I currently have an F250 with a 4:10 differential getting about 13 mpg with a 20 ft gooseneck and 3 horses. Considering moving up to a F550, as in the future(retirement) would like to get a slide in truck camper and pull a bumper pull.

In the meantime, anyone tell me the pro's and con's of this thinking...

Thanks

Can you get an F550 with a conventional box?

I like your thinking, however, I am thinking the opposite.  I would like to go from my pickup camper/bumper pull to a pickup/gooseneck eventually.

Several companies offer and install aftermarket truck beds for the F550 and select Ford dealerships are selling the completed product.

Here is one dealership that has them all ready to go with some regularity.

http://adcache.trucktraderonline.com/4/7/0/84772970.htm

Anyone with a F550 that can educate me on mileage, ride, etc when pulling a gooseneck?

Thanks

I've got an 1999 F550.  It is a nice truck.  I pull a 34' on the floor 4H 16' LQ with a 12 slide.  The trailer is 14500K empty and probably close to 20K+ when loaded depending on the horses and gear.  I have to say that I fell completely safe while I'm pulling the trailer.  I've got the 4:88 rear end in the truck and it does just fine.  There are some really steep hills in AZ and I go up them fully loaded at about 37MPH's or so. 

I used to pull this trailer with a 2500HD D/A.  It did the job but I never felt that safe. 

The 550 is OK to drive around town from time to time but you wouldn't be happy driving it everyday.  I personally wouldn't get a 550 if I was going to get a cab over.  I would probably just get the 350 dually and be done with it.  At least that way you can use the 350 as a daily driver. 

I got 9.25 MPG's pulling my trailer from Phoenix to Denver and back again.  There are quite a few 6% grades to go up on down and that is included into the MPG's.  I would think I could get 10-11 MPG's on flat ground.  I'm going to MI in a few weeks and I'll probably get a real good idea of the MPG's on flat ground when I go back for that trip.  I've never kept track of the MPG's without a trailer.  I've never driven it that far to take a reading.  I would guess a top of 13 or so. 

Personally I would get the LQ trailer.  I love mine.  It is so nice to have all your crap in one place.  If I was going to get another 550 I would get 4 X 4.  I'm a little bummed that I didn't get it in this one.  I didn't think it would be that big of a difference but I would feel a ton better with it.  I've got stuck a few times and when you get stuck and your rig is 25K plus YOU ARE STUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck in your decision.  Don't forget about the Chevy 4500.  I would have bought one of those if they were more reasonably price as used.  They are still pretty new and finding used ones are a bit of a challenge.  I think you get a better truck with the 4500 than the F550 but I couldn't afford the extra 20K or so to buy a 2003-04 instead of an 99 F550. 

Later,

Chad

Spooler, I'll stick with my 7.3PSD Super Duty. If a truck sounds like my late uncle's Plymouth with a worn out muffler, I don't want to been seen driving it.

Plus the fact I don't have ball joint problems with my Super Duty. The interior in my Super Duty looks as good today as it did the day I bought it and that's 6 years ago. The cab on my truck is tight with no wind noise, the doors shut firmly, quietly and the door panels are firmly attached to the doors, not laying in the back of the truck. My tailgate still opens and closes with the factory latch and I don't need any bungee cords on it.  Can you say that about your Dodge?

Happy trails.