What tow vehicle for a 5th wheel

[PatrickY]

The biggest baddest truck you can afford.

Buy one that meets the minimum requirements and in 3 to 5 years want a bigger 5er - uh-oh, now you need a bigger truck.

I've tent/dry/boondock camped for years. In my early tent camping days I learned that you can cut a 2" branch with a 22" chain saw a lot easier than you can cut a 20" log with a 14" saw.

After buying a Ram 2500 and realizing that I'm very near my cargo capacity (in layman's terms "carrying capacity) I wish I would have gone bigger.

Oh sure, I can pull your truck and trailer up a monsterous hill - it's the overall cargo weight that's holding me back.

If I could afford it, I would have bought a Ram 8500 - or a F850 or a Chevy/GMC 9500.

(note the subtle dig on you GM guys - just kidding)

My point is go as big as you can afford as long as you might anticipate getting a larger/heavier rig in the future.

Just my opinion, and I know it really doesn't count for much.

[itat]

Don’t forget that the payload number on that sticker is for the stock vehicle. As soon as you start to add accessories - tonneau cover, Line-X, bush bar, etc. - that number is no longer valid. But its a great number to have for comparison shopping.

To get the actual number of your accessorized truck, you need to go to a scale, weigh it and subtract the weight from the vehicle’s GVWR.

[Petefromthornton]

[QUOTE=Eitherone;2275245]I am looking to purchase a 5th wheel in the near future. I currently have a F-250 with a 6.2 that is rated for 2900 load capacity and 12200 tow. The 5 th wheels I have my eye on are under 10000 dry. Should I stay with this truck or go to diesel. I know diesel is the best but I usually only go 2-3 times a year. Some hills and mountains occasionally.[

[Petefromthornton]

cost of a diesel vehicle for 2or 3 times a year may not be worth it forf250 will certainly do the job

[filthy-Beast]

[QUOTE=Petefromthornton;2276981]

Originally Posted by Eitherone

I am looking to purchase a 5th wheel in the near future. I currently have a F-250 with a 6.2 that is rated for 2900 load capacity and 12200 tow. The 5 th wheels I have my eye on are under 10000 dry. Should I stay with this truck or go to diesel. I know diesel is the best but I usually only go 2-3 times a year. Some hills and mountains occasionally.[

What's the GVWR of the 5th wheel?

[badger5301]

Buy the trailer you like, keep your current truck, hook up and go make some great memories.

[OYO]

Saw this today at a local dealer. Thought about this thread.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by OYO

Saw this today at a local dealer. Thought about this thread.

Ain't that the truth.

[moose074]

Yes payload topics are always “interesting “ and can become tense. I have read many and many questions. My conclusion until I read something else that might change my mind. The payload/ tire information label. Appears to be invalid if I register my vehicle at a higher weight rating it is ok. While those who live die and scare others. Claim you can’t change payload and every every ounce you add to the truck is an ounce less you have. So I assume if I go from load range C tires to load range E. I have added weight so I have a lower payload but if I were to reverse it I don’t get extra payload. Second when in accident while speeding or drunk insurance will cover you but if 5 pounds overloaded and automatic the insurance won’t cover you. Ask for some one to look up actual law that mentions payload and the silence is deafening. I honestly don’t know just want the facts. Not what was heard from a friends friend if you get the drift

[MainelyUS]

Save yourself $60k and buy a Polaris Ranger[emoji12]

[flyflotrtim]

Originally Posted by jenandjon

You will be fine with what you have.

what he said. If you go on several trips and don't feel comfortable with the current truck, then consider a diesel but I think you will be good to go.

[jjackkrash]

Originally Posted by jacklawless

For me it came down to a question of would my insurance carrier deem that I was driving “legally” in terms of payload. Towing capacity is great on new trucks and most can handle the load you discussed. But from a legal perspective they will look at the GVWR of your trailer, not the dry weight. God forbid you have an accident that involves a fatality are you confident your carrier will cover you even if you are towing over max payload?

If you have an exclusion in your auto policy for towing over payload capacity you might consider finding a different insurance carrier. (Although I suspect if you read your current policy you won't find one).

[acadianbob]

We pull a 32' 1,800 pin (actual) with an f250 with 6.2. No issues whatsoever. We've done 5K mile trips through the Rockies with it. Our Payload is 3,100 so we are well under GVWR and RAWR. (Yep, actual numbers from a scale; loaded).

[mwheue]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

We pull a 32' 1,800 pin (actual) with an f250 with 6.2. No issues whatsoever. We've done 5K mile trips through the Rockies with it. Our Payload is 3,100 so we are well under GVWR and RAWR. (Yep, actual numbers from a scale; loaded).

+1 , F250 6.2L / 3:73 gears / 3460 payload, pulling 32" fiver @ 10K loaded 1800LB pin weight and it does fine. Will hold the speed limit in the mountains and will win no races.

[pclayton2]

As long as you're within the total load capacity and towing capacity, you should be good to go.

[Mtnmac]

Every truck/trailer combination is different. We have a 28’ 5th wheel towed with a Chevy 2500 diesel. Loaded up ready to travel we are within 400 lbs. of the cargo capacity. No problem with the towing capacity or weight ratings, plenty of room there, but we are close on the cargo limit. As others have suggested, go find a CAT scale when you are fully loaded. That’s the only way you know for sure.

[findthehumorinthings]

I have a one-ton diesel. The gassers are right, as long as your pin weight is within range and you can effectively stop that load.

Stick with your 6.2 if your numbers are right. If you move closer to full time rv life, consider a more fuel-efficient tow vehicle.

[jenandjon]

You can always join the crazy group I belong to. We never have to worry about having a trailer too big. Still get around 9mpg but, some campgrounds get pretty tight. This truck cost less than half as much a new diesel pickup.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by jenandjon

You can always join the crazy group I belong to. We never have to worry about having a trailer too big. Still get around 9mpg but, some campgrounds get pretty tight. This truck cost less than half as much a new diesel pickup. Attachment 225390

Love it. I’ve seen a few setups like that.