I currently have an 04 F450, 6.0, auto, 4.30 gears, custom Tuscany conversion that I purchased to "legally" tow my 05 40Ft Toy Hauler. This truck is also my dailer driver and it is not very convenient at that task. I bought the combo just over two years ago and used it regularly at first, but with the increase in fuel (double the cost) since then, we rarely use the trailer. The truck is 22.5ft long, has a turning radius of 68-70ft, and only gets about 12mpg unloaded. It is a pain to drive around town and I dont even attempt to take it hunting, fishing, etc..

So, on to my question. Since we rarely use the trailer, I am looking for a better daily driver, an 06 3500 Mega, auto, SRW. I know I will be very happy with this truck for every day driving and recreational use but I am concerned about towing the trailer with it. I do not want another dually, so that is out of the question. If I have to have a dually, I will keep the one I have. So whats your opinion, keep the 450 and deal with the daily inconveniece, or get the 3500 and just slow down when needed when towing the trailer?

 

You may need to post the dry weight of the trailer, Gross Vehicle Weight of the trailer and the pin weight. That would give everyone a better idea of what your dealing with. I am guessing a 40ft toy hauler is going to be pushing it with a single rear wheel axle. I guy we used to ride quads with had a 35 ft Terry toy hauler with a 3/4 ton and he was maxing that thing out pulling it.

 

Probably around 11K dry, 15K GVW, and 3K pin.

 

I had a F550 on order when I purchased my Dodge, and also owned a 2004 Ford 350 standard. I pull 20,000 pounds in Mules and have absolutly no problem, however I have very large airbags, traction bars, and it is a dually. I have to say the Dodge is much easier to drive especially in a standard compared to the Ford, I diden't realize this until I just recently drove my dad's 05 Ford the differance is huge. So my point is stay with the dually but keep in mind the Dodge is much easier then the Ford, to drive around town.

 

I want to tell you to ditch the Ford and pickup a 3500 Megacab like mine but the trailer weight concerns me. If in fact the GVWR of your Toy Hauler is 15,000 lbs I say get the Megacab. Yeah, when loaded to the max. you'll probably be over weight ratings but it'll handle it. What concerns me though is I'm guessing the GVWR of you're coach is closer to 16,500 lbs. What make/model/year coach do you have?

 

Its an 05 Weekend Warrior CL4005 double slide, 15K GVW. It has 3 5k axles under it. The newer ones are rated at 17K.

 

wpzone,

My Brother has an 05 or 06 Weekend Warrior, the SLC 3905 and it's GVWR is 16,000 lbs. It's a triple axle unit also, but I'm not sure what they're rated at. Keep in mind the GVWR of the coach can be higher than the sum of the axle ratings. If you're not certain of the GVWR double check the sticker at the front driver's side of the coach. If it is 15,000 lbs I'd go for it. The 5th wheel I'm seriously considering weighs the same. Good luck!

 

Limiting factor aside from the fact that 40 ft is pretty darn big!!!...

The stock tires on a Single rear wheel are rated to about 3195# each. The pin weight is about 3000 lbs you say, and the truck is about 3000 or so on the rear axle from the factory. So you might have 390 lbs of safety margin... or might be right there.

 

I checked the sticker on the trailer, it is 15K for the 05 trailers. The Weekend Warrior site lists the 07 pin weight at 2740lbs and 17k GVWR, so the 05 may be bit lighter on the pin.

 

I say go for it. If you need to you can put a higher weight rated tire on there.

 

If money is not the biggest issue...........then how about getting a 3500 SRW truck and install Rickson 19.5'' wheels and G rated tires? The spring packs and axles on the SRW trucks are the same as a dually. The limiting factor is tires. The G tires should help with pin weight if you are maxing out the stocker E rated tires.

If you get the auto transmission, you might want to get 4.10 gears. The 3.73's will pull it, but the 4.10s might be more comfortable with that much weight.

Otherwise, the G56 standard tranny should be plenty geared low enough as is with the 3.73 gears (which is the only one available with it).

 

I'd just get the Mega cab dually and be done with it. If you get an auto trans get the 4.10 gears. I have cutomers pulling heavier trailers than 15k with mega cab dually's.

 

I have a 06' CL4005 from Weekend Warrior and loaded w/4 quads I am running a trailer weight of about 16,500 lbs. I used to pull this with my 03' F350 and I was constantly over weight on the rear axle, and the gross combined. I also would only get about 8.5 mpg. When the turbo crapped at 43K, I switched to the 06' dually quadcab 6-speed and got 10 mpg on the first trip (bone stock) loaded for bear (25,750 total) after only 500 miles. I personally would never pull that big of a trailer again without duals (or a Dodge).

 

Thanks for the input! One more question, what do you think my truck is worth on a trade in, there is no NADA, KBB, etc value on the 450's?

http://community.webshots.com/album/156105571LfIIYY

 

I know that Ford has taken a big trade in value crash as of late, you will always loose money trading in, the only advantages are convinance and you don't have to pay sales tax. You have a unique truck I would look at trading it in but try selling it yourself maybe contact who did the body work IE classy chassis if it was them. Good luck