Wicked ace

The link gives a nice selection of fifth wheels. So which one are you considering? It's a big jump from a 2503 to a 3553.

SE1096

Sorry, thought it directly to the model I am considering. The 3553 is what we are looking at. Thinking on going 350 dually just for future needs. Not looking at a new one, but possibly a low mileage 2016 or a 2017

mass-hole

I'd be all over a 7.3L F250/350 if I needed more truck. Thats a mean motor.

mass-hole

That video still impresses me. It seems the motor is stronger than on paper. I almost wonder if they are using the tuning logic to make it a little "underpowered" at sea level but can open it up more at altitude so that the power loss isnt as great. Basically, its running at 90% at sea level and 100% at altitude. That way if your air density drops 20% you are really only seeing a 10% hit.

I am kinda of surprised they didnt make a bigger deal over it because there is no NA V8 out there that comes even close in any truck. Even the GM 6.2 in the 1/2 ton struggled at like 9 or 10k lbs. The ram 6.4 is a dog.

acdii

A non deleted truck gets lower MPG, uses DEF, and has to regen often which uses even more fuel, and is limited on power. When looking used, be careful because some guys will trade in a deleted Powerstroke and NOT include the tuner. If any work has to be performed on it and the mechanic needs to reflash the PCM, you will have an expensive brick. If the tuner is provided with the truck then its something you wont need to worry about, unless your county or state requires emissions inspections, so buyer beware, inspect everything and make sure everything is intact. I can cost several grand to restore the DPF and EGR systems and a complete reflash of the PCM.

If deleted, some what better fuel economy, and more power, but good luck finding anyone to work on the tune anymore so you are stuck with whatever it comes with.

Drive it a lot towing and it is worth the extra cost because in the long run the difference between gas and diesel MPG when towing will balance out and start paying off, but if it sits a lot, then gas might actually be a cheaper option once maintenance is factored in. Fuel filters must be changed every 15K, oil twice in that mileage, so you could be looking at about $300 every 15K miles for fuel and oil maintenance unless you do your own. One other thing, if all stock be VERY careful putting DEF in. The cap for DEF is right next to the fuel fill and one moment of a brain fart and a squeeze of the trigger can cost you several grand in repairs if the engine is running or the ignition is switched on, even opening the drivers door can trigger the fuel pump. DEF kills the high pressure fuel pump. Never remove both caps at the same time when fueling, you could even get DEF in just from a splash.

To give you an idea of how easy it is for an oops moment, BP gas handles are green, diesel are yellow. ALL other stations have green Diesel handles. What did I do? Grabbed the gas handle and stuck it in the opening. I noticed hmm nozzle is rather small, then looked at the pump and went to press the diesel button and realized I grabbed the wrong nozzle. Thankfully I have a habit of putting the nozzle in before selecting fuel then squeezing the handle and that prevented any gas from getting in the fuel even if I had pressed the diesel button, there is always some gas in the hose.

Hopefully this gives an idea of what Diesel ownership is like today, nothing like it was years ago.

77Ranger460

I have a 2019 gas F350 with 4.30 gears. I live in the mountains. It gets 12-13 mpg for mixed driving. It will get 15-16 on the highway if I stay under 70. It gets 10 mpg towing my 7k TT. Payload is over 4k. The most I have towed with it is 12k lbs. It had no trouble.

SE1096

How can you tell if there is a delete. Wonder if the gas engine can handle that 14000 GVWR of the 5th wheel. Now my wife saw another one she liked last night with a 16000 GVWR. I think I have to go dually either way, correct?

acdii

On the right side(left when facing it) is where the EGR is located. If you see an empty space with covers on the engine, and a coolant line that looks out of place, it has the EGR delete. Underneath when you look at the exhaust, it should have a huge bulge with some sensors in it, if just a straight pipe, then it has a full DPF delete.

And YES, 16K is dually territory, I would consider a Dually just for stability reasons, 16K are some pretty long trailers with heavy pins. I'm contemplating a 15K trailer with my 2012, it is rated for 15,700, but ONLY once I know for sure what the pin weight is. The claimed shipping weight is 12328, so based on my current trailer and what we carry, I would be looking at close to 14K wet and loaded, which puts it right at the edge of my trucks ratings and payload. 2017 models have higher 5th wheel ratings, up to 18K for SRW, provided there is available payload. If you are looking to get both a tow vehicle and a trailer, start with the trailer. It is easier to find a truck to match to the trailer, than it is the match a trailer to a truck. Once you find the right trailer, GVWR * 20% is your ballpark figure for payload, you can start searching for a truck that has the payload for it and who and what is in the truck too. On mine I free up almost 200 pounds removing the back flip, so I can go up to about 2700 on the pin and stay within payload. That is about where the trailer I looked at "should" fall provided the location of the tanks are close to the axles, and the pin actually weighs in at what they claim when empty.

MikeD134

If you get a 350 gas sounds like the way to go, less expense to buy and maintain

Flamingtaco

The solution is stupidly simple. Oval nozzles for diesel, larger than gas on the wide cross-section, narrower on the other, neither will fit in the other. For DEF, orient the oval 90º from diesel. If someone puts DEF in Diesel (or the reverse), they don't deserve to drive. Nozzles can be slightly smaller than current to fit legacy vehicles. Would require a mandate to change over that will never occur.