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re: Tow vehicle for 5th wheel
Posted on 4/9/26 at 10:54 am to N2cars
Posted on 4/9/26 at 10:54 am to N2cars
quote:
100% disagree.
All these manufacturers are competitive with one another and they know consumers make decisions based on hp, towing, mpg, etc.
Misinformation here and from downshift.
Chevy/GMC 2500 with max tow package, the only difference between that and a 1 ton SRW is the rear end. Leaf springs are the same, axles are the same, brakes are the same but one of them has a higher payload, when they are otherwise identical.
Regulation BS, not capability.
ETA: ram is the only 3/4 I see regularly with the 10k vehicle rating. GM and Ford are 11,350.
This post was edited on 4/9/26 at 10:55 am
2
Posted on 4/9/26 at 10:58 am to BoogaBear
Tires/rims/brakes are all the same?
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:00 am to N2cars
quote:
Tires/rims/brakes are all the same?
Yes. A GM 2500 with max tow is a 3500 with a 2500 badge.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:01 am to Jack Bauers HnK
Yeah, on the Ford sites a lot guys add the the extra 350 leaf to their 250s.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:05 am to BoogaBear
Like I said, JMO.
You likely obviously researched it, and I haven't to that degree.
I was basing my opinion on past experiences with manufacturers tending to be overly optimistic on things like HP and MPG.
You likely obviously researched it, and I haven't to that degree.
I was basing my opinion on past experiences with manufacturers tending to be overly optimistic on things like HP and MPG.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:10 am to N2cars
quote:
You likely obviously researched it, and I haven't to that degree.
I was basing my opinion on past experiences with manufacturers tending to be overly optimistic on things like HP and MPG.
There's a TON of incorrect information on both sides of the argument. People are obviously overloaded and then you have people saying you need an F-450 to tow a 25 ft travel trailer.
I do not disagree that it's better to be safe than sorry with most idiots that just hook it up and haul arse.
Research your truck, know it's capabilities, find a trailer that fits it, tow smart. I converted my fifth wheel to a gooseneck hitch and have airbags to keep my truck level while towing.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:12 am to greenbean
Owned Gd fifth wheel and very familiar. Get the dually, it will provide stability and resale is way better. You have to think payload and pin weight. Join GD Facebook owners forums and there will be one for your model. A wealth of information and maybe the best community and information
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:13 am to BoogaBear
quote:
Misinformation here and from downshift.
Chevy/GMC 2500 with max tow package, the only difference between that and a 1 ton SRW is the rear end. Leaf springs are the same, axles are the same, brakes are the same but one of them has a higher payload, when they are otherwise identical.
Regulation BS, not capability.
Regulations that require a CDL are why 3/4 tons exist. People who need to stay under the CDL weights can buy the 3/4, even add the max trailering packages to have the same hardware as a 1 ton.
If one isn't using their truck for commercial purposes, what's the appeal of paying for options to upgrade a 3/4 ton to a 1 ton's hardware instead of just getting the 1 ton?
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:14 am to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
y and a dually is probably necessary as well,
To be honest, I've never seen a 5th wheel without a dually.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:16 am to BoogaBear
My original post:
BoogaBear:
Nailed it.
quote:
I wonder how much overlap there is with people who "level" their truck, raising the front end to match the unloaded height of the rear, and then complaining when the rear appears to sag lower with a trailer so then they airbag the rear.
BoogaBear:
quote:
I converted my fifth wheel to a gooseneck hitch and have airbags to keep my truck level while towing.
Nailed it.
This post was edited on 4/9/26 at 11:17 am
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:20 am to BoogaBear
Just looked at a video on the GM products and you're right as far as hardware. Surprising b/c on the Ford side, there's a few other differences between F250/F350.
A few things stood out though:
I wonder if those Ford guys that add the extra leaf spring to their 250s are considering that?
A few things stood out though:
quote:
While a 2500 with a max tow package can offer similar towing capabilities to a 3500, the 3500's higher GVWR allows for greater flexibility and safety when carrying and towing heavy loads. This difference is crucial for avoiding legal issues and ensuring safe operation, especially when towing large trailers or fifth wheels.
I wonder if those Ford guys that add the extra leaf spring to their 250s are considering that?
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:23 am to Frankenswine5150
For that heavy I'd go with a one ton or dually. I'm towing a 2012 36' Raptor toy hauler (10,600 dry) with a 24 f250 and the 7.3. I airbagged it and this is a good setup, you should probably air bag yours as well. Don't skimp on tires and put a tpms on the RV.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:24 am to Jack Bauers HnK
quote:
My original post:
quote:
I wonder how much overlap there is with people who "level" their truck, raising the front end to match the unloaded height of the rear, and then complaining when the rear appears to sag lower with a trailer so then they airbag the rear.
BoogaBear:
quote:
I converted my fifth wheel to a gooseneck hitch and have airbags to keep my truck level while towing.
Nailed it.
No you didn't, my truck is stock height. My 5th wheel squats the rear 2 inches. Air bags level it back out while towing. Nice try though.
ETA: stock height for AT4 package before someone asks, factory 2 inch lift.
This post was edited on 4/9/26 at 11:30 am
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:33 am to Wraytex
quote:
Don't skimp on tires and put a tpms on the RV
Excellent advice.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:48 am to BoogaBear
quote:
my truck is stock height. My 5th wheel squats the rear 2 inches. Air bags level it back out while towing. Nice try though.
ETA: stock height for AT4 package before someone asks, factory 2 inch lift.
So a 2500 with a factory lift package, max trailering package, and airbags, all to proclaim it's just as good as a 1 ton? I'm not even understanding how you are intending to help the OP.
By all means, OP, buy the 3/4 ton like BoogaBear and spend all the money upgrading it, or just get the stock 1 ton truck, preferably the dually, and not worry about it. Why be on the bleeding edge of within spec when it's just as easy to have a much larger margin of safety for a small upcharge that will be made up on resale?
This post was edited on 4/9/26 at 11:49 am
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:55 am to Jack Bauers HnK
quote:
So a 2500 with a factory lift package, max trailering package, and airbags, all to proclaim it's just as good as a 1 ton? I'm not even understanding how you are intending to help the OP.
By all means, OP, buy the 3/4 ton like BoogaBear and spend all the money upgrading it, or just get the stock 1 ton truck, preferably the dually, and not worry about it. Why be on the bleeding edge of within spec when it's just as easy to have a much larger margin of safety for a small upcharge that will be made up on resale?
Can you fricking read?
I literally told the OP that based on the weight of his trailer he would need at least a 1 ton.
You and the merry band of idiots came in here saying all sorts of nonsense about how 3/4 ton trucks can't tow fifth wheels.
I don't believe you know wtf you're talking about, my point all along was stop making blanket statements that 3/4 tons can't tow fifth wheels. They can, they are more than capable in certain scenarios. Also, airbags improve ride quality when towing regardless of 1 ton or 3/4 ton, they do not improve capacity, so it's an upgrade most will make anyway.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 12:11 pm to bayoudude
quote:
That inherited camper about to cost you $90k
No doubt, the tow vehicle will be worth twice the value of the 5th wheel.
We’ve had a bumper pull and were a couple days away from buying a Class A, but once my wife saw the layout of the 5th wheel, she was hooked.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 12:14 pm to BoogaBear
quote:
I literally told the OP that based on the weight of his trailer he would need at least a 1 ton.
You and the merry band of idiots came in here saying all sorts of nonsense about how 3/4 ton trucks can't tow fifth wheels.
I don't believe you know wtf you're talking about, my point all along was stop making blanket statements that 3/4 tons can't tow fifth wheels. They can, they are more than capable in certain scenarios. Also, airbags improve ride quality when towing regardless of 1 ton or 3/4 ton, they do not improve capacity, so it's an upgrade most will make anyway.
Friend, no one said 3/4 ton trucks can't tow fifth wheels. People obviously do so regularly with them. What many of us can't figure out is why do they do it?
If they already had a 3/4 ton and they get a fifth wheel, I can see the desire to make it work rather than spending extra money to sell/trade in their 3/4 for a 1 ton.
If they're getting the truck for the purpose of towing, why are they saving the ~$1,200 difference to get a 3/4 instead of a 1 ton, especially if they are going to pay for a package that upgrades the hardware with parts that come with the 1 ton? It can't be for an economic reason unless they need the derating for commercial purposes. So if they aren't saving money and they don't need a derated truck, why are they buying 3/4 tons at all? Is there some flex with buying a 3/4 ton that's barely within capacity (if only on paper)? The dealer only had 3/4 tons available? It just doesn't seem to make any sense.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 12:25 pm to greenbean
Or you can always sell the 5th wheel and have a nice little cash stash...
Posted on 4/9/26 at 12:29 pm to Jack Bauers HnK
You still have reading issues. Several posts on several pages saying 5th wheel = 1 ton dually.
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