First Timers

[Pinetree12]

Hi Everyone! I am new here, and new to camping. I just bought a 2011 Rockwood 8280WS... and so far we are loving it. We are considering buying a new 2011 Ford F-350... What we are wondering... would a dually be worth it? I currently own a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500HD (not diesel) and it pulls the camper just OK... if you keep it about 55-60 mph hardly pulls any rpm's and is pretty good on gas mileage. But we are thinking it is time for a new truck. We both like dually pickups but if there isnt a big difference in hauling the camper, I would rather have a regular truck instead so we can do more things with it. Any recommendations?

[chevy02]

Welcome to the forum Congrats on your new camper As far as a daully is needed i would say no but i dont have a fifith wheel but i think you would do just fine with a F250 or F350 but i may be wrong about the daully i have been wrong once before someone will sure to chime in that has what you are looking for .Visit us often

[Mr. Black]

I'll personally never buy another 3/4 ton truck again. Tired of playing the numbers game. The dually question however, is just gonna be a matter of personal preference. You certianly don't need a dually for the trailer you have, but having one would just be added insurance. I think they are miserably large and annoying to park.


Good luck in what ever you decide.

[milzat]

With your 8280WS, you'll be more than fine with a 3/4 ton truck. It'll be a lot easier to maneuver than a dually.

[crocus]

We pull a very similar fifth, and our 3/4 ton pulls it like a breeze. If you do mostly pulling, the diesel is a big advantage, power and mileage wise.
And congrats on the new fifth! You'll luv it!

[2Susan]

Originally Posted by Mr. Black

I'll personally never buy another 3/4 ton truck again. Tired of playing the numbers game. .

I don't understand - did you mean a 3/4 ton is no better than 1/2 ton it's just numbers? Could you explain?

[Mowat]

Originally Posted by 2Susan

I don't understand - did you mean a 3/4 ton is no better than 1/2 ton it's just numbers? Could you explain?

Without speaking for him I think what he's saying is a 3/4 ton is usually just a 1 ton chassis with a few downgraded parts. It's like getting a rolex without the name or the jewels but the innards are the same.

Some one quoted somewhere on the forums that the chevy 2500 and 3500 the only difference is 2 leafsprings. I think it's a bit more than that but it wouldn't suprise me. You just pay more for the 3500 badge.

As to your question my answer is a NO. The dually really does nothing for us pulling wise. I have a 3500 dodge single diesel. And I pull really well. For me in my communist state if I upgraded to a dually I would have to register my truck as a commercial vehicle basically doubling my registration and excise tax. It's a Joke.

What I did though is put new tires and rims on mine with a bit of a offset. ( about 2 inches I think). This gives me a bit of a wider foot print which should help when the trailer tries to sling you around. Now I can't say for sure that works.. I put the tires on cause the stock tires were crap in the snow. But I think it's made a improvement on my towing.

[Snowyowl]

I have a 2011 F350 diesel dually and it is great for towing. It isn't just about how much it can tow, it's also about safe stopping, stability in cross winds and other similar factors. Whether you need something that big with your trailer, I have no idea but I am really glad that we went with the dually for towing our rig. A side benefit is that we get far more exercise since we bought it. That's because we have always park the truck at the farthest part of parking lots and walk to the stores. Seriously, it is big and can be hard to park but the additional safety if worth those minor inconveniences.
If you do get an Ford, check out the 5th wheel package that is available from the factory. I really like our hitch and how it's installed.

[2Susan]

Originally Posted by Mowat

in my communist state if I upgraded to a dually I would have to register my truck as a commercial vehicle basically doubling my registration and excise tax.

If I remember correctly when we were in Colorado we had to register our pick up (3/4 ton) as a commercial vehicle as well. We found out later that if it has a shell on the bed it magically becomes a personal vehicle. I think someone could make bucks standing outside the DMV loaning out their shell...

Thank you for the explaination of 3/4 vs 1 ton.

[revrnd]

Originally Posted by 2Susan

I don't understand - did you mean a 3/4 ton is no better than 1/2 ton it's just numbers? Could you explain?

X2

Even before the 2011 upgrades to the GM 3/4 tons, there are several differences between their 1/2 & 3/4 tons.

Steering: 1/2 ton - rack & pinion, 3/4 ton - steering box

Brakes: 1/2 ton - normal power assisted brakes w/ ABS , 3/4 ton - hydroboost assist w/ ABS

Tranny: 1/2 ton: 6L80 model, 3/4 ton (non-diesel): 6L90

Frame: 1/2 ton: open C channel, 3/4 ton (pre-2011s): deeper cross section, (2011s): boxed

Rear axle: 1/2 ton: semi-floating, 3/4 ton: full floating

[Mr. Black]

Originally Posted by Mowat

Without speaking for him I think what he's saying is a 3/4 ton is usually just a 1 ton chassis with a few downgraded parts. It's like getting a rolex without the name or the jewels but the innards are the same.

Some one quoted somewhere on the forums that the chevy 2500 and 3500 the only difference is 2 leafsprings. I think it's a bit more than that but it wouldn't suprise me. You just pay more for the 3500 badge.

Precisely.

3/4 ton pickups historically are 1 tons derated basically on paper. Yes there are some very minor differences but the chassis, brakes, suspension, and drivetrains are typically the same.

This excludes duallys.

The 3/4 ton game is usually nothing more than a registration game on weights.

IMO if I could play president of the big three for a day, I would just abolish the 3/4 ton line all together.

[revrnd]

So you're saying that folks that need something more robust than a 1/2 ton would have to move up to a 1 ton, then be @ the mercy of their state's/province's DMV/MTO for registration?

(A personal use truck having to be registered as a commercial truck due to its GVW)

Also, wouldn't a 1 ton be more expensive than a 3/4 ton? And don't say that if the Big 3 dropped 3/4 tons, they could drop the price of 1 tons due to more being built. It ain't gonna happen.

[Mr. Black]

Unfortunately you are right rev.

I am just dreaming.

Albeit slight increased registration fees in our state is true, we don't on the other hand have to worry about any commercial registration by gross weight here in the same respects that othere states/provinces.

It's unfortunate that some states take it to those extremes and yet wonder why many including myself drive around overloaded.

That being said, if the OP is entertaining a dually then there is no need in worrying about a 3/4. Just figure 1 ton single or dual. That was my point to the OP.

[Mowat]

Funny part at our RMV (ya they got a be special). They don't care about the weight just is it a dually.