"Is there really a need for an F350 TD when it would tow 15 or less times a year and never over 8500 lbs?"
In my Dad's opinion, yes. He is driving his third Chev/GMC 4x4 dually. Love 'em! Tanks on tires!
First one was gas, 2nd and 3rd diesel. This one is the TD Duramax and it pulls like an insane ox.
The first TT was just 21 feet, he bought a dually to get ready for a fiver. They own their 2nd fiver. Neither fiver weighs(ed) more than 10k.

It is very common around here to see dually's pulling horse trailers of all kinds. Hay, feed, tack, etc. and 2 or 3 or 4 moving animals?!?!? What a ride!

And for #3 - Thank you. I appreciate your honesty too. Many threads on this forum just turn into a pissing match, it's nice to have a conversation.

 

Yeah, I would probably feel safer in the SD and safety for the family is always important. I think a dually is a little much. Wife thinks its odd for it to be a daily driver, such a huge truck, but hate to spend $30K+ for a truck that only gets driven a couple times a month. I guess a $5K car to drive back and forth to work would pay for itself, just hate small cars. The good thing is a $30K used SD is a lot cheaper than a new 2012 F150 with most of the trimmings and accomplish more but is it more economical? Hopefully its a push. Was spending over $300 a month on gas for my F150. Gas has gotten to the point that its a major expense, almost like another car payment. $500-700 a month on a truck and $300-400 on gas is expensive. Decisions, decisions...maybe just stay with one car for two years and pay cash for a used SD. Who knows.

Definitely great to have a good conversation with no name calling.

 

HD payload package Rear GAWR is 4800 lbs.

This lets you get nearer to max payload or max towing rating with more than just a driver onboard without overloading the rear axle.

 

Thats awesome. The rear weighs near 2800 lbs when empty. 2000lbs give you a lot of wiggle room with a 1400 lb tongue weight or gooseneck pin weight. Thanks.

 

I think it would all depend on the trailer. tts are balance pretty well so if the recommend 10 % I would think that is optimal tongue weight. I would think any more the trailer would be front heavy and cause the trailer to sway because of lack of weight over the trailer axels. IMO

 

No, more tongue weight will not cause sway, it will actually reduce the probability of sway happening.
For a given trailer, it will be less likely to sway with 15% tongue weight compared to 10% tongue weight. The upper limit of the tongue weight percentage is there to avoid overloading the tongue itself, the TV's hitch and the TV's GVWR / payload.

 

To a certain point. If the tongue weight is to much it can cause dive during heavy breaking. Witch could result in loss of steering and sway.

 

Yes, but that would imply that you went over the limits of the tow vehicle.
What it means is that a 20% tongue weight is not necessarily a very bad thing if all components can support it, including the trucks receiver, payload, axle ratings and the trailer frame / tongue itself.

 

Not always true. If you are pulling just under or at your limit this could happen. If the trailer was designed for a certain tongue weight. I had this happen to me on one of my old enclosed trailers and it was well within the limits of the truck