How much 5th Wheel?

rvpirate · 03-07-2016, 11:21 PM

Have a 2013 Wildwood XLITE 261BHLXL, but we're ready to upgrade to a nicer 5th wheel. Currently tow with a 2003 F250 (7.3L) Crew Cab LWB 4x4. Have noticed some of the 5th Wheels exceed 40ft. Feel I wouldn't have any problems pulling any, but figure the LWB 4X4 limits my hitch weight. Where should I set my expectations at for 5th wheel size? Any info is greatly appreciated!

SKnight · 03-08-2016, 12:33 AM

Depends on what you want. I wanted less than 40 feet long so I can still go to all the places I want to go, I haunt state and national parks which usually have a 40 foot limit, the exceptions are usually 35 foot limits but my model number is 346, so they usually say c'mon in and it's been no issue.

I wanted to net out under 13,000lbs, I knew from experience that I carry 750ish lbs of stuff minus water. My yellow sticker says 11,336lbs dry. So that's 12,350ish pounds water and all. My GVWR is 15,550. I don't know where I'd put 4,214lbs of stuff.

I'm over on payload by 320lbs. Sue me, I'm so far under my axle ratings it's a joke.

So, know what your truck can do, decide what you want to achieve and see if you can put it under the same umbrella. Consider your favorite places and length restrictions, where you want to go and their restrictions. Odds are you're going to end up mid to upper 30's and pushing 13-14,000 going down the road.

asquared · 03-08-2016, 01:18 AM

That depends on your truck ratings. You can look at the tire loading sticker for your payload before occupants, pets, gear etc. to get a rough idea.

Best thing to do is go weigh your truck at a local truck scale. Weigh it fully loaded with all occupants, pets and gear that would be in it when towing plus a full tank of fuel. Get separate front and rear axle weights. Take the rear GAWR and subtract the scaled rear axle weight. Your hitch plus loaded pin weight need to be less than this number. Take the truck gcwr and subtract the total scaled truck weight to get your adjusted towing capacity. Your loaded trailer weight needs to be less than this number. Take the truck gvwr and subtract the total scaled truck weight to get your available payload. Your pin weight plus hitch needs to be less than this.

Now remember advertised dry weights are not what you will tow. You want to think about loaded trailer weights. You have the advantage of having a tt already. When you weigh your truck, bring your tt. Get a second weight with the tt hooked to the truck. The total difference between the two tickets will give you the tt weight. If you subtract the weight from the tt yellow sticker dry weight (usually found in the door frame or inside a cabinet) you will know how much "stuff" you load in a trailer. You can now add that number to any fiver's dry weight to get a rough estimate of where your loaded weight will actually be. Loaded pin weight should be 20-25% of loaded fiver weight (mine is 21% per scales). Calculating these things will give you an idea of what weight fiver to look at. Be advised you might add more into the extra storage of a fiver so I wouldn't get to close to limits based on these calculations allow yourself some wiggle room.

Cowracer · 03-08-2016, 09:33 AM

2003 f250 7.3 auto trans with 3.73 gears tows a max 5ver of 12,800 (taken from the official Ford Towing Guide)

Tim

AquaMan · 03-08-2016, 09:39 AM

Thanks Cowracer, I was about to point out that the 7.3 is about half of the HP and Torque of a current model diesel. Very capable, but not near the level of a current model.

Mars · 03-08-2016, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Thanks Cowracer, I was about to point out that the 7.3 is about half of the HP and Torque of a current model diesel. Very capable, but not near the level of a current model.

But it will out live any 6.0 or 6.4.....

Telstar · 03-08-2016, 12:56 PM

Our Cardinal model is 33TS-LX, it's 36.5' overall. The GVWR is 14,400 loaded scale weight is 12,800. Scale hitch weight is 2,828 (22%). We pull it with a 2005 F-350 crew cab and the match seems to be right. I would pull this rig with a F-250 as the 350 has a higher load capacity.

Jeff from Burlington Ont · 03-08-2016, 01:01 PM

We had a 35' jayco 5th wheel for 5 years.. looking to retire so we just upgraded to 42' Heritage Glen f368rblk .. we are Glampers as well.. spent 20 year on the ground in a tent.. now want all the conveniences

BusyRetirees · 03-08-2016, 01:55 PM

We have a 32' Rockwood Signature Ultra-lite 8282ws. Dry weight is 7900 lbs, pin is 1180 lbs and full is 9200 lbs. It has a slide with 2 lazy boys, a rear full length couch and a slide that incorporates a computer table, pop up tv, fireplace, fridge, stove and counter. Have another large counter with double sinks. Bathroom is standard with sink, toilet, shower and linen closet. Bedroom has a residential queen bed (60"X80"). Everything we want and need. Others may want larger and some smaller. Everyone to their own. Happy hunting.

Harkerr · 03-08-2016, 02:09 PM

I have a 36RLTS. If I had to do again I would choose 30-32 foot. 36 is more difficult to maneuver and heavier.

Cowracer · 03-08-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AquaMan

Thanks Cowracer, I was about to point out that the 7.3 is about half of the HP and Torque of a current model diesel. Very capable, but not near the level of a current model.

maybe HIS 7.3....

Tim

rvpirate · 03-08-2016, 09:54 PM

Thanks everyone for the info and replies. Looks like I'll come in right at the limits of the one I'm looking at (37ft FR Sabre). I've seen what seems like far inferior vehicles towing 5th wheels that size down the road (not that that's the right thing to do). Tow 12,000 - 15,000 pounds of hay and beef with no problems. Was just kind shocked at the low numbers for a long bed 4x4 while looking at truck campers a few years ago. One of the reasons I ended up with a TT first. I'll eventually have a newer F250/350, but just hard to justify with a 7.3 right now with less than 140,000 on the clock running like a top. Looking forward to more room of the 5th wheel first.

VizJedi · 03-08-2016, 10:06 PM

I had a 2002 F250 2WD shortbed, that I pulled a 9000 lb, 30 ft bunk house. It would go anywhere all day (and night). It was a great combo. The early 00' model F250s had the same spring rates and suspension as a SRW F350. Only difference in published weight ratings was due to lesser tire capacity. Upgrade the tires and you basically had a F350 of that era. That's changed with the next gen of truck.

And as Cowracer (Hi Imperial from Edwardsville) noted. It was really easy to get a 7.3 up to today's level of power. I had mine chipped, exhausted, injected up to 425HP and 830 lb/ft. Roughly the same as my current 2011 F350 (400/800) and my 02 weighed 1000 lbs less. And all that cost me less than $3,000.

If your truck is stock, I'd probably look for 30-31 ft, under 11,000 lb trailer. A non-modified 7.3 will feel under powered with a 12,000lb + trailer.

j

Papa-t · 03-08-2016, 10:37 PM

I have owned four 5ers; a 28' Jayco then a 36 Crossroads Cruiser. We have since downgraded to a 24.7' FR. We got tired of pulling the 36 and kids are grown now so we're happy with the smaller one. Pull with a 2500 HD Chevrolet.

cpaulsen · 03-09-2016, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvpirate

Thanks everyone for the info and replies. Looks like I'll come in right at the limits of the one I'm looking at (37ft FR Sabre). I've seen what seems like far inferior vehicles towing 5th wheels that size down the road (not that that's the right thing to do). Tow 12,000 - 15,000 pounds of hay and beef with no problems. Was just kind shocked at the low numbers for a long bed 4x4 while looking at truck campers a few years ago. One of the reasons I ended up with a TT first. I'll eventually have a newer F250/350, but just hard to justify with a 7.3 right now with less than 140,000 on the clock running like a top. Looking forward to more room of the 5th wheel first.

I tow a 36' Montana 5th wheel with my 01 F350/LB/CC with a V-10/4:30 gears and it does just fine.

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