F350 Dually

[RickV]

I currently have a 2003 F250 7.3 and while it does a great job pulling my Crusader 325res as a matter of fact it pulls the Crusader better then it did my old 2006 Rockwood 8280SS. I am at or over the GVWR (don't tell the weight police) and i am entertaining buying a Brand Spanking New F350 Dually Diesel. I am tired of telling the DW that we can't take this or that because it is too heavy. So I would like to get some opinions/comments from any of you guys that have a F350 with the 6.7. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

[garmford]

What makes you believe that you are overweight? Our first fiver was about the same weight as yours and we pulled it easy with a 2003 F-250. But, we now have a 2012 F-350 drw with the 6.7 and love it!! It pulls our now 15000 lb camper with ease. It should be easy to sell your old truck, the 7.3 is very sought after!


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[RickV]

Originally Posted by garmford

What makes you believe that you are overweight? Our first fiver was about the same weight as yours and we pulled it easy with a 2003 F-250. But, we now have a 2012 F-350 drw with the 6.7 and love it!! It pulls our now 15000 lb camper with ease. It should be easy to sell your old truck, the 7.3 is very sought after!


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I have taken it through the scales. GVWR is 8800# on the sticker. I was about 300# over that loaded for camping. The thing that I wonder about is the rear axle has a 6000#+ rating and I was at around 4900# and the top helper spring (the inverted one) does not even contact the stops.

[BigJohnD]

Wanna trade? You have a gem. Those things are getting hard to find in good shape. Nah, wife won't let me. If it were a 350, maybe. I'm not saying it's right, but the people around where I live don't pay those weight tags much mind. I've seen everything from dozers to road graders behind them.

Only issues I've had with our 350, is EGT sensor. All those sensors in the exhaust seem to be a known problem. I've had 2 replaced so far in a year. Very aggravating. I still like the truck though.

[Bryce]

What spring codes do you have?
Legally, you might be overweight according to the 8800 GVWR, but if optioned similar to mine, the one difference between it and a F-350 SRW is the taller rear axle blocks. This 8800 GVWR was evidently done to get under certain classifications for taxes/licensing in various states that do that, because everything else is equal on a 250 vs 350.

On my '01, I Have VB springs and the factory Camper package (overload springs and rear sway bar).

I know I'm over that 8800 GVWR, but under on axles and GCWR.

Like yours, my overloads don't touch when sitting still. These are pictures of my overloads and the scale report on that same day.

If you have a 7.3 in good shape, I'd say it's a keeper.

Driver's Side



Passenger Side



Add 2 more adults to the weight that didn't go to the scales with us.

[Seasonal]

I like my Ford f250 but would have to take a dodge for a test ride. They have a lot of good stuff going on these days.

[The_Rhino]

I agree that you have plenty of truck for what you are towing & that engine will last over 250K miles if you treat 'er right... That 7.3 is a beast even in a 1 ton with a high-side dump bed, etc. Your truck was a popular choice for construction teams, landscapers, etc. & I think Ford went easy on the GCVW numbers because they know how these things get abused... IF you have the manual tranny, that could be the weak link, so put some thought into your shift points on hills, etc. and you should be fine.

IMO there is not a specific logic to how manufacturers calculate their tow ratings... My '11 Ram 2500 CC ST w/5.7 Hemi has a payload capacity of 3,000 but a tow rating of only 9,100 & GCVW of only 15,000. The following year the only change they made was to swap-out the 5 speed tranny for a 6 speed and they upped the tow capacity to 11,100 & GCVW to 17,000. I'm not towing in the mountains & my 5 speed tranny never overheats so IMO the 15,000 was a conservative number for that year.

In comparison, the trend of the new 1/2 tons is to push the tow ratings higher & higher and some folks won't realize how little truck they have until they are in a tight spot. Slightly overloading your 3/4 ton with a GCVW of 15,000 isn't placing anyone in danger vs. overloading a 1/2 ton... As noted, the worst you can do is burn through a tranny & if you haven't done that already, you are probably good to go...

[BigJohnD]

I find Rhino's comment interesting as well. The truck manufacturers keep going for more and more, and the trailer manufacturers keep trying to get lighter and lighter. They're passing each other up going opposite directions I reckon.

[QCCowboy]

Ok, so to try and answer your question on the 6.7, the good, the bad, the ugly. I have a 2012 F350 DRW with the 6.7, with about 18k miles on it (pretty much used for the purpose of pulling our QBOK).

The good: does this thing have power. I have pulled our 36QBOK from Illinois to Florida and Texas and several places in between and have not run into a hill/mountain I cannot climb or vehicle I cannot pass when necessary. The engine braking when in towing mode is excellent!

I have always been a fan of the Ford interior as well and spaciousness it provides. We have traveled several thousand miles with me, the wife, our two daughters and the 80lb. Lab in it with nobody cramped for space.

It is also extremely quiet! Have had people riding with me that didn't even know it was a diesel.

The bad (if you can call it that) : yes, you have to use DEF. But read up on Tier IV emissions and find out that it really can make a difference in our environment. I have only filled the tank a few times and have found that Blue DEF is about the cheapest around (available at Walmart and other big box stores) aside from buying it at a truck stop direct from the pump.

You do also get nice warnings to check coolant additive which you can do yourself (with a refractometer and test kit from ACUSTRIP) or have the dealer do it for you. It uses "specialty" orange coolant vs. green coolant, but if necessary you can recharge twice before flushing. If you have any contamination, you will have to do a complete flush and fill (but this is usually the result of someone adding the wrong coolant.)

The ugly: can't think of anything, but some people have run into problems with the high pressure fuel pump. To aid in preventing this I always use a diesel supplement that both lubricates and is a cetane booster. Doesn't take much (using the motocraft brand it is 4oz. to every 25 gallons.) also check the water separator at least once per month.

If you run into a problem with this, it could be a costly repair.

The 6.7 is a beast of a motor and I love my F350!

[Lynkage]

Originally Posted by QCCowboy

Ok, so to try and answer your question on the 6.7, the good, the bad, the ugly. I have a 2012 F350 DRW with the 6.7, with about 18k miles on it (pretty much used for the purpose of pulling our QBOK).

The good: does this thing have power. I have pulled our 36QBOK from Illinois to Florida and Texas and several places in between and have not run into a hill/mountain I cannot climb or vehicle I cannot pass when necessary. The engine braking when in towing mode is excellent!

I have always been a fan of the Ford interior as well and spaciousness it provides. We have traveled several thousand miles with me, the wife, our two daughters and the 80lb. Lab in it with nobody cramped for space.

It is also extremely quiet! Have had people riding with me that didn't even know it was a diesel.

The bad (if you can call it that) : yes, you have to use DEF. But read up on Tier IV emissions and find out that it really can make a difference in our environment. I have only filled the tank a few times and have found that Blue DEF is about the cheapest around (available at Walmart and other big box stores) aside from buying it at a truck stop direct from the pump.

You do also get nice warnings to check coolant additive which you can do yourself (with a refractometer and test kit from ACUSTRIP) or have the dealer do it for you. It uses "specialty" orange coolant vs. green coolant, but if necessary you can recharge twice before flushing. If you have any contamination, you will have to do a complete flush and fill (but this is usually the result of someone adding the wrong coolant.)

The ugly: can't think of anything, but some people have run into problems with the high pressure fuel pump. To aid in preventing this I always use a diesel supplement that both lubricates and is a cetane booster. Doesn't take much (using the motocraft brand it is 4oz. to every 25 gallons.) also check the water separator at least once per month.

If you run into a problem with this, it could be a costly repair.

The 6.7 is a beast of a motor and I love my F350!

I would say X2 to what QC Says! Mine is a 2012 F450 and I have just gone 20K. About 80% of that is towing the 5er. Love the ride and we put the 5 of us up front and some times a friend. The new ones have an exhaust brake as well.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by Bryce

What spring codes do you have?
Legally, you might be overweight according to the 8800 GVWR, but if optioned similar to mine, the one difference between it and a F-350 SRW is the taller rear axle blocks. This 8800 GVWR was evidently done to get under certain classifications for taxes/licensing in various states that do that, because everything else is equal on a 250 vs 350.

On my '01, I Have VB springs and the factory Camper package (overload springs and rear sway bar).

I know I'm over that 8800 GVWR, but under on axles and GCWR.

Like yours, my overloads don't touch when sitting still. These are pictures of my overloads and the scale report on that same day.

If you have a 7.3 in good shape, I'd say it's a keeper.

Driver's Side



Passenger Side



Add 2 more adults to the weight that didn't go to the scales with us.

Your spring setup looks identical to mine.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by The_Rhino

I agree that you have plenty of truck for what you are towing & that engine will last over 250K miles if you treat 'er right... That 7.3 is a beast even in a 1 ton with a high-side dump bed, etc. Your truck was a popular choice for construction teams, landscapers, etc. & I think Ford went easy on the GCVW numbers because they know how these things get abused... IF you have the manual tranny, that could be the weak link, so put some thought into your shift points on hills, etc. and you should be fine.

IMO there is not a specific logic to how manufacturers calculate their tow ratings... My '11 Ram 2500 CC ST w/5.7 Hemi has a payload capacity of 3,000 but a tow rating of only 9,100 & GCVW of only 15,000. The following year the only change they made was to swap-out the 5 speed tranny for a 6 speed and they upped the tow capacity to 11,100 & GCVW to 17,000. I'm not towing in the mountains & my 5 speed tranny never overheats so IMO the 15,000 was a conservative number for that year.

In comparison, the trend of the new 1/2 tons is to push the tow ratings higher & higher and some folks won't realize how little truck they have until they are in a tight spot. Slightly overloading your 3/4 ton with a GCVW of 15,000 isn't placing anyone in danger vs. overloading a 1/2 ton... As noted, the worst you can do is burn through a tranny & if you haven't done that already, you are probably good to go...

Have the Auto Trans and it always runs around 190 when towing. I use Amsoil in and in the engine too.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by BigJohnD

I find Rhino's comment interesting as well. The truck manufacturers keep going for more and more, and the trailer manufacturers keep trying to get lighter and lighter. They're passing each other up going opposite directions I reckon.

I know what you mean. My Friend has a 2011 F250 gas burner and his GVWR is like 10600# Spring package and basically everything else looks the same as mine at least underneath.

[RickV]

Thanks to everyone for the posts. Like I said in the OP the truck does a great job and runs perfect. I just would like the added security of the dually in max payload and in the event of a blowout. Besides thinking along the lines of new F350 I have also been looking at used ones but, only the one's with a 7.3 so finding one in good shape is hard.

[Bryce]

Originally Posted by RickV

Have the Auto Trans and it always runs around 190 when towing. I use Amsoil in and in the engine too.

If you haven't already done it, the 26 or 31 row transmission cooler from a 6.0 truck is an easy swap and will drop those temps. I generally run 50-60deg over ambient unloaded and 60-80 when loaded with the TT with the weight like in my scale slip.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by Bryce

If you haven't already done it, the 26 or 31 row transmission cooler from a 6.0 truck is an easy swap and will drop those temps. I generally run 50-60deg over ambient unloaded and 60-80 when loaded with the TT with the weight like in my scale slip.

I was looking at this:
Amazon.com: Tru-Cool Max LPD47391 47391 Low Pressure Drop Transmission Oil Cooler: Automotive

I was talking with my mechanic who said that the temps I am running are good and that running it too cool is not good for it either. I reckon everyone has any opinion on this. From reading the diesel forums it seems like as long as you keep it under about 230 you are good.

[DocGTO]

The 2003 7.3 is the Holy Grail of that motor! I regret selling mine years ago.... Now you cannot find them in in good shape and when you do, they bring good $. Do the easy tranny cooler swap and keep rocking that bad boy is my vote!

I've owned most every diesel out there except the PSD 6.4 and 6.7. After my 07 6.0 wows, I went over and tried the Cummins 5.9, 6.7 and also the LMM and LML duramax trucks. They all are good. The Chevys to me have the most comfortable seats, then the ford, then the dodges. The milage on all the trucks have come down over the years but when it comes to the newer trucks that regen, I give the edge to the urea trucks. The 1st gen regen rucks used extra diesel to burn off the soot and they ran hot. Example, my LMM Duramax always ran in the 190s unloaded and sometimes as high as 220 towing. My new LML Duramax runs in the 180s unloaded and never has gone above 195 towing a combined weight of 19,410 pounds.

This is the weight slip minus my co driver who weighs 190:


So if you go new PSD then the 6.7 is the choice but you do have a gem.

If you haven't done it, getting a quality tuner and using the tow tunes wakes the truck up nicely and increases the tranny line pressures to reduce the wear on the clutches and improves the fuel economy loaded and unloaded.

[Dijoeboss]

I have a 2002 F250 7.3L, I wouldn't sell/trade my truck for a new one. I sure do like the new trucks, they are great lookin, great running trucks, but sure is a lot of new emissions items to be a problem. Having said that, you have to do what's best for you in your situation, my personal experience is the 7.3L is enough for what I wanna do!


2013 Georgetown XL 350
Bunkhouse
2002 F250 4X4 CC
2012 Jeep Liberty

[RickV]

Originally Posted by Dijoeboss

I have a 2002 F250 7.3L, I wouldn't sell/trade my truck for a new one. I sure do like the new trucks, they are great lookin, great running trucks, but sure is a lot of new emissions items to be a problem. Having said that, you have to do what's best for you in your situation, my personal experience is the 7.3L is enough for what I wanna do!


2013 Georgetown XL 350
Bunkhouse
2002 F250 4X4 CC
2012 Jeep Liberty

I think some of desire is all the new creature comforts. My 2003's interior is really good shape and so is the exterior except for a few small dents and scratches. But the bells and whistles are very tempting.

[Bryce]

Originally Posted by RickV

I think some of desire is all the new creature comforts. My 2003's interior is really good shape and so is the exterior except for a few small dents and scratches. But the bells and whistles are very tempting.

I can understand that. I have a '13 Explorer Limited and it's got a lot of the bells and whistles. Heated and cooled seats. MyFord Touch with Nav and backup camera. Moon roof. Dual zone auto Heat/AC. Blind spot notifications. The list goes on.

Now, on my truck, in it's day, it was pretty optioned out. I've got heated but not cooled seats... Just recovered them with new leather. I have installed a new stereo with 7" touch screen with nav and back up camera.

I also added a Ford AIS intake, MBRP 4" exhaust and PHP tunes.

To me, the new Super Duty trucks, while updated, are just not changed enough for me to jump on. The 2016 or 17 that they are testing looks to maybe be something new with aluminum biody and a larger cab.


If you do decide to get new, do a private party sale. It will sell quick.