So, I went to our local camping world today to look at some new fifth wheels. I was I was looking at a few of the models, they were in the 10,500 to 12,500 pound range. The salesman asked me what kind of tow vehicle all I had. I told him I had ordered a brand-new 2017 Ford F350 and it should be in by the end of this month. He looked at me and said " well, I'm a Ford guy, heck I'm even from Detroit. You may have problems towing with that truck. Since they went to this new body style and it is lighter, the trucks don't have enough *** to haul these larger fifth wheels."

I told him that the truck was rated to tow a 15,500 fifth wheel and he just somewhat shrugged his shoulders. I just somewhat blew him off because I figured he's just a salesman he does not know these trucks and probably doesn't know these campers that well either. I figured he would be all about just selling a camper to get it off their lot, so I did not pay much attention. However, when I got home I just started thinking that I should at least do a little bit of checking before making a purchase on a fifth wheel. Does this sound absolutely ludicrous to you guys?

 

Dude is completely ignorant. They saved 700 lbs on the aluminum body, but ploughed half of that back into the frame...which is what you really want in a strong tow vehicle. I can't even begin to comprehend how he reconciles that opinion with reality.

Don't worry about it, you have one of the best tow vehicles on the road.

 

And maybe you want to talk to another sales person that isn't an "expert" on Super Duty trucks.

 

This guy was talking out his ***! Just look at some of the reviews from guys on this forum on towing. I can say from personal experience these trucks are under rated compared to what they can actually pull safely. I currently pull a 10,000 lb TT and there is honestly times I forget I'm towing. Of the big three is the best option in this and many other regards! Don't buy from this guy, he doesn't deserve your business.

 

A SRW 350 is rated to tow a 20,600# 5ver with a GCWR of 28,700#. The guy was a tool.

 

What I dont get is that the aluminum bed doesnt even factor into towing...the fifth wheel hitch is directly attached to the frame no?

And if not having enough *** were a problem...wouldn't semi's be a terrible hauling machine?

 

The funny part, is he never asked if I was getting the diesel or gas, rear end ratios or anything. I am getting a gasser with the 4.30, but he didnt even ask any of that. Like I said, I blew him off mentally just blaming ignorance for his hypothesis, but I thought that I should at least do my due diligence and check in with the guys who know these trucks and have real world experience with towing. Thanks fellas.

 

I too was just at CW and I am towing that weight with a new 350 SRW. It's ignorance from people like that make my skin crawl. So I just took delivery of our new trailer on Saturday and hauled it home, the truck handled it with ease. I did add new tires (purely preference) and air bags (necessity) but I am extremely happy with the combo. You will be absolutely fine.

 

what an ignorant (and now penniless) sales rep...maybe they don't work on commission after all.

you should have shared w/ him the hp/tq (440/935) numbers and that the super duty has a BOX Welded frame (different from the f150).

 

from everything I've heard on the street, I suppose this shouldn't really be a surprise being that it came from someone at Camping World.

and by the way, as I see it, we can never get enough *** in this world

 

The only thing I find odd is that he didn't immediately upsell you to the biggest 5er on the lot.

This might be the first time I've heard of a salesman at CW telling a customer they didn't have enough truck. Usually they are the guys telling people with non-HD/Max Tow 150's that they can *easily* tow a 5er like the one you were looking at. Their has to be another reason he didn't want to sell you that camper. He should also 'define' *** for the people.... I'm not a hard core trucker kind of dude, and I'm definitely not from Detroit, thankfully... but maybe he was alluding to SRW vs. DRW and not weight on the rear end. Yes a dually would be better, but not required IMHO.

More important than being able to pull 15.5K pounds is your payload capacity. Did he even ask what that is on your truck? 9 times out of 10, that's the number people run out of room on first.

 

...that is why he sells trailers.

 

Complete moron. LMAO

 

Did you go with a 5er or a travel trailer? I was wondering if airbags would be necessary for towing a mid weight fifth wheel? Did you try it without the airbags then decide to add them, or did you go add the airbags from the jump?

 

It's very simple. It's because he does not have one!