F350 purchase help

[Donhutch1800]

I bought a 2015 ford f350 king ranch long bed.I would buy the 4x4 for sure.you'll never sell a 4x2.I have the 355 gear ratio.Its a beast.

[redwoodin with remy]

Originally Posted by Donhutch1800

I bought a 2015 ford f350 king ranch long bed.I would buy the 4x4 for sure.you'll never sell a 4x2.I have the 355 gear ratio.Its a beast.

The 2015 has an extra 40HP AND 80FP TORQUE! So the 3.55 rears I think would be good for Mpg and still have smooth power.

Looks like all that is left is a airlift airbag and B&W hitch.

I love pulling a fifth with a 4 x 2, but all of the above mentioned should be strongly considered.

[Donhutch1800]

The 3.55 gear ratio works really well.My truck pulls our rig like it's not even back there.Seems to help a little on fuel mileage.

[atom ant]

At least for the OPs dually, the 3.55 are not available. 3.73 standard, or 4.30 with the wide track option.

I came from 4.10s in my 6.4 to 3.73 in my 6.7, and pulling the Rockies so far, I can tell I've got some higher gears. The old truck would beat this one up the hill.

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by atom ant

At least for the OPs dually, the 3.55 are not available. 3.73 standard, or 4.30 with the wide track option.

I came from 4.10s in my 6.4 to 3.73 in my 6.7, and pulling the Rockies so far, I can tell I've got some higher gears. The old truck would beat this one up the hill.

Brad that surprises me because the 6.7 I believe has more hp and torque than your 6.4

[Jeff&Karen39MB]

People, people people,
Thank you all for all your input today, we can now go to the dealer Saturday and either order, or buy the truck he has found for us.
The options you gave us were very helpful in making our decision, will post pic, when we get both truck and rv.
Thanks again.
Jeff & Karen

[ksaltman]

I bought a 2015 F350 Lariat, 4x4, 5th wheel prep + dual alts. So far pulled our 38FL like a dream about 5k miles. Very sweet ride. I would say I got the 4x4 options because if I need it I need it, if I need it and I don't have it, I'd be screwed. So far I've switched to 4x4 mode twice and all I can say is glad I had it!

Only thing I can add is plan on adding air bags to the truck. I didn't have it when I drove off the lot and was very uncomfortable. With airbags, the porpoising is a small issue, not a drive killer.

[rob_fla]

Originally Posted by TerLar

Pretty good humor from the Travlin Texan's but you FFFFFord guys all missed it or just ignored it.You Generous Motor guys,don't be intimidated by the F350-450 and cummins people.Even the Colorado Ant didn't pick up on that one and he is great at humor.Keep up the good dialogue you guys,it's very interesting in old cold Michigan!! Larry

Us Duramax / Allison folks do not intimidate easily !!!

[johnboytoo]

Originally Posted by Jeff&Karen39MB

People, people people,
Thank you all for all your input today, we can now go to the dealer Saturday and either order, or buy the truck he has found for us.
The options you gave us were very helpful in making our decision, will post pic, when we get both truck and rv.
Thanks again.
Jeff & Karen

But the most important point has not been discussed.....


What color is your redwood so you can match it

[GA1817]

The most important item other than getting a DRW is axle ratio. Luckily for you Ford people you have only two options for a DRW, 3.73 or 4.30 and both of these will allow you the pull the RW and your truck safely and with ease! A 3.55 SRW, based on Ford’s GCWR is incapable of pulling itself and a RW. There is no way I would want to pull a larger RW with a SRW!

Unfortunately people will make fun of you for getting these “man sized” axle ratios. I learned a lot when I owned my 2004 F-350 SRW 3.73 and constantly told my wife when searching for our first FW that it would not pull it. We decided I should look for a newer truck. I thought I had found one that would pull anything, a used 2012 Ram 3500 DRW Reg Cab. After finally having to go to a Ram dealer with the Vin # to determine the tow rating I found out it had 3.42 and could only pull about 1k more than my Ford lol! The dealers do not help maters when it comes to choices.
I finally went with a 2013 ram with the 4.10 axel ratio. At this time, with 30k miles I can say it is the best truck I have ever owned and the first Dodge product I have ever owned. I have only had to take it back to have it re-flashed once! My biggest factor in buying the Ram was the Cummins engine and a better warranty (100K) than Ford would offer. The key is finding your sweet spot as far as RPM’s is concerned. I just recently bought a 2012 36RL and only have towed it home. It was about an 80 mile ride and the lie-o-meter stated about 12.7 MPG. That was with the fresh water tank full and keeping the truck around 1750 RPM. My truck is completely stock and at this time I do not see any reason to add anything to assist in pulling the RW. I think all of the newer trucks are beasts! For me it was a warranty issue and wanting a Cummins!

[atom ant]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

Brad that surprises me because the 6.7 I believe has more hp and torque than your 6.4

Surprises me a little too, but I don't think the HP and Torque totally overcomes the change in gear ratio. There are power curve bands where the 6.7 feels better, but pull for pull up I-70, I think I lost a bit with the 3.73. Wouldn't go back though, because 16 mpg far outweighs 11 mpg. It's nice to see a fuel range in the 500 again.

[Dave&Ginny]

You're right about the axles ratios. A few years back I test drove a new Ram and was almost going to buy the truck. It had the dual rear wheels and appeared to be capable of pulling anything. Thankfully, I looked over the numbers and that beauty was a show piece only. It had the same gear ratio as a 3/4 ton but it had training wheels.....only a show piece. It was a beautiful truck though

[GA1817]

There is a trade off in the axle ratios. There is a trade off with the SRW versus DRW. It just seems to me there are plenty of people who go with the SRW because they do not like a DRW, then they go with a 3.55 or 3.42 (Ram) for the fuel economy and then start chasing aftermarket parts to make up for the deficiencies in their TV. There is a reason for the various tow ratings. I personally did not want to go with a DRW but knew I had to if I was going to pull what the wife wanted! But let’s be honest, these DRW’s are a lot sexier looking than the SRW with their wide hips!

[piper guy]

I had a very nice SRW 2012 F350 that I loved. I did the whole thing with sway bars front and back, airbags and although it towed the rig ok, never felt really warm and fuzzy.
Went to the Dually and the only comment was/is OMG what a difference. It takes about a week or two to get used to hips.
The other thing is the comments you get ~ I've been a car guy all my life and have gotten more comments/compliments on the Dually than anything I've owned including a couple of 'Vettes and an E type Jaguar !!

[piper guy]

And at the Rally it looks like a Dually Convention !!

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by GA1817

There is a trade off in the axle ratios. There is a trade off with the SRW versus DRW. It just seems to me there are plenty of people who go with the SRW because they do not like a DRW, then they go with a 3.55 or 3.42 (Ram) for the fuel economy and then start chasing aftermarket parts to make up for the deficiencies in their TV. There is a reason for the various tow ratings. I personally did not want to go with a DRW but knew I had to if I was going to pull what the wife wanted! But let’s be honest, these DRW’s are a lot sexier looking than the SRW with their wide hips!

Trucks are like women......they should have hips

[TexasRver]

We bought a 2014 F350 SRW 4x4. It has a 3.55 gear. Best truck I have ever had. Went across the scales at 24,680lbs and then went through the Rockies, up an down safely and super great. It was dreamy. No need for air bags. Our RW has an air ride hitch and the ride is great. Put me with the SRW people.

[GA1817]

The previous owner of my 36RL pulled with a 2014 F250 SRW 4X4 which has the same ratings as your truck (GCWR 23,500/tow rating 15,900). He had to add Timberins to help with the sag. I could understand that as my 2012 36RL has a gross trailer rating of 16,500 and a dry weight of 14,600 (empty). You just get so much more safety leeway with a DRW (GCWR 30,500/tow rating 22,200). But to each his own as I do not want to start one of the tow police threads

[superduty glampers]

Originally Posted by Jeff&Karen39MB

People, people people,
Thank you all for all your input today, we can now go to the dealer Saturday and either order, or buy the truck he has found for us.
The options you gave us were very helpful in making our decision, will post pic, when we get both truck and rv.
Thanks again.
Jeff & Karen

If you order one it will probably take 3 months or so, we have 60,000 orders now that are in front of you. Also floor pans come from Buffalo ny, so we will probably not be working next week.

[redwoodin with remy]

Originally Posted by Dave&Ginny

Trucks are like women......they should have hips

HIPS!!!!!!