Dually to pull a Riverstone 3850RK?

[mlagrange56]

Hello - I just ordered a Riverstone 3850RK (38.5-foot fifth wheel), and am about to get a truck to pull it. I have pretty much settled on a Ford F-350 diesel, and am wondering about whether or not I should get a dually. I've had people assure me I DO, and DO NOT, need a dually, with equal enthusiasm.

I expect to travel a little early on, then to go stationary full-time, and only travel to get away from bad weather (Texas gulf coast).

This truck will also eventually become my daily driver.

What are your thoughts, please?

Thanks

[phipps33]

Only way to tell is check the payload numbers. A dually will have a higher payload, will you need that? Or does a SRW have sufficient payload. I know I’d prefer a SRW as a daily driver.

[Thomas ho]

over 25.000 lbs you need a class a license.

[dblr]

You are looking at a River Stone Reserve with that floorplan, and they are actually built to towed by a 3/4 ton truck so you could get by with the SRW 350, the Reserve line is built lighter then the River Stones as the upper deck on the Reserve is aluminum verses the steel. Now the stability is a lot better with a DRW then the SRW but not needed in my opinion.

[rskeans]

Originally Posted by Thomas ho

over 25.000 lbs you need a class a license.

Depends upon the State. In CA its about 15,000 lbs.

[moose074]

I towed a 42’ Wildcat MB383 with a 2016 SWD 350 6.7 CC with the 3:55 rear no problems. Took it to Yellowstone, Rockies, Big Horns, Deadwood never needed more.. Edit to show weight ticket when towing think it was mt returning home from trip

[Big1]

Welcome to the forum. The GVWR is 16,600lbs and 20% of that of course is going to be 3,320lbs so yeah the new 350 have a payload of 42++ so it's doable but as you know that a dually will be more stable.

These new 350 no matter what brand you like have a very high payload but to me and that's is just me I would be looking at a dually, look at the numbers you will be within.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by dblr

<snip>

Now the stability is a lot better with a DRW then the SRW but not needed in my opinion.

Says the guy who pulls his River Stone with a tandem axle tractor. Or, is it the added weight of the smart car on the truck's back deck which determines what is needed?


Just kidding.

[whj469]

I have a 2018 Cardinal 3825 FL, and tow it with a 2019 F350, crew cab, diesel, long bed, with SRW. I wouldn't want a dually if it was goin to be a daily drive truck.

[llamb]

Originally Posted by mlagrange56

Hello - I just ordered a Riverstone 3850RK (38.5-foot fifth wheel), and am about to get a truck to pull it. I have pretty much settled on a Ford F-350 diesel, and am wondering about whether or not I should get a dually. I've had people assure me I DO, and DO NOT, need a dually, with equal enthusiasm.

I expect to travel a little early on, then to go stationary full-time, and only travel to get away from bad weather (Texas gulf coast).

This truck will also eventually become my daily driver.

What are your thoughts, please?

Thanks

According to the Ford Towing Guide, a 2021 F250 Diesel would even tow that unit at a max GVWR of 16,600. The 2600lb hitch weight will increase as you start to add more gear. Should have enough payload to handle it as well, but will all the available configurations, be sure you check that door sticker.

[dblr]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Says the guy who pulls his River Stone with a tandem axle tractor. Or, is it the added weight of the smart car on the truck's back deck which determines what is needed?


Just kidding.

I'm in the group you can never have enough truck , actually I went the HDT route first because it is safer, then economics, found our truck AND Smart car as a pair much cheaper then the brand new F-450 or the MDT I liked, plus with large fuel tanks we can price shop for fuel and third was comfort, I can last longer and feel much better when we arrive at our destination. This is not for everyone but fits our need just fine.

If not towing with the HDT I still think I would be using a DRW vehicle just because of the stability.

[Brewhedd]

Originally Posted by dblr

I'm in the group you can never have enough truck

I agree. Towed with a dually, upside is stability and high payload. I've also seen SRW trucks towing pretty big 5th wheels. Used mine as a daily driver and they are big which I guess would be a consideration.

[jrk341]

In 2020 Ford upped the gvwr of the F350 srw with the 8' bed. The short bed is still at 11500lbs where the long bed is 12400lbs. And of course the dually is still 14000lbs.

[oxcamper]

I don't know about the Fords, but the GM duallys are typically lower to the ground which is a blessing in entry and exit of the vehicle.

We had a 2000 GMC dually , full crew cab, 8 ft bed and we hauled cattle trailer all over the eastern US. Never noticed it was pulling anything! Great vehicle, although it was LONG.

[5picker]

Properly equipped, either will do the job towing so then it comes down to other considerations.

The dually will have a bit more stability in some conditions but harder to park (may not fit in a garage) and be a bit more challenging as a daily driver. It will have more tires to maintain and replace as well.

[dblr]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Properly equipped, either will do the job towing so then it comes down to other considerations.

The dually will have a bit more stability in some conditions but harder to park (may not fit in a garage) and be a bit more challenging as a daily driver. It will have more tires to maintain and replace as well.

Plus sometimes tolls are higher for a dual wheel also

[Homebrew]

I understand the F450 has a better turning radius than the F 350, you might what to test drive both.

[Tundra 2014]

Your loaded pin weigh will be around 3150. My 2019 SRW F-350 Lariat diesel payload is 3240. I would be looking at the dually for that trailer or get few options. I also recommend get the puck system for 5 th. wheel.

[TGO Bill]

Originally Posted by Tundra 2014

Your loaded pin weigh will be around 3150. My 2019 SRW F-350 Lariat diesel payload is 3240. I would be looking at the dually for that trailer or get few options. I also recommend get the puck system for 5 th. wheel.

Whats a puck system ?

[eaglecrest]

What ever you decide to get make sure it has the Puck system. I've had it on my last two F350's and when you take the 5th wheel out the bed is flat. I haul a lot of lumber for my projects and before I got the puck system it was a real fun loading lumber over the mounting rails. We put on 35K to 45K miles a year pulling my 40' Cedar Creek and would never buy another truck without massaging, heated, cooled seats. I know that sounds funny but it makes a long trip a little nicer.