Need a truck for a 5th wheel

[kermitvb]

We are making the jump from a TT to a 5th wheel and need to purchase a good used truck. I'm figuring a 3/4 ton with a crew/extended cab, and probably gas instead of diesel due to cost. Should I look for 4x4 or is 2WD sufficient. I have no allegiance to any brand but my son is a GMC man and my brother is a died in the wool FORD man. I've owned a Dodge Durango w/5.7 Hemi and had great luck with it...but it was an SUV and not a truck. I also know this is as divisive as talking politics, but I need your inputs and suggestions.

[Tatsngats]

All of the big 3 manufacturers make a good 3/4 to 1 ton gas truck. Pick the one you like best and find the best deal on. They’ll all work.

[ependydad]

What size fifth wheels are you considering?

[nc-canuck]

Trailer weight is the key driver of what truck can safely work. Links below are to the Ford towing online resources.

1st link is to the towing guide for each year

https://www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides/

2nd link is the 2019 towing guide.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r4_Jan29.pdf


As you can see from page 23 F250 SRW (single rear wheel) capabilities go from 12.2k pounds to over 18k pounds dependent on engine and axle ratio. DRW (Dual Rear wheel) can pull over 30k pounds.

2x4 or 4x4 will work but through the years I have found I prefer a 4x4 just in case.

[kermitvb]

Originally Posted by ependydad

What size fifth wheels are you considering?

About 31 ft and 8000 lbs

[spock123]

Hey people on here will mostly tell you to buy a dually 450 or a 550. If it was me I would probably buy a one ton truck SRW. The cost will be about the same as a 3/4 ton truck. Myself I never want a dually.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by kermitvb

About 31 ft and 8000 lbs

If you are buying used, see if you can find one with Remaining warranty, that may help sway your decison one way or the other. All 3 teams, have great gas 3/4 tonnn and 1 ton trucks now days. The GM 6.0 comes factory with 4:10 gears I believe, where the ford and Ram have a 3:73 option. The Ram with the 6.4 pulls very well, but suffers from a large gap between first and second that sometimes makes accelerating up steeeper hills from a stop annoying, but with only 8K, it shouldnt be an issue. the 6l.4 is a wonderful motor. The 6.2 in the FOrd got updated in 2017 for Slightly More HP and TQ.. You really cant go wrong towing an 8K trailer, and since you arent buying new, the new Ford and GM gas Engines wont be part of the consideration, nor will the new 8 speed tranny with the Ram. All 3 will have the 6 speed autos, and are pretty stout and can take decent abuse.

If you were over 10K pounds on your RV, then I would have a favorite, but staying around 8K, its all good.. and BTW, im anxious to know what 5th wheel you are getting that weights 8K pounds, cause if thats dry weight, you may as well figure you will be closing in on 9.5K all loaded up.

[Jim34RL]

Originally Posted by spock123

Hey people on here will mostly tell you to buy a dually 450 or a 550. If it was me I would probably buy a one ton truck SRW. The cost will be about the same as a 3/4 ton truck. Myself I never want a dually.

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.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by kermitvb

About 31 ft and 8000 lbs

You're likely looking at a pin weight of 1,400-1,700 pounds for a fifth wheel like that.

I'd think unless you run heavy, that most 3/4 ton trucks have plenty of payload to carry that weight along with driver, passengers, hitch, and some stuff in the truck bed.

Gas or diesel - both are good for hauling that kind of weight. I'm partial to diesel largely for the simplicity of fueling up at truck stops. I don't have to navigate the front gas lanes with truck and trailer; I just pull around back with the big boys.

Or, if you think an upgrade might occur- consider a 1-ton single rear wheel. You'll get more payload without a whole lot more money. That'll set you up for the next camper in the future if you so decide.

I'd only consider a dually if you think your upgrade might be a 40' monster.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by ependydad

You're likely looking at a pin weight of 1,400-1,700 pounds for a fifth wheel like that.

I'd think unless you run heavy, that most 3/4 ton trucks have plenty of payload to carry that weight along with driver, passengers, hitch, and some stuff in the truck bed.

Gas or diesel - both are good for hauling that kind of weight. I'm partial to diesel largely for the simplicity of fueling up at truck stops. I don't have to navigate the front gas lanes with truck and trailer; I just pull around back with the big boys.


X2



Or, if you think an upgrade might occur- consider a 1-ton single rear wheel. You'll get more payload without a whole lot more money. That'll set you up for the next camper in the future if you so decide.


And diesel. That'll take the "struggle" out of pulling and slowing down any upgrade you may decide on. Diesel engine brakes are your friend!


I'd only consider a dually if you think your upgrade might be a 40' monster.

X2

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Tatsngats

All of the big 3 manufacturers make a good 3/4 to 1 ton gas truck. Pick the one you like best and find the best deal on. They’ll all work.

X 2 Later RJD

[Springerdad]

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'd only consider a dually if you think your upgrade might be a 40' monster.

Maybe, maybe not. We're pulling a 36 footer and my pin weight is around 2700lbs.

[5er_tom]

I know you said gas, but I have a great F250, 2012, ext cab short bed, with a new 6.7 diesel crate motor. It also has an auto-slider 5th wheel hitch.
Let me know if you have any interest. We used it to tow our 2015 Wildcat that weighs about 12,500#'s. It is a towing monster.

[CaptnJohn]

If that 8,000 is dry weight you need a 1 ton. A gasser will suffer in mileage (and power) when towing up a grade. You lose the engine brake with a gasser. Pin weight on even that light a 5er with hitch installed will be around 1800#. Not sure why anyone buys a 3/4 ton, especially a gasser.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

If that 8,000 is dry weight you need a 1 ton.

Fake news?

[Jeff from Burlington Ont]

I had a 35' - 8500lb 5th wheel for 6 years and pulled it with a 2011 Ford F150 ecoboost with max tow package, but upgraded to 10 ply tires. I had over 30,000km of towing in those 6 years..I travelled on all type of terrain from flat to mountains all over the eastern United States and Canada and I was very happy..

[Tundra 2014]

If you are doing any mountain driving, I would suggest the diesel. If you are not towing in hills any of the 3/4 to 1 tons will work. I have the same decision to make. It depends two on how much towing you plan to do. As others suggested, the 350's are only slightly more and you pick-up an additional 1K in cargo capacity. On the Ford, the 4 WD is a straight front axel which has proven to be more durable, IMO. Especially VS Ford independent when doing a lot of towing. I also prefer to have the 4 wd.. We have camped enough times that it is worth it when you need it to get out of mud.

[mlwilliams808]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

If that 8,000 is dry weight you need a 1 ton. A gasser will suffer in mileage (and power) when towing up a grade. You lose the engine brake with a gasser. Pin weight on even that light a 5er with hitch installed will be around 1800#. Not sure why anyone buys a 3/4 ton, especially a gasser.

X2 on the diesel, if you plan on any mountain trips you can't beat the uphill pull and the downhill engine brake.

[Paulie1138]

Before I got my truck, I towed my rig with a friend’s ram hemi gasser, a friend’s ford 6.2 gasser, and another friend had a duramax diesel dually. My fully loaded weight is usually around 9.5k lbs. I really like how effortlessly the diesel towed. Found a great deal on the older truck in my signature with 62k mi. While not nearly the power of the newer D’max, it works out great for me. Love the exhaust brake the previous owner had put on. (All the newer ones already include those).

[mwdilday]

Any of the big 3 1 ton singles should do fine with that trailer. I would really consider a one ton diesel if you can make the numbers work. They are made for hauling.