I am looking to buy a 350 dually to pull a 32' gooseneck trailer to haul light loads.(hotshot setup). I would like to know how you guys would set one up. I have a 250 with a 7.3L diesel now but I'm wanting to step up to a dually. Is the 6.0( I have heard some bad things about this motor) or the 6.4 a better motor and what tranny? Thanks for the info.

 

Not sure I'd promote either, ecpecially the 6.4..

Would probably depend on the specific truck for me.

My 05 6.0 has been bullet proof so far and has towed some pretty decent weights for a 250, and more than once Think my dozer and trailer tip the scale at around 14.5-15k.. A pleasure to tow with..

Both engines problematic, yes, but like mine at 130K, and others, going strong with no engine issues to date, but that could change.. I've been whitness to quite a few empty engine bays.. That being said, if mine were wrecked, I'd buy another one over choking on 60k for a new one. But I'd give a used one a good combing over first. I wouldn't personally consider the 6.4.. 6.7 or maybe a upgrade to an early MY '03' 7.3 with a 6 speed. If your close to Northern Ca, I know of a 'smoke'n deal on a 97 dually @ 100k. Or , there are the other brands. If Ford wasn't the option, next choice for me would be a Dodge/Cummins.

I wouldn't let my 6.0 go, but given the track record can see why some would shy. If I were to shop out a 6 litre, I'd look for one that either had limited, or no towing use. Might be a challenge for sure, but why consider one thats been worked already.. Low mileage would be a huge plus, maybe 'senior' owned for that 5er that never got towed, or much..

If you do come across a 6, have your local Ford service run the Oasis report on it for a record of whats been done to it under warranty.. Sometimes it will point a boney finger...