Please help confirm Towability: 321RSTS

[De1taE1even-JAY]

I think our Pinnacle is a little heavier than what you are looking at pulling, I could tow it with a1 ton SRW Diesel depending on the setup of the truck.

Our previous RV was a 32 foot Grand Design bumper pull that I pulled with a 2017 Ram 2500 Diesel, however when my wife started talking about wanting a 5ver I decided to trade to a dually not knowing what exactly we might get. I pulled that bumper pull with a dually until we bought out 5ver in 2023.

Unless you are pulling a triple axle RV, you probably don't "need" a dually. I just like having some extra breathing room on payload.

Here is a weigh ticket for the 2024 Chevy Silverado Dually I had. This was with a 50 gallon Transferflow tank that was full, 32 gallons in the truck diesel tank, and half a tank of fresh water.

I haven't weighed the Ram yet - but I suspect it will be similar.

I think your Ford has a max tow capacity of 17,200 lbs.

You can pull that 321RSTS just fine.

That's a nice lookin' truck.

You're super close: 17,400. I'm not too worried about that number, but like you, I want some overhead on the payload. I'll learn more when I weigh the truck tomorrow, and compare to some of the real world 321RSTS numbers that have been shared. Thanks for the info!

 

[Rodney27505]

Made a similar jump years ago from a bumper pull to a 5th wheel and was pretty nervous about it, having never pulled a 5th wheel. The difference in the towing experience is huge. Best way I can explain it, the bumper pull always felt like it was trying to push the truck around, moving to a 5th wheel, the weight of the trailer helps to "plant" the truck because it is over the axle. Feel much more in control with the 5th wheel, even though it is a much bigger trailer. As others have said, double check your weights but I suspect you will be fine, that is not a heavy 5th wheel, our Northpoint was 4000 pounds heavier and was right on the line for being able to pull it with a 2500

 

[tnka trk]

If you can find a similar trailer that you can rent, perhaps do a small road trip with it to see how you feel about towing it before purchasing one. We plan to do this when we move from a trailer to a class C.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

I was within the numbers with my 3/4 ton truck.
Here are the weight limits on two GMC gasoline trucks.
2021 Crew Cab, Standard Bed, Single Wheel Drive, 2500 3/4 Ton
2024 Crew Cab, Standard Bed, Single Wheel Drive, 3500 1 Ton

 

[Stan&Sharon]

No matter which truck you use, I recommend you consider upgrading the camper's suspension at some point. See this previous post to learn more.

 

[Edutron]

I say get out there and get some experience with some high winds, big trucks blowing by you on the highway, cab clearances, suspension sagging, running 4 ply china bombs, and after all that, if your wife is still wearing underwear you are good to go!

 

[Bigdog-JAY]

We pull a 2022 321RSTS with a 2018 F250 diesel with High Capacity Tow Package.

This combination does very well and the trailer feels stuck to the truck as it should. The key is getting the hitch set up in the correct placement, which makes all the difference in the world.

 

[Mmartin]

I have the same 321RSTS and pull it with a F350 with the 7.3 gasser. I have 4200lb payload. Dually is definately overkill. Mine tows very comfortably. I do miss not having the exhaust break of a diesel.
I installed a Reese goose box for space saving in the bed. You might want to go that direction to save some weight on your limited payload.

 

[De1taE1even-JAY]

I was within the numbers with my 3/4 ton truck.
Here are the weight limits on two GMC gasoline trucks.
2021 Crew Cab, Standard Bed, Single Wheel Drive, 2500 3/4 Ton
2024 Crew Cab, Standard Bed, Single Wheel Drive, 3500 1 Ton

Awesome, thanks for the info. Looks like my truck falls right in between yours.

 

[De1taE1even-JAY]

Thanks everyone for the info and help. With the right setup it sounds like this would be a great combo, either the 321RSTS or something of similar weight/length. I'm guessing we'll make a decision soon.

 

[JLyons]

You'll probably be close. I pulled an 11k with a Ram gasser. I was close, but pulled thousands and thousands of miles. I've since upgraded, but still. One thing I didn't see mentioned was how a fifth wheel pulls so, so much better than a travel trailer. I had a 33ft Cougar TT and the pull between that and the fifth wheel is night and day.

 

[De1taE1even-JAY]

You'll probably be close. I pulled an 11k with a Ram gasser. I was close, but pulled thousands and thousands of miles. I've since upgraded, but still. One thing I didn't see mentioned was how a fifth wheel pulls so, so much better than a travel trailer. I had a 33ft Cougar TT and the pull between that and the fifth wheel is night and day.

Thanks. I'm very much looking forward to the switch.

 

[bgolfb4]

You'll be just fine. I pull a similar sized Jayco with a 2500 and pulls great.

 

[bheisser]

Even if you have a semi, people will tell you " you don't have enough truck"

 

[Melissa54868]

What size is the box? My 1/2 ton Silverado had a 5 1/2 foot box. I don't know the size of the short box 3/4 ton. I was told by the RV dealer that I couldn't tow a 5th wheel without a slide hitch. I've since upgraded to a one ton.

 

[Skyline]

I have an F350 4452 payload, 11,300 GVW, the max trailer weight for my truck 12,652. I have the 3.73 axle, the max CGVW is 19,500. I feel confident towing my 10,000# fifth wheel.

 

[rjb14crane]

I have the same truck

I have the same F250 7.3 gasser, but with a standard bed. I pull a Jayco Eagle 29RLC with GVWR of 10750. Yes, I need to get it weighed!
It tows super solid. I try not to think about the 9mpg. My sliding 5th wheel hitch weighs 250 lbs. I don’t put much else in the bed.
One challenge is planning ahead for gas stops where the orientation of the pumps and store allows the full rig to access and egress.
No other issues after my 1st year and 4000 miles.

 

[Highlander-cMac]

We have a 2024 321 RSTS and tow with Ram 3500, 3660lb payload.

We are pretty much weekenders or week long trips 2 times a year currently. We don't have a ton in the camper, but do have a reasonable amount and some decent heavy items like big blackstone grill in the front basement, chairs, one lead acid battery, etc. We generally don't tow with water in Fresh, Gray, except for a couple of gallons in Black to mix up Liquified. So not much weight there. All that to say here are the CAT scale weights for my truck and 321 RSTS.

Steer Axle: 5260
Drive Axle: 6220
Trailer Axle: 9480
GW: 20960

That comes out with a pin weight of 2480, 20.7% of trailer gross 11960.

Given the new 2025 has a reconfigured kitchen with the pantry more forward, that may adjust a little bit more weight forward on the pin.

Maybe gives you some idea what to expect. I'd think 2500lb pin weight is a very much expected minimum weight.

 

[Stoltz]

Weight

It’s all about weight. The total weight of your camper is with cargo and full tanks, fresh water, gray and black water. I have a 2500 hd and a 28.5 rsts, I recently installed air bag assist on my truck. Strictly to remove bouncing on the highway. What a difference. Hope this helps.

 

[Skyline]

I have the same F250 7.3 gasser, but with a standard bed. I pull a Jayco Eagle 29RLC with GVWR of 10750. Yes, I need to get it weighed!
It tows super solid. I try not to think about the 9mpg. My sliding 5th wheel hitch weighs 250 lbs. I don’t put much else in the bed.
One challenge is planning ahead for gas stops where the orientation of the pumps and store allows the full rig to access and egress.
No other issues after my 1st year and 4000 miles.

I have the same gas station anxiety. I once had to back out of a tight gas station on to a four lane highway, during rush hour, after filling up. My 32 gallons gets me about 250 miles range. I’m looking into a 25 gallon auxiliary tank, DOT approved for gasoline, for my truck bed. The auxiliary tank would add 200 miles range. I have 4452 payload so no problem with the extra weight.