2017 F-350 4X4 CC PSD DRW XLT Options Help

I took delivery of my F350 dually last February and am still amazed with its performance.
Beside obvious diesel option, I took the tow package with 360' cameras and it really helps a lot. Checking if I can transfer tailgate camera on my camper is still on the list.
The trucks available on dealer's lot did not work for me, so I order specific:
-3.55 LS differential (diesel engine pulls 18k lb combo on those 17 miles CA grades at 1700 rpm with no intention to downshift)
-Supercab as I don't need the extra space, extra weight, extra turning radius, extra cost and fuel consumption.
-RWD as I don't plan to drive on ice, or mud, while in the sand I was pushing my trailer so far, LSD is all I needed.
Even RWD is very tall truck, while 4WD I compared on lot are monsters.
Love GPS with live traffic.
Even I would love to have air suspension, the new suspension is pretty good and I am carrying my camper at 6400 lb without modifications.

2WD is not an option for me. I have to have 4WD because of how I use the truck.

Brad

Sounds about right.

According to Ford specs, 4x4 weighs 700 lbs.

deserteagle56 wrote:

bighatnohorse wrote:

4-wheel drive is rarely ever needed. I probably would not get that feature again and avoiding it can net a little greater GVWR.

I respectfully disagree. It's worthwhile if only for the transfer case - I use low range in mine all the time when maneuvering. But those of us who use our trucks and campers off highway would never consider a truck without 4x4.

I agree to disagree....lol

with any long bed pickup, especially a DRW, 4x4 is almost a necessity.

My first Ford was a LB dually and it was possible to get it stuck on wet grass when empty, there is no traction in the back with nothing in the bed. I had to pull mine off the lawn with of all things, a quad because it became immobile on wet grass.

and.... hard to beat the low ratio of the transfer case for tight quarters, yes, you loose a bit in cargo capacity (GVCW), but not a lot.

Hi Brad, While what we just bought wasn't a Ford I believe all 3 have essentially the same options.

Things I have found very nice while traveling with a heavy TC.

1. Exhaust brake. Between Tow/Haul mode, exhaust brake and Cruise control the truck tackles all the hard work of going up and down steep hills at whatever speed you want without touching any pedals. Defiantly get the exhaust brake, easily my favorite feature of our new truck.

2. Air ride suspension. The factory air bags are awesome. I was pretty concerned about them but if Ford offers them I would have a look and see what others have to say. Truck rides the same height camper or not.

3. Factory spray in liner. This wasn't a big issue for me since you can have it done aftermarket but the friction of the liner with a rubber mat makes the camper stick and stops minor camper migrations that have been a thing of my past especially in a hard stop. The truck I found had it so one more thing off the aftermarket list.

4. With our truck there was no camper package available but it did come with the 5th wheel prep which included a 7 pin wiring harness. I am guessing that Fords would be the same located at the back of the bed rather than at the front where a TC would be better. Still though with a short extension it takes one more aftermarket mod off the list.

5 Factory trailer brake controller. I wanted this since we plan to expand our RV coral to include a 5th wheel trailer at some point. I would order with the in dash factory brake controller unless the interwebz convince you that Ford factory unit isn't good, which I doubt. Ford typically sets up their trucks well for trailers.

6. Front seats. We went with the separate front seats and console. Tremendous amount of added space. We stash a ton of stuff in there like binoculars, first aid, lightweight jackets, food that the dogs can't get to. If you aren't going to fold the armrest up for passengers I think this is a no brainer.

7. rear camera for both the tailgate and the bed. Like them. Obviously useless when the TC is in but unloaded very handy. Ours also came with a park assist feature that lets you know how close you to the front and back bumpers. I sort of scoffed at this but have really grown to like it. I can park inches from a post, tree or any obstacle without hitting it. With such a large truck this can make parallel parking a but easier or tough camping spots.

8. Sissy options. Heated and ventilated leather seats, heated steering wheel, rain sensing wipers, auto timing headlights, memory seats power slider and sunroof. These are all things I didn't care about but came with the truck. These things I would pass on if I were ordering a new truck, I guess, well maybe not the seats. :B

deserteagle56 wrote:

bighatnohorse wrote:

4-wheel drive is rarely ever needed. I probably would not get that feature again and avoiding it can net a little greater GVWR.

I respectfully disagree. It's worthwhile if only for the transfer case - I use low range in mine all the time when maneuvering. But those of us who use our trucks and campers off highway would never consider a truck without 4x4.

x2
or like me you winter camp in the snow or drive though muddy fields dragging a horse trailer.

bighatnohorse wrote:

4-wheel drive is rarely ever needed. I probably would not get that feature again and avoiding it can net a little greater GVWR.

I respectfully disagree. It's worthwhile if only for the transfer case - I use low range in mine all the time when maneuvering. But those of us who use our trucks and campers off highway would never consider a truck without 4x4.

We recently bought a 2017 F-350 6.2 SRW long bed XLT and a Northern Lite camper. A couple options I didn't get, but want now:
Camera package, mainly for the nose camera. I bought an aftermarket camera for the nose, to help in tight parking and for crosswalk visibility.
Upfitter switches - I would have used one for the camera.
Fifth wheel package - to get the separate in-bed plug for the camper. As is, I need to plug into the trailer socket.
Dual batteries - I believe they are standard on the diesels; all the marker and perimeter lights come on both truck and camper every time you open a truck door, and I've not found any way to prevent that. A pain when camping, but I haven't lost battery power yet.
We have the factory spray-in liner, but I would not get it again. Nothing wrong with it - it seems high-quality, but it is buried under the plywood, rubber mat and camper, and the aluminum bed will never rust. I now think it is simply not required.
We have the Powerfold mirrors and they are very worthwhile. They were part of the XLT Premium package, which I would get again.
Also part of that package are the running boards. It is a tall truck and the boards are essential. But not the extended ones that would interfere with the tie-downs.

I did install an after-market camera on the back of the camper - its plug-and-play into the tailgate camera's socket - works great!
We also have the six-seater. I was told the outer seats are the same whether or not you get the console, and it gives us flexibility to carry the extended family if we need to. It also lets me slide across to exit the passenger side if I'm tight parking on one side. It is a comfortable set-up, and we are happy with the decision.

The spray in bed liner is good quality. We got the Torklift SuperHitch and it required removal of the factory class 5 hitch (which now gathers mold "out back").

Rear camera is a great safety feature. . .but is disabled when the tailgate is removed.

You might want to study the features that come with the Lariat package. When you start adding features to the XLT it can quickly reach the Lariat price.

Mud flaps are a great convenience.
4-wheel drive is rarely ever needed. I probably would not get that feature again and avoiding it can net a little greater GVWR.