Best option to pull 36' 5th wheel
#1
Best option to pull 36' 5th wheel
Bought (well, put a deposit on) an 09 Keystone Mountaineer 345DBQ fifth wheel. Looks to be the smallest fifth wheel I can get that has an extra bedroom and bathroom in back.
Here are the specs from the manufacturer:
Dry weight: 11,045 lbs
Payload capacity: 3,265 lbs
Hitch weight: 2,310 lbs
Length: 36.17'
Width: 8'
Height: 12.75'
If the numbers can be believed, the max loaded weight would be 14,310 lbs. 20% of that gives us a 2,862 lbs hitch weight. Let's round to 15,000 and 3,000. Now, to find a truck that meets our budget and needs.
Budget: No more than $15k (that's the absolute high limit, I can look at trucks that are a bit over and ask if they'll take $15k or less). Prefer $10k or less. Don't mind an older truck as long as it's in good condition.
Needs: Tow aforementioned fifth wheel a few times a year (once every 3, 6, or 9 months). Wife's a travel nurse, so we'll be staying put in an area for a bit. Should be able to handle family of five (not 100% required, just 95%), comfort would be nice but not necessary (so, crew cab desired but extended ok). Rest of the time it'll be a daily driver. The lower the price, the less comfort required (low enough, we can buy a car to haul the kiddies in). Transmission really really needs to be an automatic (directive from my wife). Cheap enough, I can go manual and tell her to only drive the car. She really wants to drive the truck some though. Lastly, I'm concerned more with real-world tow limits than what the manufacturer claims. If it can handle it safely (pulling AND stopping) and I won't get big fines from the DOT, that's good enough for me.
Can buy a truck in Orlando FL, Nashville TN, Houston TX and all points in between. Seems the best prices are in Texas, with Tennessee a close second and Florida a joke. Seriously, it seems as though I can buy a Prius (blasphemy on this forum, I know) in Florida, drive it to Texas, buy a truck there, and possibly come out ahead on the deal.
Ideally I'd get an early 03 F350 dually with the 7.3 diesel. I'm seeing an awful lot of trucks that look like they're used for hauling big loads (tow package, fifth wheel hitch, few dents and scratches and a worn driver's seat that true work trucks have) and they have SRW. Big price difference too. Should I reconsider my dually preference? Heck, should I reconsider my F350 preference and seriously consider an F250? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like I can get a much newer F250 for about the same price as a much older F350, and a higher towing capacity? Just stay away from that problematic 6.0 diesel.
I like Ford, but am not particularly loyal to that brand (uh-oh, just killed any chance for help here, didn't I?). Dodge ok, Chevy ok. Heard good things about the Duramax. Seems Ford has the best engine (if sticking with the 7.3) and Duramax has the best transmission. Can't really go wrong with either, right?
Sorry for the long post. Been lurking, looks like you guys like all the info upfront. Many thanks for any advice you can give.
Here are the specs from the manufacturer:
Dry weight: 11,045 lbs
Payload capacity: 3,265 lbs
Hitch weight: 2,310 lbs
Length: 36.17'
Width: 8'
Height: 12.75'
If the numbers can be believed, the max loaded weight would be 14,310 lbs. 20% of that gives us a 2,862 lbs hitch weight. Let's round to 15,000 and 3,000. Now, to find a truck that meets our budget and needs.
Budget: No more than $15k (that's the absolute high limit, I can look at trucks that are a bit over and ask if they'll take $15k or less). Prefer $10k or less. Don't mind an older truck as long as it's in good condition.
Needs: Tow aforementioned fifth wheel a few times a year (once every 3, 6, or 9 months). Wife's a travel nurse, so we'll be staying put in an area for a bit. Should be able to handle family of five (not 100% required, just 95%), comfort would be nice but not necessary (so, crew cab desired but extended ok). Rest of the time it'll be a daily driver. The lower the price, the less comfort required (low enough, we can buy a car to haul the kiddies in). Transmission really really needs to be an automatic (directive from my wife). Cheap enough, I can go manual and tell her to only drive the car. She really wants to drive the truck some though. Lastly, I'm concerned more with real-world tow limits than what the manufacturer claims. If it can handle it safely (pulling AND stopping) and I won't get big fines from the DOT, that's good enough for me.
Can buy a truck in Orlando FL, Nashville TN, Houston TX and all points in between. Seems the best prices are in Texas, with Tennessee a close second and Florida a joke. Seriously, it seems as though I can buy a Prius (blasphemy on this forum, I know) in Florida, drive it to Texas, buy a truck there, and possibly come out ahead on the deal.
Ideally I'd get an early 03 F350 dually with the 7.3 diesel. I'm seeing an awful lot of trucks that look like they're used for hauling big loads (tow package, fifth wheel hitch, few dents and scratches and a worn driver's seat that true work trucks have) and they have SRW. Big price difference too. Should I reconsider my dually preference? Heck, should I reconsider my F350 preference and seriously consider an F250? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like I can get a much newer F250 for about the same price as a much older F350, and a higher towing capacity? Just stay away from that problematic 6.0 diesel.
I like Ford, but am not particularly loyal to that brand (uh-oh, just killed any chance for help here, didn't I?). Dodge ok, Chevy ok. Heard good things about the Duramax. Seems Ford has the best engine (if sticking with the 7.3) and Duramax has the best transmission. Can't really go wrong with either, right?
Sorry for the long post. Been lurking, looks like you guys like all the info upfront. Many thanks for any advice you can give.
#2
I searched for that same vehicle (locally) for a long time. The very few that came across were 12-15 years old, had very high mileage (200K or better) and an even larger price-tag. I eventually had to compromise on what I wanted Plus bite the bullet and 'finance' a much newer one.
Now that the ordeal is over I'm glad I went much newer, with very few miles, for just a bit over double $ what I was previously seeing.
Now that the ordeal is over I'm glad I went much newer, with very few miles, for just a bit over double $ what I was previously seeing.
#5
If I where you for a trailer that size I would not consider anything but a DRW. I pull a very similar trailer, a 32 foot carriage cameo, 14500 loaded with 3015 pin with a 2003 F-350 crewcab dually 6.0 and have no problem but it is close to max for the truck. I pulled it with my buddy's F-250 just to move it to a different storage facility about 10 miles away when my wife was using my truck and WOULD NOT even consider the F-250 a second time. It was less stable and just felt over matched by the trailer.
#7
You don't want gas.
Trending Topics
#10
This is what $15,000 can get you, but I just put another $4,300 in it
That's nice, but by my reckoning that's now a $19300 tow vehicle. My original point was for less than twice that $ amount I'm now driving a year old/ 17K mile unit.
* Yes I had to step down to F250 and shed the duallys. Those were wants (not needs) so I can live with it. *
That's nice, but by my reckoning that's now a $19300 tow vehicle. My original point was for less than twice that $ amount I'm now driving a year old/ 17K mile unit.
* Yes I had to step down to F250 and shed the duallys. Those were wants (not needs) so I can live with it. *
#11
I love diesel but for the range you are talking they will be a money pit. Every thing you will find in that 15k dollar range will most likely have a crap load of abuse across the board.
Also a gasser would be a fine choice for your situation AND is easier to maintain on a budget AND will most likely have fewer miles than a diesel equivalent. Anyone who says other wise is full of it.
For example a 2005 2wd srw supercab f250 or 350 have payload at 2500 ish lbs and fifth wheel tow at 12500 lbs in v10 form with 4:30 rear.
You can find these trucks all day for the range you are talking and less than 150000 miles on the odometer.
You'd be at the max or over a bit legally depending on how you load it, but the 250 or 350 srw with a v10 would pull that trailer all day long with out issue.
No need for dually or diesel. If you full time, then maybe.
Also a gasser would be a fine choice for your situation AND is easier to maintain on a budget AND will most likely have fewer miles than a diesel equivalent. Anyone who says other wise is full of it.
For example a 2005 2wd srw supercab f250 or 350 have payload at 2500 ish lbs and fifth wheel tow at 12500 lbs in v10 form with 4:30 rear.
You can find these trucks all day for the range you are talking and less than 150000 miles on the odometer.
You'd be at the max or over a bit legally depending on how you load it, but the 250 or 350 srw with a v10 would pull that trailer all day long with out issue.
No need for dually or diesel. If you full time, then maybe.
#12
200,000 is not high mileage for a 10 year old Diesel. Stay with a dually for stability, and remember just because you can pull it does not mean you can stop it. You want a heavy truck. Crew Cab Long Box is best. 4X4 gives you a little more stopping weight.
You don't want gas.
You don't want gas.
By your analogy the OP should be driving a Otr kenworth for this smaller trailer.
Nothing wrong with a 2wd gas truck for this operation.
#13
I bought a 2006 F350 SRW (it rated to tow more that a 99-04 F350 DRW) long bed crew cab 4X4. 196000 miles, impeccable maintenance records, original owner $9600. Had a lot of work done recently. I had to replaces the heater blower motor, one outside mirror, and some other small stuff. I might have to replace some injectors but I think I can make them last another year, it was spose to have new injectors, but I think only two where replaced. truck runs good and would not hesitate to tow with it.
starting 2005 the frame and brakes where updated on the super duty trucks, the tow rating was also increased across the board. There is also the optional FACTORY trailer brake controller starting in 2005. It is by far the best controller I ever used. If you do privet party I think you can find something that will work.
starting 2005 the frame and brakes where updated on the super duty trucks, the tow rating was also increased across the board. There is also the optional FACTORY trailer brake controller starting in 2005. It is by far the best controller I ever used. If you do privet party I think you can find something that will work.
#14
A quick look localy. I just did Diesels, a gas might work fine for you also. I know others will disagree, but running a gas at that kind of load will really shorten its life and they will have some issues also. Either gas or diesel will do the job, you need to decide, we cant for you
2006 Ford F-350 4X4 crew cab
2006 Ford
2006 Ford F-350 4X4 crew cab
2006 Ford
#15
This has had a lot of the big money work done already, and lower miles. I searched for GAS f350, none showed up
2006 Ford F350 Long Bed Lariet / FX4
2006 Ford F350 Long Bed Lariet / FX4