ford dually vs. single axle

Currently have diesel 05 F250 and looking at getting either a new F250 single axle or F450 dually. Look for any opinions who have had both.

FYI. The truck is pretty much strictly for towing.

Why would you need an F450 to pull an xstar. An F150 would do fine.

Ummmm an F150 would absolutely be awful towing an XStar. The 5.4 is alright but not that tough, especially if you need to go up any sort of hill at all. That said an F250 would be perfectly fine. I think you'd probably get somewhat tired of the dually pretty quick... and people in parking lots seem to have a magnetic attraction to the fenders.

I disagree. Granted it wouldn't pull it as well as a 250, but it would still do fine.

The way I see it is a dually is overkill, a F250 would prolly be just rite....But I'm with Paul I think that a 150 would do fine...not great but it would get the job done.

your current truck could probably tow the xstar fine for the next 20 years. but alas, life is about excess isn't it?

An F150 would do just fine it's well within it"s towing capacity of 9300lbs (crew cab 4X4). If your just looking at towing then get the 250 you'd be waisting your money on a 450. The 250 has a towing capacity of 12500lbs on the hitch and with the new motor you wont even know that bad boys back there. Plus if you want you can go over 84 miles per hour which the 450 is governed at in addition it has 300 HP/ 600 torque rather than 350/650. The only real reason to get a 450 is if you need to tow an insane amount (24k) or if you have a huge camper.

I don't see a practical need for a dually unless you're towing a 5th wheel.

You have an awesome tow vehicle now - why change? ("Because I can" is perfectly acceptable.)

BTW - I think the additional vehicle weight of the dually actually decreases your towing capacity compared to a single axle 350 or 250.

The 250 is more than enough truck to pull your boat. If you're planning on getting a 12 foot camper then I would go with the 450.

Okay, I know for a fact that an F150 would do fine with an X-Star. There ain't a wakeboard boat that weighs as much as my Tige 24Ve at 4375 lbs. I have an Ford Expedition that I pull that baby with and have done it up a 7% grade for 7 miles. The Triton 5.4L engine that I have in it did just fine. No complaint here and the engine did just fine.

I know this argument will go on ad infinitum, but I would venture to guess that 99.9% of those who currently tow with a diesel would not be willing to go back to gas.

This may be just a pet peeve of mine (I have many), but I find it very frustrating and irritating when I ask for advice on choosing between X vs. Y, only to illicit opinions on Z. He doesn't want an F150, so why bother arguing its perceived merits? He also said "it's pretty much strictly for towing." I don't know anyone in their right mind who would recommend an F150 over any diesel as a dedicated tow vehicle.

Or, for those of you with short attention spans: Enough with the $#_# F150 already.

Can an F-150 tow it? Yes. Can it stop it? Yes. Will it be slow? YES! I tow with a 01 Tahoe 5.3 and yeah it can tow it, but going up big hills it just can't tow as fast as I would like it too (this isn't a debate about safe towing speeds) because I like to drive fast. My next vehicle will be a crew cab diesel and I won't have to slow down going up any hills

A diesel is another story here and the F150 doesn't come in a diesel model... That is f250's and above...

Another very nice feature of the F250 is the Tow Haul Mode which helps control speed when descending steep grades without overheating your ltrans or brakes. I personally like to keep it slow and steady downhill, then hammer it up hill.

If all you are going to tow is the X-star, then the 250 is just fine, the Dually is for big ass loads, 5th wheels, etc. I would keep the 05 if money is an issue, that's a good year, if you are set on an 08, then get the 250 King Ranch or Lariat with al the trimmings and tow in luxury with a big ass smile on your face.

I will always own a Diesel pickup from here on out. I have pulled with my buddies F150 and it's great on the flats, but no comparison on hills, both up and down. F150's are very nice trucks though.

Either the F250 or the F450 will pull your truck awesome on flats, in the dirt, and going up an down hill. If ya got the cash for an F450 go or it, They are awesome trucks.

If you want to be ballin why not tow with a new Audi Q7 or TDI V10 twin turbo Touareg? Hell go all out and get a Cheyanne Turbo S with 450hp and factory 20's

I've had both diesel & gas trucks.I like 'em both.I've had a dually once...ONCE.When you have to replace 6 freakin tires at one time,you might change your mind.Unless you have $$ to burn on tires.

if you got the money go all out but the F250 is all you will ever need to tow the boat...

Whats wrong with your current truck? Why not save the money and start/contribute to an IRA.

(Message edited by dkjbama92mariah on August 10, 2007)

From experience....The 150 (which I own) is a slug with anything over 4500lbs. The 250 is plenty, I have towed many different boats with 150's 250's and 350's. The only thing better about the 350 dually is that the rear of the truck sways less with heavier loads (10,000lbs and up). So if you are pulling an X-Star you will have more than enough truck with a 250.

I would definatley go with the durango.

Another word about the Dually 450's. They may come with a bigger gear ratio in the rear for hauling very large loads, this will kill your economy at cruising speed. Most of the 250's come with a 3.73 ratio, plenty for pulling up to 10k and it will run nicely on the highway empty and pulling a boat.

The 450 will most likely suck more gas and be at higher RPM's cruising on the highway. If you don't need it, stick with the single axle 250.

I've owned trucks of all sizes, including a couple duallies. The only difference between SRW and DRW versions of trucks with the same wheelbase is that you literally will not be able to fit into some drive-thrus. A longbed crewcab SRW truck is a huge vehicle with a horrible turning radius anyway, and that extra 8" on each side isn't that big of a deal.

Someone mentioned the sway issue, which is really their biggest advantage, but this isn't a big deal with <25' boats because they tow really well. The stability difference is really noticeable with boxy trailers, like campers or car haulers.

I agree on the ratio issue - go with 3.73's unless you're towing over 10k lbs regularly. You also may be limited on top speed with a diesel. I had a diesel with 4.10's that would hit a whopping 82 mph at redline.

the 5.4l has more than enough power to pull a big boat.
Its all about gearing/tranny.

Ok, a Chevy guy is about to make some comments now - not the typical ones though.

in 2000 I wanted a non-gas tow machine (I was planning on putting a camper on it as well). I went the 2000 ford diesel crew/4x4 F350 (with with 4 wheels). When towing my old boat (20 foot calabria, loaded with goodies) we ate up the hills and did it with good mileage. The issue I had was the F350 with 4 wheels couldn't carry the weight of a larger camper. I ended up buying a 2000 camper for 50% of the sticker, sold the ford and bough a 2001 Chevy dually crew with the 8.1. I had 3500lbs on it's back and another 4000 behind and it took the weight up the hills without an issue. Side by side - towing the ford was better since it had the diesel.
I agree with Swass - the question wasn't about if the f150 could - it can. The question was 250 or 450. So...... JS....here is my vote. Go with the 250 - you'll get better performance and mileage. The 450 is a tow/haul monster that you don't need. The 450 ride will be harsh with only a boat behind you. If you load up the bed with a camper and still want to tow - 450 is the way to go.

not sure why you would make a jump from a 250 to 450. you are talking a huge increase in prce and payload. i drive a 350 crew cab long bed. but i use the truck for more than towing a boat. unless you plan on doing some surious hauling, i.e. your boat, your friends boat and maybe the house, your spending money you dont need to. my buddy has a 550 that tows a 5000# dump railer and when loaded he is towing 15-20K plus the bed loaded with rock. overkill is cool for status. but you should draw the line between cool and stupid. its not cool to drive around getting slammed all the way to lake in a freaking dump/construction truck if you dont need it. if you want to spend 70k then go with a 350 in a king ranch and cruise to the lake in style, not a wanna be contractor.

dont listen to them..
your in America get whatever you want!!!
If you want a 450 get a 450
who cares
I drive a 250 Diesel crew cab 4x4 and I love it!!
-Alex-

I would buy what you want. Unless you are pulling a 5er constantly I would steer away from the dually. However, you can never have too much stopping or towing power.

Those F-150's and SUV sure don't like long grades, they sure look like their standing still when doing 30MPH.