Need a truck

[polei]

We have a 2022 Jayco Northpoint 38flrb and now need a truck to pull this unit. Anybody out there have a unit like mine and what do you pull it with? Do not want a dually.

 

[Ringneks]

I have a 2025 gmc 3500 SRW, I was using a 2020 gmc. If I was full time I would get a dually.

 

[jetlag]

Ram 3500 SRW Cummins engine. No issues whatsoever

 

[Nevr2late]

I assume you mean a 382flrb which has a hitch weight of about 3K empty. That’s a fairly tall order for a SRW truck to handle and keep within GVWR ratings. A lot of folks will say it’s no problem but you’ll still likely be overloading the vehicle unless you’re careful about your vehicle configuration, short beds and sunroofs are weight hogs.

 

[piperinv]

In many ways, this is asking what type of cake is the best. Here are some questions you must ask yourself while looking for a truck. Are you going full-time or part-time? How far do you intend to drive with the trailer? In the mountains or flat plains? How much do you want to put in the truck when the trailer is attached? Do you want to add an extra fuel tank to the truck? How much do you want to spend? New or used? Do you intend to add heavy items to the trailer, like solar or batteries? What does the load sticker on the truck say it can handle? You may not want a dually, but that may be needed if you load the trailer heavy and add a bunch of extra fuel to the truck with an extra tank. At the end of the day, you need to decide what is important to you and what you are going to "live with". I hope that walking through some of these questions will help you decide.

 

[polei]

In many ways, this is asking what type of cake is the best. Here are some questions you must ask yourself while looking for a truck. Are you going full-time or part-time? How far do you intend to drive with the trailer? In the mountains or flat plains? How much do you want to put in the truck when the trailer is attached? Do you want to add an extra fuel tank to the truck? How much do you want to spend? New or used? Do you intend to add heavy items to the trailer, like solar or batteries? What does the load sticker on the truck say it can handle? You may not want a dually, but that may be needed if you load the trailer heavy and add a bunch of extra fuel to the truck with an extra tank. At the end of the day, you need to decide what is important to you and what you are going to "live with". I hope that walking through some of these questions will help you decide.

We are doing one way trip from Alberta to Hudsonville Mi and leaving it there for maybe 3 years with a couple odd week excursions in Michagan. Then after 3 years will be going back and forth once a year to southern BC. The initial trip will be a little heavier to get everything to Michagan. Leaning towards a F350 Lariat diesel with the 6.7 engine and the 3:55 rear end. Thoughts

 

[norty1]

I have that truck and it is a beast! mine is a short bed and it has over 4k cargo capacity.

 

[bill3kirk-JAY]

I have the LB/DRW version of that truck. It's been amazing with no issues.

 

[Jerry713]

We are doing one way trip from Alberta to Hudsonville Mi and leaving it there for maybe 3 years with a couple odd week excursions in Michagan. Then after 3 years will be going back and forth once a year to southern BC. The initial trip will be a little heavier to get everything to Michagan. Leaning towards a F350 Lariat diesel with the 6.7 engine and the 3:55 rear end. Thoughts

Will a SRW 1 ton be enough- probably. Would you be over payload- possibly. Keep in mind the manufacturer’s listed hitch weight likely isn’t going to be accurate. If it says hitch weight is 3k plan on that being closer to 4k by the time you get it loaded.

 

[Radar57]

With a 5th wheel that long and that heavy the more rubber on the road the better, especially in the mountains or high cross winds. I've had a SRW and now a dually and the latter is much more stable in those situations. That's my opinion.

 

[AZDIESELPIG]

You really wont know what your truck and trailer weigh until you get them on a scale loaded with fuel. You definitely need a 3500 SRW at the very minimum, but you will be living on the edge of payload capacity most likely. A dually will give you more breathing room on payload. They are also more stable in high winds etc...although a 5ver in general is more stable vs a bumper pull. I was really surprised at how much more "planted" the DRW truck felt over the 3500 SRW I had previously.

Get a Dually and you never have to worry - buy right the first time. I see people who pull similar trailers with SRW trucks and sooner or later they realize they needed a DRW truck.

You always want more truck than you need...

Now as for what Brand, that's subjective to your preference really. I will say that I have owned a 2022 F350 DRW, 2024 Chevy DRW(actually went thru 3), and Ram 3500 DRW.

The Ford was nice, (towed very well, smooth)however the interior had a lot of rattles the dealer could never fix. Also the front doors flexed on bumpy roads - to the point it sound like metal on metal and one time my wife sad it was so bad she saw daylight between the body and door when it flexed. This problem was worse when towing.

The Chevy 3500 DRW trucks also towed very well and I liked the new L5P Duramax. The main issue was quality control. We had failures in the following components with less than 500 miles on 3 trucks:

1. Intermediate Shaft failures (all 3 trucks)
2. Front Drive Shaft failure (1 truck)
3. front wheel hub extensions - run out was so bad you would get vibrations on the freeway( 2 out of the 3)

I have always had Ram trucks and that what I went back to - of course you can find people on the forums who have issue. They all have issues but I feel its a very low number vs what's sold on those 3 brands.

I did like the 10 speed trans in the Chevy and Ford, however, I don't think it really was enough of a difference to stay with those trucks vs the 6 speed AISIN trans in the Ram I have.

Now the 2025 Rams will have an 8 speed ZF trans(no more 68RFE or AISIN) and all come with one variant of the Cummins, no more Standard Output or High output. So that may be something to consider. You can still get the Hemi 6.4 in the 2500's. On the 2024 Rams you can find some good deals right now as they are trying to clear them off the lots.

 

[mkrenn]

Same size 5th wheel as yours. I have 2022 F-350 SRW. 7.3 gas. 4:30 gears. Works perfect.

 

[Jerry713]

Same size 5th wheel as yours. I have 2022 F-350 SRW. 7.3 gas. 4:30 gears. Works perfect.

I used to have a 2005 Dodge 2500 with the famous 5.9 Cummins. I think my F250 with the 7.3 pulls as good as that Cummins did if not better. The 7.3 gas is no slouch.