Moe... 2300 Lbs. and still level. That does show the might and load carrying ability of an HD truck. Impressive!
It sure does, Wayne. And compared to a standard cab/long-bed 2WD 5.4L V-8 F250, it also has 500 lbs extra (some say 800 lbs, it's unpublished) for the diesel, near 500 lbs for the ESOF 4WD, and near 500 lbs for the SuperCab. With the shingles, that's more than 4,000 lbs over an unloaded base truck.
The Crew Cab is about 800 lbs over the standard cab, but if you get the short bed, the truck'll be a coupla inches shorter than a SuperCab LongBed and maybe only 100 lbs heavier than the SC-LB.
I like the stance of the F250 better... it's a bit tail high unloaded, but closer to level. To me an SRW F350 looks like my female cat in heat. Without the power seat adjustable tilt, I feel if I'm sliding forward out of the seat with the radical angle of the SRW F350.
If one wants the extra capacity of the 350, without the stance, Ford makes a kit to lower its rear with the 2" blocks and shorter shocks of the 250. Seems the very tail of the SRW 350 was hitting the bottom of some fivers.
I love this truck! Even without the bit of extra low-rpm torque and LOTS more higher rpm hp of the 6.0, it accelerates my 34' going up a hill and is over a ton under the GCWR. The 6.0 can only be better (in a coupla years when they've worked all the bugs out) as can the new five speed auto (ditto on the coupla years).
Moe... The first time I saw a 34'r my lower lip dropped to my knees. For years now I have displayed a large, framed picture of a triple axle A/S on the wall in our "living room". Two other pics are on the fireplace mantel. Definately a dream machine and we are envious. If we ever decide to "go long". I too have always liked a 4 door sedan and the 4 door option in trucks give lots to choose from.
At the big Toronto RV show last year they had a 34' r with the slide out. Piece of art. $120,000.00 CDN plus 15% Tax. That nets out at $138,000.00 plus a new tow vehicle. Unfortunately selling off our holdings in Nortel won't give us enough moola to make the move up.
__________________ Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
Last edited by Road Ruler; 03-13-2003 at 03:35 PM.
I don't think so. You just need to think outside the box! I just voted my Chevy 350 car as a 1/2 ton. Same engine and trans that was found in the 3/4 ton trucks pre 2000, so I figured my car has a weaker frame, but still the same drivetrain (with mods of course). Hell, my current tow vehicle has more HP and torque than our old '85 3/4 ton Suburban w/ a 454 had. It was rated at 230hp and my car stock was 250. Now modded,my current vehicle has about 270hp.
We decided on the 04 2500 Suburban with Quadra-Steer. I ordered our burb from our local Chevy dealer exactly as I wanted it. Camper mirrors, 2nd row captain's chairs, 4.10 rear end, block heater make our tow rig "ours"
We got 60 months 0% interest with 0 down. It was hard for me to learn that my 01 Jeep Grand with a v-8 and a factory tow package was just not up to the job of towing any Airstream larger than a Bambi. Sure you will hear from others that have pulled a large Airstream with their vehicle. I am always entertained when someone tells me how they are able or how they towed their Airstream with some (in my opinion) under sized vehicle.
I am all about safety, I cut my grass with eye and ear protection... Do I look silly... I don't care , I still can hear my wife when she wispers and I don't have to worry about debris in my eye... (off soapbox)
I think the 3/4 ton is really qualified for the tow job at hand and the Quadra-steer option is way cool and almost impossible to describe till you actually drive one for your self.
Good luck...
Abe
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"Abe" & Melissa Lincoln
1976 Overlander "Spirit"
2005 Suburban w/q-steer
Hensley Hitch
WBCCI# 7627 / VAC
Air #2798
Pulling a combined weight of over 17,000 lbs I had no choice but to go with a 3/4 ton Dodge cummings rated at 16,000 lbs. I didn't realize when I bought it that I would be pulling this much weight. I had to go to Banks Engineering to add some goodies under the hood to get the added horsepower necessary to climb the hills. The 3.54 rear end is not the ratio of choice but since I bought it used I really didn't have a much to say. It climbed the mountains of the southwest. There were 12% grades that went on forever. I had to use the gearbox and on many of them 42 mph at 2200 RPM was as good as I could do, but I would hate to think that I would be faceing some of those grades with anything less than what I had. The exhaust brake was a wonderful aid in decending the grades.
I'm the green Mopar facing out with the 34' and flags behind.
__________________
Keep the shiny side up. WBCCI # 3485 Region 3 1stVP
Past President Tidewater Unit 111
visit tidewater Virginia's web page @ www.tidewaterwbcci.com
Rick Bell in "Silverbell"
Hmmm... I'm a bit underpowered...but does it count that I LOVE my tow vehicle. I have a 1968 Tradewind 24', and pull it with a...(gasp) Jeep Cherokee. Just a little 4.0L Inline 6 cylinder... and a short wheel base to add, when compared to the long bed, crew cab, diesel limo's that so many pull with. Sadly I do not have a picture of the trailer and the jeep together, but here are some pictures of each.
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Tow Rig: 2005 GMC Sierra Denali AWD, 6.0L HO- LOTS OF UPGRADES to help Towing (and Fun)
Trailer: 1968 Tradewind 24', Land Yacht trim (Shell-Off Rebuild and upgrades)
***Missing from my life*** WBCCI # 13657
++Take a look at my restoration photo album++ http://picasaweb.google.com/ChadsAirstream
Vintage Airstream and Vintage Auto............Sounds good to me.
__________________ Just adding my 2¢ worth
John G ___________________________ 1975 31ft Sovereign International ........Rear Bath Double Bed Model Tow Vehicle:1999 GMC Serria SLE Classic 1500 5.7Ltr System: Jordon 2020 Ultima Brake Controller Hook-Up: Equalizing Hitch and Sway Bar
Currently have a 1997 1500 Suburban that I'll sell in August. Have a 2005 Suburban 2500, 3/4 ton, 8.1 liter, 4.1 gear ratio that'll pull 12,000 lbs on order.
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"would you rather have a mansion full of money or a trailer full of love?"
Has the 5.4 Triton Engine and 3.73 rear end in it.
My 27" overlander is connected to it using a 4" drop ball mount (turned upside down for 4" lift), and it sits just right...
Brake Controller is a Tekonsha Envoy.
The whole setup works great. First trip was over 500 miles and I forgot I had a trailer behind me a few times. (well, until I looked and realized I was getting 7 to 8 mpg!) I experienced NO bounce, and NO swaying, even when big rigs flew by me!
Quick Links
Triple Axle Bullet
real vehicles 
Hell, my current tow vehicle has more HP and torque than our old '85 3/4 ton Suburban w/ a 454 had. It was rated at 230hp and my car stock was 250. Now modded,my current vehicle has about 270hp.
John G
Linear Mode
