250 or 350 to tow 334QB?

[OnSabbatical]

We're brand new to RVing and about to pull the trigger on a Wildcat 334QB, and I have a question about what tow vehicle to buy.

We will be traveling full-time for a full year around the country, my wife, my son, and myself.

Will a 250 diesel be sufficient or should I get a 350?

I do not want to cut any corners with regard to safety or ease, but I also don't want to waste money unnecessarily. And, we will be using the truck, of course, to get around town etc. I don't want to be limited by terrain.

I'm also thinking I should get dual rear wheels?

Thoughts, advice, appreciated.

[Rookie19]

IMO I would say go with a 350 drw. With as much as you're traveling and the trailer weight it's better to be safe.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by Rookie19

IMO I would say go with a 350 drw. With as much as you're traveling and the trailer weight it's better to be safe.

X2


Sent via Cajun Po-Boy's Tech Gear

[mcnabbwr]

There is always going to be a debate regarding SRW vs DRW, however with a GVWR of under 14,000 lbs you do not need a DRW. Decide which make and model along with wheel configuration you prefer and go with it. Happy rving.

[John McClain]

the 250 and 350 are the same truck except for the 250 has a 2 inch block between the leaf springs and the axle and the 350 has a 4 inch block and two more leaf springs If the 250 doesn't have a camper package . The registration might be higher on the 350 in some states do to the higher GVW. I would need much more weight info before I could suggest one over the other

[Ford Idaho]

For the small price difference between a 250 and a 350 go with the 350, you will not be dissatisfied.

[fast murray]

ummm, probably 450 or 550! LOL!!

[Rookie19]

My thought behind the drw is with that much traveling and weight why not have the extra confidence in your tires? Better to have that kind of weight spread across 4 tires rather than 2.

[5er_tom]

With a pin weight near 1,800#'s and a gvwr less than 15,000#'s, either a 250 or 350 would do okay. As said, for the small extra cost the 350 might be the better way to go.


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[MeepMeep]

For the added stability, at not much more expense, I'd personally go with the 350 dually....

[5er_tom]

A dually is good if... you can handle the extra width. They can be difficult in parking lots and for general sightseeing in many place, such as lots of the National parks where parking is at a premium. And, they don't fit in most garages.


Just my 2 cents

[Ford Idaho]

$990 bucks more for the DRW on a 350.

$46,275 Basic LXT 4x with the 6.7 F250

$47,175 Basic LXT 4x with the 6.7 F350

[goduc]

According to one I found on the net. It has a GVW of 13776lbs. Dry stickered weight of 11778lbs. Loaded up would be close to the GVW IMO with the OP having kids. Figure 13,500lbs loaded @ 20% for pin is 2700lbs. IMO that's easily in the 350 SRW diesel range. A dually would simply be overkill.
The factory pin is 15%, so apples to apples the pin could very easily come in lower. My guess is it would be I the 24-2600lb range.
Why would you need a DRW for 24-2700lbs of pin and only 13,500lbs?
As an example the Ram 3500 SRW averages around 4300lbs for payload. That leaves 1600lbs for passengers.

[reinreb]

On the other hand, the difference between the Ram 2500 and the 3500 is significant. The 2500 as a ¾-ton tow vehicle can handle up to 17,970 lb (8,151 kg), with a 6.4L HEMI® VVT V8 engine. More than enough. I have a Signature Ultralight 8315 bss and have traveled thousands of miles pulling with my Ram 1500 with never a problem at 55-60 mph.
When I do upgrade for more weight potential I will move to the 2500.
Good luck

[j free]

I went F350 duel wheel. Larger brakes less side to side movement and the 350 can have a 60 gal fuel tank installed. I can take mine from Stockton California to forsite Arizona on one tank pulling a F370FL.

[vinmaker]

Go with the 350. The extra capacity is always good.

[ependydad]

The debate of a DRW vs. SRW is generally a moot point. The height and length of trucks is by far a bigger issue than the width of them more times than not.

With my dually, I've been in all sorts of parking garages and touristy towns and extremely rarely have problems due to my width. Being a 4x4, it's tall. Being a crew cab/long bed, it's long. Being a wider than a SRW truck, not so much of an issue.

If you're debating a DRW, don't let using it persuade you against it.

[DickiedooFlagman]

Originally Posted by OnSabbatical

We're brand new to RVing and about to pull the trigger on a Wildcat 334QB, and I have a question about what tow vehicle to buy.

We will be traveling full-time for a full year around the country, my wife, my son, and myself.

Will a 250 diesel be sufficient or should I get a 350?

I do not want to cut any corners with regard to safety or ease, but I also don't want to waste money unnecessarily. And, we will be using the truck, of course, to get around town etc. I don't want to be limited by terrain.

I'm also thinking I should get dual rear wheels?

Thoughts, advice, appreciated.

You have to run the numbers to be confident of your choice. Always better to err on the side of safety. Not much cost differential 250/350. Dually is more stable, a bit less maneuverable. You may find the dually's bed is lower (closer to the ground) than the 350 SRW and therefore easier to keep things level AND 6" clearance between the camper and the truck bed rails. Dually registration may be 'commercial' in some states costing more to register and to insure.

[OnSabbatical]

Sounds to me like a 350 DRW is what I will want.

Do I also need a long bed or is a 6 3/4 enough or better?

What about cylinders? 6 or 8?

[Baxters Dad]

I have never heard someone complain they had too much truck. Cost difference between the 250 and 350 shouldn't be significant.
That being said, I'd run a F350 dually long bed. I use my pickup for real life when not towing and the 8' box is always handier for me.
The Ford and Chevrolet diesel will be a V8 and the Ram will be a straight 6. All three make excellent tow vehicles.