OIF 5-7

Nice

I like to check out low riders at car shows, and think it's amazing some of the work they do, I would never own one. I really appreciate the work put into all those things. If it's built as a show car vehicle, you have to be way over the top to get noticed in that atmosphere. It sure seems like a perfect show theme idea for yall's neck of the woods, Lost Wages. Cheers

Please say your J/K, That's really Abobe photo shop? right? Ha, can you fab up a mount for a lifted truck? Ha, Ha

Both your trucks look great, I don't think they look Grandpa at all

Looks great, I just can't freaking wait, if you think you can beat the deal I can get all the parts for locally in AZ, with shipping and all, I get all my stuff from you. Lift, Rims Tires, electric steps. It would probably be too much in shipping to make it worth your while ha?

Very nice, What size wheels and tires, 35 12.5? What brand lift did you go for? I can't wait to get back and hook up my brand new truck

If topless delivery is an option, is delivery to Iraq an option? Support your troops!

I vote to scrap the blue couch and mount this baby in the red SD for the ultimate big screen viewing

So I was setting in a bunker in Iraq after a mortar attack waiting for all clear, and I started laughing out loud thinking about this stupid a*s thread. Every one in the bunker just looked at me like I had finally lost it. You guys a nuts, can’t wait to get back and dune with yall.

Exactly why I'm here getting facts and opinions from people with the experience. I guess I do want a dual purpose, but safety is important. I don't want a different truck for everything I do. Thanks

I agree, all very good information and opinions. This will all really help make an informed decision when I get home from this BS. Sorry I have not replied to any of these great posts lately. We go into a commo black out when we loose someone. That way the family members can be notified properly before it slips out talking or e-mailing home. As far as the manual verses auto debate, good point about if you get hurt, can someone else drive the thing back home? My wife drives a manual as her daily driver, but she has no experience towing anything. I’ll need to work with her on that either way we go. I’m leaning toward the manual. Is the tow haul mode an electric function or part of the auto trans? I guess you can only get the tow haul mode with the auto, due it being a auto trans function. Is installing an after market exhaust brake the only option when going with the manual? Thanks :smiley:

I'll talk to Shawn, that's Irvine, CA ? thanks for all this great input all :headbang:

Thanks for the offer on building the truck, I really do like doing all my own work. I have helped many friends lift their truck at my house / shop. All for off road, usually short box short cab ½ ton or mini truck. I don’t have any clue when it comes to the lifted 1-ton towing setup. I would be more then happy to send you some Sadam Husain Iraqi bills as a souvenir for the shop, for some advise on what you have seen work the best for this application? The one truck I saw on this site seemed to be just the right setup in my mind, Maxdout copper F-350 w/ a 40’ww

Out dam standing, I really appreciate everybody’s help on this. I can't wait to get back from this hell hole, and hook up with you guys at the dunes. The only problem is, I don’t have any big horsepower buggy, just a 1835cc duel 40 IDF normal VW suspension set up. I would much rather be on Two wheels, the buggy is for my wife and night rides.

Just when I was starting to think I should really get the dually and be done with it, I’m glad to hear it seems to be fine and not unsafe. I’m going for the SRW 6” lift and 35’s, cheers.

That's what I was thinking, you seem to be the only one supporting the manual trans idea, I wonder why more don't run one? Don't most big rigs run manual?

So I'm not out of my mind to want to tow a large 5th wheel w/ a 6” lift & 35's on a 1-Ton SRW? What about the lift, do you loose the 1-Ton rating? And the 35” tires, can you get a mud terrain type tire with heavy load rating? I’m only asking about truck questions in this forum because I’m only looking for advise from people that are towing toy haulers. Thanks

Nice What HS did you go to? I went to Bonanza in 83, but don't hold that against me.

The adult in me says of course I should get the dually 4*, no lift. The other side still wants the SWR lift. Why can’t I just have my cake and eat it to? Ok I have issues to work out within my self.

Good point, I didn’t know that. Even if your from out of state? I’m sure. Does anyone know if AZ has a similar law?

Sweet As! (New Zealand term) I like your thinking, I can definitely see that as a nice place to go when I’m in the dog house.

I think you guys are right about going larger, the only reason I thought I wanted to stay as small as possible, was concern of getting stuck in the sand getting to the camp site and or turning around in small camp sites. I guess just being careful about picking the site and not getting too far away from the trail should be ok. It must really suck to get a 39’er unstuck! What are the down sides of a manual trans? Other then, having to shift and replace the clutch? Thanks again for the help

Thanks for the great input guys, With your tips and me doing the research form hear, I’m sure I’ll make the right dissension. I just wish I could buy a toyhauler from the military new car sales. I’ll be getting the truck tax free and major discounts for purchasing from here before I get back, it looks like I can save about $10,000 total on a 50K truck ISBB, My wife likes the idea of having the bedroom up fount and I like the fifth wheel better, if I have to go bigger, that’s ok. Don’t all brands have a haul mode auto trans? As far as price range I’m looking at 90K for both the truck and trailer, 45K each. The truck will be the daily driver as much as someone that rides a motorcycle to work as many days the weather will allow in AZ. Don29palms, I think I like the idea of maybe going to the 38’ fifth wheel like you. For the two dirt bikes, I was thinking about mounting two bike load ramps on the buggy, (quick release) from the top windshield loop to the front torsion tube. Mounting the two bikes at an angle over the front end of the buggy. Enabling me to only need enough floor space for the buggy. I’m I getting out of control now?

Ok I’m that guy that has always hitched a ride with anyone going to the dunes that had enough room for me, my scooter, gear and liked the idea of splitting the cost of the trip. I’m now ready to step up to the plate and get my own ride. Here is the thing, I’m all about learning from others experience and lessons learned. Not wanting to start the brand name war, I’m looking for generic advise, not brand name. I think I want a diesel 4*4 one ton prime mover and a fifth wheel toy hauler. Cargo to haul: One 14” total length sand rail with stock VW travel and width suspension for the wife and night rides. Two, dirt bikes . Looking for some pros and cons on the following issues: 1) What size fifth wheel do you think would fit my needs? I’d like to stay as small as possible? 2) Two or three axels? 3) Standard / auto trans, I think I want a manual because I can’t stand that auto gear hunting. Is one stronger and have more longevity then the other by design? 4) Lift, I’d like to put a six inch lift with 35” tires on the truck, I do understand the higher the profile the more unstable the tow, is it expectable or crazy? Would I have to flip axels on the trailer? 5) What gear ratio to order on the truck if I did run 35” tires, 410 I’m thinking would be a good compromise between gas mileage and getting the towing RPM range close to original. Do they make 35” tires load rated for a fifth wheel toy hauler ? 6) Duel rear wheel or single, I would much rather have the SRW. What I don’t want to do is go out and get what I think I want, to realize I should have just got the DRW truck and left it stock. So help out the FNG on towing a toy hauler and give some advice from your personal experiences. I do have a lot of experience towing 2.5, 3, and 5 ton trucks with trailers in the military, none on the civilian side of life. Thanks Ps: I have plenty of time to make a decision due to currently being deployed in Iraq. I might be interested in a package deal (Truck & hauler around Dec 06 – Jan 07) time frame.