Pulling a Fifth Wheel Camper
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Farmersburg, Indiana
Pulling a Fifth Wheel Camper
Who has pulled the heaviest trailer?
Looking at a DRV Elite Suites 36RSSB3 GVWR is 18-20k... I know the max GCWR for these trucks is only 20k... Just wondering if anyone has pulled something that heavy? Or is it possible? I'm looking at getting Firestone Air bags and upgrading the springs to 1 tons.
Looking at a DRV Elite Suites 36RSSB3 GVWR is 18-20k... I know the max GCWR for these trucks is only 20k... Just wondering if anyone has pulled something that heavy? Or is it possible? I'm looking at getting Firestone Air bags and upgrading the springs to 1 tons.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
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From: Texas
If you plan on towing a 20k lb trailer on a regular basis, you'll be better off with a DRW truck. I've pulled 24k with my SRW 350 with airbags before, but not on a regular basis.
The truck will tow the weight just fine (some issues on the hills), the real problem comes in with stopping and maneuvering at speed. Not a good idea for a 250 in my opinion.
The truck will tow the weight just fine (some issues on the hills), the real problem comes in with stopping and maneuvering at speed. Not a good idea for a 250 in my opinion.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 419
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From: Alfred NY and Long Island
Is the trailer 18-20k pounds? or is the combined weight of the truck and trailer 18-20k pounds? If so the trailer weighs between 10-12k pounds. Seems like guys here pull 10-12k all the time...of course you are gonna want to be careful and just always remember that it takes a lot longer to stop something that heavy.
I cant see pulling a 18-20k pound camper with a 3/4 ton truck, that seems like a job for an f450 or bigger.
But hey what the heck do I know lol I don't even have a 5th wheel haha
I cant see pulling a 18-20k pound camper with a 3/4 ton truck, that seems like a job for an f450 or bigger.
But hey what the heck do I know lol I don't even have a 5th wheel haha
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 282
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I have pulled my 16k - 17k trailer with my old SRW truck just fine. It has lighter pin weight than many brands though. With an 18k - 20k trailer, you are going to be pretty heavy on the pin weight. Somewhere between 2700 to 3000 on the lighter side for that trailer. Pin weight is normally around 15% or more of the total weight of the trailer.
I am not part of the weight police by any means but that is a pretty heavy trailer for a SRW truck. Even after upgrading the springs and using air bags, you still need to look at the weight on your rims and tires.
I am not part of the weight police by any means but that is a pretty heavy trailer for a SRW truck. Even after upgrading the springs and using air bags, you still need to look at the weight on your rims and tires.
Molon Labe
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,272
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
I believe that the springs are the same on SRW 250/350's The 350 just has a taller block on the axle 
Air bags will help level it out, I personally think you'll be ok. I see more srw trucks pulling big 5'rs than duallys anymore.
Take your time and upgrade you trans cooling and you'll be fine.
Thats a gorgeous 5'r by the way.
Air bags will help level it out, I personally think you'll be ok. I see more srw trucks pulling big 5'rs than duallys anymore.
Take your time and upgrade you trans cooling and you'll be fine.
Thats a gorgeous 5'r by the way.
still plays with trucks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,743
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From: Twin Falls Idaho
I have a DRV 36something. NO WAY would I pull it with a 250 OR a 350 single wheel truck.
you're just asking for trouble. you're pin weight will be somewhere between 3 and 4K. you will be so far over the axle GVW and CGVW that it not even remotely funny. 19'5 tires would be a start but still you're way over the design limits of the rear axle so plan on having bearing issues. Air bags may level the truck but it won't increase the GVW, they are just a band aid in my opinion. before you put your family and mine in a bad situation, go get a 1 ton dually ATLEAST.
sorry for the rant but I see questions like this and they just **** me off. just cause our trucks will pull a train does not mean it can carry it or stop it when some dumb*** turns in front of you. and you know its going to happen.
Barney
you're just asking for trouble. you're pin weight will be somewhere between 3 and 4K. you will be so far over the axle GVW and CGVW that it not even remotely funny. 19'5 tires would be a start but still you're way over the design limits of the rear axle so plan on having bearing issues. Air bags may level the truck but it won't increase the GVW, they are just a band aid in my opinion. before you put your family and mine in a bad situation, go get a 1 ton dually ATLEAST.
sorry for the rant but I see questions like this and they just **** me off. just cause our trucks will pull a train does not mean it can carry it or stop it when some dumb*** turns in front of you. and you know its going to happen.
Barney
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From: Morehead, Ky.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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I wouldn't recommend it. That's a big load. Mine is about 13,500 lbs and I wouldn't want to attempt anything heavier. Really you need to be looking at F450 and bigger for that size load. Technically, a drw F350 is rated to tow less 5th wheel than a srw because the gcvw is still 20,000lbs and the dually is heavier. This info comes out of the ford towing guide.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
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From: Mesa AZ
There isn't a lot of difference between my F250 and F450 while towing a 16,500 lb trailer.....EXCEPT for the brakes. My F450 at 27k gross stops nearly as well as my unloaded F250 (8k lbs). No exaggeration.
F-250/350 trucks have 13.03" dia rotors(front) and 12.83" dia(rear).
F-450/550 trucks have 14.53" dia rotors(front) and 15.55" dia(rear).
This translates to a total swept area increase of 12% (front) and 20% (rear). However, the gross lining area is where the real benefit shows up. Lining area increase of 12% up front (which matches the swept area increase) but the rear lining increase is a whopping 60% compared to F-250/350 brakes.
Personally, I wouldn't recommend towing that 18-20k trailer on a regular basis with a SRW F250 or even a dually F350 simply because the brakes weren't designed for that much weight (and the pin weight for that unit looks like it might be pretty high).
I tow a 16,500 lb 5th wheel with my SRW F250 but my trailer only has 2600 lbs of pin weight and it has 6 wheels with brakes....plus I have an exhaust brake. I couldn't imagine towing that much weight through the mountains without an exhaust brake.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Albuquerque
Madog, just to give ya an option. I thought about a 5er but since its just me and the misses, opted for a TT. Its 26ft with NO slides (to leak or dork up). Weights in at about 5500 fully loaded. I'm baged too, single rear wheels. Folks ask me all the time if my truck even notices it. Yes it does. The biggest thing is that I'm confident with stopping. Sure it still takes longer, but with the brake controller properly set I feel I'm good to go, and I'm not taxing my truck too badly. Flip side, buddy with a 3 axel toy hauler. This thing will block the sun! He also has a 350 srw. Lots of issues hauling and stopping that thing around here. He actually doesn't look forward to gettng it on the road. Those hills play hell with his egt's and stopping that unit isn't too fun i'm sure. Plus that has to be working his truck awfully hard (ok, I just threw that in there without any mechanical proof). Point is, whatever you decide, make a sound decision based on your families needs and the ability of your truck. Have fun camping!