Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

Moderator: Mike Clay

MABEER
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:40 am
Location: Minnesota
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3550RL (Expected deliver Jan 2013)
Location: Minnesota

Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by MABEER »

I am new to the the club as we wait for the delivery of our new 3550RL in February. I am relatively experienced at towing having owned numerous boats and RV's in the past but nothing of this size or distance we plan to travel. I have a 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS (11,500 gvw and 3,425 payload) that I purchased a few months back as the tow vehicle. Based of the information I have from the Cardinal catalogue I have verified that the critical towing metrics of the truck; Tow capacity (15,700), Payload (3,425), and GCVR (23,500) would all be under the max limits, however with not much to spare, particularly on the GCVR. My question is; Based on the experience of other club members am I pushing the truck limits and safety too much, and should I just go buy the F350 or F450 drw? We plan to navigate the U.S. coastline (Minesota to South Carolina to Seattle to Minnesota) over 2013. Having read many of the other towing threads on this site as well as the Ford Truck Forum, I get the issues of "not being able to go to the drive through" :( , and cost. I am just looking for unbiased opinions from those you have experience.
snoking

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by snoking »

I think you have run the numbers pretty well. GCWR of 23500 minus the GVWR of the trailer of 1606 leaves 7440 for the truck weight. It will be 1000-1500 more than that number.

Dry pin weight is 17.7 percent and will stay near that percentage, so pin weight is not an issue.

I would give it a try before taking the hit to upgrade the truck.

chris
MABEER
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:40 am
Location: Minnesota
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3550RL (Expected deliver Jan 2013)
Location: Minnesota

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by MABEER »

Thanks for the response. I weighed the truck and it came in right at 8200 including me and full tanks, so I figured the door stamp payload of 3425 minus pin weight leaves me about 1000 before I hit truck GVW
Travelers

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by Travelers »

I agree with Chris.
You may want to ask the dealership as to what is the difference between the 11,5k gvw rating and the 13k gvw rating. If it's springs, then you could install those and be in better shape. A lot cheaper than a new truck.
User avatar
Mike Clay
Council, Administrator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
Location: Oregon Gresham
Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
Skype ID: Mike-Clay
Location: Oregon Gresham

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by Mike Clay »

I think both Ford and Chevy 2011 plus SRW trucks will handle a 16k trailer max.(have not kept up on Dodge specs.) Pin weight can come close at times in my case with 86 gallons of fuel and both of us in the truck.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
Rob & Cathy

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by Rob & Cathy »

snoking wrote:I would give it a try before taking the hit to upgrade the truck.
I'm with Chris, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how well it tows and handles.

Rob
MABEER
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:40 am
Location: Minnesota
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3550RL (Expected deliver Jan 2013)
Location: Minnesota

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by MABEER »

The Cardinal spec sheet shows a 3550RL UVW of 13455, but most of the actual "Birds" I have seen have yellow door weight stickers of anywhere from 12400 - 12900. The factory says the 13455 is worst case to account for all available options, Gen, dual air, W/D dryer etc. Is this your experience ?
Randyman

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by Randyman »

You should be in excellent shape truck wise. One thing to consider is the trailer tires. Don't know what your new one will come with but that would be my only area of concern. Check out the tire threads on this site, you might want to upgrade to 17.5 wheels and tires for the weight of your new bird depending on what the factory is sending them out with these days. Have a great time touring the USA in 2013!!
MABEER
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:40 am
Location: Minnesota
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3550RL (Expected deliver Jan 2013)
Location: Minnesota

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by MABEER »

Current Cardinal specs call for 16" aluminum rims with Goodyear tires on 7k axles. Appreciate your insight on looking to upgrade to 17 or better. I understand the brakes are drum type but have heard people discussing upgrading to disc. Have you heard anything on that front ?
User avatar
Mike Clay
Council, Administrator
Posts: 13245
Joined: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:53 am
Location: Oregon Gresham
Cardinal Owners: 2016 3850RL Estate
Skype ID: Mike-Clay
Location: Oregon Gresham

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by Mike Clay »

They will be Goodyear Marathons and they have proven themselves not to be the best tire out there.
Mike, Susanna & Rudy
2016 3850RL Estate "Proto Grigio"
2019 Silverado 3500HD Dually D/A 4x4 LTZ
My dreams are too big for my wallet
Rallies attended - 32

Nights camping in 2013:159 2014:269 2015:Full Timers
MABEER
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:40 am
Location: Minnesota
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3550RL (Expected deliver Jan 2013)
Location: Minnesota

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by MABEER »

From reading the tire threads it would appear the Goodyear G614 is a "recommended" replacement that would fit the current rims. Would you agree ? Or is there a 16" tire with an even higher weight rating than the 3750lbs for the Goodyear ?
snoking

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by snoking »

MABEER wrote:From reading the tire threads it would appear the Goodyear G614 is a "recommended" replacement that would fit the current rims. Would you agree ? Or is there a 16" tire with an even higher weight rating than the 3750lbs for the Goodyear ?
The problem has been that the rims they use are only rated to 80 pounds inflation and the G614 requires 110 pounds inflation. Mike pointed that out to FR I believe in his visit. Would be interesting to know if they changed that.

If one is getting new rims on larger trailers, I would op for 17.5" rims and 215/75R17.5 tires(similar diameter). Cheapest time to do this is at time of ordering the trailer either through FR or the dealer!

Regarding the 7K axles. To install Goodyear Marathon ST235/80R16E tires, FR has to de-rate the axles on the trailer placard to 6840 or below, as that tire is rated to 3420 pounds at 80 inflation. Every product has its dirty little secrets and with 5th wheel trailers, in many cases across the brands it is the tires.

NOTE: ST trailer tires are speed restricted to 65 MPH. Using them above that speed greatly reduces their already short life cycle. At their best they are 3-5 year life cycle tires, with many failing before 3 years. Goodyear is noted for their warranty support, included trailer damage.

Chris
MABEER
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:40 am
Location: Minnesota
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3550RL (Expected deliver Jan 2013)
Location: Minnesota

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by MABEER »

Any reco's on 16" rims for G614'S to handle the 110psi ?
User avatar
Olbird
Council, Asst. Admin
Posts: 4185
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
Location: Washington Kelso
Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
Location: Washington, LaCenter

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by Olbird »

Here are some wheel options for the G614 tires that requires 110 pounds inflation.

http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/si ... 0766865BHD

http://www.trailertiresandwheels.com/si ... uct/AW1615
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods

2022 Ford F450 DRW
Donpop
Posts: 168
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 11:08 am
Location: Kansas Derby
Cardinal Owners: 2008 Cardinal 34QS
Location: Kansas Derby

Re: Ford 2012 F350 CC SWB SRW 6.7 PS Towing vs. DRW

Post by Donpop »

Mabeer:

I have the identical truck as yours except mine is a LWB. I assure you that you should be sleeping good as you have nothing to worry about. With that size unit and 7000 lb axles I'm sure it will come with "G" rated tires on 110 lb rims. I recommend you install a set of air bags, hook on and go and don't let some of these good folks make you over think things. My unit is a 34 Quad Side and is 39-40 ft pin to ladder. With your new 6.7 you won't even know its back there. Don
2008 Cardinal 34QS
Kodiak Disc Brakes
2012 Ford F350 SD XLT 4x4 CC LB SRW 6.7
RDS 40 Gal Aux Tank/Tool Box Comb
Double tow 2 Yamaha Grizzly ATVs
Post Reply