Truck/Trailer Decisions

[Ironheadchop]

Hello all. We are in the market for a new 5th wheel camper for a family of 5. I am wanting a Montana or a Bighorn that sleeps at least 8 people and this thing would be loaded down with all our stuff as we pack everything but the kitchen sink. I was originally looking to get a 23' F-350 with the 7.3 gas motor but after looking at the GCWR's the 7.3 is only good for 28,600 or 29k depending on what trim you get vs. the 6.7 TD HO coming in at 35,200lbs. I really do not want a DRW or a Diesel but if I was to have to get one or the other I would get the 6.7 to stay with a SRW truck. Does anyone here pull a large 5th with a SRW F-350? I'm sure with the SRW I would be legally over weight regardless.

 

[bikendan]

Since this is a forum primarily for owners of Forest River products, which neither Montana or Bighorn are, you going to have to post which models from those two companies you are interested in.
Montana and Bighorn are manufacturers under Thor Industries Inc.
Then those that own comparable Forest River 5th wheels, can be more helpful.

I'm assuming that you are looking at bunkhouse models.

 

[Ironheadchop]

Sorry. I have been looking at a few. I was looking at the Riverstone model 425FO.

 

[bikendan]

Sorry. I have been looking at a few. I was looking at the Riverstone model 425FO.

If you're only looking at the Riverstone model, I can move your post to the Riverstone sub-forum.

 

[dblr]

River Stone line is probably the heaviest 5th wheel in the Forest River family so plan on at least the F350 and the diesel, now within this line sleeping 8 in a unit might be a challenge, they are working on a 2 bed 2 bath model (should be at Hershey) or the 442MC might work or one of the two toy haulers. You might want to look at the Cedar Creek line also, they are starting to build on a wide body and have a bunk model or two also, good luck on your search.

 

[Mr Towed]

Man, I’d really really want a dually for what you are describing, especially with with what I imagine will be a truck full of people.

 

[tomkatb]

Truck stops are set up to easily fill your truck with diesel. Good to get food as well.

A long heavy truck/fifth wheel cannot get into a high percentage of service stations for gasoline.

So if you travel a lot getting gas will be harder.

Generally diesels get better milage. So fewer stops. The Department of Energy has always stated the diesel operate cheaper. Higher up front cost but, better resale. Almost a wash.

Duallys are harder to park. Always, I think, 8’ beds. The big toy haulers are necessary.

The shorter bed is easier to park as a daily driver. The DW is the daily driver of our truck. Short bed Ram.

Plan ahead.

 

[Campzoo]

We have a 2018 cardinal 3950 fifth wheel that weighs in at 16,800 lbs. We went with a 2018 F350 XLT 6.7 DRW 5,400 payload, and I am very happy we did. The truck does all the work and does it well. We travel to West Texas on I 10 a lot. There is always a cross wind on that highway and the extra wheels in the back make the truck very stable. No white knuckles, just sit back and enjoy. I have seen several trailers flip on there sides due to cross winds on I 10. As far as parking a dually, you will get use to it. Not as bad a everyone thinks. We try to park in the back of parking lot away from everyone.

 

[wheelin14]

We pull a 13.800 lb. (loaded—scaled) fifth wheel with a 2024 F-350 diesel (standard output, not HO) very comfortably. It is SRW, long bed, crew cab. By getting either 275/R70-18 tires or the 20” tires it comes with a 14,400 GVWR and 4289 lb. of cargo capacity. The 10 speed transmission provides so many ratio choices that there is no need for a numerically higher axle ratio than a standard 3.31—the transmission will find its happy point. The standard diesel has sooo much power I feel NO need for the HO diesel engine. However, I don’t think that I would be comfortable pulling more than 15,000 loaded weight without going to a dually. Our son has the same truck with the 7.3 gas which works great pulling a 7,000 lb. livestock trailer, but I would want the diesel beyond 10,000 lbs. for ease of towing. Also, OP should be very careful to watch the cargo capacity of the trailers under consideration. We were shocked how fast we loaded up 3,000 lbs. of cargo in our 37’ fifth wheel.

 

[corn18]

Sorry. I have been looking at a few. I was looking at the Riverstone model 425FO.

18,540 lbs dry weight with a 24,000 lbs GVWR is absolutely DRW territory. Minimum.

 

[Electra glide]

Knowing what I know now I would go back to 2016 and just buy a 1 ton dually. Once you start driving something big like that you adapt and deal with it as a daily driver.

 

[D W]

Sleep 8? Provision for 8?
If so
You're in DRW Diesel territory.

 

[NMWildcat]

We had always bought one ton duallys for the farm. They were used to pull very heavy gooseneck stock/produce/flatbed trailers. A few years ago (5?) a decision was made to stop buying duallys and go SRW one tons. Why? Duallys are a PITA in so many ways, some of which have been stated in this thread

We haven't noticed a difference in towing/handling. We have noticed an improvement in all around usability and maintenance with SRW.

That being said, a nephew pulled a toy hauler in the weight range you are describing. His personal one ton dually was not enough truck. He was going to go 450/550 or semi tractor (which used, are very affordable). Then he got smart, sold it and bought a smaller and lighter RV.

Most of the fifth wheels we see in that heavy weight class are pulled with haulers (550 or so) or semi tractors.

Just my RL experience and observations.

 

[wilsonxjr]

Sorry. I have been looking at a few. I was looking at the Riverstone model 425FO.

We have a RiverStone 425FO. Sleeps 6 adults comfortably. 24k max and we pull at around 22.5k. We're full-timers so our whole lives (including the kitchen sink) is in our rig. Pull with a 2021 GMC 3500HD DRW with the 6.6 and it does great! Have never had any issues and can't imagine doing it with anything smaller. Agree with others that you get used to the bigger truck. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it?

 

[EWG]

As in the above posts you are in one ton dually territory. With a SRW you will not get the payload. Our dually has a 5,800 lb payload. Our kingpin is 3,800 lbs and extra 60 gal fuel tank for a total of 4,200 lbs. That leaves 1,600 lbs for passengers, extra cargo, and don't forget your hitch. I have no problem towing in the Colorado mountains. Check the yellow sticker in the door of a SRW and see for yourself. You can' have too much truck.

 

[Tex94]

Humor me here. The dually, and a 450 over a 350 also, will have better braking than a SRW. Dually is admitting to towing and stopping heavy. Some guys like that SRW F350 so they can brag about their “one ton” despite not understanding that the difference is almost solely the GVWR…..

 

[jjscsix]

One engine has twice the torque as the other. At the weight you will be pulling that seems like an easy answer.

 

[Freebird2020]

If you want SRW, you will want a 5th wheel Pin weight of 2500 lbs or less. Forget towing capacity and focus on Payload capacity.

And yes, you want a Diesel.

Riverstones are great but they are heavy. Best with a dually.

I would look at Cedar Creek, Sierra, or Rockwood 5th wheels.

I personally prefer the Cedar Creek. I think they are better built than the Montana. I have worked on both since my daughter bought a Montana.

Cedar Creek uses much thicker fiberglass than most. As does Riverstone.

Look down the side of some 5th wheels. You will see waves because the fiberglass is so thin.

 

[KethCamps]

That pin weight is gonna crush most SRW payloads. The 6.7 diesel can pull it but once you factor in family, gear, hitch and everything else, you're likely pushing (or past) the limits. A dually might not be the first pick but it’s safe if the plan is to tow heavy and often.

 

[Mr. Dan]

Regarding the OP:
Joined Sep 2, 2024
Last seen Sep 3, 2024