Allworth
Orlando, FL
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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3500 or F350 Diesel. Every time!
If not today, then your next trailer never gets smaller.
Formerly posting as "littleblackdog"
Martha, Allen, & Blackjack
2006 Chevy 3500 D/A LB SRW, RVND 7710
2008 Titanium 30E35SA; EZ-Lube axles; wet bolts; spring hanger gussetts; BFG Commercial TAs
"Real Jeeps have round headlights"
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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Joined: 06/03/2012
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Campinfan wrote:I would go with the new Ford Ranger or even the new Maverick if I did not want to go for overkill. Heck, you won't even know it is back there.
I concur.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"
"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600
2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable
2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD
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4x4ord
Alberta
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Joined: 12/23/2010
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stickdog wrote:4x4ord wrote:If you’re looking at new, a srw gas would do. I’d want a diesel srw for that size trailer. If you opt for a 250 you might have to add air bags.
Would that trailer with a 250 with or without air bags pass inspection in Abberta?
In Alberta if an officer wanted to ticket you he would base whether you are overloaded or not on your tire weight ratings. The F350 and F 250 diesels both run the same tire options and would have no problem with a typical 17000 lb fiver.
2022 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5
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4x4ord
Alberta
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Joined: 12/23/2010
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My tandem axle 5ver weighs about 15500 lbs and only has a pin weight of about 2600 lbs. Probably most triple axle units have lighter pins as well. The srw Fords have rear axle ratings of 7230 lbs and a pin weight of up to 3700 lbs would not overloaded the rear axle. In reality a f250 with air bags would probably handle a 3700 lb pin better than a f350 without bags.
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TXiceman
Full Time RVer
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Walking through our current RV park, there are way too many 3/4 ton trucks parked with BIG 5ers...42 and 42 feet, some 3 axle toyhaulers. When they come in, the poor truck is literally dragging-arse. I do not say a word to them unless they make a comment about handling or ride.
Some will comment about the constant chucking and it looks like many manufacturers are now moving the axles forward to put less pin weight on the truck. This is not good for ride comfort. Too light and you get the chucking very easily.
Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
2013 HitchHiker 38RLRSB Champagne, toted with a 2012, F350, 6.7L PSD, Crewcab, dually. 3.73 axle, Full Time RVer.
Travel with a standard schnauzer and a Timneh African Gray parrot
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wintersun
Monterey
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Joined: 12/22/2011
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80% of the people towing 5th wheel travel trailers on the highway are doing so with a SRW truck. The dual rear wheel is needed to support the load when the weight of the 5th wheel mount on the bed of the truck is more than 4,000 lbs.
One advantage in the past with Ram and Chevy is that their 2500 and 3500 trucks used the same frame and brakes and drivetrain whereas Ford has had significant differences between its F-250 and F-350 trucks. Ford also makes two versions of the F-450 with one configured for heavy hauling and the other for heavy towing.
Don't overlook available fuel tanks and mounting for a 5th wheel trailer with a reinforced frame under the bed. Some cab configurations may not be available for one of the class trucks.
With a trailer load of more than 12,000 lbs a diesel engine is important for the extra torque it provides. With a 13,000 lb trailer load my Chevy 2500 with its diesel engine was able to safely merge with traffic when getting on the freeway and safely able to pass semi's going up grades and on open roads. The exhaust brake of the diesel trucks is also extremely helpful when going down steep grades with a heavy trailer.
Something else that is often overlooked but important is that a diesel pickup may get 11 mpg with a heavy trailer in tow but the gas engine powered one may get only 8 mpg. That makes a very big difference in how far one can travel on a full tank of fuel before having to make a stop to refuel.
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theoldwizard1
SE MI
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Joined: 09/07/2010
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goducks10 wrote:Come out west like all the way west, not west from the east coast like Nebraska and see if you like dragging around 15,000 lbs with a gasser for a few years.
I would never own a trailer that weighted 15,000 lbs !
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TXiceman
Full Time RVer
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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theoldwizard1 wrote:goducks10 wrote:Come out west like all the way west, not west from the east coast like Nebraska and see if you like dragging around 15,000 lbs with a gasser for a few years.
I would never own a trailer that weighted 15,000 lbs !
Well, I guess you are limiting trailer size. Loaded we are a bit over 19,000# trailer weight and a pin weight of 4100#.
Ken
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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Joined: 06/03/2012
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TXiceman wrote:theoldwizard1 wrote:goducks10 wrote:Come out west like all the way west, not west from the east coast like Nebraska and see if you like dragging around 15,000 lbs with a gasser for a few years.
I would never own a trailer that weighted 15,000 lbs !
Well, I guess you are limiting trailer size. Loaded we are a bit over 19,000# trailer weight and a pin weight of 4100#.
Ken
Only 24k here with a 6k pin. No different towing than our 25, 28, 32.5 or 36' 5er's. Bigger truck as needed and the experience is the same.
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