I just had a dealer offer me a LOADED 2008 f450 (sticker 59,700) for 24,300 plus my 2004 excursion on trade (66,000 miles). That offer is hard to pass up!

That sounds like a great deal! I just spoke with the guys at Shogren Performance Marine (where I bought my boat). They are delighted with their new f450. They got rid of their Sportchassis because they said it was underpowered with the big boats and rough riding overall. I also spoke with their transport company and they told me the same thing.

Everyone has a different opinion as stated many times before.

I drove a F450 and bought a SportChassis instead. Bottom line: The SportChassis outweighs the F450 by at least 4000 pounds. That 4000 pounds will be the difference that you need when the boat/trailer decides to try taking over.

Trust me, I would have much rather spent $50k on a F450 compared to $100k+ on a SportChassis. To me, the ride was very similiar. My SportChassis gets to 90 MPH no problem where the 450 tops out at 82.

If you are considering both, go drive both for 20-30 miles on the highway. The SportChassis is very comfortable towing, and a little stiff when empty.

Sound like you might need one of our trucks... www.southcentralsportchassis.com

They look great but I worry a little about slipping on the ramp. We have some steep ramps into Lake Michigan and I've watched guys slip quite a bit. Maybe they weren't counterbalanced or didn't have enough tongue weight. Also, some people are delighted with their medium duty conversions while others don't like them.

That is a VERY good deal. Especially if you are looking at the F450 anyway. Also the F450 is a much more viable daily driver (if you can say that in the same sentence anyway, LOL) than a SportChassis.

My 02.

Sam

I have now owned 2 different medium duty trucks. The 2005 Cehvy 4500 kodiak I had was a regency conversion and that truck was a pile of junk. I hated it. Having that truck almost kept me from getting the FL because I didn't want to go down a path like that again. They are 2 completely different trucks. Where my 4500 would spin at thr ramp towing out 15k, the FL on the same exact ramp pulling out 23k has zero slip.

Whatever you do, try to demo both of them. Try to tow with a FL and also with the F450. Either decision is a big one, so make sure you choose what you feel is the best based off of actually driving them.

Thank you for that sound advice. I think towing the boat with each is the only way to be sure.

I'm new to this thread. I read the forums alot but rarely post. I was on here reading everyones comments in search of an answer....I recently towed a 2008 Sunsation 43 on a steel trailer from Lake Cumberland, KY to Norfolk, Va. (Thats about 11hrs) I used a f350 dually 4x4 with tow boss package(rare option)(comes with upgraded suspension to F450, with 2.5" reciever , 4.30 gears, and a 26,000lb GVWR) The truck handled the weight just fine. No sway, No problem braking, or anything. However, it just didn't seem to have enough power?? Started reading this thread looking to see what everyone else thinks since basically I have the same thing as an f450.Does anyone have any suggestions?Also maybe this will help someone else. Sorry for the long post.

The FL with the heavier boat may have the axle loaded better hence better traction. There are ways to deal with slippage on a MDT that don't necessarily mean trading it in: A friend of mine has an FL and had the same slippage problem with his that you experienced with your 4500. He mounted about 1000lbs of plate between his frame rails at the rear of the truck and it cured the problem. You're right-demo is always best.