Columbus 385BH owners

[crasher]

Double tape or velcro would probably hold that just fine.

[TravisGSF]

Anyone pulling this unit with an F-250 Diesel? Was curious as to how it did.

Wife and I are looking at this unit as well as an Open Range Bunk 5er. Thanks.

[captbenjy]

I pull a 320RS which is a little less in weight with a F250 4WD and have no problems. I'm going to add airbags when I get home to even out the squat a little, but no problems with the 6.4 diesel.

[BT Ramblers]

We have a 2012 Ford F-250 diesel and have had no problems pulling our fully loaded 385BH. Ours arrived in May of last year. I did add "air lift bags" in the back to help to level out the load and the bed. We have pulled ours throughout the North GA and North Carolina mountains as well the Carolina coast, all over Georgia and throughout northern and central Florida. I am typically getting around 11.5 mpg. A little less in the mountains and a little more through south GA and Florida.

[joshluke]

BT Ramblers is your truck a crew, short box, dually?

[BT Ramblers]

My F250 is a 5 passenger crew cab with a regular bed. (King Ranch). I didn't order it from the factory so the fifth wheel was added locally.

I enjoy the comfort of my truck.

[joshluke]

That is great news. I am looking at a 2013 F350 lariat crew cab with a regular bed 6.7 diesel and was a little worried that it would not be enough truck. Really don't want a dually. I am so happy to hear that you pull it with and F250 SRW.

[BT Ramblers]

Should note that the truck is a 4 x 4. However, I have not had to drop it into 4w when pulling.

Have fun.

Personally, I can't wait until spring when we can go out again. Wife's work schedule prevents us from getting out until the latter part of April.

[captbenjy]

The SRW 350 will tow it just fine. The only reason I thought about a dually was in case of a blowout on the truck. If I was to buy a truck now I would probably get the dually for added stability and reassurance in case of a blowout.

[joshluke]

Starting to feel a lot better now that I am hearing that I should be fine. I was trying to figure out the towing specs, GVWR, Payload, Hitchweight,etc. Then I realized that i should stop before I lose my full head of hair.

[joshluke]

I would like to know what other 385BH owners tow it with?

[Cflmom]

My husband tows ours with his Dodge 3500. Sorry not a truck person, so can't tell you more than that!

Janet

[joshluke]

Thanks very much Janet. I know you said that you are not a truck person but is it a dually or single tire in the back.

[joelek]

Sam aka Gypsy Family is towing his with a 2004 F350 6.0 Diesel. Don't know if he has duall or single rear wheel. I have a Dually and it tows a 320RS no problem. Your 385BH may be pushing a 3/4 ton truck capability by the way via CGVW rating.

[joshluke]

Originally Posted by joelek

Sam aka Gypsy Family is towing his with a 2004 F350 6.0 Diesel. Don't know if he has duall or single rear wheel. I have a Dually and it tows a 320RS no problem. Your 385BH may be pushing a 3/4 ton truck capability by the way via CGVW rating.

Thank you very much. I am not sure either, oh well such is life. I have decided on a 2013 F350 Lariat 6.7 Diesel SRW. I will put an air lift in it if I have to and having Ford install the 5th wheel set up. We have a site from April to October paid for but we will pull it out 2 or 3 times for a couple of weeks. We are not going to travel long distance for now as the kids seem to max out at a couple of hours of traveling. So after considering that I have decided on the SRW. Once again thanks very much.

[Cflmom]

Originally Posted by joshluke

Thanks very much Janet. I know you said that you are not a truck person but is it a dually or single tire in the back.

Single tire.

[captbenjy]

The difference usually between a 3/4 ton and one ton truck is normally the size of the ring and pinion, axle diameter, and usually the addition of another leaf spring. Also the gear ratio is normally lower to maximize torque for towing. That results in less MPG though when not towing. The dually gives more stability and spreads the weight out over another set of tires and gives the added security in case of a blow out. Power wise, my F250 would yank your trailer from coast to coast no problem.

[huntr70]

Originally Posted by captbenjy

The difference usually between a 3/4 ton and one ton truck is normally the size of the ring and pinion, axle diameter, and usually the addition of another leaf spring. Also the gear ratio is normally lower to maximize torque for towing. That results in less MPG though when not towing. The dually gives more stability and spreads the weight out over another set of tires and gives the added security in case of a blow out. Power wise, my F250 would yank your trailer from coast to coast no problem.

Honestly, the differences aren't even that extreme. Most 3/4 tons are 1 leaf spring away from a 1 ton. If it's a diesel, most use 3.73 gearing, regardless of 2500/3500. Axles stay the same, brakes, etc. Only difference if you go dually, and even then, not much change. Axle ratio changes if you add "max tow" packages.

You can add things to 3/4 ton trucks to make them 1 ton capable, but the law still looks at the door sticker. If your overweight, you're still overweight.

[captbenjy]

May want to do a little more research. The OP was referring to Fords in particular and they are available in the 3/4 ton trucks now with 3.55 gearing as standard with the 3.73 as an option. While the 1 tons usually come standard with 4.10 gears with 3.73 as an option as well. I know the F450 had larger splined axles recently and believed the F350 did as well as a beefier ring and pinion. And as you stated just as I pointed out, an extra leaf spring. I agree with you, not alot of major differences.

[joshluke]

Thank you all for the great advice and input. I have scheduled a meeting with our Ministry of Transportation here in Ontario and they are willing to go over the specs with me in making the right choice for towing and safety. He was very impressed that someone was actually taking time to do this before buying the wrong vehicle. I did not tell him that I was one of the guys that was going to buy the wrong vehicle.