2017 F-350 4X4 CC PSD DRW XLT Options Help

[BradW]

This thread is primarily aimed at folks who have bought a 2017 SuperDuty to haul their truck camper. We plan on ordering a 2017 (or possibly a 2018) F-350 4X4 Crew Cab PSD DRW XLT. We will likely be hauling our 1996 Lance 9’ 10” Legend 500 for a while and then buy a new Lance 1062 early next year. We will normally be towing a 7,000 lb car hauler.

What I’m looking for are suggestions on options that you got and have worked out. Or options you didn’t get and wish you had. Any other suggestions on tie downs or whatever would be appreciated.

Some of the areas I need help in are:
Factory sprayed bed vs LineX
Rear camera options (bed and tail gate)
Wiring for truck to camper
Wiring for truck to trailer
Factory receiver hitch vs Torklift (we will probably go with Torklift tie downs)
Seats (we want separate front seats with the console in between)
Anything else you care to mention

Any help is appreciated,
Brad

[Wikel]

daily double wrote:
According to Ford specs, 4x4 weighs 700 lbs.

400'ish is the numbers I'm seeing for 4x4 vs. 4x2 weight wise.

[TxGearhead]

I would think more about the front seats. I thought I wanted buckets on this Ram but I miss propping my foot up on the transmission hump on long trips.
Yes to:
Factory spayed bed liner
Auxiliary switches
Led bed lights
GPS
Heated seats
5th wheel prep
Full length steps
4x4
Probably 4.10 rear end or more with a 7,000# trailer and the camper

[Dome]

You should consider the TL receiver system if you need to use a extension for the ball mount. The TL tie downs are great.

[Kayteg1]

bighatnohorse wrote:
I've read that the Ford Sync feature has been greatly improved over it's originally introduced version.
Even so I opted to NOT get the GPS software installed - it seemed a poor value when there are so many gps alternatives.

The $500 GPS option is one of the best with live traffic.
Now, having older Mercedes with no GPS, I tend to burn more fuel and go with truck for GPS alone.
The voice recognition is annoying. You can't enter the address on screen when you are in motion, while WR has constant problem with understanding and asking for full address at the time - margin for error is big.
To top it, I say 1 word that WR can't understand and I will hear 30-49 words in return.
IT HAD TO BE FEMALE VOICE.

[DAKKA]

BradW wrote:
This thread is primarily aimed at folks who have bought a 2017 SuperDuty to haul their truck camper. We plan on ordering a 2017 (or possibly a 2018) F-350 4X4 Crew Cab PSD DRW XLT. We will likely be hauling our 1996 Lance 9’ 10” Legend 500 for a while and then buy a new Lance 1062 early next year. We will normally be towing a 7,000 lb car hauler.

What I’m looking for are suggestions on options that you got and have worked out. Or options you didn’t get and wish you had. Any other suggestions on tie downs or whatever would be appreciated.

Some of the areas I need help in are:
Factory sprayed bed vs LineX
Rear camera options (bed and tail gate)
Wiring for truck to camper
Wiring for truck to trailer
Factory receiver hitch vs Torklift (we will probably go with Torklift tie downs)
Seats (we want separate front seats with the console in between)
Anything else you care to mention

Any help is appreciated,
Brad

I will share what I just purchased / did the past 2 months. I have just over 2000 miles on my 2017. I purchased the 2017 Lariet Ultimate, crew cab DRW, 8 foot bed.

I would recommend the spray in bed liner, it all done from factory and really like how it turned out. well worth the option price.
I did both cameras in the cab light and tail gate. Love the cab camera, I can back up to the camper dead center nearly every time with no help. Well worth it.
Get the camper package for all the wiring. Be done!
I went with Torque lift 30k super hitch with a 48 inch super truss and the torque lift tie downs. I did add the torque lift upper spring mounts to engage the upper leaf spring sooner.
WE did the separate front seats as well.
If you ever think you will ever tow 5th wheel or goose neck, I would recommend the $375 dollar option and have it set up.

As a reference I have a eagle cab 1200. The only other thing I am planning on doing is upgrading the wheels from 17" to 19.5" but have not decided yet.

[bighatnohorse]

I've read that the Ford Sync feature has been greatly improved over it's originally introduced version.
Even so I opted to NOT get the GPS software installed - it seemed a poor value when there are so many gps alternatives.

[NRALIFR]

I wish the running boards on mine were the electric type that retracted. When I'm scooting around under the truck on a creeper, the fixed boards hang too low to get under easily.

If the wide-track front axle is still available, get it. It greatly improves the turning radius of the truck. If I remember right, it used to be part of the heavy duty towing package on the F350's.

I would recommend getting the 5th-wheel/gooseneck prep package. You never know what the future may hold for you, and it came in very handy for me when I needed to make a Frammus to keep my TC from moving in the bed.

If you have an iPhone, and if CarPlay is an option on the 2017's, I highly recommend it. It integrates the commonly used functions of the phone into the vehicle much better than Fords Sync. Music, messaging, maps, phone, all available on the truck's center display including voice commands when the phone is cable connected to the truck.

Finally, did you know that a sunroof is of little value on a TC hauler? :B

:):)

[BradW]

Lots of great info here. Hopefully I will have some time tomorrow to digest it in more detail. I've already seen some things I had forgot and some other things that I will now do differently.

Thanks for all the good info,
Brad

[NRALIFR]

bighatnohorse wrote:
I optioned for the upfitter switches. Handy if you want to add auxiliary devices later on.

Very true, and while the upfitter switches can be added after delivery, there's more than just the four-switch module that you have to purchase. There's also a wire harness that goes with it. Cheaper to order them up front rather than after the fact.

With the upfitter switches and a description of the firewall pass-through wires, it's very easy to add electrical accessories outside of the truck cab.

Also, if the sat-radio/GPS antenna is still on top of the cab between the clearance lights, you'll need to purchase another antenna and antenna wire so you can mount it somewhere that won't be blocked by the camper. I put mine at the base of the windshield on the drivers side.

:):)

[bighatnohorse]

I optioned for the upfitter switches. Handy if you want to add auxiliary devices later on.

[Kayteg1]

I took delivery of my F350 dually last February and am still amazed with its performance.
Beside obvious diesel option, I took the tow package with 360' cameras and it really helps a lot. Checking if I can transfer tailgate camera on my camper is still on the list.
The trucks available on dealer's lot did not work for me, so I order specific:
-3.55 LS differential (diesel engine pulls 18k lb combo on those 17 miles CA grades at 1700 rpm with no intention to downshift)
-Supercab as I don't need the extra space, extra weight, extra turning radius, extra cost and fuel consumption.
-RWD as I don't plan to drive on ice, or mud, while in the sand I was pushing my trailer so far, LSD is all I needed.
Even RWD is very tall truck, while 4WD I compared on lot are monsters.
Love GPS with live traffic.
Even I would love to have air suspension, the new suspension is pretty good and I am carrying my camper at 6400 lb without modifications.

[BradW]

2WD is not an option for me. I have to have 4WD because of how I use the truck.

Brad

[SidecarFlip]

Sounds about right.

[daily_double]

According to Ford specs, 4x4 weighs 700 lbs.