XLR Thunderbolt 5th Wheel Truck Question

Toneaero · 09-27-2016, 09:18 AM

I know this has probably been answered a million times but a question regarding dually vs non-dually 1 ton truck. What do you guys use to tow yours? I'm trying to figure out if I need a dually for a 16,000 lbs dry weight with 3,600 lbs hitch weight.

Iggy · 09-27-2016, 09:33 AM

My thoughts are the dually will be better for your weight class.
A dually will give you more stability in cross winds and makes it more stable at the highway speeds.
The braking system on the truck will also give you better stopping power for that weight.
Also you will be able to handle the high tongue weight better on 4 rear wheels.

tmilicia · 09-27-2016, 09:34 AM

Yes, with a 3600 lb. pin, you should definitely go dually. Which Thunderbolt are you looking at? I have a 2016 395amp, it has a 2800 lb. pin loaded for camping. I've been towing mine for the last 2 seasons with a '15 F350 srw. The light pin was a major selling feature for me on the XLR brand. We love our Thunderbolt, we spend many nights in it during the summer.

N8488 · 09-27-2016, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmilicia

Yes, with a 3600 lb. pin, you should definitely go dually. Which Thunderbolt are you looking at? I have a 2016 395amp, it has a 2800 lb. pin loaded for camping. I've been towing mine for the last 2 seasons with a '15 F350 srw. The light pin was a major selling feature for me on the XLR brand. We love our Thunderbolt, we spend many nights in it during the summer.

Any issues towing with the srw? I have the same truck and just purchased a 415 amp.

Homebrew · 09-27-2016, 04:58 PM

Dually! - you will need to modify a SRW with air bags or springs.

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

tmilicia · 09-27-2016, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N8488

Any issues towing with the srw? I have the same truck and just purchased a 415 amp.

No issues at all. I really enjoy pulling this camper with the truck I have. My SRW handles it perfectly fine. I was surprised that it pulls much nicer than our previous 28' bumper pull. We've pulled it from Ohio to Myrtle Beach twice and it's been great. We just made our reservations to go back down next summer. I do have a set of firestone airbags on my truck and I'm sure that helps our ride.

Jon A · 09-28-2016, 06:24 AM

With all the Thunderbolt models having 21K GVWR, isn't the F350 to light?
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...ZQuxalNL5-LKLQ

tmilicia · 09-28-2016, 07:06 AM

Mine will never be loaded anywhere near 21k, so I'm not too worried about it. Like I said, I have no issues at all pulling my 395. If I were to go out and buy a new F350 tomorrow, I would still come home with a SRW truck.

N8488 · 09-28-2016, 07:57 AM

Good to hear, my only concern was with the elements of the weather. I don't feel we will load ours anywhere near 21 K either. We currently tow our Solitude with it with a tongue weight of around 3 k. The XLR should be a little lighter so hopefully all works out. We currently do not have any air bags, but may consider once we test it with the XLR.

Jon A · 09-28-2016, 08:14 AM

When spec'ing my 2016 F350 to pull my 2016 380AMP, I wanted the specs to tie out for safety, but more importantly, to protect me from liability in the event of personal injury and/or property casualty incidents if I were to have any. Just had it weighed; 18,900# with 3,150 pin weight.

Toneaero · 09-28-2016, 08:17 AM

Can a SRW handle the +3k lbs pin weight? I know a dually is the ultimate setup but not if it's going to be your daily driver too. Are dually's double the weight capacity vs SRW?

Jon A · 09-28-2016, 08:20 AM

F350 Diesel dually

Toneaero · 09-28-2016, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon A

protect me from liability in the event of personal injury and/or property casualty incidents if I were to have any.

Is this really a thing? Do DOT officers pull over recreational vehicles for inspections like they do with big rigs?

Jon A · 09-28-2016, 08:29 AM

Not sure. My concern is in having an accident. The attorneys will go over EVERYTHING, and discrepancies in all the capacities and weight ratings could be big problem in a lawsuit.

Jon A · 09-28-2016, 08:56 AM

Here is my weight report.

Jon A · 09-28-2016, 09:01 AM

Lets try this again. New at this upload stuff.

breezyhillfarm · 09-28-2016, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toneaero

Is this really a thing? Do DOT officers pull over recreational vehicles for inspections like they do with big rigs?

I know a sharp lawyer would have that checked and if you were overloaded could make that an issue.

judyhaff · 09-28-2016, 12:30 PM

Dually vs non-dually is not as critical has diesel vs gas. We pull our xlr thunderbolt with a diesel dually and we have no issues. We just feel safer with the extra wheels, more power and better gas mileage.

CaptnJohn · 09-28-2016, 04:29 PM

I'd not even consider 3100 pin weight on my 2016 F350 swd 6.7. Dually would be required for me and I'll not buy another dually...

MDB · 09-28-2016, 05:25 PM

I'm using a 2011 F-350 with the 6.7 and it does a wonderful job. We've been all through the BlueRidge and Smokey Mountains and it never misses a beat. Started out with a F-350 SW but it always felt like it was trying to push you in curves and wanted to move you around when 18 wheelers would pass. The dually has fixed all of that.

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