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Post Info TOPIC: Newbies


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Newbies


hi

 

we are going to be purchasing a 5 th wheel expecting to use it 4-5 months a year initially.

i am looking for guidance on the best truck and can we use a short bed to tow?

are the hitches easily remove able when not in use?

will a dodge 2500 or a Ford F-250 handle towing most 5 th wheels.

 

any input would be appreciated , many thanks

 



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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Welcome. 

Can you be more specific as to the truck model year. Towing capabilities have changed dramatically over the past few years. 2500 series trucks will be single rear wheel and therefore limited in towing capability compared to a 3500 series (or F350)  A dually would be a better choice for larger trailers. Better yet, give us a better idea of the fifth wheel you are considering then figure out the truck that will pull it safely. If you already have the truck you may be limited to your choices for a trailer. Short box PUs have their own issue's but not entirely insurmountable.



-- Edited by biggaRView on Tuesday 14th of July 2015 08:10:56 AM

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Brian, Cindi & Josie (our fur baby)
2017 RAM 3500 Laramie 4x4 CCLB, CTD, Aisin, B&W hitch, dually
2020 Keystone Montana Legacy 3813MS w/FBP ,
MORryde 8k IS, Kodiak disc brakes, no solar  YET!



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Welcome, Larry.

Brian is giving good advice.  It is better to know what size and weight of trailer one is going to purchase, or have at least chosen to purchase, before deciding on a truck's size.  In addition to the stability that a dually would provide over single rear wheels, the short bed creates other problems.  With a short bed, one REALLY needs to have a sliding fifth wheel hitch in the bed of the truck.  Without a sliding fifth wheel, one is chancing the possibility of breaking out the rear window of the truck with the front of the fifth wheel, should one have to turn tight enough to back into some campsite or driveway.  Even if one has a sliding fifth wheel, if it isn't automatic, one can forget to slide the hitch to the rear to prevent damage.  I suppose that even an automatic sliding hitch might could malfunction.  At any rate, one also needs to have a hitch that is rated for a heavier weight than what the trailer's GVWR is.

As for ease of removal of the fifth wheel hitch, many are fairly easy to remove by removing a few pins and lifting it out.  If you are in the situation that you want to have your bed free to haul other things (without having rails in the bed), then a B&W Companion fifth wheel system is good to have.  With it, the majority of the anchoring pieces are located under the bed, thus one has to cut a hole in the bed so that one can install the Companion system.

B&W Hitches

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug



RV-Dreams Family Member

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A friend of mine removes his hitch all the time. He mounted an electric winch overhead in his garage, backs his truck under it, lifts the hitch about a foot and drives out from underneath it. He then lowers the hitch onto a four wheeled furniture dolly. This way he can moved it around the garage as needed. It took him about 20 minutes to remove the hitch.

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Ken

2005 Monaco Diplomat 400 ISL Cummins

2012 Honda CRV AWD

2008 Harley Ultra Classic

 

 



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Whatever truck you are considering, ensure that you know its realistic towing capacity. The publish charts can be somewhat misleading considering they don't include all the additional weight you'll ad to the truck. I recommend you use the app at RVtowCheck.com.

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Dave and Amy ~ Owners of a Heartland Cyclone 4012 Toy Hauler 



RV-Dreams Family Member

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Larry,

As a follow-up, consider that the new Dodge and GM trucks have raised their bed rails.  Enough so that some are finding they have to juggle things around with the hitch, pin box, and even to adding something like 2 inches of height to the frame of the fifth wheels in order to get sufficient clearance between the pickup's bed rails and the underside of the overhang of the fifth wheel.

Terry



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Terry and Jo

2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB3
2008 Ford F450
2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout

Our photos on Smugmug

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