What do you tow your Cardinal 5th wheel with?

[jacknife]

The frames are much stiffer then earlier models . I had an 06 SRW mega cab it had a lot of frame flex. CX Bought a 14 SRW Mega cab much stiffer frame. You can't compare a 2012 or earlier to the later models SRW the high strength steel makes all the difference in handling when towing.

[MikeRP]

I agree with that Jackknife lots more technology, the HD trucks by all the manufacturers are just amazing.

[Retired JSO]

I’ve owned trucks from 1966 on to 2018. 1976 Ford F-250 ordered with 390 and dual tanks with HD transmission cooler was a piece of junk. 1993 Chevrolet 1500 HD was a beast. 1998 Chevrolet 1500 wouldn’t pull the hat off your head. 2004, 2006, and 2007 Ford diesels we’re towing animals. 2016 F250, 7.2 gas was a joke. Now,2018 PS F350, 4:10 gear tows what I want with ease and rides like moms Cadillac.

[MikeRP]

Awesome! Very cool we could all do with some more perspective if you’d like to comment on this New Ford versus the 2004,2006, and 2007 diesels. Maybe start with engine comparison and then talk truck capability doesn’t have to be scientific maybe just tell us seat of pants if the new one is just head and heals better than the older ones.

[Retired JSO]

Originally Posted by MikeRP

Awesome! Very cool we could all do with some more perspective if you’d like to comment on this New Ford versus the 2004,2006, and 2007 diesels. Maybe start with engine comparison and then talk truck capability doesn’t have to be scientific maybe just tell us seat of pants if the new one is just head and heals better than the older ones.

Yes, for awhile, I changed trucks like underwear. The early 2004-2007 were all 6.0 diesel. The 04 and 06 were F250 with 3:73 rear gear. The trailer was a 2004 Sandpiper. The trailer had a heavy 3300 pin weight and only 8800 on the axles across our local Cat scale. Timbrens on the F250’s helped with the sag. Both 250’s towed with ease, so I thought. Then came the 07 F350 DRW which was a fine driving/tow vehicle. After 2 heads and 8 injectors, in 2013, we went another direction in RV choices. Now, we are back with a new 3350 fifth wheel and new F350 DRW 4:10 gear diesel. While it may be overkill, the 6 and 7% grades on I-77 are no match.

[17 Oaks]

Originally Posted by wvcampers

I have the Cardinal 3250 Luxury, about a foot shorter than the 3350. These campers are heavy for their size. I towed with a 2011 F350 Lariat Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4 Diesel Single Rear Wheel with the 11,400 GVW package. It had camper package and snow plow package. The truck handled the camper well, but I did find myself constantly moving the steering wheel. It was not like it was uncomfortable, just kept me alert, for sure.

I traded for a 2017 F350 DRW long bed. The difference is night and day. I can tow the same Cardinal now and not be tense and just plain wore out after a long day. I am not constantly moving the steering wheel to stay in the center of the road. The rear fenders are not any wider than the mirrors on a SRW truck. Another advantage is the larger fuel tank and DEF tank. the 2011 had a 26 gallon fuel tank and a 5 gallon DEF tank. The 2017 has a 48 gallon fuel tank and a 7.5 gallon DEF tank because it is a long bed.

I recommend the DRW.

More than once I drove in my regular station and filled up putting 50 gals in that 48 gal tank

[koller1509]

Originally Posted by zs325RES

OP, Just an FYI - The GM Duramax trucks' ONLY difference between the 3/4 ton and 1 ton is 1 leaf spring. Adding air bags to a 3/4 ton gives you better flexibility with rear suspension setup with the benefit of the 1 ton payload rating.

No, you don't have a 1 ton payload rating as that is a question of legality. You have a more capable 3/4 ton truck, but the payload numbers which determine your GVWR would still remain the same.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by koller1509

No, you don't have a 1 ton payload rating as that is a question of legality. You have a more capable 3/4 ton truck, but the payload numbers which determine your GVWR would still remain the same.

X 2 Later RJD

[67L48]

It's mostly about ratings, as opposed to capability. As you have read, there are lots of SRW drivers with no issues. With the modern diesel platforms, this makes sense at 900+ ft-lbs of torque and 400+ hp. I can't imagine too many RV trailers that these things couldn't drag up a hill at 40 mph at the least.

There are issues of driveability and, perhaps, safety. The DRW, longbed, and 450+ platforms will naturally have some advantages there. That's just the way it is. Whether or not any of those things are significant is a very personal question.

And, as mentioned, at least on the diesel platform, a 3/4 ton with heavy duty tow package is generally only a leaf spring away from the build hardware of the 1 ton. Frame thickness, axles, springs, and other things end up being the same. I'd recommend people go to a truck forum to learn more about these things (for the same reason I'd recommend the converse). The problem is the ratings are deflated. It may not affect real-world capability and you may not care, but the ratings are what they are.

So, it comes down to ratings. The max ratings someone posted aren't very helpful. Those are base models with zero options. A well optioned Lariat/Denali in the Ford/GMC lineup will have around 3,500 lbs of payload for a SRW 4WD Crew Cab 1-Ton Diesel Short Bed. You get more payload with a gas engine, 2WD, and other things that remove option weight. I think a 3/4-ton is around 600 - 800 lbs less.

So, there you go. Does the sum of the pin weight, hitch weight, other cargo, passengers, and any options you add (winch) fit within that 3,500 lb capacity? If so, you're probably good to go. If not, you'll have to think about something else. And, if you're within that 3,500 lbs, but close, then a 3/4-ton probably won't be enough, per ratings.

And, using that 3,500 lbs, you can try to forecast a bit to see what the future might bring. If you're close now and think you might go bigger in the future, then DRW might be a better future-proof decision.

Good luck.

[SecretSquirrel]

Originally Posted by 67L48

It's mostly about ratings, as opposed to capability. As you have read, there are lots of SRW drivers with no issues. With the modern diesel platforms, this makes sense at 900+ ft-lbs of torque and 400+ hp. I can't imagine too many RV trailers that these things couldn't drag up a hill at 40 mph at the least.

There are issues of driveability and, perhaps, safety. The DRW, longbed, and 450+ platforms will naturally have some advantages there. That's just the way it is. Whether or not any of those things are significant is a very personal question.

And, as mentioned, at least on the diesel platform, a 3/4 ton with heavy duty tow package is generally only a leaf spring away from the build hardware of the 1 ton. Frame thickness, axles, springs, and other things end up being the same. I'd recommend people go to a truck forum to learn more about these things (for the same reason I'd recommend the converse). The problem is the ratings are deflated. It may not affect real-world capability and you may not care, but the ratings are what they are.

So, it comes down to ratings. The max ratings someone posted aren't very helpful. Those are base models with zero options. A well optioned Lariat/Denali in the Ford/GMC lineup will have around 3,500 lbs of payload for a SRW 4WD Crew Cab 1-Ton Diesel Short Bed. You get more payload with a gas engine, 2WD, and other things that remove option weight. I think a 3/4-ton is around 600 - 800 lbs less.

So, there you go. Does the sum of the pin weight, hitch weight, other cargo, passengers, and any options you add (winch) fit within that 3,500 lb capacity? If so, you're probably good to go. If not, you'll have to think about something else. And, if you're within that 3,500 lbs, but close, then a 3/4-ton probably won't be enough, per ratings.

And, using that 3,500 lbs, you can try to forecast a bit to see what the future might bring. If you're close now and think you might go bigger in the future, then DRW might be a better future-proof decision.

Good luck.

Well said!

[whj469]

2019 F350 XLzt CC diesel long bed

[jtaylor1920]

Originally Posted by jtaylor1920

I’m reaching out to a buddy that weighed his setup fully loaded to camp and will post his numbers. He’s towing with a 2019 SRW Ford F-350.

Well this took a while, but I did get my friends scale weight for his 3350RLX.

Steer axle 4550 lbs
Drive axle 6400 lbs
Trailer axles 12200 lbs
Total trailer and truck 23140 lbs
The king pin is 2660 lbs
The trailer is 14860 lbs

He’s towing with a 2018 SRW F350

[walaby]

Wow.. that's only 18% pin weight. Are all those loaded weights, ready to camp?


Any feedback from him how it tows?



Mike

[jtaylor1920]

Yes, loaded to camp with half his fresh water tank filled. It tows and tracks great.

[MikeRP]

Wow that is perfect! I hope my truck and trailer are about the same weights! Those numbers are well within capability. Thanks for sharing!

[jgump]

Have a Cardinal 3525SOX, 40 footer. TV is a 2017 F350 dually diesel long bed.

[RVBill]

Well I finally received my new truck , I got a 2019 Gmc 3500 cc srw. I have not set the trailer on it yet , It does have the 5th wheel adapter and I purchased the adapter for the hitch but I have not had time to mess with it. I will soon as I plan on heading down to potato creek State park in a couple weeks. Wish me luck !

[djousma]

Good deal Bill! We've camped there, that's a great place to go. Make you stop back here and post your first pull results! Oh, and of course put a photo to two up of the rig!

[RVBill]

Originally Posted by djousma

Good deal Bill! We've camped there, that's a great place to go. Make you stop back here and post your first pull results! Oh, and of course put a photo to two up of the rig!

Will do, we’re excited ! And Thank You ![emoji3]

[Spoiled camper]

Originally Posted by card16

3450 RL towed with a 2012 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD DuraMax 6.6L and never a problem.

Did you use air bags?