one year with a 40' fifth wheel and dually

[RedJeep]

Its been just a little over a year that I have had my current setup which includes a 40' Cyclone toy hauler and a 2001 f350 dually. I figured I would share my observations given how many questions are posted about big trailers and duallies.

My prior setup was a 36' keystone travel trailer towed by a diesel excursion. The main thing we didn't like about it was how every breeze or passing car would push us around. Also going down hills it always felt like the truck was being pushed around. We had two antisway bars. Granted, neither of those issues were horrible but given the amount of miles we put on the RV annually (about 6000) we wanted a more stable ride.

Our toy hauler weighs in around 15.5k so I was really surprised to see how well it towed behind the dually. We experience zero sway. What is most important to me is how well it handles in the mountains, particularly curvy downhill runs. It does great but we also have our first truck with an exhaust brake. I am now a firm believer in the benefits of exhaust brakes. I have not found that steering or slowing/stopping is a problem at all. In fact the dually/fifth wheel combo performs better in all aspects of driving when compared to the excursion/TT except in acceleration.

Ok, so that's the good. The bad is. Fuel mileage sucks. We average 8.5mpg (lots of mountain driving) at an average speed of 55mph. We found that navigating such a big trailer around the campgrounds that we like to visit is a pain but after a year I've improved somewhat on backing up and driving through tight locations. I'm now thinking of installing several rear/side looking cameras to help in tight spots. I've also had to add a 6.0 trans cooler which means I now have two additional trans coolers.

The dually has become my daily driver. So far it has worked out well. One pain is that given that I came from an excursion I like having an enclosed bed so I bought a bed canopy. For every camping trip I pull it off of the truck and reinstall it after the trip. What a pain, but I haven't come up with another option.

We're camping this weekend at the coast in the rain and I'm sure happy that I have the big trailer to entertain the family and friends.

[lincster]

cutty72 wrote:

lincster wrote:


I don't use any tunes with my truck and I can hold 65moh on a 6% grade with no problems.

But you are running a 2012 with the 6.7. That puts out the same hp stock as a well tuned 7.3.

Yep. Buy a new truck and u won't have any towing issues. Lol

[cutty72]

Tuned alone, no, but with tunes, injectors, exhaust and turbo, a 7.3 can put 400 hp to the rear wheels.
A stock 6.7 is making 400 hp at the crank.
So yes, it can be done, it just takes $$$.
And I also agree the stock 4R100 is the weak link, but again can be built to handle big numbers, again if you have the $$$$.

[Lantley]

cutty72 wrote:

lincster wrote:


I don't use any tunes with my truck and I can hold 65moh on a 6% grade with no problems.

But you are running a 2012 with the 6.7. That puts out the same hp stock as a well tuned 7.3.

The biggest issue is in the transmission. The 4 speed transmission coupled to the 7.3 is no comparison to the 6 speed modern transmissions of today. tuned or not the transmission is the weak link

[Cool_Canuck]

The 7.3 psd was a great engine. The first long trip towing a 33 ft 5th wheel was disappointing. The truck down shifted at the slightest incline. Drove me crazy. Got as far as Dallas and put in a mild tuner, gauges, exhaust and intake. Made a real tow vehicle out of it. I loved that truck then. I planned on 10 mpg US and would usually see 9.5-10.5. Even after I traded up to a 37 ft fiver. It was a single axle though with higher gears.

Biggest issue with a tuner in a 6.7 Ford is the torque converter isn't up to the task and needs to be upgraded.

And NO, a well tuned 7.3 doesn't come close to a stock 6.7 which is 400hp with 800lb of torque out of the box.

[endobear]

RedJeep wrote:

endobear wrote:
02 SRW 7.3 w/35" tires towing a 34' tow behind TH at around 13000# I am lucky to get 9 MPGs. No tunes.

No tunes? I use the Edge CS on level 2. One time a few weeks ago I drove to the coast over the Oregon coastal range mountains in stock tune and the truck was absolutely pathetic. On the climbs we were lucky to maintain 35mph. With the weight that you're towing do you have the same performance issues?

No tunes. I have an old Edge w/Attitude tuner but only use it for gauges. She has a few goodies for reliability and towing, but no real HP mods.

Its pretty slow going over passes and really steep grades. It will drop down to about 35-40mph. I have to really keep an eye on the EGTs at all times. Some grades I can only give her about 1/2 throttle to keep EGTs under 1250 degrees.
Get her out in the flats and it yanks my trailer.
One of the many plans for the truck is to regear to 4.13s.

[cutty72]

lincster wrote:


I don't use any tunes with my truck and I can hold 65moh on a 6% grade with no problems.

But you are running a 2012 with the 6.7. That puts out the same hp stock as a well tuned 7.3.

[lincster]

RedJeep wrote:

endobear wrote:
02 SRW 7.3 w/35" tires towing a 34' tow behind TH at around 13000# I am lucky to get 9 MPGs. No tunes.

No tunes? I use the Edge CS on level 2. One time a few weeks ago I drove to the coast over the Oregon coastal range mountains in stock tune and the truck was absolutely pathetic. On the climbs we were lucky to maintain 35mph. With the weight that you're towing do you have the same performance issues?

I don't use any tunes with my truck and I can hold 65moh on a 6% grade with no problems.

[RedJeep]

endobear wrote:
02 SRW 7.3 w/35" tires towing a 34' tow behind TH at around 13000# I am lucky to get 9 MPGs. No tunes.

No tunes? I use the Edge CS on level 2. One time a few weeks ago I drove to the coast over the Oregon coastal range mountains in stock tune and the truck was absolutely pathetic. On the climbs we were lucky to maintain 35mph. With the weight that you're towing do you have the same performance issues?

[endobear]

02 SRW 7.3 w/35" tires towing a 34' tow behind TH at around 13000# I am lucky to get 9 MPGs. No tunes.

[shagan77]

We tried the radios, and almost without exception forgot to charge them prior to needing them. We now use the DW's cell phone. She calls mine, it connects via the hands free in the cab and we can just talk. Works great! (ok, you'll be limited to where you can get a cell signal, but that is becoming more rare these days, especially in major parks).

[JeffandRisa]

we have 2012 ford dually (6.7) pull a 42 foot raptor and at 60 mph I get 10 to 12 mpg depending on headwind. passes are another story lol I sit about 8

[trail-explorer]

Boxer Lovers wrote:
X3 on using two day radios to maneuver. Just get your direction signals worked out in advance or someone might not survive the process.

FRS style radios would be my choice, rather than CB which was posted earlier.

[WhitehouseLV]

dually's are a pain in the @ss when checking tire pressure. Not the best in snow, but other than that I love my dually.

[nayther]

tinner12002 wrote:
As far as your canopy on your truck bed, I bought a fold up tonneau cover, three sections, back two fold over onto 3rd at front of bed and snap down to hold them in place. When I'm done towing I undo the two snaps fold it back out and latch, done. Takes about 30 seconds either way.

Ditto except mines a solid one and it works awesome. Add in the locking tailgate and its even somewhat secure.