I love my 7.3 F250, but I am outgrowing the truck. Not because of it's towing capability, but because of it's payload capacity, or lack thereof. Also looking to go to a crew cab longbox this time around.
I would prefer to stick with SRW, but the deals on duallys are out there.
2002 F350 SRW = 9,900 GVWR, about 1,500 net payload
2002 F350 DRW = 11,500 GVWR, about 2,500 net payload
2005 F250 SRW = 10,000 GVWR, about 1,200 net payload
2005 F350 SRW = 11,500 GVWR, about 2,500 net payload
2005 F350 DRW = 13,000 GVWR, about 3,500 net payload.
My net payload numbers assume normally loaded with driver, one passenger, toolbox full of tools and jacks, etc., cooler full of cool, diesel tank plumb full, spray-in bedliner, fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch installed, etc. Only the CAT scale knows for sure, so if you think you have more net payload, then show me the CAT scale ticket when on the road with a full tank of fuel, your normal tools and jacks in the toolbox, and your sweetheart in the truck with you.
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My Sierra Blanca is a '99.5 PSD CrewCab hot-rod Towing Machine! BTS tranny; Ford Severe Duty Air Induction System (AIS); 4" stainless turbo-back exhaust; DP-Tuner tunes flashed into an Edge Evolution tuner; ISSPRO EV gauges and Turbo Temp Monitor (TTM); Auxiliary Idle Controller (AIC); SP-Diesel exhaust brake and torque converter controller. Top Job front end replacement. I special-ordered it new and plan to drive it until it quits.
Excellent info, thanks! I'm still not sold on a dually. The truck needs to be GREAT in the snow and I'm not sure dually's are as I have no experience and I don't know anyone with one. I need to be able to 4x4 through 2 feet of snow with the truck fully loaded.
Everyone I've known through the years that have owned'em say duallys are real bad in the snow. Years ago one guy we deer hunted with for a week+ had a dually and we were in snow the whole time. He cussed it every time he fired it up and tried to stay with the rest of us. First, you've got less pounds per square inch contact patch on the rear axle and second, the rear wheels are running out of (or mostly out of) the front wheel tracks and packed down stuff from the other SWR pickups.
If that 2500 lbs will be in the truck all the time then the dual wheels will be fine. I drove a company truck that had duals and it slid everywhere with out any weight in it, but after putting in a 1000 lbs of cement pads you could not stop it in the snow.
My 96 hauls my slide-in camper. It weights around 3300 lbs. I installed a set of airbags after carrying for a few summers.
$250 for a set of airbags is way cheaper than a new truck.
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1996 F-250 extended cab long box five speed. Home made Tymar, 203 Stat, 60 gal in bed fuel cell, 315/75's, no muffler, ebpv welded open 3" to 3" DP, Babies. 290K, still chugging, and still smoking when cold.
UPDATED 1/1/09 Replace so far. 1 LUK flywheel+clutch, 2 thermostats, 2 set of brakes, 1 set of calipers, 5 CPS, 3 sets of tires, 2 Transfer pumps, 1 Injector modual, 1 Computer, 2 Alt, 2 sets of batteries, 1 Water pump, 6 Belts, 1 PS hose, 2 Sets ball joints, 2 set u-joints, 2 carrier bearing, 2 Speed sensors, 1 oil pres sender, 1 temp sender, 4 sets of e-break cables, 1 front fuel tank, 2 rear fuel tanks, 2 set of glow plugs, 7 Glow plug relays, Oil galley o-rings, Turbo pedistal o-rings, EBPV o-rings, 3 sets of Injector O-rings, 1 Vac-pump, 1 new carpet, 1 total paint job.Total $$$ in repairs v/s miles driven = 4.6 cents per mile. Add fuel to that it jumps to 16.5 cents per mile over the life of the truck.
If you have decent tires on a dually they will do just fine!!! My truck barely noticed 10inches of snow on the ground. I also had about 500lbs in the bed.
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03 F-350 DRW Lariat 7.3 6 4x4-Speed 4 inch ProComp lift, BFG AT LT315/75R16, 3 in. spacer between duals.
Banks Monster Exhaust, w/Turbo Elbow, AFE Stage 2 Cold Air Kit
DP 80econ,80tow
2 Optima Red Tops
8,200lbs---Cat Scale---Thats me and and 38 Gallons of diesel
1987 Mustang GT Cobra Clone- crate motor, and more suspension than I know what to do with
My 96 hauls my slide-in camper. It weights around 3300 lbs. I installed a set of airbags after carrying for a few summers.
$250 for a set of airbags is way cheaper than a new truck.
Mark,
Legally, I have outgrown it with the load I want to carry. While I agree the truck can carry the weight, I also need a longbox to carry the proposed load as I'm not comfortable having 20k in snowmobiles hang 3 feet off the bed.
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2002 F250 7.3 PSD XLT 4x4 EXT Cab Shortbox - EVO2, AIS w/Zoodad, MBRP 4" 409SS, 08 rear diff cover, 6.0 Trans cooler, Heated tow mirrors w/signals
1988 Mustang GT 9.71 @ 143 (1.43 60ft)
2008 H+H 24' CL series V Nose Car Hauler
I am actually happier with a trailer behind the truck - I even have been known to hook up the horse trailer empty and head for the mall just for giggles ("hello, my name is Dave and I am a trailer junkie - I am happiest when it has a hinge in the middle" - crowd joins in "HI DAVE").
That said, what about an enclosed trailer? Put a lock on your drawbar, lock the trailer to it, lock the doors and you have secure storage when you are out. Chain the "A" frame to something substantial (100 year old Oak Tree comes to mind) and you have secure, covered storage at home.
__________________ THANK YOU to all the heroes in our military and all the heroes at home who wait for their safe return. I am humbled by and grateful for your service and sacrifice.
'95 F250 ext cab long bed, PSD, 5 speed manual, two wheel drive, 3.55 gears, 286,000 miles, LUK clutch conversion, 450 lb homemade REAR BUMPER, homemade open element AIR FILTER, 36" tall ARE contractor cap. With tools, full of fuel and me on board (300 lbs) steer 3620, drive 3860 total 7480.
Dave, I have access to an enclosed trailer. The area I frequently haul my sleds to has limited "turn around" room and is infrequently plowed. With two sleds on the truck and a nice set of 35s, a good 4x4 is nearly unstoppable.
It looks like I may take the 6.0L plunge. Help me, I'm scared!
If you are carrying a ton in the bed of the truck more than 90% of the time I would definitely opt for a dually.
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1996 F250 4x4 ext. cab, long bed 5 spd. 3.55ls, Tymar Intake, Tymar 4" downpipe and 4" exhaust. AIC, B&W turnoverball, EBPV brake, tranny temp gauge, boost gauge, and egt gauge. 249k miles and thousands of $$$$ in maintenance and repairs.
If you are carrying a ton in the bed of the truck more than 90% of the time I would definitely opt for a dually.
I agree with NickKent.
Although a trailer would be nice, screw that with the bad weather. Snow doesn't bother me but I had a bad experience pulling a trailer in freezing rain a few years back and I won't ever attempt that again.
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2004 F-250 King Ranch CrewCab ShortBed 6.0L
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