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Building a Dodge, oops, Ford TV

Bobbo
Explorer II
Explorer II
I have an appointment Monday at Dodge to order a truck to be built for me.

Question: Should I spring for the Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle for $435 and/or the 4-Corner Air Suspension for $1,715?

I am new to towing. It will have the 3.92 axle (as opposed to the 3.21 axle). The 3.55 axle requires the EcoDiesel or the V6 gas engine.
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB
79 REPLIES 79

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
Me Again wrote:
New trailers (larger) seem to follow new trucks. It is a vicious cycle that is repeated often. So always buy for at least one step up, or better two steps up. Stuff happens! Nothing is wrong with a Ford F350 SRW with the 6.2 gasser or the RAM 3500 SRW with 6.4 Hemi(Got a Hemi?).


Sure, until you don't want to drive the lumber wagon around town every day.....I mean, I'm good with my loud, stinky, burly, rough riding diesel, but I don't complain about the 150mi a day I put on my 1500 Silverado, and Actually prefer it for daily driver.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Bobbo
Explorer II
Explorer II
Although I started this thread to ask a question about a DODGE 😛 pickup, I just put a deposit down on a Ford F-150 XLT SuperCab 4x4 Max Tow Package. They have to order one from the factory because the stuff I want is not available on any of the dealer stock. They said it would be 8 to 10 weeks before it arrives.

A special thanks to DKean for his help and information.
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB

burningman
Explorer II
Explorer II
Wow, that's where the expression "old wives tale" comes from!!
That's the silliest and wrongest reason to not get a diesel I've ever heard.
You have hundreds of friends right on here who travel all over everywhere with diesels!

No, you don't need a diesel one-ton to pull that trailer, the wimpy "trucks" you're looking at will do it.
Just don't get bigger-trailer fever later on! I'd buy a 3/4 ton if I were you.

There's something the numbers in the brochure don't account for: stress and fatigue.
When you drive a lighter truck loaded close to or at its capacity, the drive isn't as easy and relaxing. It always feels heavy and loaded and your fatigue level increases.

When you have a good stout truck that isn't working so hard to do the job, the drive is easy and stress free. You have a much nicer time driving it.

Yes, the half-tons are entirely capable of pulling a decent size trailer, but things aren't always about brochure math.
2017 Northern Lite 10-2 EX CD SE
99 Ram 4x4 Dually Cummins
A whole lot more fuel, a whole lot more boost.
4.10 gears, Gear Vendors overdrive, exhaust brake
Built auto, triple disc, billet shafts.
Kelderman Air Ride, Helwig sway bar.

rjstractor
Nomad
Nomad
IdaD wrote:
OP doesn't need a 1 ton and he certainly doesn't need a diesel. I don't see what good it does to berate the guy over buying a Heavy Duty diesel for a 23' Airstream. It gets silly stupid around here sometimes.


Truth. Nothing wrong with a 3500, but buying one to tow a 6K gross trailer is like getting a 5500 to tow a 16K gross fiver when a 3500 SRW is the right tool for the job. An Airstream is a very expensive high end unit and the OP will likely keep it for a very long time. All the discussion of a 1500 diesel is moot, since nobody is selling one right now.
2017 VW Golf Alltrack
2000 Ford F250 7.3

wnjj
Explorer II
Explorer II
Me Again wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Greene728 wrote:
IdaD wrote:
OP doesn't need a 1 ton and he certainly doesn't need a diesel. I don't see what good it does to berate the guy over buying a Heavy Duty diesel for a 23' Airstream. It gets silly stupid around here sometimes.


Excellent post!!!


And then 3 years later the "wife" wants a bigger RV!!! Bur hey get what barely makes the grade now.


^^^^ x3


The OP already answered that point.

Me_Again
Explorer III
Explorer III
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Greene728 wrote:
IdaD wrote:
OP doesn't need a 1 ton and he certainly doesn't need a diesel. I don't see what good it does to berate the guy over buying a Heavy Duty diesel for a 23' Airstream. It gets silly stupid around here sometimes.


Excellent post!!!


And then 3 years later the "wife" wants a bigger RV!!! Bur hey get what barely makes the grade now.


^^^^ x3
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Greene728 wrote:
IdaD wrote:
OP doesn't need a 1 ton and he certainly doesn't need a diesel. I don't see what good it does to berate the guy over buying a Heavy Duty diesel for a 23' Airstream. It gets silly stupid around here sometimes.


Excellent post!!!


And then 3 years later the "wife" wants a bigger RV!!! Bur hey get what barely makes the grade now.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Bobbo wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Sounds like "justification" for not spending the $$$ on a Diesel truck.

djgodden wrote:
Can't find diesel? Where the heck are they towing? Loads of options for increasing fuel capacity if you really are paranoid.

jimh425 wrote:
You also don't have to find diesel as often because it has a much more extensive range especially if going over any mountains or towing a heavy load. If you are worried about it, it's probably worth carrying extra fuel just in case.


I said it is DW's thing. I have tried explaining all of that to her, but our friends said it so it must be gospel.


Sounds like new friends or new wife may be in order. Heck maybe both. :B
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Greene728
Explorer
Explorer
IdaD wrote:
OP doesn't need a 1 ton and he certainly doesn't need a diesel. I don't see what good it does to berate the guy over buying a Heavy Duty diesel for a 23' Airstream. It gets silly stupid around here sometimes.


Excellent post!!!
2011 Crossroads Cruiser 29BHS ( Traded )
2017 Grand Design 303RLS ( Sold )
Currently camperless ( Just taking a break )
2016 Chevy Silverado 2500 4x4 6.0 and 4:10’s
Me and the wife and our two daughters. Life's good!

Me_Again
Explorer III
Explorer III
New trailers (larger) seem to follow new trucks. It is a vicious cycle that is repeated often. So always buy for at least one step up, or better two steps up. Stuff happens! Nothing is wrong with a Ford F350 SRW with the 6.2 gasser or the RAM 3500 SRW with 6.4 Hemi(Got a Hemi?).
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

TurnThePage
Explorer
Explorer
IdaD wrote:
It gets silly stupid around here sometimes.
Amen, brother! 😉
2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE

IdaD
Explorer
Explorer
OP doesn't need a 1 ton and he certainly doesn't need a diesel. I don't see what good it does to berate the guy over buying a Heavy Duty diesel for a 23' Airstream. It gets silly stupid around here sometimes.
2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB

Bobbo
Explorer II
Explorer II
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Sounds like "justification" for not spending the $$$ on a Diesel truck.

djgodden wrote:
Can't find diesel? Where the heck are they towing? Loads of options for increasing fuel capacity if you really are paranoid.

jimh425 wrote:
You also don't have to find diesel as often because it has a much more extensive range especially if going over any mountains or towing a heavy load. If you are worried about it, it's probably worth carrying extra fuel just in case.


I said it is DW's thing. I have tried explaining all of that to her, but our friends said it so it must be gospel.
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB

Bobbo
Explorer II
Explorer II
DKean wrote:
Bobbo, I sent you a private message,check your mail.

I'm retired ford and get you a deal below dealer invoice.

Responded.

Thank you
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB

jimh406
Explorer III
Explorer III
You also don't have to find diesel as often because it has a much more extensive range especially if going over any mountains or towing a heavy load. If you are worried about it, it's probably worth carrying extra fuel just in case. 🙂

'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.

NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member