Looking to pick up a 350 SRW - just a few questions
#1
08-17-2018, 07:38 PM
Looking to pick up a 350 SRW - just a few questions
Hey everyone ... I am about ready to pull the trigger on an '18 F350 SRW and just had a few questions.
I will be using this to tow a 38' 5th wheel that is 12.5K dry - 14K loaded. I live in the mountains and would be towing it from the US/Canada border down to Southern California and back for the winters.
There are basically 4 x F350s 6.7L 160"WB left in my area that cover what I am looking for but with just some subtle differences. The one that I like the most has the 3.31 ratio with the 18" tires. The other 3 are all 3.55s with 20". What are your thoughts on either of these? Would they end up being close to the same with the wheel differences?
Also, one of the 3.55s has the camper package. Would that be beneficial for towing a large 5th wheel or would it be just a waste of $$$ as I won't ever have a camper up top?
Thanks for your help!
JB
I will be using this to tow a 38' 5th wheel that is 12.5K dry - 14K loaded. I live in the mountains and would be towing it from the US/Canada border down to Southern California and back for the winters.
There are basically 4 x F350s 6.7L 160"WB left in my area that cover what I am looking for but with just some subtle differences. The one that I like the most has the 3.31 ratio with the 18" tires. The other 3 are all 3.55s with 20". What are your thoughts on either of these? Would they end up being close to the same with the wheel differences?
Also, one of the 3.55s has the camper package. Would that be beneficial for towing a large 5th wheel or would it be just a waste of $$$ as I won't ever have a camper up top?
Thanks for your help!
JB
#2
08-17-2018, 08:15 PM
More Turbo
Although not a 2017, here is my former 2015. 6.7 with 20" wheels, 3.55, and camper package. But I did put on air bags before picking up the camper because I hate sag.
Pulling wise, no problems at all. The 3.55 and 20" wheels were a great combo; especially out on the interstates. 70 mph was easy but you still had some left to accelerate when passing. I know some scream dually but this was very good, stable set-up. I got my new 450 primarily because the tax man was killing me and I like the look of the new 450s.
Loaded down, the camper was pushing 18,000 lb. with about a 3250lb. pin weight.
#3
08-17-2018, 08:16 PM
#4
08-17-2018, 08:21 PM
Cargo Master
#6
08-17-2018, 08:53 PM
Although not a 2017, here is my former 2015. 6.7 with 20" wheels, 3.55, and camper package. But I did put on air bags before picking up the camper because I hate sag.
Pulling wise, no problems at all. The 3.55 and 20" wheels were a great combo; especially out on the interstates. 70 mph was easy but you still had some left to accelerate when passing. I know some scream dually but this was very good, stable set-up. I got my new 450 primarily because the tax man was killing me and I like the look of the new 450s.
Loaded down, the camper was pushing 18,000 lb. with about a 3250lb. pin weight.
#7
08-17-2018, 09:57 PM
My current 2017 F350 has 3.55s w/18” wheels. It towed my 14,000 lb Reflection 337RLS 5th Wheel effortlessly.
I have a 2019 F350 with 3.31 gears and 18” wheels on order. As effortlessly as the 2017 tows 14,000 lbs I don’t expect the 3.31 w/18” wheels to have any issue. 3.55 gears with 18” wheels requires HD front suspension which Ford says ride is degraded when unloaded Front end.
Worst case if I feel it lugging going up grades I could easily lock out 6th gear. That’s what I had to do with my F150 with 3.5L EcoBoost when towing only 7500 lbs.
My 2017 turns 1625 RPM @ 65 MPH which is my normal highway cruising speed. With 3.31 gears RPM should be about 1500 @ 65 MPH which is over 800 lb-ft of torque. The 6.7L PSD is a low end RPM torque monster.
Here’s my 2017 cruising at 65MPH. Gas mileage routinely exceeds 20 MPG when not towing at 65 MPH. When towing the 14k 5th wheel it drops to average of 10.5 MPG @65 MPH.
I have a 2019 F350 with 3.31 gears and 18” wheels on order. As effortlessly as the 2017 tows 14,000 lbs I don’t expect the 3.31 w/18” wheels to have any issue. 3.55 gears with 18” wheels requires HD front suspension which Ford says ride is degraded when unloaded Front end.
Worst case if I feel it lugging going up grades I could easily lock out 6th gear. That’s what I had to do with my F150 with 3.5L EcoBoost when towing only 7500 lbs.
My 2017 turns 1625 RPM @ 65 MPH which is my normal highway cruising speed. With 3.31 gears RPM should be about 1500 @ 65 MPH which is over 800 lb-ft of torque. The 6.7L PSD is a low end RPM torque monster.
Here’s my 2017 cruising at 65MPH. Gas mileage routinely exceeds 20 MPG when not towing at 65 MPH. When towing the 14k 5th wheel it drops to average of 10.5 MPG @65 MPH.
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#11
08-18-2018, 06:54 AM
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…The one that I like the most has the 3.31 ratio with the 18" tires. The other 3 are all 3.55s with 20". What are your thoughts on either of these? Would they end up being close to the same with the wheel differences?
Also, one of the 3.55s has the camper package. Would that be beneficial for towing a large 5th wheel or would it be just a waste of $$$ as I won't ever have a camper up top? …
Also, one of the 3.55s has the camper package. Would that be beneficial for towing a large 5th wheel or would it be just a waste of $$$ as I won't ever have a camper up top? …
The F350 SRW with 18” or 20” wheels already has the max rear spring packs, so the optional CP just adds a rear stabilizer bar, maybe +1 front springs, and a vehicle VIN-specific camper load certification. This option is inexpensive and may be useful for resale.
You might also consider looking for a truck with the optional no-cost paper GVWR downgrade from 11,500 lbs. to 11,400 lbs. This might save you a bit on annual registration fees.
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
#12
08-18-2018, 07:12 AM
Correct on a few lines there Jim. The camper package can not be had with 20's. This is because, the 20's aren't rated for the lateral load force that a top heavy, slide in camper can exert on the wheels. The camper package does have the same front springs as the HD front suspension package. (1 up from the standard springs.) I added the stabilizer bar after the fact as I wanted the 20's and already had upgraded front springs with the plow package. As to the wheel size, with the 18's vs. the 20's, the gap in gearing between 3.31 and 3.55 is small because the larger 20" wheel/tire combo will take away from the steeper gear ratio. So, you won't really notice a difference between the two. OP, enjoy whichever 350 you choose. I regularly (about 12k miles in the last two RV seasons) tow my XLR Toyhauler with my SRW 350. With the garage full, it can be over 20k and the truck tows it flawlessly...
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