Please help with truck size!

[biebeda1]

I am just getting ready to order my first 5th wheel. The specifications on the one I want are:

Cedar Creek 5th Wheel
Model 38CK
Hitch Weight 2235 lbs

Ship Weight 3260 lbs

GVWR 16235 lbs

Cargo Capacity 2916 lbs

Exterior length 41’ 9”

Exterior Height 12’ 11”

Exterior Width 96”

Fresh Water 66 gal

Gray Water 80 gal

Black Water 40 gal

Awning Size 18 ft



I will need to buy a new truck also, because I know my GMC Sierra 1500 is not going to be able to tow this 5th wheel. The specs I have been able to find on the truck I am looking at are:

Ford F-250 Crew Cab 4x4 SRW
Automatic Transmission
6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8
Axle ratio 3.31

GCWR 23500 lbs

Maximum LoadedTrailer 15900 lbs
Weight Rating


Is this truck going to be big enough? What other information am I going to need to make this decision? It will be just me and my wife traveling and just the normal household stuff in side. Clothes, dishes and kitchen stuff, etc.

Thank you in advance for your help. I am new and have so much to learn before I start out.

[jtstromsburg]

Looks to me like you should get a 1Ton drw. That'll be plenty of pin weight for a 3/4 t. My pin is around 2700 and my camper is lighter. I'm guessing here, but you will be in 3200lb pin weight when loaded.

Since you don't have the truck try, no point in going to small.

[turnerpa]

I know that f-250 will pull it but you are going to have to look at the trucks payload vs the pin weight of the trailer. That truck has plenty of power to pull it but personally I would recommend getting one with 3.55 or 3.73 gears and the camper package to boost the payload. With the higher gear ratio the engine and transmission won't have to work as hard to pull it!

[Steeljag]

That's a big rig. If you can, go with the F-350 ( or any one ton) dually.

Good luck and enjoy the new TT and truck.

[dustman_stx]

If you plan to adhere to manufacturer specs, payload will be your limiting factor. That truck will likely have a listed payload capacity of 1800 pounds or so. It seems as though you are very new to all of this, so I'd recommend going with as much truck as possible. A DRW F350 would be best, but I personally think you'd be fine with a SRW F350.

[jevanb]

you are in a 1 ton DRW range period....

[kwjeepxj]

Looks like you are looking at the truck I have. My payload is only in the 2100 range.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by kwjeepxj

Looks like you are looking at the truck I have. My payload is only in the 2100 range.

Is yours 4WD? I think OP is looking at 4WD.

[kwjeepxj]

Yes my truck is 4WD

[puff]

Originally Posted by jevanb

you are in a 1 ton DRW range period....

times 10...!

[puff]

I have the exact same 5th wheel ....well 99.5% the same.
I suggest you look at a 1 ton truck. We just did this on another thread, you are going to have every person say why or why not a 2500 or F250 would be just fine. Specs and stickers aside yes an F250 will do the job but you are maxing out all the systems, brakes, tranny, tires, suspension, engine, rad, steering....do i need to go on..!

You should be looking at a 3500 or F350...period. A single rear wheel drive is ok but dually's handle better. Drive to your local camp ground or RV park and ask those who drive and pull their 5th wheels, then go ask the mechanic at the shop what he thinks.

This is all just my .02 cents worth.

I am a truck driver, also a mechanic in both auto and heavy duty. I have more miles driving than most will ever see.

P.S. I am in the same boat of what truck to upgrade to.....F350 with 7.3 powerstroke or Chevy 3500 with Duramax and ally tranny are looking good. I have also been looking at F450 and 4500.

Ultimately it is your choice.

[EdJunior]

What they all said above. I would also maybe add, if you are going to be pulling a lot, either full-time or just getting out a lot or long distances, maybe consider the F-450. You sure don't want to skimp on the truck with a trailer that big. Do it right the first time, and you won't have to do it again.

[chiefly1]

You will be at the upper limit of the vehicle systems and that is not a great starting place. While it would work I think you will find yourself where I was and end up trading it in for a 1 ton. So I suggest you bite the bullet and get a 1 ton. The Dodge diesel is a good choice.

[biebeda1]

Thank you to everyone that responded with help to my question. Based on the feedback and research, I am opting for a Ford F-350 DRW. I want to be comfortable and not worrying about overworking my truck.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

If you plan to adhere to manufacturer specs, payload will be your limiting factor. That truck will likely have a listed payload capacity of 1800 pounds or so. It seems as though you are very new to all of this, so I'd recommend going with as much truck as possible. A DRW F350 would be best, but I personally think you'd be fine with a SRW F350.

I agree with everything Dusty said.

I believe that a F350 SRW may possibly have the specs to carry this load. You just have to look at each truck individually and determine it's payload.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by biebeda1

Thank you to everyone that responded with help to my question. Based on the feedback and research, I am opting for a Ford F-350 DRW. I want to be comfortable and not worrying about overworking my truck.

It really comes down to the actual pin weight of the camper. Unfortunately, the dry weights are completely fictional when it comes tot he real world as we all add things to the camper, either in dealer add-ons or simply the stuff that we put inside of it. In my opinion, the bigger the camper, the more stuff we add to it.

To figure out how much carrying capacity of the truck your need (called it's payload), you have to take an estimated loaded weight of the camper and multiple that by .2 which is 20% of it's overall weight. Most fifth wheels run anywhere from 16% to 25% of loaded weight in pin weight. (To help you estimate here, it's usually a safe bet to take the dry weight of a camper that size and add 1,500 pounds as a good starting number.)

This is what the camper will push down on the truck bed and make the truck carry. In addition to that, you have to add the weight of the fifth wheel hitch, any passengers that you carry, the driver's weight over 150 pounds *and* anything else you carry in/on the truck. For instance, my beautiful RetraxPro rolltop bed cover runs about 150 pounds. That comes off of the truck's payload. We usually carry a cooler full of snacks and food, a variety of things for the kids - activities and whatnot. As well as a plethora of electronic gadgets, maps, atlases and guidebooks.

The truck's payload has to carry all of that.

Be educated and be aware. Don't trust dealers- they either don't understand this stuff like they should or don't care to.