Which truck best for pulling 5th wheel?

[AZ Campers]

We are considering trading our TT for a 5Th wheel, but would need to buy a new truck. If we want to pull a 10k - 13k lb 5th wheel, what truck would you recommend?

Thank you,
Josie
Jayco 197 ultralite

[kroakjr]

I think a well loaded 3/4 ton would suffice (i.e. diesel pusher, 4.10 axle ratio, factory tow package). You can't go wrong with any of the big three brands, although many others here would prefer one over another. I currently just made that decision for our 16k GVWR Pinnacle, and we went with a dually Ram 3500. Our max towing capacity is 20,900. We wanted to be safer than sorry-er. Good luck with your decision.

[Rustic Eagle]

When it comes to towing FW's, I like to start with the 1-ton SRW's......., nothing like having a little payload capacity to work with, but that's just me. Not to say a properly equipped 3/4 ton won't do the job.

[David472]

In-line with what Rustic Eagle has said, take a close look at the pin weights you are considering, as well as the total weight of the 5er.

[krsmitty]

Diesel for sure...3/4 or 1 ton, SRW or dually, all depends on weight you are towing and going to tow in future.

[Rob_Fla]

We had a 3/4 ton which always worked great until we bought more trailer than we had truck for
We now have a 1 Ton DRW and are much happier when towing
If we were still in the 10k to 12k 5th Wheel weight range, we would still have our 3/4 Ton

[MikeNChelle]

You have a few things to consider.
1.) How often will you be towing a camper vs without? The thought on this is do you want a DRW or SRW? Will you use this as a daily driver as well? Do you go in places or use the drive ups? Parking with a dually can be a pain most times.
2.) Diesel or Gas? I am 100% diesel guy and have had both and will never tow with a gasser again, my personal experience. Power is required when going up steep hills while towing. Diesel fuel is about $.70/gal higher in price and the engine is about $8k more than a gasser, but in this arena extra power when needed is worth it. If you are going to keep it for many years the diesel will hold it's value longer than a gasser.
3.) Try and see if you can find a truck that is like a year or 2 old and save yourself thousands of $$$$'s. You'll still get a warranty and the used car rates are not so bad lately either.
4.) Which braand of the 3 too buy? Well that again is what do you like? I was always a Dodge guy UNTIL I drove the 2011 F-350 SB, CC then I was a born again Ford man right after I bought it. I now have a 2012 F-350 CC, LB, 6.7 Diesel Auto. LOVE this thing. I traded the '11 because of the SB to get the LB I bought the '12. It has the in bed hitch mounting system so when you take the hitch out of the truck there is nothing still in the way of using the bed of the truck.
If you have any more questions just ask, many here will help you.

[Diesel Donnie]

We have been fulltimers since July 1, 1999- Started with a 3/4 ton Ford Supercab w 460 gas pulling 35' fiver without any slides- Traded Supercab for crewcab dually for more passenger capability- Traded up to 35' fiver with 1 slide- Our 460 worked too hard pulling new fiver so we traded for our first diesel, a 7.3 Powerstroke- She was a workhorse- Traded fiver for 37' 3 slide fiver- Powerstroke continued to do the job but was slowing down after almost 300k- Traded for GMC 3500 crewcab dually with Duramax/Allison which proved to be very adequate- Traded 37' fiver for 36' fiver with 4 slides- Get the picture? Odds are you will eventually end up with enough truck to serve your needs so why not start with all the truck you can afford? JMHO- DD

[krsmitty]

Originally Posted by MikeNChelle

You have a few things to consider.


4.) Which braand of the 3 too buy? Well that again is what do you like? I was always a Dodge guy UNTIL I drove the 2011 F-350 SB, CC then I was a born again Ford man right after I bought it. I now have a 2012 F-350 CC, LB, 6.7 Diesel Auto. LOVE this thing. I traded the '11 because of the SB to get the LB I bought the '12. It has the in bed hitch mounting system so when you take the hitch out of the truck there is nothing still in the way of using the bed of the truck.

Hey Mike...My Ram is my first and so far only diesel/pickup. I have heard that the Cummins motor is hard to beat. What was it about the 2011 Ford that made you switch sides? My Dad has a 2006 F-350 Dually. I do admit his truck rides better than mine, but not performance wise.

[MikeNChelle]

Originally Posted by krsmitty

Hey Mike...My Ram is my first and so far only diesel/pickup. I have heard that the Cummins motor is hard to beat. What was it about the 2011 Ford that made you switch sides? My Dad has a 2006 F-350 Dually. I do admit his truck rides better than mine, but not performance wise.

After having 3 Dodges 1998, 2003 & 2005 with all over 250K miles they served me well. I had a major engine failure on the '98 and the '05 of things that should have never happened and waiting for a new engine is not what I bought a new truck to be doing. The mechanics of the Ford such as ride quality, the power of the PSD vs the Cummins is very noticeable when towing and I plow snow and the Ford FAR exceeds the ability of the Dodge. The trans in the Dodge was always loose feeling and front end parts always needing replaced every year was crazy. I guess the biggest thing was the Dodge dealer knew me, thought I would automatically buy a Dodge and tried to Ram it up me with his pricing. LOL. The Ford feels bigger and more sturdy to me as well while plowing, towing my boat and my 5er. As of now, I will stay a Ford guy just for all the little things that "I" feel are better between the 2. Oh, and Ford has the In bed 5th wheel hitch prep package. That means when I take the 5er hitch out of the bed there are no rails left behind. That alone is worth it to me. These are just MY reasons not looking for a debate.

[krsmitty]

Originally Posted by MikeNChelle

After having 3 Dodges 1998, 2003 & 2005 with all over 250K miles they served me well. I had a major engine failure on the '98 and the '05 of things that should have never happened and waiting for a new engine is not what I bought a new truck to be doing. The mechanics of the Ford such as ride quality, the power of the PSD vs the Cummins is very noticeable when towing and I plow snow and the Ford FAR exceeds the ability of the Dodge. The trans in the Dodge was always loose feeling and front end parts always needing replaced every year was crazy. I guess the biggest thing was the Dodge dealer knew me, thought I would automatically buy a Dodge and tried to Ram it up me with his pricing. LOL. The Ford feels bigger and more sturdy to me as well while plowing, towing my boat and my 5er. As of now, I will stay a Ford guy just for all the little things that "I" feel are better between the 2. Oh, and Ford has the In bed 5th wheel hitch prep package. That means when I take the 5er hitch out of the bed there are no rails left behind. That alone is worth it to me. These are just MY reasons not looking for a debate.

No debate. Just curious. Thanks.

I always wanted to try towing my 5er with my Dad's F-350, but he took out the hitch etc. before I could try it. It was a 2009, not 06 as I originally typed.

[MikeNChelle]

If you were closer I would let you try my truck and you would be HOOKED...LOL
Sorry if my 'No Debate" sounded harsh. I just was giving my opinion and that's it. Hope it helps you. Just be leary of a Ford with the 6.0 liter as there as so many issues with that motor. The 6.4 is better, but mileage was bad. The 6.7 in the 2012 I now have is better than the 2011 6.7 as we are now on the 3rd revision of the motor and most of the bugs are worked out. My 2011 F-350 was one of the first that was put out in April of 2010 and is now back at Ford for them to try and figure out the issues it had.

[MikeNChelle]

Oh and one last thing... The Ford is made in Kentucky USA and the "Dodge" or should I say Ram is made in Mexico.

[tinlizzie23]

Although we have a V-10 gasser F-350 instead of a PSD, we feel the same way as MikeNChelle about the superior qualities of a Ford all around, and especially pulling our 11,000 lb 5er. Had a Chevy suburban to pull our last TT, and would never have one again, due mainly to GM's failure to honor their warranty because we changed a defective new engine while 2,000 miles from home, without written permission from the selling dealer.

[255eagle]

I'm a Chevy guy so there's no other choice then a Duramax and an Allison auto... but you may also want to look into when your area has for vehicle safety standards. Where I live anything with a GVW over 9900lb requires yearly vehicle safety inspections weather it is a single or dual rear wheel. But anything under 9900lbs GVW is exempt from yearly inspections and must only be inspected when selling the vehicle. I can't fit anything longer than a 26' in my yard so the 2500HD is all I need, my trailer is 7500lbs so I could tow with a half ton... but I've done the 5th wheel with a 1/2 ton and never again, besides my Duramax gets better fuel mileage both in the city and on the highway than my wife's 2010 Grand Caravan. My brother-in-law used to tow a 27' TT with a 06 Ford 5.4 and I got the same fuel mileage towing as he got empty. Now he has one of those new F-150's with the turbo V6 and gets 8-9 MPG towing and it does 1 MPG better empty than his V8 truck did.

Besides... once you go compression ignition, you never go back!

[AZ Campers]

Thanks for the input everyone. We have been looking at the 2012-2013 F250 4x4 w/crew can 6.7L diesel w/3.55 axel ratio. Expensive but looks like it may be worth it. We are eyeing the jayco 30.5 RLS that has a dry weight of about 8280 & gross of 10,200. I would think the F250 would be fine. Don't you think? My other question is that I prefer the short bed truck. Will the short bed work on the 30.5RLS? Considering ordering it with he Reese revolution pin box. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Josie

[dlkuhn573]

Josie, We are new at towing a fifth, and don't have the history with trucks that everybody else has. What I do know is that our 2012 Ford F350 Diesel DRW pulls our Pinnacle like its not even there. 15 mpg most of the time, rides great, lots of room for those long rides, and power, power, power.

[TCNashville]

Josie, I have that truck. 2012 F-250 crewcab, shortbox, 6.7l with the 3.55 axle ratio. Although I don't pull a 5th wheel, I do pull a 2012 Eagle TT 320rlds @ 9200#'s with a 1450# tongue. I test drove all of the big three trucks before I went with Ford. All were nice. The Chevys were 4 to 6k more than the Ford and I thought the Dodge didn't ride as well. Just a few little things the Ford had- urea tank fill position, power folding and extending mirrors for towing etc, and immense power and quietness of the 6.7l. I believe the truck has a max loaded 5th wheel trailer weight rating @ 15,900lbs. Not sure of tongue weight. I think the short bed would be fine, just watch those corners. By the way, the crewcab "shortbox" has a 6ft, 9in. bed.

[AZ Campers]

Thanks everyone. We bit the bullet today & purchased a new 2012 F250 crew cab w/6.7 L power stroke engine, 3.55 axel ratio, diesel. Sweet ride! Now, have to save up some pennies to get the 5th wheel hitch & 5th wheel. We got an extended warranty - don't know if we need it (was a bit pricey) but have never owned a 5th wheel before so I figures it's a little insurance.

Thanks again,
Josie
AZ campers

[MikeNChelle]

So long as it's a Ford extended warranty you are better off. If it's a secondary company warranty, sorry but not so much.
I am also not seeing if you bought a LB or SB? The long bed is better for tight turns and you also get a larger fuel tank with the LB.
Other than that, sounds nice...