husky390 wrote:
This is purely subjective but eventually I want to upgrade from an F250 with a pop up camper to a hard sided camper. Something similar to an Arctic Fox 1150.
For you guy's with campers that size and duallies, how much body sway do you feel when driving down the road?
Do any of you haul that size camper with a gas engine?
Do any of you tow?
Husky
Not sure if your plans include new or used but One more situation to consider.
I had a 94 F350 dually 7.3L diesel and a 11.5 foot 94 Caribou. Just under 4K lbs empty 5K lb loaded. No problem running straight down the road. Making turns I would get some sway. I could have made a few thousand dollars in Mods and eliminate some of the roll but to me it was a matter of I didn't have a truck made to do what I needed it to do. The search began.
I found a F550 with a pickup bed 7.3 powerstroke Dana 135 rearend with 4.88 gears. H rated 19.5 in tires. Also found a 96 Caribou with on board Gen set. A little heavier probably 5500 lbs loaded. When I loaded the caribou on it the first time the truck didn't squat at all. I found the truck made to handle what I need. No Mods required. 15 mpg hiway empty flat ground. 12 climbing out of Phoenix to Flagstaff loaded.
Sold the F350 for $4500 bought the F550 for $7000.
In short my advise is buy the truck designed to do what you need to with no concerns. I bought used to fit my Budget but could not be happier.
Even with the diesel climbing a 7% grade with Camper pulling a 14 ft trailer Yamaha Rhino. 20 gallons of gas and 30 gallons of water. 45 to 50 MPH 3000 to 3500 RPM's. Flat ground or slight incline 2500 RPM's (sweet spot. 65 mph 2750 RPM's takes you to 70 MPH. Any faster and Mileage plummets.
