3/4 vs 1 ton .

I have thrown away tires and money on suspension upgrades, but now if I want more GVWR, I let GM or Ford figure it out for me. They do a pretty good job and warranty their work too. Most think it is best to purchase the truck after the trailer in order to get the capability needed. If you have to go the other way, then be prepared to lower the weight of your trailer to match your pickup.

FWIW: The F350 DRW spring pack is heavier than what is on the F350 SRW. The F250 still has weaker springs after the upgrade than the DRW. With upper and lower StableLoads, Firestone air bags, Rancho shocks and 19.5" wheels, my F250 could handle 8000 lbs comfortably on the rear axle using the OEM springs with camper package option. It is possible to make a SRW handle heavy weights safely and in control if you are willing to spend the money on the right improvements.



Picture above of a 4000 lb truck camper and 8000 lb enclosed trailer hauled by my F250 for over 25,000 miles including crossings of the Rockies, Sierras and Cascades.

I plan to add 2000 lbs more of truck camper payload in the next couple of years so have upgraded my truck, otherwise I would still be using this combination today.

My F350 dually is my daily driver. My 5'ver is rated at 18K, and handles it fine. The one thing that I didn't think about but found out later when I had a flat on the rear axle was that I could safely get the truck off the road and not tear up the rims.

380K on the truck, and only one flat while driving.

As far as driving it compared to a single wheeled is the stability it offers with the 2 extra wheels.

A friend of mine went from a dually F350 to a F250, he added the extra leaf spring that the 350 has, and hates that he gave up the 350.

Batavia, it seems the only wish on your list that is not optional is the truck will be used for daily driving. You might wish to test drive some dual rear wheel trucks from various dealers to see if they would indeed be practical for your particular everyday driving. If they don't seem so then you would do well to shop for a lighter fifth wheel, of which there are some very nice ones in the 12 thousand pound range. the best advice anyone can give you is, pick the truck for your needs first, then pick the camper for your wants that fits well within the designed capabilities of the truck.

valhalla360 wrote:

ChopperBill wrote:
Only difference in my year truck between 3/4HD and 1 ton is a spring and tire sizing. Installed the spring packs and the tires. But don't announce this on RV.net oooopps! The purists will throw the door sticker in my face.
Oh, my year they didn't offer a 3500 SRW.

If he's buying a truck why not just buy what you need rather than buying substandard and trying to upgrade?

The cost difference between a 3/4ton and a 1ton SRW is negligible.

Well, I did something similar to this due to price. I was looking for a used 350, but found a 250 that I wound up getting for rougly $4k under book value that had everything I wanted but the 350 badges and extra spring. And I mean everything! For about $650 I added the extra custom long leafs (1200#ea) and HD shocks. My door sticker advised a payload of 2880# from the factory and I figure conservatively I'm now around 3800# payload. Everything else underneath the truck is the same as a 350. So....sometimes the price difference is negligible FWIW.

ChopperBill wrote:
Only difference in my year truck between 3/4HD and 1 ton is a spring and tire sizing. Installed the spring packs and the tires. But don't announce this on RV.net oooopps! The purists will throw the door sticker in my face.
Oh, my year they didn't offer a 3500 SRW.

Hey, you convinced yourself, what does it matter what other people think?

ChopperBill wrote:
Only difference in my year truck between 3/4HD and 1 ton is a spring and tire sizing. Installed the spring packs and the tires. But don't announce this on RV.net oooopps! The purists will throw the door sticker in my face.
Oh, my year they didn't offer a 3500 SRW.

If he's buying a truck why not just buy what you need rather than buying substandard and trying to upgrade?

The cost difference between a 3/4ton and a 1ton SRW is negligible.

I've had both. I'm a SRW man myself; especially if its your daily driver.

For me, I'm not concerned so much with the 17,000 lbs.. My concern would be the hitch weight. What's the hitch weight of your camper? Once you're getting into the 3000 lbs.+ range, then you may need to go dually anyway.

Only difference in my year truck between 3/4HD and 1 ton is a spring and tire sizing. Installed the spring packs and the tires. But don't announce this on RV.net oooopps! The purists will throw the door sticker in my face.
Oh, my year they didn't offer a 3500 SRW.

dave17352 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
5th wheel---17K

1 Ton DRW (dually) period


1 Ton SRW (single) would be pushing ratings.

3/4 Ton duely :H

x2

X3!

Converting a 3/4 Ton to Dually is too costly.