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I agree with both "RV" and "Wyo" that it is not too difficult to find 6.2 gasser duallies. I am in no hurry to buy, considering my wife's health situation. There are actually some pretty attractive deals out there on trucks with low miles. I haven't decided if I'm going to trade my Expedition. I guess it doesn't make much sense to keep 2 vehicles when there is only 1 person who can drive. It is nice to have a "backup" though.
Ken
I currently drive an F350 with the 6.2 gas engine although it is SRW. I know the dually in the 6.2 is probably not easy to find now that the 7.3's are out there. Unless you just want the 7.3, I would not overlook the 6.2 as it is a long term proven engine and very capable.
Wyo, my wife and I camped from 2014 to 2019 in almost the identical setup - my F-350 was a 2015 short bed, extended cab 6.2 and the GVWR was 11,100. The camper was a 2013 Eagle Cap EC850 and weighed in at 3690 wet, so the 6.2 was more than capable for us! Until... we ran into some heavy climbs - our trip UP to Lubec, ME (extreme northern ME with the EC850) and our trip to the Blur Ridge Parkway in NC... the climb up to the Parkway nearly killed it (with the loaded camper onboard)! Until those two trips, I never had any issues with the truck pulling that camper fully loaded. It was like it wasn't even there, but both of those trips, we encountered major, long, steep grades that just went on forever and even with "Tow/Haul" mode engaged, it was just screaming and slowing down and starting to smell! Really scared us both... especially NC! Just another man's perspective on the 6.2l... you might want to think 7.3l or 6.7l diesel (my new diesel pulls our new AF1140 Arctic Fox/F-450 XLT - 15,036lbs like it's empty!) The 7.3l sounded REALLY interesting to me until I was told I couldn't get it in an F-450 unless I ordered a Cab/Chassis Model (non-pickup)!
Jim, I am probably the least knowledgeable person on this site, but I'm wondering if you couldn't just go down to a lower gear? Did it just get too hot? Just a shot in the dark...
Ken
Our experience with our 6.2 has been very positive even pulling our much heavier fifth wheel. It laughs at our 3,300 pound Laredo. I think it would be fun to have a 7.3, but I never felt like I needed it, just wanted it. I would not tell my wife that though.
DRW's can go offroad just as easy as an SRW you just have to allow for the extra width. I would say my DRW is better at the beach.
Running a DRW on the beach depends a lot on the sand. I’d hate to get caught in some of the fluffy stuff and have to dig that rig out. Awesome setup though.
Jim, I am probably the least knowledgeable person on this site, but I'm wondering if you couldn't just go down to a lower gear? Did it just get too hot? Just a shot in the dark...
Ken
In NC, I tried that - I kicked it out of "Tow/Haul Mode" because the RPM were so high and let is shift up from 3rd to 4th and the rig immediately started to slow down in speed, with it floored! It eventually, shifted back down to 3rd by itself (out of Tow/Haul Mode) just because of the uphill speed we were going!
In NC, I tried that - I kicked it out of "Tow/Haul Mode" because the RPM were so high and let is shift up from 3rd to 4th and the rig immediately started to slow down in speed, with it floored! It eventually, shifted back down to 3rd by itself (out of Tow/Haul Mode) just because of the uphill speed we were going!
If you were pulling the Green River Gorge on the Interstate running into NC out of SC, you were pulling 3rd gear for sure. Our 6.2 does the same, but we can still run with the traffic and as the folks on the 6.2 forum say "let er rev"! However, it is not subtle and I find it unpleasant, but our last 350 was a diesel and it just wasn't the right truck for us given we are most often running empty bed. It was the same thing at elevation out West. I never felt like I was out of power, but I would have welcomed less commotion that came with 4,000+ RPM.
I think truck selection is a balancing act just like camper choices. One of the dealers I worked for did diesels for year, then switched to a 6.2 dually which he said he loved, but then on his next truck he went back to diesel. Go figure!
If you were pulling the Green River Gorge on the Interstate running into NC out of SC, you were pulling 3rd gear for sure. Our 6.2 does the same, but we can still run with the traffic and as the folks on the 6.2 forum say "let er rev"! However, it is not subtle and I find it unpleasant, but our last 350 was a diesel and it just wasn't the right truck for us given we are most often running empty bed. It was the same thing at elevation out West. I never felt like I was out of power, but I would have welcomed less commotion that came with 4,000+ RPM.
I think truck selection is a balancing act just like camper choices. One of the dealers I worked for did diesels for year, then switched to a 6.2 dually which he said he loved, but then on his next truck he went back to diesel. Go figure!
Steve
Actually, we took I-81 and got off at Rte. 16 just before Marion, VA then took 16 into NC to Rte. 221 to Rte 421 for a short distance to one of the MANY entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway, then took that to Julian Price Park CG! It was that last part of Rte. 16 and all of Rte 221 that was THE CLIMB to the entrance!
And as for that Dealer who switched and then switched back...
As to the COG's and Lance, these shots of the sticker in my camper may help a little.
Our 2011 F350 DRW with the 6.7 PSD. Set the cruise control and go, including the steep passes of the Cascade Mountains. Boat is 6500#'s with full gas tanks and half of the camp loaded in it. The boat is only a boat after we arrive at camp. For the trip to the camp it is a fancy utility trailer.
Wyo, my wife and I camped from 2014 to 2019 in almost the identical setup - my F-350 was a 2015 short bed, extended cab 6.2 and the GVWR was 11,100. The camper was a 2013 Eagle Cap EC850 and weighed in at 3690 wet, so the 6.2 was more than capable for us! Until... we ran into some heavy climbs - our trip UP to Lubec, ME (extreme northern ME with the EC850) and our trip to the Blur Ridge Parkway in NC... the climb up to the Parkway nearly killed it (with the loaded camper onboard)! Until those two trips, I never had any issues with the truck pulling that camper fully loaded. It was like it wasn't even there, but both of those trips, we encountered major, long, steep grades that just went on forever and even with "Tow/Haul" mode engaged, it was just screaming and slowing down and starting to smell! Really scared us both... especially NC! Just another man's perspective on the 6.2l... you might want to think 7.3l or 6.7l diesel (my new diesel pulls our new AF1140 Arctic Fox/F-450 XLT - 15,036lbs like it's empty!) The 7.3l sounded REALLY interesting to me until I was told I couldn't get it in an F-450 unless I ordered a Cab/Chassis Model (non-pickup)!
I understand what you are saying as years ago I spent three years in Richmond, VA at the corporate office for the company I was working for and spent time on the Blue Ridge Parkway and that part of the country. There are definitely some long grades to go up back there. One time since having my current combination have I dropped down to second gear going up a pass was when I was pulling my ATV and trailer with the camper fully wet up Red Canyon between Lander and South Pass here in Wyoming. It is a long stretch and before you get to the top it gets steeper. In that section I was in second gear and rev'ing about 4500 rpm's. Truck did just fine but definitely not where I want to be rev'ing for a long period of time even though I know the engine can handle it.
I understand what you are saying as years ago I spent three years in Richmond, VA at the corporate office for the company I was working for and spent time on the Blue Ridge Parkway and that part of the country. There are definitely some long grades to go up back there. One time since having my current combination have I dropped down to second gear going up a pass was when I was pulling my ATV and trailer with the camper fully wet up Red Canyon between Lander and South Pass here in Wyoming. It is a long stretch and before you get to the top it gets steeper. In that section I was in second gear and rev'ing about 4500 rpm's. Truck did just fine but definitely not where I want to be rev'ing for a long period of time even though I know the engine can handle it.
I know, they say that the 6.2 is a hi-revving engine like the old 283/327 Chevy engines (and they could scream) but that sound just scared the crap out of me and when it just continued for miles as we wound back and forth up that ridge... ugh! Nothing to worry about any more... all I hear now is the beautiful whistle of my turbo when I gently press on the accelerator of my 6.7 Powerstroke! Glad to be back in a diesel - expense or not!
