4.30 gear ratio as it appears to be mandatory for the high capacity tow pkg. The power ratings are similar to our '15 3500 dually D-Max, which has done a great job for us so far. Between the '13 we had, (RIP) totaled at about 156k, and our current '15 with 134k on the clock we've had really great service. No problems on the engine/drivetrain, just a rear caliper breaking on the '15. However, there is a noticeable difference between this truck and the full strength PSD in my F-350. The Ford smokes it. Anyway, I was wondering what the overall level of satisfaction is with the detuned engine. RPM's at 70 mph? I'm not very skilled at extrapolating the RPM,s from different gear ratios and tire sizes, but my truck with the 3.55 ratio and 275/65/R20's is about 1600 RPM's @ 70. The tire size on the 550 is 225/70/R19.5. Hopefully it won't be redlined at 70. Might have to learn to cruise at 65. Anyone have real world experience with these? Thanks.

 

The upfitter switches are standard on the cab & chassis. The lariat includes the LED DRL "c-clamp" lights, but LED headlights are not available on the cab & chassis to my knowledge. No idea on the push button start.

 

I have an F550 and have 'built' several online this year as i'm planning on replacing it in '19 or '20. The upfitter switches were available a little while ago, are you sure you did not just miss them...

I'm pretty sure you mean 4.88 not 4.30 but the concept is the same. The lower gears give you more torque to the ground and lowers the stress on the engine/trans but the trade-off is less efficiency. These trucks are made to haul a constant load and fuel usage is a secondary concern. My '03 gets ~10-12 mpg empty and more like 5 mpg loaded at ~35K. There is no getting around physics. The new 10-speed will help in that department, the 10th gear should be 0.64, 9th being 0.69 while the top gear in the 6R140 is 0.69. My person dilemma is bet on the new trans for the small increase in mpg or bet on the tried and true transmission.

Mine only moves if it has a load on it or I need to use the flatbed They are not really meant for daily drivers but can do a good impression if it has to replace one of the other vehicles in your fleet, i.e. break downs. My personal feelings are vehicles are tools and you need one for every purpose not a one-size-fits-all.

 

I went back and checked. I didn't see the upfitter switches, just an upfitter interface module. The high capacity towing package replaces the standard 4.10 with the 4.30 limited slip, according to what I saw. The truck is a super cab, if that makes any difference. I've avoided doing this to keep from having to get CDL drivers but we are hauling bigger loads further distances so my hand is forced. We'll keep the 1-ton and one of the 24' trailers for local deliveries and smaller loads. I don't plan on using this for a daily driver for sure. I agree 100% with your view on the vehicles. Just a tool to get the job done, but sometimes a little nicer tool is in order. I want to retire my F-350 SRW Platinum from making deliveries before I scratch it or put a dent in it like I did my '17. That and the fact its already got almost 38k miles since i bought it 4/14/18.

 

As I said above, upfitter switches are STANDARD on a cab & chassis. Even a bare bones, stripper, xl F450/F550 will have them. If you look at the standard features listed on the build & price, you'll see the upfitters included.

 

10-4. That one sailed on me. Thank you very much.

 

Led headlights require bliss, bliss is not available on C&C. The body upfitter handbook lays out the basics. Let me try to find the current one.

 

I don't have a cab/chassis truck but when I picked the Lariat package for my Super Cab that was the highest you could choose. It's a basic Lariat package that doesn't have the LED headlights or push button start, but my truck did have the upfitter switches and navigation and the Lariat Value package all added on. The options are limited on the Super Cab, try building it with a Crew Cab and see if more is possible.

 

Here's the truck I am probably going to order tomorrow. This is my first venture in ordering a cab & chassis truck. I bought both of our 3500's off the lot with the bed already on them. I think I've got a pretty solid truck but if anyone would differ in opinion please feel free to let me know. I will put a gooseneck bed, probably a C&M like we have on the Chevy. It's a good solid bed and we have got good service out of it. The main thing I'm wondering about is the pairing with the trailer. Here are the trailer specs.
40' PJ lo-pro gooseneck, torque tube, 2 12k axles w/ electric/hydraulic discs, load range G tires, Hutch 9700 suspension, hydraulic monster jacks, sliding ratchets, 25k GVW, approximately 10k empty wt. That leaves us with about 15k payload capacity. With the 4.30 rear axle it looks like the max loaded trailer weight is 26K. That's almost twice the capacity of our current 24' trailers. Any thoughts? Please let me know if anyone sees anything out of whack. Thanks.

 

 

I have a few F550's in my fleet, I am also one a few CDL drivers (also use a ELD) and my 2017 F550 is my daily driver. It's pushing 95K in a year and a half. My main tralier is a 45ft, triple axle, hydraulic jacks, hey deck, ratchet rail, electric over hydraulic disc brakes, a 37.5 GVW. It's a Gatormade.

My 550 is rated at 18K, also a 430 gear rides better then my 2018 F350. My other 2017 with a 19.5GVW with 488 gears is, well it reminds you it's a heavy duty truck.

My gross on my dual tandem axle trailer 30K GVW is around 45K, I've been 57K with my triple axel.

Max speed is 81 miles an hour

Mileage varies from 14 unloaded, to 6 loaded.

 

That's a sweet looking rig, Sir. Thanks for the info and #'s. I think the 4.30 in this particular set-up will be ideal. I have a CDL and plan on doing some of the driving (that's why the Lariat trim) but never have run ELD's. I guess I will now. I have two other guys in the process of getting their CDL's so until then I'll tough it out.

 

If you travel less then 8 days a month, you can still do a log book

I would do tandem 15K axles, you can never have too much.

How much for the new trailer?

To be quite honest with you, I personally buy a brand new super duty almost every year, current is a 18 350 XLT premium 17 was a platinum ultimate, 15 lariat ultimate, 14 XLT premium, 13 lariat etc.... all the way back to 99.

Call me crazy but I like this truck the most. It's an XL with power group, convenience package, high tow. I'm extremely comfortable in it, a pleasure to drive.

I'm on the original brakes, replace the tires once.

The derated motor adequate, it's not a power monster, it does what it does very well.

I ordered my 19 f650 with the higher horsepower, I wish I could have done that with the 550.

 

I chose the 12k axles for the disc brakes. I was told they weren't available on the 15k axles. The trailer was $22k, which is about 2x what I paid them for my 24' PJ with basically the same options, 7k singles vs 12k duals being the main difference, but about the same as I paid for my 20' ATC enclosed trailer. I am falliing in line with you on the annual SD purchases. I converted in November of '16 with the '17 F-250 Lariat Ultimate in my sig, sold that to my son and bought the F-350 '18 Platinum, now the '19 F-550. Good to know about the brakes and tires. Thank you also for the info on the de-rated motor and driving experience. I may shoot you a PM and pick your brain about the ELD's if you don't mind. Thanks.