fifth wheel tow vehicle

[bheisser]

I am looking to pick up a truck to tow a 35-37 foot (max) 12k lb (max) fifth wheel
i currently tow a 27 ft tt with a 1/2 ton

should i be looking at 3/4 or 1 ton?
is a 8 foot bed worth it, is the slider hitch in a shorter bed a pain?
deisel or gas?
if i go diesel what your recomendation? i hear cummings is the best.
thanks
bob

[Big1]

Originally Posted by bheisser

I am looking to pick up a truck to tow a 35-37 foot (max) 12k lb (max) fifth wheel
i currently tow a 27 ft tt with a 1/2 ton

should i be looking at 3/4 or 1 ton?
is a 8 foot bed worth it, is the slider hitch in a shorter bed a pain?
deisel or gas?
if i go diesel what your recomendation? i hear cummings is the best.
thanks
bob

Other will chime in I’m sure, so knowing what I know now I would go 1 ton well my wife couldn’t tell the 3/4 to the 1 ton I had in the ride.

On the long or the short bed I have been using a short bed for all of the ones I have ever had and got by with them but I had to get a slider hitch, well for a while so I got a non slider hitch and it work out but I was always watching my rear cab.

The truck I have now is a long bed, I ask the members here how they like it and they all said that they would never go back.

For me now it will always be longbed and in a 1 ton, don’t get me wrong you can get by with a short bed 3/4 ton but you buy the 1 ton for your future upgrades on a 5th wheel. Good luck to you and let us know what you decide but I try to make a 3/4 ton but I was always over on my payload. These trucks cost a lot of money the interest rate is high you don’t want to have to go back and buy a 3/4 ton a year or two lawmen you could have just it in the first places.

As for as gas or diesel there are pro,s and con,s to both, I had both but I decided that I would go diesel it just my preference.


Side note, a 1/2 have no business towing that much weight but people do it and have done it for years but I care about my family and others life’s.

[TxLoser]

That’s the same size trailer I pull. To pull that trailer, I’d recommend a modern 3/4 ton with air bags/Timbrens/ or Sumo springs. Or, a 1 ton SRW without mods. I’ve done both with mine and they each work great. I still added bags to my 1 ton, but probably didn’t need to. Short bed in my case as well. That part depends on hitch setup and FW front cap.

I agree with @Big1, but I’ll add If you opt for a 1 ton, just go with a DRW. There is so little difference between a modern 1 ton SRW and a 3/4 ton just go all the way with a DRW to cover future requirements. Before I get flamed, you do not need a DRW for the trailer mentioned. This is for potential future trailers.

3/4 ton



1 ton

[ARoamer]

The cost difference between a 3/4 to 1 ton isn't huge, just go for a 1 ton. I have had no problems with a 1 ton SRW crew cab standard box towing 12500#. If long trips or mountain towing are in your plans I don't believe you will regret buying a diesel. My DW is a bit nervous on her grocery runs as it's still a large truck. Adding DWR and a long bed makes for limited parking and a tad less manuverability which isn't a huge deal.

[TWP723]

I'd go one ton and have piece of mind. Diesel is a plus.

[barryg]

I would go one ton srw. 12.5k is going to really push the stated payload capacity of a 3/4 ton. Loaded hitch weight will be in the 2000-2500lb weight. The hitch will add another 200 lbs and you you still want to be able to load whatever else you want in the cab and bed and not worry about. The price difference is very minimal.

I have had a diesel for the last 23 years and don't regret it a bit even though the metrics on them have changed since I started using diesel. They are just great. Do you need one, well that might depend on how else you are going to use the truck, how much towing and where you are going to be towing.

As far as which one I personally have been a Cummins guy and have no desire to try the other ones but they are all pretty good.

For me long bed only way to go. I had a short bed once and never again for me. I just need as much bed space as I can get. I really prefer to have a toolbox in the back and it just takes up to much room in a short bed for my needs. However I do use my truck for more than pulling a fifth wheel so that might depend on your needs.

[Jagiven]

I'm not pulling a 5ver yet. But we're looking. I bought a 1 ton long box, with the HO diesel. Incredible power. Better fuel economy than my old Dakota.

I decided on the 1 ton. As I noticed, I may run out of payload, and limit my options on which 5ver we could get.

Also look at your states licensing. Here in Minnesota, tabs and insurance is way cheaper on a 1 ton.

[billcf7]

With a 2500/250 with a diesel your payload will be greatly reduced because of the weight difference between gas and diesel engine. I have seen 2500/250 diesel trucks with less than 2000# of payload. My suggestion is 3500/350 diesel long bed. Having had a 2500 Ram diesel short bed previously, never again.

[Bigdog]

We pull a 36 foot Eagle with a 250 Diesel short bed with High Capacity Tow Package. I also have slider hitch that I use all the time.

I couldn’t justify moving up to a 1 ton as the vehicles are virtually identical, the differences being a single spring in the rear leaf pack and the recommended rear tire pressure.

What I found was the getting the hitch height and position set up properly makes a huge difference in ride quality. Look for my thread “Nose High and Bouncy” for details.

[goducks]

I would go diesel for sure with that weight. Gas would work but if you're in any hills or mtns the gas will rev too much for comfort.
If you go GM then a 2500 would work with the right GVWR package. GM up their 2500's to 11,100 lbs or thereabouts. That will give you plenty of payload.
Ram 2500 with coils are not as stout as leaf sprung and with the Cummins your payload won't be enough to carry the pin weight and all other people and stuff in the truck.
Ford with the 7.3 gas would be a decent option depending on where you tow. If you tow a lot at higher altitudes you'll lose HP/TQ with a gas truck.
Since you don't have the truck already then I'd go 1 ton with Ram and Ford and 3/4 ton with GM.

[ARoamer]

GM HD trucks do have different rear axle gears for 2500 / 3500 models starting in 2020-
Quote">I work on these trucks daily and have swapped between 2500 and 3500 srw multiple times. The rear axles are different on the 2020+ diesel equipped trucks between 2500 and 3500 srw. The difference is 2500 diesel has 11.5 ring gear and 3500 has 12 ring gear.<"Quote.

[citgodan]

Had a 250 with a gas engine but longer hills in north FL the truck would get 3rd gear at 4k RPM to climb it (cruise control was set on 70 mph).

Got sick of the high revs. Bought a 350 with diesel. The truck never comes out of the top gear and pushes through with ease with the cruise also set at 70 mph.

Would not go back to gas again with a 5th wheel. I also have the short bed and a non-slider. I have done a full u-turn and have not touched the truck; now with ground that is not level probably would be an issue...

Also have 3600# of payload.

[Ringneks]

I’ve been running a 3500 srw for years now, not much difference in price between the two. I just went to a long bed on my 2020 and wish I would have done it sooner.
Are you buying new? If yes look at all the towing ratings before you buy, I know gm just upped the towing on a 2500 crew cab diesel to 19,300, and I would guess the other two have done the same. As far as which truck to buy, all three are good trucks and that’s really only a decision you can make. I won’t go back to a gasser either, a much more relaxing drive with a diesel while towing.

[RedHorse1]

Our 39’ 5th scales about 13k with 3k of that on the pin. We tow with an F350 6.7 SRW. We are not overloaded but I feel that I wouldn’t want to tow any heavier without a dually. I IMHO you are in 1T territory.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by TxLoser

That’s the same size trailer I pull. To pull that trailer, I’d recommend a modern 3/4 ton with air bags/Timbrens/ or Sumo springs. Or, a 1 ton SRW without mods. I’ve done both with mine and they each work great. I still added bags to my 1 ton, but probably didn’t need to. Short bed in my case as well. That part depends on hitch setup and FW front cap.

I agree with @Big1, but I’ll add If you opt for a 1 ton, just go with a DRW. There is so little difference between a modern 1 ton SRW and a 3/4 ton just go all the way with a DRW to cover future requirements. Before I get flamed, you do not need a DRW for the trailer mentioned. This is for potential future trailers.

3/4 ton

Attachment 86365

1 ton

Attachment 86366

Top pics look good.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I'm not pulling a 5ver yet. But we're looking. I bought a 1 ton long box, with the HO diesel. Incredible power. Better fuel economy than my old Dakota.

I decided on the 1 ton. As I noticed, I may run out of payload, and limit my options on which 5ver we could get.

Also look at your states licensing. Here in Minnesota, tabs and insurance is way cheaper on a 1 ton.

Lol, it’s funny you mention this because all of the people in my church crying how much their license tabs and it can be anywhere to $400- $1200 dollars so I tease them on how much money I have to pay, so now about this time I’m pouring it on, how sick I am.

So they finally ask me how much is your tabs, and I tell them about $132.00, lol, so our tabs HD pickup is a lot cheaper here in the PNW.

[Big1]

Originally Posted by Ringneks

I’ve been running a 3500 srw for years now, not much difference in price between the two. I just went to a long bed on my 2020 and wish I would have done it sooner.
Are you buying new? If yes look at all the towing ratings before you buy, I know gm just upped the towing on a 2500 crew cab diesel to 19,300, and I would guess the other two have done the same. As far as which truck to buy, all three are good trucks and that’s really only a decision you can make. I won’t go back to a gasser either, a much more relaxing drive with a diesel while towing.

I seen somewhere on YouTude that Ford are supposed to bring all of there towing numbers down and they are going to be shipping out new door stickers, that just what I have seen.

[Big1]

Even though I change my setup (in my Signature below) I still have my 2022 Ram CCLB 3500 I love that truck but now I don’t drive it all the time because I drive my little Trailblazer I will still keep it.

[Randyman69357]

As I understand it, Ford is only lowering the payload/towing amounts on the gas Super Duties.

[Jerry713]

1 ton no doubt. Short bed will work fine you may need a slider depending on your 5th wheel front cap and your towing experience.

Gas would be my choice. I'm not a diesel fan but I don't tow a lot of weight. If you are or will be towing a lot of hills and towing often a diesel makes more sense. A F350 with the 7.3 gas engine and 4.30 rear axle ratio would be my first choice (note these trucks are hard to find). A Chevy 3500 with 6.6 gas would be my second and only other choice for a gas engine but I would get a 2024 Chevy because they are offering them with the 10 speed Allison transmission (2023's have the old 6 speed).