Need a truck for a 5th wheel

[Jakieboy]

All of the Big 3 Diesel Trucks are capable and generally good value. We chose the Chevy because we liked the looks, and the Bose sound system, and the Onstar, which is a fantastic feature. We also had a connection to the local Chevy Truck dealer, and we used all the possible calling cards to get a sweet deal.

[kermitvb]

Originally Posted by Jakie-Boy

All of the Big 3 Diesel Trucks are capable and generally good value. We chose the Chevy because we liked the looks, and the Bose sound system, and the Onstar, which is a fantastic feature. We also had a connection to the local Chevy Truck dealer, and we used all the possible calling cards to get a sweet deal.

I know what you mean. My wife liked the looks of the RAM we drove the other day. We have to occasionally take the grandkids and daughter, so backseat room is important. I think the backseat in the Silverado is better than the RAM.


Thanks for the input.

[Ian Stewart]

I would go with the 1 ton, gives you options for the future. You should also remember going DRW can take away from some payload and towing, though it does make for a way more stable ride. I learned from experience, had a 1 ton SRW 3:43 went to a DRW 3:73. All it did was give me less fuel millage as I now have higher rpm for the same road speed. Also gave me a bit more stability when big rigs pass and crosswinds blow

[dangrega33]

Honestly, the way that I look at it is I'd say if you get a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton gas, you are gonna be dropping a ton of money on gas. Those things suck the gas down and will probably be getting under 10 mpg for sure pulling a fifth wheel. I'd you get a diesel, you could pull a fifth wheel all day and be looking at about 10-15mpg. Plus, add in the longevity of the diesel engine, the money is well worth it! I bought a 95 dodge 2500 with the 12v cummins engine with 150k miles on it for under $10k. That thing is still a baby! Invest in a good diesel and you will be pleased! Plus if you decide later that you want something a little bigger, or want to pull a jeep or something behind the fifth wheel you have a lot of options and wont be limited to the truck.

[CWSWine]

I agree with those "artificial number" that the truck manufacture put on these trucks. Take a look the actual axle manufacture axle ratings you see that they almost all north of 10,000 pounds some SRW are as high as 12,000 pounds. All you need them is f250 with axle rating of 10,500 pounds and you don't have to worry about the axle breaking in half.


There is a problem with the SAE J2807 standard since it states you can't exceed the GVWR or you fail so don't believe it.


SAE J2807 States that exceeding the GVWR is a reason to fail and I Quote:
“5.4 GVWR/Rear GAWR and Tongue Weight/Kingpin Weight Considerations
The tow vehicle shall be able to accommodate appropriate trailer tongue and/or kingpin weight to attain a particular TWR
without exceeding Rear GAWR and/or GVWR. Required minimum conventional trailer tongue weight shall be 10% of TWR and required minimum fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer kingpin weight shall be 15% of TWR.”
TWR = Trailer Weight Rating

http://fifthwheelst.com/documents/to...ds-2016-02.pdf

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

X2; I agree totally with spock123.

I would also make the truck a diesel engine vehicle and do not worry about the artificial payload numbers that everyone thinks you need to adhere to. The only numbers you need to worry about are the gross axle weights, tire ratings, and the gross truck weight.

Starting on or about 2013.5 all of the Ram pick up trucks have been certified to meet the SAE J2807 towing specs.

[tomdeoca]

Don't make the same mistake I made. We were going to buy a TT and haul with a Ram 1500. The TT started getting bigger and bigger to the point where the 1500 was limiting our choice. So I traded up to a 3500 with the 6.4 Hemi. I had no interest in a diesel. Now that I had a 3500 we looked right past a TT and jumped into a 5th wheel instead that just about maxed out the tow limits of my Hemi and boy did it need to wind up to get up the hills and boy did it suck up the gas to the tune of about 7 to 8 mpg. It pulled fine on the flats but I always seemed to be looking up ahead for the gas station. You know where this is going. I bought the 3500 silverado duramax srw. Pulls like a charm and hardly breaks a sweat and averages 12 to 13 mpg. Well we have learned a lot in the last couple years to the point we are now looking to upgrade to a 40 foot 5th wheel. Of course this will now be getting us close to maxing out the payload limit of the silverado. There is no way I'll ever upgrade to a dually.

Well maybe.

Either way we have really enjoyed the learning experience and our travels.

If there is any recommendation I can make to you would be to forego the 2500 and go after the 3500. I don't think the cost differential is that great to get the piece of mind that you have adequate payload capacity for most fifth wheels.

Good luck to you.

[Keithfirefighter]

Originally Posted by kermitvb

That's what I was hoping to see. I was getting 6.5 mpg with the Escalade so I was hoping that if I opted for a diesel the towing mpg would make it worth while. There isn't so much difference, or so I hear, in the city, but I'm getting it to tow a 5th wheel. What rear end did you get? I've driven a very nice RAM Laramie 2500 with a 3.42 ratio and I am uncertain it will be okay. Thoughts?

I have a 16 Ram 3500 Laramie Mega Cab SRW with the 6.7HO and the Aisin Transmission and the 3.42 rear gear and it does awesome!! I pull a 40' 14500 UVW 5th wheel toyhauler with no problem at all ! Running 65 mph im getting 12 to 14 mpg towing. The 2500 Ram will do great for what you want it to do !

[acadianbob]

Just don't buy a 3/4 ton diesel of any brand as the payload is very limited; and it is payload that counts.

[Jerheye]

I have a 2012 F250 gas king ranch loaded crew cab the payload is 2700 pounds.

[Frank Martinez]

Dodge is handing out coupons for 10k off to start on new trucks. We just bought our 5th Dodge..can't beat them for towing...Prob get another truck this fall. Don't buy used your just buying someone else's problems.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by Jerheye

I have a 2012 F250 gas king ranch loaded crew cab the payload is 2700 pounds.

PW alone on many 5ers will be above that. Don't even bother to add people or cargo. A 3/4 gas or diesel is like a grocery getter when it comes to 5ers. BTW, neighbors 2017 F250 diesel has a higher payload and still not enough.

[skipatroller]

What everyone is missing in this is the length of the bed itself in correlation with the pin location and the corners of your fifth wheel camper. Even though a lot of the new fifth wheel campers now have rounded corners and a pin location forward of the front wall of the camper, some of the truck beds under 6' will require a slider hitch at a significant increase in cost. The shorter beds are usually on the newer crew cab and 4 door pickups. Of course any truck with a 8' bed will not have this issue. Depending on how you plan on camping a 4 door pickup with an 8' bed may make it difficult to get into tighter campsite. My 2012 Chevy 2500 HD extended cab will accommodate my Bighorn 39mb without a slider because my bed is 6'6". So the short of this is ask the rv dealer if a slider is necessary, don't bother calling the manufacture like I did, they referred this question back to the dealer.

[skipatroller]

RV dealers are the last ones I would trust on telling me what you could tow, they are out to make a sale and for the ignorant buyers they can be told anything. Please someone show me a f150 that can tow 11K.

[TexasGuru]

I have a 42' 13600lb 5th wheel pulling it with a F350 diesel 4x4 long bed. I have seen short bed folks forget to slide hitch and hit cab. My hitch is right over rear axle so no squatting. Agree with others that diesel hardly strains and holds speed up to 3% grade in 5th gear saving brakes. I have used 4x4 in mud, steep campground hills with sand and pulling equipment out of mud.

[67L48]

Count me among those that agree that virtually any HD platform will tow an 8,000 lb trailer/5er. If that's all you ever do, no issue. 3/4 ton, 1 ton ... gas, diesel. Whatever. No issues.

If you go heavier, then lots of the other things come into play. Turbo diesels help overcome limitations altitude places on normally aspirated engines. 3/4 ton diesel combos have fairly limited payload. And, so on.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by Frank Martinez

Dodge is handing out coupons for 10k off to start on new trucks. We just bought our 5th Dodge..can't beat them for towing...Prob get another truck this fall. Don't buy used your just buying someone else's problems.

Dodge hasn't sold trucks in a decade, BTW.

[kermitvb]

Originally Posted by skipatroller

What everyone is missing in this is the length of the bed itself in correlation with the pin location and the corners of your fifth wheel camper. Even though a lot of the new fifth wheel campers now have rounded corners and a pin location forward of the front wall of the camper, some of the truck beds under 6' will require a slider hitch at a significant increase in cost. The shorter beds are usually on the newer crew cab and 4 door pickups. Of course any truck with a 8' bed will not have this issue. Depending on how you plan on camping a 4 door pickup with an 8' bed may make it difficult to get into tighter campsite. My 2012 Chevy 2500 HD extended cab will accommodate my Bighorn 39mb without a slider because my bed is 6'6". So the short of this is ask the rv dealer if a slider is necessary, don't bother calling the manufacture like I did, they referred this question back to the dealer.

Thanks. This helps a bunch

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by 67L48

Dodge hasn't sold trucks in a decade, BTW.

Yep; Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, they are all Fiat now

[Jakieboy]

My biggest problem with the Ram 3500 is ride quality when not towing. Close friends with whom we often camp have a Ram 1-ton, and we often ride in their back seat when sightseeing near our campground. The ride quality in the back seat is so harsh that I now insist that we use my Silverado 2500 when sightseeing. No more back pain.

[bhunt2405]

Just DO NOT go by what the salesman tells you. Find the truck and look up the specks. Some are listed on the tag in the door jam. A salesman will tell you that you can pull a 44 foot with 4 slides with a Chevy Luv!

[Anderson15]

Originally Posted by dangrega33

Honestly, the way that I look at it is I'd say if you get a 3/4 ton or a 1 ton gas, you are gonna be dropping a ton of money on gas. Those things suck the gas down and will probably be getting under 10 mpg for sure pulling a fifth wheel.

Yes, I can attest to the fact the gasser will suck the gas. I get 7-8 when towing and my TT is @ 7500 or so.

But, I'd still recommend a gasser. I love my truck and the 6.0 is a beast. Fun to drive and sounds great pulling in the mountains!

I would get 4WD for sure.

I bought our truck thinking we may go to a small 5'er someday in the future. With 13K towing and 2700+ payload, this truck will fit the bill when/if we decide to go that route.

Good luck with your decision!