Do I want a 5th wheel?

looper wrote:
The wife and I are retired. We have been camping for many years. From tent to popup to travel trailer. Been in our 23.5 Pilgrim for 7 years and it is time for a change. We really like what we see in 5th wheels but just can't make up our mind. I am OCD about reading and learning all I can about something I plan to do. In my research on what it takes to go from TT to 5er it seems like a MUCH bigger step than any we took before. I am trying to learn about the weights and I am a stickler about sticking to the wt limits. I have a low mileage F250 with the old 7.3L diesel and know that limits my choices and we are good with that. Actually would not consider anything over 30'. All that to get to this. What would a veteran 5th wheel owner tell me to consider and research before making my final decision to move up to a 5th wheel or stay with a new TT?

Well what is the GVWR of your F250?? 8,800# 9,200#, maybe 10,000#?

The rub with a 250/2500 is the 10,000# Class 2 GVWR limit, while typically the 250 is everything a 350 SRW is the GVWR is limited to 10,000#.
The second rub is the 7.3L diesel, while great for pulling it takes a fair share of capacity from your payload.
If you really are a numbers man, then look at the VIN sticker on the door pillar to see what your GVWR and rear axles rating are. Next take the TV to a scale full of fuel and loaded as it would be for towing and get it weighed, get weights for each axle.
Now the numbers part;

Add the axle weights together and subtract from the GVWR this will equal your by the numbers available payload.

Then take the rear axle scaled weight and subtract from the rear GAWR, this is the not by all the numbers available pin payload.
I will assume you have at least tires that meat the minimum tire size from the VIN sticker.

If you stick to the GVWR as not to be exceed then you can likely have a 5er with a maybe 1,200# pin weight.

If you choose to go with the rear axle available pin payload, you likely have about 2,600# to 2,900# available.

If your F250, came with a Camper Package, you will be surprised how it will carry a load right up to the rear axle GAWR. :)

This is our 2001 Ram 2500, with a 8,800# GVWR and Camper Package, pulling and carrying a 32' 5er at about 11,000# +/- at a combined 19,500#. The TV scales right at 10,000# +/- and I still have 500# to spare on the 6,084# rear axle rating. This is just on the stock Camper Package spring package.