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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Tow Vehicles -> Adequate size Tow Vehicle
Post Info TOPIC: Adequate size Tow Vehicle
RickV1955


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Adequate size Tow Vehicle
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We'll be starting our full time RV lifestyle in just under three years.
We have pretty much decided on a fifth wheel. 
I was under the impression that it was very common (usual) to tow a fifth wheel with a truck in the F350 range (dually diesel)....In checking out several forums over the last several days, I'm starting to get really confused. 
Thinking that a F350 might be pushing it slightly (we are looking at ultimately buying a fifth wheel in the 34 - 38' range or so) we had  kind of been considering an F450 duel wheel deisel.  I thought that this tow vehicle would be sufficient to pretty much tow any fifth wheel.

In the forums I've been reading, a majority of the folks (who I assume are experienced and have knowlege of this) have been recommending really "huge" trucks.  Several recommending heavy duty trucks - like the commercial tractors I see on the highway.
Our tow vehicle will be out only mode of transportation with the fifth wheel, so we will be doing our local traveling/sightseeing, etc... in this vehicle.   I really wouldn't want to have to be driving around town in a huge tractor....

Does anyone have any first hand experience that can help me out?  It seems like maybe some of the advice given is a bit of overkill.....it seems like most owners of fifth wheel (including, I think, Howard and Linda)  tow with a reasonable size truck....

Rick

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Luvglass


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Hi,

It really has nothing to do with the length of your trailer, it's the weight that's important. Which ever trailer you choose, it will come with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight rating) which tells you the maximum weight that trailer can be with all your stuff in it. It's the engineering capacity of the tires, wheels, axles and suspension.

You need to choose a truck that is rated by the manufacturer to be able to tow that weight, and preferrably 10% more. In their most aggressive packages, I think the Chevy and Dodge 3500 are rated in the mid 15-16,000 range and the Ford 350 is mid 18,000. The 450 and 550 add to that considerably with larger axles, wheels and rear ends, but still use the same diesel engine.

There's really no purpose in getting a truck too big for your needs though, as they are more expensive to buy and run.

There are a lot of good fulltime trailers that GVWR under 17K.

Good luck,

Fred



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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
Judy


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We just got rid of our F-250 and bought a F-550.  We have a fifth wheel which is 37 in length, but the weight was a big factor of what you put in your rv...like Fred said its not the length.  A bigger truck will have the same engine, but it has bigger brakes, heavier suspension, bigger tires, so its more there for the load carry.  Hope this helps you to understand and I am  sure others will chime in on this also.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

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Judy & Bob & 2blackdogs
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Darrell and Judy


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The above enteries are correct, weight is the issue.  A 450 or 4500 will handle most of the fifthwheels in the lengths you've mentioned, but the "high-end" units tend to be heavy and may require more truck.  I personally think that an HDT is overkill, but I would rather go that way than be undersized.  I am currently running my truck at the max CCWR and GVWR.  I'm not overweight but right at the limit so I am very diligent in watching tire pressure and brake wear.  I'm thinking of adding disc brakes to the trailer as added insurance, if I had the money to pay cash I would upgrade to a larger truck, possibly a MDT.

Keep researching and seeing what's out there.  I would advise you to settle on the fifthwheel first and then look for the truck that will handle it. 

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Wandering America
2006 38' Cedar Creek Custom
2500 HD GMC Sierra Duramax Diesel
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