Any Upgrade Recommendations?
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Any Upgrade Recommendations?
Hi All,
<o></o>I am new to the board and apologize upfront in case I am asking a question that had been answered already 100 times over.
<o></o>
I have a ’06 F350 Crewcab DRW Powerstroke. Before buying a 5<sup>th</sup> wheeler, I would like to prepare my truck for any heavy towing. Needless to say, it is all stock as of now.
What should I consider investing (oil and/or transmission cooler, etc.) and what could I consider investing (tuning, etc.)?
<o></o>
Any help would be great!
<o></o>I am new to the board and apologize upfront in case I am asking a question that had been answered already 100 times over.
<o></o>
I have a ’06 F350 Crewcab DRW Powerstroke. Before buying a 5<sup>th</sup> wheeler, I would like to prepare my truck for any heavy towing. Needless to say, it is all stock as of now.
What should I consider investing (oil and/or transmission cooler, etc.) and what could I consider investing (tuning, etc.)?
<o></o>
Any help would be great!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 424
From: Too close to Houston
Welcome to the forum!
If you limit the 5th wheel weight to what the pickup is rated for you shouldn't have to add anything but fuel. If you plan to exceed the ratings understand that you are modifying at your own risk. May loose waranty, etc. I think the most important thing you can do now is understand the limits of your truck and buy a trailer accordingly.
In the RV forums it is seen that a common mistake is taking the RV dealer's word for how much your vehicle can tow. Many wind up trading their F250 or F350 for a F450, 550 or small Freightliner to pull the monster 5th wheel they bought.
That said, a lot of folks add air bags or upgraded shocks to improve ride quality. Me, I'd drive it first and tailor any changes to my own wants/needs.
If you limit the 5th wheel weight to what the pickup is rated for you shouldn't have to add anything but fuel. If you plan to exceed the ratings understand that you are modifying at your own risk. May loose waranty, etc. I think the most important thing you can do now is understand the limits of your truck and buy a trailer accordingly.
In the RV forums it is seen that a common mistake is taking the RV dealer's word for how much your vehicle can tow. Many wind up trading their F250 or F350 for a F450, 550 or small Freightliner to pull the monster 5th wheel they bought.
That said, a lot of folks add air bags or upgraded shocks to improve ride quality. Me, I'd drive it first and tailor any changes to my own wants/needs.
Last edited by Sport45; Apr 4, 2006 at 12:44 PM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
Welcome to FTE and thanks for joining us in the Towing forum! 
It's not mandatory, but I am asking the new folks whom I greet to voluntarily append their profile information to include their "Location." A lot of times this helps others to help you by knowing a little about your topography and weather. You don't need to give enough detail for the Homeland Security black helicopters or the IRS to find you. Just your state will do. Thanks!
It's not mandatory, but I am asking the new folks whom I greet to voluntarily append their profile information to include their "Location." A lot of times this helps others to help you by knowing a little about your topography and weather. You don't need to give enough detail for the Homeland Security black helicopters or the IRS to find you. Just your state will do. Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Big Red country
Check in the owners manual for YOUR tow ratings. With the 6.0L in a 350 with DRW you are in the neighborhood of 17K, IF memory serves me right. Air bags might be a good idea. Does your truck have the rear stabilizer? I love mine. It helps on controlling truck sway. I personally would stay away from chips and tuners until your warranty is out, but that is my opinion. IF you don't overdue it, you would probably be alright there too. Coolers are always a good investment, but the PS already has an aux cooler and I haven't heard of anyone installing a third one. I would be interested in hearing opinions on that though as I have considered it myself.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Thank you all for your replies, I truly appreciate it! This is my first 'real' truck and I just love driving it--it is amazing when, at 80mph on a hill with cruise control on, you just pass all those 'cool cars' that are only fast downhills ...
I am looking forward to pulling a 'real' one to make one of my dreams come true.
I am looking forward to pulling a 'real' one to make one of my dreams come true.
Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,514
Likes: 908
From: Home Base Nebraska
With a DRW about the only thing I would install is maybe air bags and thats just to level the truck out when pulling, but that also depends on just how much pin weight you end up with. I use them on my DRW with 3K pin and wouldn't be without them again.
Denny
Denny
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 0
From: Utah County, UT
Having air bags to level out is nice, especially when it comes to driving at night, the headlights still light up the road. The 6.0 trans cooler is much larger that what they put on the 7.3 so you may or may not need another cooler. For those worried about it, I'd put a gauge on it and see what it is doing. I was really surprised to find out how hot mine was getting empty driving around town. I added an extra cooler after that and haven't seen any temps higher than 180 deg. Gauges are cheap compared to repair/replacement cost. But if I were to do it again, I'd get a different pod than the A-pillar. It does look cool, but after a while you get tired of them, they block a lot of view and I only ever watch them when I am towing. Maybe 3-5 percent of the time. so at least 95 percent of the time I am looking around them. egauges.com has all kinds of stuff.
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