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re: Tow vehicle for 5th wheel
Posted on 4/9/26 at 12:45 pm to BoogaBear
Posted on 4/9/26 at 12:45 pm to BoogaBear
quote:
You still have reading issues. Several posts on several pages saying 5th wheel = 1 ton dually.
Perhaps I do. Maybe they should have said 1 ton dually = best option for 5th wheel. Seems like a lot of vitriol for the giving of opinions.
Any insight into why anyone would buy a 3/4 ton just to upgrade it to 1 ton parts/capability instead of getting the 1 ton at the outset? You, for example, why get the 2500 with max trailering instead of the 3500? Assuming you weighed the two options, what benefit did going with the 2500 bring you?
2
Posted on 4/9/26 at 3:07 pm to Jack Bauers HnK
quote:
Any insight into why anyone would buy a 3/4 ton just to upgrade it to 1 ton parts/capability instead of getting the 1 ton at the outset? You, for example, why get the 2500 with max trailering instead of the 3500? Assuming you weighed the two options, what benefit did going with the 2500 bring you?
Just to try and answer this question, since it seems to be asked often, is that some states tax and regulate 3/4 and 1 tons differently. It may have a significant cost differential to register and operate a 1 ton truck vs a 3/4 ton. Thats the reason manufacturers offer the 3/4 ton trucks with the 1 ton hardware. Its a 3/4 in name only in order to get around regulations in some states.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 3:12 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
DownshiftAndFloorIt
Do not listen to this poster on this topic. Like, not at all.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 4:45 pm to Jack Bauers HnK
quote:
Any insight into why anyone would buy a 3/4 ton just to upgrade it to 1 ton parts/capability instead of getting the 1 ton at the outset?
Registration / insurance reasons for fleets or ride quality concerns.
Mostly though, ignorance about what a 3/4 ton diesel pickup truck is actually built to do. People by diesel F250's and think they can tow anything with it. Go to a camper dealership with a 3/4 ton truck and a 5th wheel hitch and the salesmen will gleefully tell you the biggest trailer they've got is well within that trucks capabilities.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 4:56 pm to greenbean
As has been said here already, just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Or, put another way, there is zero debate herein that a one ton dually will effectively safely tow your trailer.
There is plenty of debate herein whether anything less will do so.
When you are in a tricky situation towing, will you want to have the certainty or the maybe?
Good luck, hope you have a great experience. I’m never going to have to personally worry about pulling a camper, even if I got one for free.
Or, put another way, there is zero debate herein that a one ton dually will effectively safely tow your trailer.
There is plenty of debate herein whether anything less will do so.
When you are in a tricky situation towing, will you want to have the certainty or the maybe?
Good luck, hope you have a great experience. I’m never going to have to personally worry about pulling a camper, even if I got one for free.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 5:49 pm to greenbean
You can pull it with a 250 but 350 would be like not even knowing its there.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:17 pm to soccerfüt
STFU
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:39 pm to greenbean
Every vehicle has a published towing weight and payload capacity. Just be sure you get a vehicle rated for the proper towing capacity of 14,198 and the payload capacity of whatever the 5th wheel weight is.
I don’t mean to be demeaning, but a lot of people don’t know this kind of thing.
I don’t mean to be demeaning, but a lot of people don’t know this kind of thing.
Posted on 4/9/26 at 11:45 pm to greenbean
F450 and you’ll enjoy traveling with that 15k trailer. Braking, stability at hwy speed, are markedly superior over a 350
Posted on 4/10/26 at 1:43 am to WhiskeyThief
It's all about safety. A major component of safety is stability and that is what an F350 (DUALLY) brings into the equation. Stability is a must and you don't have it with a 3/4 ton single wheel truck . Towing a large 5th wheel camper must incorporate stability into the choice. I drive an F250 4X4 DIESEL truck. I will not use it to tow a large 5th wheel camper.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 7:17 am to windmill
Read up on what GCWR and GVWR are and watch a few you tube videos on the subject.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 7:50 am to rodnreel
quote:
Read up on what GCWR and GVWRi are and watch a few you tube videos on the subject.
I'm more interested in what make is more reliable between Ram, Ford and Chevy and what years are better or worse. I'm open to buy used.
I'm sure I'll go for a minimum 350, but gas or diesel will depend on what I can find at the best price. Preference will be a dually.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 8:00 am to greenbean
Diesel is by far the best option, check out some towing forums.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 8:10 am to greenbean
Is whatever you decide to buy going to be a daily driver or just a tow pig?
Posted on 4/10/26 at 8:40 am to Seth Bullock
I think that is a great question.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 10:09 am to Seth Bullock
quote:
Is whatever you decide to buy going to be a daily driver or just a tow pig?
Tow rig, but when we camp, I'll be want to be able to easily get around the area we are in.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 10:14 am to greenbean
We’ve had a 36ft 5th wheel since 2021. It weighs about 11k dry but loaded. I’ve towed it with my 2017 f250 the entire time we’ve owned it. I have the 6.7 powerstroke. I’ve had no issues with in all the trips we’ve taken. I added air bags after a few pulls and that’s helped with leveling it off. The longest trip we’ve taken was from SW Miss to Table Rock lake in Missouri. I took my time and didn’t have any issues. It handled it well. I recently bought a new Ford dually for my equipment but haven’t towed the camper with it yet.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 10:38 am to greenbean
quote:
I'm more interested in what make is more reliable between Ram, Ford and Chevy and what years are better or worse. I'm open to buy used.
Pay attention to your trucks rating and the trailer you're towing. Blanket statements won't solve it.
You're in 1 ton territory, 100%. If it's just a tow rig, I'd get a dual wheel. Ram will give you your best bang for your buck.
Personally, I'd go with a Duramax and Allison trans. The real Allison trans not the simply branded Allison trans of the newer models. Further, if it was just my tow rig. I'm getting pre emissions dual wheel LML Duramax.
This post was edited on 4/10/26 at 10:39 am
Posted on 4/10/26 at 12:08 pm to greenbean
I agree with boogabear's sentiments about pre-def diesels if an older truck will suffice for you.
If you're stuck on new or newer, I wouldn't rule out a gas-burner. Added cost of fuel and maintenance on the diesel being the main reasons.
If you're stuck on new or newer, I wouldn't rule out a gas-burner. Added cost of fuel and maintenance on the diesel being the main reasons.
Posted on 4/10/26 at 3:12 pm to Seth Bullock
The gas burners are no fun to tow with and that weight wouldn’t be ideal. I had a 2014 Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 and hated it for towing. They make their power at high RPM’s and stayed above 4k when towing. A diesel is more expensive but if you are buying a 5th wheel I wouldn’t cut corners trying to save a few dollars towing it. Buy once , cry once.
This post was edited on 4/10/26 at 3:12 pm
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