First Time Fifth Wheelers
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
First Time Fifth Wheelers
First Post Here: Wife and I just picked up a slightly used 2022 F250 Powerstroke, glad we didn't wait for a 2023...not sure about the look on that one lol. Anyway going to pick up our new fifth wheel Monday. Just curious what if any mods are recommended for the truck and or fifth wheel.
for some context, the Wife and I have had 2 travel trailers and a class c up to this point. One trailer was pulled with a tundra, 2nd with a 2019 F250. Took a break from the heavy duty trucks when we had the class C. Excited about the Fifth wheel though, its a Grand Design Solitude 310GK, about 35' long.
for some context, the Wife and I have had 2 travel trailers and a class c up to this point. One trailer was pulled with a tundra, 2nd with a 2019 F250. Took a break from the heavy duty trucks when we had the class C. Excited about the Fifth wheel though, its a Grand Design Solitude 310GK, about 35' long.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,459
Likes: 4,955
No mods necessarily needed for the truck, but on a F250 you should find out how much your trailer weighs all full of your stuff.
Many here will tell you the F250 is too small, but that just depends on the set up.
Do you know what options the truck came with?
If it has the high capacity trailer tow, then it should be more than enough, if not then it may be a little overloaded depending on the trailer weight.
No matter what, weight distribution in the trailer will be something to pay extra attention to.
Many here will tell you the F250 is too small, but that just depends on the set up.
Do you know what options the truck came with?
If it has the high capacity trailer tow, then it should be more than enough, if not then it may be a little overloaded depending on the trailer weight.
No matter what, weight distribution in the trailer will be something to pay extra attention to.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 51
From: Washington state
The truck running gear will handle that fifth wheel just fine. The pin weight is what actually could cause a problem. I had a 250 with 2250 pounds pin weight and had to install an extra leaf on the rear springs to make the vehicle set level. The truck actually did great after that. I went with a F350 on my 22. Happy trails with your set up
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
The truck running gear will handle that fifth wheel just fine. The pin weight is what actually could cause a problem. I had a 250 with 2250 pounds pin weight and had to install an extra leaf on the rear springs to make the vehicle set level. The truck actually did great after that. I went with a F350 on my 22. Happy trails with your set up
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 106
Likes: 56
You will enjoy the Solitude, I just went out with mine, a Solitude 375RES.that we just purchased. LOTS of room. If your get a chance, go visit the Grand Design factory tours in northern Indiana. See if you can schedule a Solitude factory tour (We did). One of the interesting side notes is that they close the factories a little before 2 pm so the Amish workers can go home and take care of their livestock and other chores.
Out of curiosity, what hitch are you using?
.
Out of curiosity, what hitch are you using?
.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 6
Likes: 3
You will enjoy the Solitude, I just went out with mine, a Solitude 375RES.that we just purchased. LOTS of room. If your get a chance, go visit the Grand Design factory tours in northern Indiana. See if you can schedule a Solitude factory tour (We did). One of the interesting side notes is that they close the factories a little before 2 pm so the Amish workers can go home and take care of their livestock and other chores.
Out of curiosity, what hitch are you using?
.
Out of curiosity, what hitch are you using?
.
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 460
Likes: 51
From: Washington state
I’ve had nightmares about forgetting to open my tailgate on the 2022. This is my fourth diesel and the first time I haven’t had a fifth wheel tailgate. it seems no one uses them anymore. We used the fifth wheel the month of March this year and I remembered every time thankfully.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 487
From: North Carolina
just timbres, airbags, or a leaf in the rear and you'll be good. If you have 3.31 axle ratio, being it's a 10spd, it is direct comparison to his 2018 f250 6.7L power wise on takeoff in 1st gear. If you have 3.55s you could tow 30k easily with it, there will be no issues at all performance wise.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 878
From: Rome as it burns
I have a Grand Design Momentum. You'll love a GDRV. Quality.
I tried Timbrens AND Sumo Springs when I was pulling with my 350 SRW prior to getting my 450 a month ago. Ended up liking the Sumo Springs more. Softer.
Also put a Helwig Big Wig on the rear, which probably made a bigger difference unloaded than loaded since the Timbrens and Sumos Springs provide sway control when loaded.
You might try a set of either if you think you need a little more rear support.
I have two B&W Companions, one puck in the new truck and one in the received turnover hole on the old truck. Be generous with grease in the claws. You'll start chewing those claws up especially if you drive over uneven terrain.
TRIPLE check that you're hitched correctly. I have a buddy that crushed the bed of his Super Duty with his fifth wheel leaving camp due to not being pinned in correctly.
I tried Timbrens AND Sumo Springs when I was pulling with my 350 SRW prior to getting my 450 a month ago. Ended up liking the Sumo Springs more. Softer.
Also put a Helwig Big Wig on the rear, which probably made a bigger difference unloaded than loaded since the Timbrens and Sumos Springs provide sway control when loaded.
You might try a set of either if you think you need a little more rear support.
I have two B&W Companions, one puck in the new truck and one in the received turnover hole on the old truck. Be generous with grease in the claws. You'll start chewing those claws up especially if you drive over uneven terrain.
TRIPLE check that you're hitched correctly. I have a buddy that crushed the bed of his Super Duty with his fifth wheel leaving camp due to not being pinned in correctly.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 607
Likes: 377
I have a '22 F 250 and pull a 34' Cedar Creek. I put the lower TorkLift Stableloads on it (free test kit). Didn't like the ride and how they contacted the springs. I went with the Road Master active suspension set on the 1300# setting, also don't need sway bar with the RAS. Pulls like a dream (except for the pin box). I use a gooseneck adapter but going to either a Goosebox or Gen-Y. The truck actually pulls it better than my friends 350. Now I did throw airbags on it as I put a 1.5" level on the front (couldn't stand the low front end unloaded). The bags bring it back to just above level at 40 psi. and smooth the ride. I can fine tune the ride and height between my 5th, and my work trailers. I run 35" tires 3:55 gears.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 417
Likes: 134
From: South Texas
Consider airbags for the F250. Try it with out and then YOU get to make the decision of if they are needed. I also used a slider with my short bed but found out it's worthless if you don't slide it to the maneuver position.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,862
From: Frederick, MD
take the truck to the cat scales with the hitch and family and all that you will have in the truck with you.
See what it weights and then take your GVW minus the actual weight and see where you stand.
See how much room there is according to your RAWR and FAWR and tires too at max PSI. Make sure those tires are E-rated tires.
Then compare that against the trailer GVW. Ignore the manufactor pin wt and what everelse the saleman says. Use the GVW and factor 20% of that as king pin wt which will be payload according to the truck.
See how that matches up with what is available.
See what it weights and then take your GVW minus the actual weight and see where you stand.
See how much room there is according to your RAWR and FAWR and tires too at max PSI. Make sure those tires are E-rated tires.
Then compare that against the trailer GVW. Ignore the manufactor pin wt and what everelse the saleman says. Use the GVW and factor 20% of that as king pin wt which will be payload according to the truck.
See how that matches up with what is available.
