New Truck Help
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2024
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New Truck Help
Hello all. We are in the market for a new 5th wheel camper and truck for a family of 5. I am looking at a few that are 42-43’ and around 12-14k lb. I do not want a DRW truck as when not pulling a camper I will still be driving it daily. I originally wanted the 7.3 but I keep having people tell me if I’m pulling something that big, I should get the 6.7. I don’t know much about weight laws when pulling but I’m trying to make whatever setup I get legal. I know that payloads and GCWR can vary depending on trim levels so I’m trying to find a SRW with the most payload to help with that.
I’m looking for options or opinions for which truck to go with.
The Tremors look nice, but it also looks like with that trim the payloads are lower?
7.3 or 6.7?
Will I still be under the weight of CDL requirements?
I’m looking for options or opinions for which truck to go with.
The Tremors look nice, but it also looks like with that trim the payloads are lower?
7.3 or 6.7?
Will I still be under the weight of CDL requirements?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 695
To give you suggestions for a truck, we need to know more.
Have you towed a 5th wheel RV before?
How many towing trips do you anticipate per year, how many miles will your trips be and over what type of terrain will you be towing?
Is the 12 - 14K trailer weight the manufacturer's empty weight or the gross weight rating of the trailer (always go by gross weight)?
Have you towed a 5th wheel RV before?
How many towing trips do you anticipate per year, how many miles will your trips be and over what type of terrain will you be towing?
Is the 12 - 14K trailer weight the manufacturer's empty weight or the gross weight rating of the trailer (always go by gross weight)?
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 1,662
From: NW Wyoming USA
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 915
Likes: 1,855
From: SE PA
A 250 with the high capacity axle package and the 6.7 will probably work or a 350 with the 6.7. You need the trailer GVWR and the Pin weight to help you decide. Check the build spec to see how much, if any, the difference between the two would be.
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 275
Likes: 30
From: Metro Detroit
I currently tow a 35', about 12k lbs. (10k empty) 5th wheel. We had a 2019 F-250 CCLB limited, it pulled the trailer just fine, it did squat a little more that I was comfortable with. We decided to update the truck and went with a 2024 F-350 CCLB Limited. It squats a lot less and with the HO 6.7 really pulls great. To be fair we have only had the truck 2 months and only one trip of about 60 miles, all flat. The legality of licensing is a state by state thing, in Michigan I don't need any type of CDL even with the one ton truck.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 449
Likes: 65
I find the notion of towing a 43 foot fifth wheel with a 7.3 Gas engine absurd.
For reference, I own a 7.3 Godzilla, I have towed a fifth wheel almost 50,000 miles with it, and it has performed well. I am not an anti gas zealot.
That being said, 43 feet is large, and your weight will be well over 12K-14K pounds. Get a diesel, which means get an F-350. I would advise DRW, but you have already said you won't do that, so get an SRW 350. (Not sure why you would want a tremor for towing, but knock yourself out)
For reference, I own a 7.3 Godzilla, I have towed a fifth wheel almost 50,000 miles with it, and it has performed well. I am not an anti gas zealot.
That being said, 43 feet is large, and your weight will be well over 12K-14K pounds. Get a diesel, which means get an F-350. I would advise DRW, but you have already said you won't do that, so get an SRW 350. (Not sure why you would want a tremor for towing, but knock yourself out)
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 801
Likes: 543
From: NE Ohio
I know you said no DRW, but at that length and weight I advise considering it.
What year/make/model 5th wheel? Weight distribution from floor plan to floor plan varies significantly, having a direct impact on pin weight. By the time you load up all 5 people and their stuff inside, a load of fuel, and any other supplies like firewood in the bed, you might be surprised how little payload you have left for pin weight on a SRW. You want a nice safety margin instead of towing close to the limits.
For safety sake of your passengers in cross wind scenarios or a rear tire blow out, I would reconsider the DRW. I daily drive my 450 and as long as you don't need to go into city parking garages it gets around town just fine.
No matter what you go with, take it across a scale the first time you load it up to understand your true numbers.
What year/make/model 5th wheel? Weight distribution from floor plan to floor plan varies significantly, having a direct impact on pin weight. By the time you load up all 5 people and their stuff inside, a load of fuel, and any other supplies like firewood in the bed, you might be surprised how little payload you have left for pin weight on a SRW. You want a nice safety margin instead of towing close to the limits.
For safety sake of your passengers in cross wind scenarios or a rear tire blow out, I would reconsider the DRW. I daily drive my 450 and as long as you don't need to go into city parking garages it gets around town just fine.
No matter what you go with, take it across a scale the first time you load it up to understand your true numbers.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,535
Likes: 2,501
From: West Michigan
I tow the 5th in my sig with the truck in my sig. Trailer weighs in at 16k, absolutely no problems. No need for a dually unless you plan to go bigger or fulltime.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 899
Likes: 328
I currently pull a 42', 15k fifth wheel with my 7.3/4.30 and it does fine. The gearing helps get it moving, but it goes along nicely at speed. If it needs to rev, let it rev. The engine is a workhorse. Either way, you'll likely be pleased with the performance.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,163
Likes: 1,373
From: Chaz
The laws go state by state. Where are you licensed and registered to drive?
At minimum you should be looking at an F350 SRW 6.7 4x4 with the 18 or 20 inch AT tires so you get the max rear gawr for a SRW because thats where you will run out of safety margin the fastest. The CCLB has the highest payload and biggest fuel tank in that configuration. If you are near the edge on gawr you can upgrade wheels/tires to a HD wheel and 129 tire.
Also, I daily drove a 2020 DRW f350 for 2 years and live/work near downtown in a large US city. It really isn’t that bad. The bonus is you just back in to spots with your tires just inside the white lines, so you get a perfect center everytime. I park on a lot of horse and buggy streets throughout the day, I work in construction so work out of my truck a lot.
I frankly can’t remember the DRW being an issue. Mine was a supercab though, if you can get away with that I highly recommend that configuration!
At minimum you should be looking at an F350 SRW 6.7 4x4 with the 18 or 20 inch AT tires so you get the max rear gawr for a SRW because thats where you will run out of safety margin the fastest. The CCLB has the highest payload and biggest fuel tank in that configuration. If you are near the edge on gawr you can upgrade wheels/tires to a HD wheel and 129 tire.
Also, I daily drove a 2020 DRW f350 for 2 years and live/work near downtown in a large US city. It really isn’t that bad. The bonus is you just back in to spots with your tires just inside the white lines, so you get a perfect center everytime. I park on a lot of horse and buggy streets throughout the day, I work in construction so work out of my truck a lot.
I frankly can’t remember the DRW being an issue. Mine was a supercab though, if you can get away with that I highly recommend that configuration!
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 45
Likes: 33
From: Louisville, KY
I know you said no DRW but I daily the truck in my sig with no issues unless I need to go downtown to a parking garage. Then it's not the DRW that is the problem but the height gets a bit questionable.
With a trailer the size that you're talking about the DRW will give (IMO) a much better towing experience whether it's technically required or not. Best of luck with your decisions.
With a trailer the size that you're talking about the DRW will give (IMO) a much better towing experience whether it's technically required or not. Best of luck with your decisions.
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