Bought a 5th wheel.. now I need a truck

newk wrote:
I'd NOT tow that with my 2000 F250 PSD 4x4. The earlier 3/4 ton pickups didn't have much payload capacity, and you'd be over it with any of them of that age. The 4x2 probably will carry a bit more than a 4x4, but you'd still be well over the GVWR. A 1-ton diesel should work; dually of that age would be even better.

I prefer long beds. You never have to worry about hitting the cab, plus there's more room for carrying other stuff in the back. I've got a tool box. Some build a genny box behind the cab. I also have room for coolers, firewood, etc.

Well I posted my recommendations in an earlier post. That is my recommendation as you don't own the TV yet. You really want to tow within the GVWR, axle, and tire ratings.

That said this is my real wold situation;
My 5er is 32' Dry 9,820# and a GVWR of 12,360# Dry pin 1,825#, Currently towing at 11,000#+.

Tow Vehicle;
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 with Tow and Camper package, and 5 speed manual transmission.
Camper package has 3500 springs and rear sway bar, it also included larger tires 265/75-16E stock tires were 245/75-16E load rating 3,415# to stock 3,042#
Front GAWR 5,200#
Rear GAWR 6,084# (wow, twice the stock tire rating).
TV GVWR 8,800# or 78% of total axle rating.

Added equipment;
DS Power Puck (small performance chip)
Valair Dual disk clutch
Pacbrake PRXB turbo mounted
Bilstien 5100 shocks

Yep, over that 8,800# GVWR, but well under the axle ratings, other than new front ball joints there are NO, NADA, NONE suspension enhancements it is the stock camper package.

This rig sits a bit better than level when hooked up. Doesn't even engage the secondary overloads at rest, and tows great.

This truck is really a SRW 3500, which wasn't an option until 2003 for the Ram.

This is NOT a recommendation, just what works well for us in the real world.

I see many with a smaller 5er, and newer 2500 adding air bags to "Level" newer 2500 seem to have softer springs (I guess).