I need some feedback on deciding which truck to go with... I ordered a Grand Design Solitude 5th wheel with UVW 13450 lbs., Hitch 2740 lbs., GVWR 16000 lbs. 5th wheel. B&W 3300 companion 5th wheel hitch. I posted in towing forum with any response. I know many here tow with a goose neck or 5th wheel, so I thought I would ask here.

I put down $500 on a 2017 350 SD Lariat, DRW, 4x4, 4.10, LWB... I would really want a rather go with a 350 SRW 3.55 axel, 4x4, with 20" tires LWB....Anyone see any issues with me pulling this with a 350 SRW LWB? I need to make my decision within a couple of days. Anyone see why the 350 SRW wouldn't pull this fine even in mountains? Thanks

Truck Specs:

2017 350 Lariat Ultimate 4x4, 3.55 axle, 20" tires
Max GCWR 28,700 lbs.
Max Front Axle GAWR 6000 lbs.
Max Rear Axle GAWR 7230 lbs
Max Payload 11400 / 4,400 lbs.
5th wheel Max Towing 20,600 lbs.

5th wheelGD Solitude 40ft. Specs
GVWR 16000 lbs.
UVW 13450 lbs.
Hitch 2740 lbs.
Hitch 2740 lbs

 

I would have absolutely no issue towing that RV with a SRW. My toy hauler 5th has a GVWR of 21k and regularly weighs in at 20k or so with the garage full. I've towed it with my current 2012 SRW and will be ordering a 2017 that is pretty much the same setup but with a crew cab this time. Mountains, cross wind, etc. has never had any effect on my towing experience.

Congrats on the new truck and trailer....

 

A single rear wheel will handle that weight just fine. There are many of us who pull trailers that weigh quite a bit more with our SRW's and have no regrets.

 

It appears that you are within the limits of an SRW. My trailer is a bit heavier (Heartland road warrior 415 triple axle toy hauler) and I will be pulling it with a 17 SRW. I pulled the same trailer for several years with a 2008 F350 cc SRW too. Pulled and stopped it with no drama. The 17 is twice the truck. But your trailer looks to be within an F350 SRW's range.

 

Same here, I pull a similar trailer to yours. You'll have no trouble with the 350 SRW. Be sure to order it with HD springs and the camper package.

I will say that nothing is as stable when towing as a DRW, they are amazing. But I buy the SRW because I use it for my daily driver when I'm not camping.

 

I'd like to add one more thing. If you're going to tow heavy with an SRW, make sure you keep a very close eye on your rear tires. They will wear fast, so keep your tires rotated, but check their health regularly. You probably already know that, but some don't pay enough attention.

 

Thanks, Everyone for the fast response. From reading everything as far as weights are concerned I figured I would be good. The reason I am going with a truck/5th instead of a motor home is I can always upgrade truck or 5th wheel plus it is less expensive. My only concern or thought is that if I want to upgrade the RV in 5-6 yrs., I will be weight restricted with the SRW vs the DRW. With the DRW I could tow anything that I will be willing to tow...lol. Again, thanks. I appreciate your input, Gary

 

Kampn,
When you say DRW is more "stable", are you talking about sway, like semi's passing you, wet roads, or what? Thanks

 

That truck will have about 3400# payload if it's a short bed, 3200# for the long. You need to add up the weight of your passengers, cargo and pin (load trailer) to see if you are within your specs. With a 2740# dry pin, you'll likely be around 3000# or more loaded.

Bottom line, you'll be over your GVWR/payload if you have any passengers. Many don't care as long as you below your axle ratings.

I weighed my pin at 3200# and I will struggle to be within my limits on a SRW with my family and dog. Still hoping for a job#2 payload bump.

 

Yes exactly, and cross winds etc. Go to a dealers lot and grab the back of a SRW at the corner of the bumper and start pushing and pulling back and forth, notice the amount of movement. then go to a DRW and try the same test. This will give you an idea of the difference.

The new 17 SRW is really good, and like many here I'm very pleased with it, it's what I bought and would buy it again, but a DRW is always going to be better for towing, so I wanted you to know they aren't the same. The difference is more then the weight that the DRW will carry, it's also stability.

You have to pick which one is right for you. In your case either truck would do the job. Perhaps test driving both would help you decide.

 

My old 5th wheel toy hauler with a Ranger and two kids quads in there weighed around that weight. I pulled it with my 2013 F250 SRW 6.7 with no issues. I did add airbags to help the load which did help out. I did experience a little bit of sway when a big rig was passing me, but it was usually me passing them. I imagine a DRW would help eliminate that sway, but I have never had one to tow with.

That is the same 5th as my next door neighbor has and it is crazy nice.

My biggest suggestion would be to check the tires on your new 5th. See if they are ST (trailer tires) or LT (light truck tires). After a lovely blowout on the ST tires that were on my 5th, I did some digging only to find out they are rated for a max speed of 65MPH which on Texas highways is 10 under the speed limit and a full 20 MPH under what everyone else is driving at. I upgraded mine to steel carcass LT tires and never had a blowout again.

 

They are Goodyear G-Rated Tires G614. Will have to look, but the information here that everyone posted is exactly what I need...Now,I just need to decide

 

614's are the only way to fly....

 

Not to confuse you even more I have towed with both 16500lbs 5th wheel toy hauler and yes the srw towed it just fine then I needed another truck for work and bought my first drw and towed the same trailer it was like the trailer was not even there very smooth very stable and better braking. A lot of the srw guys will say there's is just as stable chances are they have never towed the same trailer with a drw. Now that been said you have to live with the dually when your not towing they take a bump very sharply when there empty and you need to watch your rear end when parking.The srw has no draw back when not towing just remember that big 5th wheel in the wind is like a billboard going down the highway and stability is what you want. I'm fortunate enough that I have both a 2014 250 diesel reg cab with Plow for daily driving and my 2011 350 drw for towing (on trade for new 450 platinum if it ever shows lol)

 

I wish more people would pay attention to this.