Specific Question on F350's

4x4ord wrote:

smcrea wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

smcrea wrote:

4x4ord wrote:

4x4ord wrote:
The camper package is of no significance on the diesel F350 because it already has the heavy front axle and rear stabalizer. The 20" tires are rated for more weight than are the 18" tires. (3750 lbs per tire for the 20" and 3640 for the 18" tires) The 20" rims will give you a little more "stability" due to their lower profile. 20 wheels also provide for a little lower rpm at highway speed if you are getting the 3:55 rear end. This lower rpm will equate to a little better fuel economy. If you want the best fuel economy you need to go to the 3:31 rear axle ratio which will require you get 18" wheels.

I made a mistake here. The 4x4 F350's front axle weight rating range from 4400 lbs to 6000 lbs depending on wheel base cab configuration and engine. The F350 diesel 4x4 crew cab has a normal computer selected front axle weight rating of 5600 lbs regardless of tire size. Selecting camper package should up grade the front axle rating 1 level higher than the normal computer selected axle which would be 6000 lbs which is the same springs as the snow plow option.

Thanks for checking up!

Listening to you experts it really does look like going with the camper package is the safest option. Especially as we are buying this type of truck specifically because it's a towing beast!

Bottom line is that no matter what type of RV we get in the future... towing now with our 28' Travel trailer or upgrading to a a 5th wheel as the kids get bigger or downgrading later on to a camper shell after the kids have left home. I want this new truck to be able to do anything I throw at it!

Some folks have said that for my 27' TT then this is over kill. Which is absolutely true!.. but I NEVER want to be limited by my truck when selecting an RV.

A little additional information for you: my F350 4x4 crew cab has an empty (driver in but no passengers or camper) front axle weight of 4900 lbs. To stay within my gvwr I could only carry 3100 lbs of camper and passengers. This number would be the same regardless of whether I have the camper package or not. The question that needs answering is ..... How much weight would a 3100 lb camper put on my front axle? Very likely 700 lbs would be close. So what I am getting at is that, if you see yourself carrying a camper heavier than 3100 lbs maybe a dually is something you might want to consider buying rather than being concerned about the camper package.

I certainly considered a DRW but after much thought I considered that the 'bang for the buck' isn't worth it. I'm sure that others will disagree but my feeling is that when 'on site' the Tow Vehicle becomes your family car for sight seeing. So physical size is an issue. This same reason is why I got the shorter bed.

I feel the same way. I tow very heavy loads with my short box SRW (30,000 lb trailers at times) but when I am empty I don't want a dually. The thing for you to consider is that if you want a truck to tow your fifth wheel around the SRW short box is perfect and you don't need or even want any stiffer springs on the front than the standard 5600 lb springs. If you decide to get a slide in camper some time down the road you will be quite limited in what kind of camper you get if you only have a SRW short box so again I wouldn't put much priority on the camper package. I think by the time you load up a high quality, nice size camper with all your gear you could be pushing 5000 lbs and that is a load for a dually.

It's all about compromises isn't it! :)
IF and its aBIG IF we go for a camper package then it would probably be for my wife and I only. After the kids have left home.

So I'm thinking that the short bed with the camper package will leave options open. That we would be able to fit a camper.. all be it a small one. But it will have the certificate. It's also possible that we may hang a ten set on a front mounted hitch so an extra spring maybe useful.

Again.. compromise compromise compromise!.

If I wanted a towing beast and nothing else then a F350 DRW with the heaviest springs I can get. But try sight seeing and using it as a family vacation car would be a nightmare! :-)