What would you choose 3.55 gears vs Turning radius

SoonDockin wrote:
I have been looking at Lariats. Super surprised to see F350 Limited's selling below 80k. Must be hard to move.

That's becouse they've been promoting expensive options most of the buyers don't need.
I had to go to my letters.
I custom build my F350 dually Lariat, opting out sunroof and 4WD, but adding expensive 360 cameras and custom paint.
My total invoice price was 60,557 + fees in December of 2016

SoonDockin wrote:
I guess I never gave ride quality a thought. I don't see myself in snow very often. More of a warm weather camper, or on major highways in inclement weather.

Then take the 19.5's... I have both (550's x 4, and 350/250's)

For your big question, you will never, ever, regret the turning radius the truck offers. I've been driving the 550's since the change in ('07...? or so) and am still amazed and smiling when the turning issues come up, whether pulling our longer trailer, 34' with hitch, and having to squeeze in or u-turn where everyone says impossible, or backing up the shortest of trailers and being able to do so continuously because the truck can keep up without jacking. The **** things are amazing.,

I'd take a narrower tire in the snow any given day, and for sure, in inclement weather (i.e. heavy rain) the 19's will drive truer and be safer because they aren't floating around and planing on the water. Not even a discussion worth having. Off road in the mud??? Well, seriously, how deep is avg Joe going to take a camper off trail in the mud? I'm not. 9 times out of 10, the skinny's win. And the load problems that everyone debates to death on this site aren't an issue with the 19's.

Ride quality? yep, squishy tires win, but at a cost. Again...you're driving a truck. And putting a camper on it improves the ride immediately. Empty, yea, it's going to be stiffer. Trade off.

Good luck..

I have been looking at Lariats. Super surprised to see F350 Limited's selling below 80k. Must be hard to move.

I guess I never gave ride quality a thought. I don't see myself in snow very often. More of a warm weather camper, or on major highways in inclement weather.

I think I'd pick the 350 just for the tires and consider the MPG the icing on the cake, assuming your camper is well within the 350's ratings.

19.5 tires are stiffer and heavier. That's great at 70 mph going down the highway but commercial traction tires don't have the grip that a light truck tire will have in bad weather, on wet, snowy roads. Part of the fun in having a truck camper is being able to go out into those kinds of places. You will be more comfortable in a truck with 17 or 18 inch tires under those circumstances.

If I had to have 19.5 tires to enjoy my camper, I'd find a M&S rated set and run them. Since I don't, I can enjoy my 1 ton with 285 width tires, softer rubber, more siping, and a grippier tread pattern when I'm off the beaten path.

I wouldn't deny that 19.5 tires are tougher in every way, but the tradeoff is less traction for that toughness. It'd be great if we could have both at the same time, but narrower and stiffer tires don't offer the traction that squishier ones do; it's a balance.

10Grand is a lot of money for a 3 point turn vs a 4 point turn. Especially based on your intended use

IMHO any dually is a beast and will do TC hauling and more.
Only members having heavy Host and pulling 8000 lb trailers really need more than 3500 truck.
I still don't understand the obsession with turning radius?
I drove older truck, who with CC had terrible radius and living in metro area the turning radius seldom was a trouble. At the time I lived on property that require making full Z to get truck behind the gate, yet not a problem.
New trucks have much better turning than what I used to drive and you will never get a truck with 0 turning radius

Most likely we will go with a Northern Lite 10-2 EX. Either will carry it easily. I am more thinking long term ease of use. No question the F450 is more truck.

SoonDockin wrote:
I am searching much wider and finding a few deals on F350's that would bring the gap in price more like 10k. ARGG. I really want the tighter turning of the F450. Might just have to get over the price gap.

You would gain more than just turning radius with the 450. Breaking power and stability are just as big of factors. Plus a good safety margin for tire load rating with the 19.5's

That being said, cost of replacement of components are going to be slightly higher as well, brakes and tires mainly. And insurance.

Make sure you take both for a good drive, unladen ride is going to be more "firm" on the 450. Gotta weigh the good and the bad.

What camper are you planning on putting in the back? That might be a good deciding factor as well.

I am searching much wider and finding a few deals on F350's that would bring the gap in price more like 10k. ARGG. I really want the tighter turning of the F450. Might just have to get over the price gap.