Connie,

Actually you are being very smart in asking for help with this decision. It's a complicated issue that most dealers are not knowledgeable enough to safely answer.

Most RV'ers will advise shop for the trailer (5th wheel) first and then buy a truck with more than the capacity to tow it. You don't want to get a truck that is at or near capacity. You just end up straining the truck and it leads to premature failure plus your safety might be at risk. Most trucks will pull the weight and handle it reasonably well on the flat road, but once you get into twisty mountain roads, or inclement weather or poor road surface conditions that's when the right truck will make the difference.

However, the biggest consideration in my opinion is stopping the truck & trailer. The right truck/trailer setup will stop safely and straight even in a panic situation. An at or near capacity truck will not be able to stop safely.

If you pay attention to the 5th wheels being towed down the highways you'll see about an equal number of Ford, Chevys and Dodge trucks towing them. Ford and Dodge were the firsts to add diesel engines so a lot of 5th wheel owners went that way to get the torque (pulling power) the diesel offers. Chevy began offering a good diesel engine so the balance of power has kind of evened out.

With most of the larger 5th wheels (32 foot plus with slideouts) you'll need at least a F350 or 3500 to pull it. Most 5th wheel owners are now going to the F450 or F550 or a MDT (Medium Duty Truck) or even an HDT (Heavy Duty Truck/ semi) for pulling power, fuel economy and safety.

Take into consideration the following:

> Towing Capacity (as much capacity as you can afford beyond the minimum for the 5th wheel you choose)
> Ride Comfort (both towing the 5th wheel and without)
> Diesel instead of gas engine
> Heavy Duty everything (brakes, suspension, drive train, transmission)
> Equipped for towing (extra wiring and features)
> Mirrors that can be extended out to see around the trailer

Others will provide links for towing capacity charts which will come in handy in choosing your truck.

It can be difficult finding the right truck, don't get discouraged, make sure you get one that will safely tow the 5th wheel you decide on.

Good Luck.



-- Edited by thebearII on Wednesday 14th of October 2009 02:31:41 PM

Hi Connie - I was EXACTLY where you are in the decision process and know how daunting the process seems but with the help from the kind folks on this site (especially the guys who've already responded), I got through it & so will you.

For me, reliability of my rig was a big concern. I just don't have the patience for things that break. As an engineer, I had some coursework & seminars in reliability engineering and in short, what I learned is the more moving parts there are, the lower the reliability (its just common sense). That's what I liked about a fiver and a truck vs. a motorhome & a toad - less moving parts. Not that motor homes aren't great, but I liked the fiver option better.

My approach was to pick a really good fiver that met my needs then buy a truck properly sized to handle it. "Properly sized" boils down to actual weights of the truck/5ver combo vs. rated weight capacities of the truck. There are really good earlier posts on all of these. The first time through it seems overwhelming, I read & re-read them several times. In the end, its not that complex, but it is important. Take a look at those posts.

I agree with Terry - DON'T believe the salesman. I had a Ford salesman trying to sell me a truck hopelessly under-rated just to make a sale. I did end up with a Ford though because they have an option called a Tow Boss package which has a rear transaxle gearing that increases the GCVWR, & to safely tow my 5ver, I needed it. Chevy & Dodge didn't have a GCVWR as high as the Tow Boss Ford dually in the model year I was looking (I bought a used 2006 truck to save some $). The Ford also has an integrated trailer brake controller that you will need for towing (although an after-market one can be added to the others). The brake controller activates the built-in brakes in the 5ver when the truck brakes are applied.

You definitely want a diesel. Also, don't forget to account for the weight of all of your belongings that you will carry in the 5ver. They add to the overall weight figures. There are good previous posts on these weights also.

Of course the other consideration as always is $$$ - the bigger the 5ver, the bigger the truck needed & the higher the overall cost.

Keep asking questions though - this folks are really great & have helped me & others a lot.

Happy hunting,
Bob

Connie,

Please keep in mind that my earlier comments are somewhat based on getting a large fifth wheel.  At least, that is what Jo and I are planning.  Our research has been based on that premise.

I read in your "biography" under your user name that you were initially interested in a 24' motorhome.  I am presuming from your biography that you are planning on full-timing, so let me add another thought.

Jo and I have a 26' fifth wheel and it is OK as a camper being used on a limited time basis.  We are looking to sell our home and MOVE INTO a fifth wheel, which will be our home.  We still have a few years before we retire, so we plan on having something that is well made and well insulated.  For those reasons, we are looking at a fifth wheel that may be larger than a lot of others.

Your needs may be less, but when considering everything keep in mind that you may decide that your first choice of fifth wheel (if you go that way) may be too small for full timing.  Thus, if you go the truck and fifth wheel route, I would advise "over buying" with the purchase of a truck.  That way, if you choose to get a larger fifth wheel, you still may have a big enough truck to handle it.

Also, I cannot stress enough to check out some RV shows so you can see a number of different units and their features.  Always ask yourself whether the "features" would really benefit you.

Good luck.

Terry

Connie,

Thanks for the answer.  We are aware of where Golden is located.  Back in the late '70's we met a couple from Denver that were members of a group called Colorado Wheelers.  They were a group of people that were confined to wheelchairs that formed together to have their own square dance club.  After some time, they took on the task of traveling to various square dance clubs and putting on demonstrations.  There were an astounding group of people.

The couple we met lived in Lakewood, and we had the opportunity to spend about 5 days with them while an RV that we had borrowed was repaired.  (That's a whole nother story.)  While we were there, we toured the Coors brewery in Golden.  Jo drove us back after that.  She doesn't like beer so I drank her share.    OOOoooohhh!

Most of our vacationing in Colorado is down in the La Veta/Cuchara/Stonewall area and this year we went to Pagosa Springs.  Reservations have already been made for two weeks there again next year.

Glad you are looking at a bigger RV.  After a while, our 26 footer starts to get cramped.

Terry

Connie, Just another view to consider  We intend to full time in our 38 foot Cedar Creek pulled by a 3500 Dually Dodge.It's not rated as a full time rig but is a well built unit. We have everything we need to full time in it and weighed it the other day and came in 1500 lbs under max amount  rated. The total weight came in  1700 lbs under total rating.Compared to top of the line units price wise they are a good bargain. I have no complaints yet about the Dodge and they usually sell for less than comparable Fords.What every one said about having enough truck to safely pull and stop your 5ver is very important.The Fords do have the best weight rating but I guess what I'm trying to say is that you can get a nice rig without paying the price for the premium units.