Dually or not?

[TNTBaker]

Originally Posted by coloradolivin

Went from a 2003 Chevy 3500 to the 2014 Ram 3500. On test drive on a local mountain pass, 1/2 pedal uphill at 55mph. On the return, downhill drive, let the exhaust brake and the tow/haul take over and the dang thing slowed to 22 miles per hour at a 7% grade.

we were hoping it wit would work out good1

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by coloradolivin

Went from a 2003 Chevy 3500 to the 2014 Ram 3500. On test drive on a local mountain pass, 1/2 pedal uphill at 55mph. On the return, downhill drive, let the exhaust brake and the tow/haul take over and the dang thing slowed to 22 miles per hour at a 7% grade.

That sounds great! That would really help on I-70.

[coloradolivin]

As Sam Elliot would say, "Hell yeah"

[travelin' texans]

Thanks Coloradolivin for chiming in, not to start an argument, but when folks come on asking opinions they just need to know there are other options that can tow these(quite easily I might add) besides a Ford. Actually considered the Dodge, but had good luck in the past with GM, not any with Ford (18-20 of them while working).

[atom ant]

Oh don't think an opinion on brand was ever questioned by the OP, rather the size of the truck. I think everyone understands any of the big three will move these rigs, but as with any truck conversation, it eventually leads to some pounding on the chest from one of the three corners .

[almcc]

The 450 is a great truck. Our experience is that you probably will need air bags, not for leveling the truck but for excessive bouncing over bridge entry/exits. In addition, one other thing I found out is that regular tire dealers can't seem to balance the tires on the 450 because of the larger diameter on the rim center hole, this applies whether you have the 17 inch or the larger tires. You need to head to a truck tire dealer.

[atom ant]

So is the center hole on the F450 larger than the F350? More lug nuts?

[almcc]

Nope, still has 8 lug nuts. I'll try to compare the bolt center diameter to the Redwood to see if there is a difference.

Had one experience in Arizona (Big "O" tires) and one back in Canada where I needed tire work, neither outfit could balance the tires, although they could mount them on the rim. I would have thought Big "O" being a large chain could have done the balancing

[coloradolivin]

Originally Posted by travelin' texans

Thanks Coloradolivin for chiming in, not to start an argument, but when folks come on asking opinions they just need to know there are other options that can tow these(quite easily I might add) besides a Ford. Actually considered the Dodge, but had good luck in the past with GM, not any with Ford (18-20 of them while working).

Hey, sorry. As Brad said, just beatin' my chest.
Get a Dually !!

[Steve & Linda]

Brad, in 2010 then GM CEO Ed Whitacre announced that GM had paid back the Government Bailout loan "...in full, with interest, years ahead of schedule." Now the Government also bought a lot of stock in GM and sold it at a loss. Had they waited the stock sale would have been worth more. Currently the Government owns no GM Stock.

[travelin' texans]

Thanks Steve. No more Government Motors!

[atom ant]

Sorry the taxpayer still took it in the shorts ~ $9 billion, and while GM was declaring losses in the US, they were making a fortune on their exports that didn't have to be declared as a US market.

But I'm not bitter - I just don't like square fenders

[Steve & Linda]

More of a rectangle shape with rounded corners! I agree the taxpayers took a hit. None of the bailouts should have happened, especially the banks. Definitely not a perfect world.

[Dro67]

Thanks for all the posts everybody! Got the new silverado 3500 DWD today! Picking up the 38RE IN Dallas next Friday!! Really happy with the dually!

[travelin' texans]

Congrats on the "square fendered" GM!! You won't regret it!! You'll never know the RW is back there. In my opinion there is the big 2 & Ford.

[atom ant]

Congratulations! That should be a nice rig and you'll appreciate that dually

What color?

[Dro67]

Ruby Red Metallic !

[atom ant]

Very nice!

[lwg]

I'm probably the only one here with a SRW who would probably buy a SRW if I were doing it again. I did change out the stock wheels and tires for different ones that have a much higher load rating. I honestly feel perfectly safe with our setup at this point. Regarding stability we've driven in 30 MPH crosswinds without really knowing it (realized it and was shocked when we stopped at a rest area). I just don't want to deal with those hips on the dually. Too difficult to park the truck as it is, thank goodness for the backup camera.

[rcflame]

We all have out preferences. Mine is the dually for what I am pulling. I have more of a problem parking because of my wheelbase than the hips.