Any one tow a heavy fifth wheel with a 2011-2015 F350?

[Static54]

I'm looking at purchasing a new fifth wheel and may be making a bit of a trip to pick it up. I have a new f350 diesel 4 door short bed and haven't towed a fifth wheel with it before and was wondering if the truck handles the weight just fine. I just don't want to be 500 miles away and hook up to find out my truck squats like crazy (Which I don't anticipate).

Here are the trailer specs.

[Todouble]

I don't see a problem with the weights listed on a 350. Is yours single wheel or dual wheel. Boy that puppy is long though! Almost 43'. If you've never towed a fiver before you may have your hands full with that length just starting out.

[Static54]

SRW - Ya its long but it's more for full time. I travel for work so I need something for when my wife and daughter come. Length doesn't scare me, I haven't towed a fifth wheel coach before but have towed lots of construction equipment. Being a superintendent in the construction field ive learned there's always a way to get it done or learn how. Plus I won't be moving it often. Jobs are usually pretty long so I'll be towing it only a couple times a year.

Here's the floor plan which is how we chose the fifth wheel.

[wbdavey]

I towed a 40 foot Titanium Toy Hauler with a SRW F350, weights were similar to your new rig and had no problems. I suggest you get a Pullrite superglide automatic sliding hitch. I had one and never regretted it. Fully automatic with no pins/levers and no action required on your part - it works when it needs to. Also has a very secure hitch mechanism.

[Todouble]

Also check your trucks inside door yellow sticker. It will give you a payload amount which you can kind of gauge from. Any pin weights, hitch, tool boxes, extra passengers, etc... will eat into this. As long as your under the sticker you should be fine without squatting to badly, but I think you'll be fine. Goodluck

[mcnabbwr]

You should be fine. Even if your fifth wheel reaches the max GVWR you posted your F350 is still within its tow capacity. The pin weight on mine is just over 2500 lbs and my truck only squats around an inch, so you should be ok with that also. The last item to consider is the hitch, you may never need the function of a slider but I recommend one because it's better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it.

[Ed and Barb]

We have a 2006 F350 diesel and we have no problem towing a 43Ft 5th wheel

[Static54]

Thanks everyone for the input and advice. I know the truck is rated for it but it's just nice to have the reassurance that it performs under that weight in real world situations.

[Clark Anklam]

Originally Posted by Static54

I'm looking at purchasing a new fifth wheel and may be making a bit of a trip to pick it up. I have a new f350 diesel 4 door short bed and haven't towed a fifth wheel with it before and was wondering if the truck handles the weight just fine. I just don't want to be 500 miles away and hook up to find out my truck squats like crazy (Which I don't anticipate).

Here are the trailer specs.

We have a 2013 F350 King Ranch diesel and pull a 3150rl Montana and have to check to see if it's behind us, seriously. We have the factory installed camper package and a Reese hitch. No problems whatsoever. Just to let you know, the Montana has a zero turn feature on the nose and I haven't found a need for a slider hitch. I really like the fact that with the camper package on the truck there are no rails in the truck, so no junk getting stuck under the rails. Seriously, this is a fantastic feature which Ford has.
Just got back some a 2700 mile pull out west from Wisconsin, battling 30 mph sustained and 50 mph gusts and averaged 10.3 for the entire trip. Yes, the winds did make pulling noticeable, but with the power that truck has it was a bother.
No sag on the truck either. If we do get a trailer that has noticeable tounge weight I would just add air bags, but with this rig right now I don't see that necessary. This is NOT a dually. It's a 4x4 crew cab. Good luck!
While visiting family in Wyoming we all decided to take a road trip and I tend to drive responsibly. As the nieces' boyfriend passed me they waved a tow strap at me. They drive a Dog. When we met up at our destination I reminded them that the only folks that carry tow straps are the one's who have needed them. Just a little humor.

[mike.t]

I'm thinking dually.

[Nick M]

I towed our Brookstone 360RL with a 2011 SRW F350 diesel. It didn't sag in the rear over an inch or so when hooked up and towed very well. The Brookstone weighs 14,400 loaded (verified on CAT scales) and when I came up with the pin weight I was shocked, 3600 lbs. This is way over the axle rating, too much over for me to feel comfortable for long pulls.

Swapped the F350 for an F450 dually and re-weighed, coach still at 14,400 and pin weight still at 3600 but the 450 axle is OK at this level. I get better milage with the 450 even with a 4.30 rear ratio. The 350 axle was 3.55 which had good milage when not towing but best I got to TN was 10.5 while the 450 got 10.9 on the exact same route.

While your 350 is rated for your GVWR the rear axle the pin weight rating is about 2600 lbs. Manufacturer pin weights are empty and they climb fast when you are near GVWR.

[gfarmcafe]

Originally Posted by mike.t

I'm thinking dually.

I agree. Extra rubber on the road means added stability to me.

[Harkerr]

If you have trailer cab turning interference get the Pullmor auto slider.

[ksignoles]

I have whats listed in sig. Very similar truck and weight, although my trailer is only 37'. I ended up adding airlift 5000 bags for rear to help handle bumps on overpasses. Otherwise the truck pulls and handles well. I have a B&W slider hitch and have not needed it....yet.


2013 Sierra 346 RET
2010 Ford 350 6.4 l CC SRW
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[jimmyt11664]

No issues with mine. Have Same weight and srw 2014 F340 I don't even know it is behind me. Recommend that you Install the airlift bags😊 It will help with a launch sudder when taking off from a stop.

[donanddona]

Good to hear your looking at more of full timing. My file states 15,900 for the SRW (2014). I too am looking for a F-350 but the DRW will pull 21,500. Most better than average 5r's are pushing the 16,000 limit. Yours with a loaded truck (gas, wife, kids, toys) is no exception.

I'll include the website also.

Towing Guides | fleet.ford.com

Stay thirsty my friends....

[MN John]

2015 F350 6.7 srw towing a xlr 340x12 at about 16k, 3k pin weight. ..no problems.

[slapshot12]

John, any issues loading the bike in the toy hauler? I'm prepping for a trip to NC in 2 weeks and getting the bike ('15 Limited) in the trailer (WnP 30WLA) is a bit of a concern due to the angle of the ramp. Sorry for the off topic reply.

[MN John]

Originally Posted by slapshot12

John, any issues loading the bike in the toy hauler? I'm prepping for a trip to NC in 2 weeks and getting the bike ('15 Limited) in the trailer (WnP 30WLA) is a bit of a concern due to the angle of the ramp. Sorry for the off topic reply.

I just Evel Knievel it up the ramp! LOL. I’ve only loaded/unloaded 6 or 8 times, but have not had any issues such as bottom-end clearance with my 2012 Limited. Loading it, I keep it moving slow enough that I’m under control, but fast enough that you don’t stall the bike. I drag my feet so if I have a problem, I can quickly plant a foot to recover. I’m fortunate to have a 12’ garage, so I have enough space that I can stop the bike with both tires on the flat garage floor, but just short of the Condor Chock that I use. Can then ensure the front tire is aligned with the chock, and then roll it into the chock. Unloading I push it back until the front tire stops me where there is an angle change at the top of the ramp…find that once pushing off that stopping point, I tend to hold the brake tight enough that the front tire is locked up and slides down the ramp, and releasing just prior to clearing the ramp. Always a bit of a daunting task (don’t want anything to go wrong), but no issues…so far! Looks like your 30WLA is wide open garage, therefore you have plenty of stopping runway after entering the trailing vs a glass patio door in my rig. My biggest concern was bike stability while traveling….no video camera so who knows what’s going on back there! The Condor Chock ($199 w/free shipping from Amazon) has completely eliminated that concern, sticks to floor without mounting bolts, but do use a tie-down to help hold it in place. Two soft tie-downs on the handle bars and 1 tie-down around the rear tire keeps the backend from jumping around…solid as a rock (as verified by my wife as she rode back there for a few miles keeping me posted on the cell during the first test run)! Have a great trip!!

[jameyjcs]

I have 2006 F350 diesel srw short bed 4 door and I pull a 2015 Sandpiper 380 BH5 fit wheel with 5 slide outs and close to the same specs as the fifth wheel you're looking at buying. I have went on 7 trips since last fall with it and very comfortable driving and no problems the truck can definitely handle a lot more weight the fifth wheel does pull very well I had a 35 foot cougar fifth wheel before this and I must say the new one tracks very straight. My friends have the same 5th wheel but a 2015 Chevy 2500 diesel and they say it also pulls good because I am purchasing a new truck now and I'm wondering the same thing if I can go to a 2500 for the more comfortable ride vs 3500.