Need help deciding on truck

[fireman1317]

I figured the title would grab some attention, lol.

So the wife and I have firmly come to the decision that we feel it is best to upgrade our truck now with our current trailer (see below). I have decided, if we are going to upgrade trucks, we need to consider what our needs would be if we decide to upgrade trailers in the future, which is looking very strong right now. So, I have been looking at a 2012 F350 SCREW, 4x4, 6.7l PS. This is obviously more than enough for our current TT. The wife has already been eyeing and watching YouTube videos of Columbus 385BH model 5vers. If I'm reading the specs right, this is too much trailer for a single rear wheel truck. A Dually just doesn't make sense for us. I'm pretty sure I would not even be able to park int in the driveway. So, does anyone have any recommendations for Bunkhouse model 5th Wheels that can be towed behind a single rear wheel truck?

[Curt and Michele]

F350 S.C.R.E.W.? Don't understand this acronym. Are you trying to say CCSRW? At the Columbus mentioned it should not be an issue as I'm seeing it with a dry hitch weight of 1800. But I'd look at the 2012 and possible turbo issues with it.

[fireman1317]

Originally Posted by Curt and Michele

F350 S.C.R.E.W.? Don't understand this acronym. Are you trying to say CCSRW? At the Columbus mentioned it should not be an issue as I'm seeing it with a dry hitch weight of 1800. But I'd look at the 2012 and possible turbo issues with it.

SCREW=CCSRW. SCREW acronym is usually used for F-150's I guess.

The build date on the F350 in question is 08/2012. From my understanding the turbo issues were resolved at that point, but I appreciate the heads up.

I guess I was more worried about the maximum loaded trailer weight. According to the towing chart from Ford, the truck has a max of 15,700lbs for a 5th wheel. The Columbus 385BH has a GVWR 16,103lbs. Of course I may still not be reading all the numbers right.

[Kenny kustom]

Screw is super crew cab.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[Dinostop]

I have a 2013 F350 short best crew with diesel and pull a heritage glen 368rlbhk which has a bunkhouse.


Eastlake, Ohio
2013 F-350 Turbo Diesel
2016 Heritage Glen 368rlbh

[Kenny kustom]

The bh are usually some pretty big 5th wheels.

But there are a few smaller ones.
I pull a sabre bh with a 3500 srw.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[BandJCarm]

My 3/4 ton 2500 Diesel that I just traded for a Dually, had a Payload of 2,286 lbs.

This trailer has Pin Weight of 1632, so figure 1,850 or so, loaded down. That would leave only 400 lbs, +-, for you and cargo and fuel.

Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8281WS



A 1/2 ton truck would be even less payload. A 1 ton SRW truck would probably be around 3,500 lbs payload (?).

A Couger X-Lite is the smallest BH I can see........but man, there's zillions of models out there.

[Tfort]

I am towing my Salem 356qbq with a 3/4 ton. Loaded I am at my max but the newer trucks have a higher pay load and gcw than I do.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

[DKRITTER]

I have a F350 and it can tow a 5th wheel up to 16,200 and it's a single wheel.

I tow a Cedar Creek 36CKTS that has a GVWR of 16,400 but when ours is loaded for a 2 week trip it weighs about 15,000. I use the truck as a daily driver and wouldn't want a dually.

Before I went to a dually I'd probably go to a MH and a F150.

[MOODMAN]

Originally Posted by Tfort

I am towing my Salem 356qbq with a 3/4 ton. Loaded I am at my max but the newer trucks have a higher pay load and gcw than I do.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

I own a 2015 Heritage Glen 356QBQ, which is essentially the same exact model as the Hemisphere. It is a 42.5 foot bunkhouse. I pull it with my 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 diesel 4x2.

At first, I was satisfied with the pullin gpower of the diesel, until I had to contend with a few hills that slowed me down. So, on the advice of a diesel veteran, I bought a Smarty Junior reprogrammer for the Cunmins diesel engine. It gave me the capability to bump up the power in increments up to a maximum of 100 more HP, which I did. Now, the extra 100 HP, I can pull this beast at 70 MPH no problems, and hills only slow me down a little.

Not all programmers are equal, so be careful with that. However, the Smarty is well rated, and it has worked fine for me.

BTW, my Dodge is not a dually. It is a full length bed, crew cab truck. It has strong brakes (a must) and can handle the pin weight, although I recently took a trip with too much weight in the nose, and it pushed down the truck more than I would have liked. All I had to do was move the weight behind the rear axles to balance the weight. This 5er has about a 12,000 pound dry weight, so it is pretty light for one its length. The biggest problem with that length is being careful on turns and changing lanes. I would recommend a rear camera install for towing, but that isn't a necessity.

And one more thing. I use this truck as my daily driver (since my daughter took my real car to college) It gets 20MPG in the city and 25MPG on the highway. Considerably better than my car. Even towing, I get 12-13MPG. You can't beat a Diesel for so many reasons, not to mention higher resale.

Good luck!

[guyster]

My 2016 3500 SRW with Aisin trans and Cummins power plant gets it done.

[Rdsmith281]

Pulling a 15,500 lb 2016 Sierra 5er. Getting 12-13 mpg. No problems in Hills.
Hard to beat the torque and efficiency of a Cummings.

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by fireman1317

I figured the title would grab some attention, lol.

You just want to sit back, eat popcorn and enjoy the massive truck debate that is about to happen, don't you?

[anthonymu]

Gassers rule! Oh wait diesels make a lot of torque. No gas is cheaper. No diesel gets better mileage. No new gassers are great. No wait the new diesels are awesome. I've had both and I like............. Spiraling out of control must choose which one?

[fireman1317]

Originally Posted by DreiHunde

You just want to sit back, eat popcorn and enjoy the massive truck debate that is about to happen, don't you?

No, I really value everyone's opinions as long as they support what I want to do, lol!!!

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by anthonymu

Gassers rule! Oh wait diesels make a lot of torque. No gas is cheaper. No diesel gets better mileage. No new gassers are great. No wait the new diesels are awesome. I've had both and I like............. Spiraling out of control must choose which one?

[flyman1]

Have you looked at the Safety Hitch as an alternative? Allows you to tow without all the weight on the tv, has own dually axle with brakes. Costs a bit but state D.O.T 's are giving this u.it the thumbs up for it's safety. Can check it out at automatedsafetyhitch.com

[sugarjohnson]

Originally Posted by DreiHunde

You just want to sit back, eat popcorn and enjoy the massive truck debate that is about to happen, don't you?

No debate needed just buy a Duramax....lol

[W5CI]

Get the biggest and most powerful truck you can afford, give up some options for power and payload,get a 1 Ton if you think you will ever get a 5et, believe me I could have saved several thousand if I had just got the 1 ton first

[MillerTime]

The columbus 385bh is heavier overall and has a higher listed pin weight than my listed Sabre 36qbok weight. A few people pull the sabre with single rear wheel trucks.
Wait for eppendydad to comment. He has a dually and is right at its limit with a sabre.

I think by the time you add all your stuff to the basement and camper loaded to camp, you will probably be pushing a 3500-4000 pin weight.

You need to get real numbers from real 385bh owners and look at the yellow stickers on the actual campers and at potential trucks...both with have varying loads and weights.

I know you dont want one but... Honestly, a dually isnt much different to drive than a single wheel truck. The length of it to turn and such is harder to work with than the width. But i squeeze my mirrors in between the garage door jam and my boat but that leaves the dually fenders even more room than the mirrors have.

Good luck running the numbers!