Dumb 5th wheel questions of the day

OP just remember if ordering you want the max gvw package.

This is how I handled a toolbox in my truck with a newly purchased 5th wheel as I have a 50 gal Transfer Flow tank in the front.

A dumb question is a whole lot easier to handle than a dumb mistake.

My buddy's new to him F-350 SRW has one of those low profile tool boxes in it and it rides just under the bed rail so he can add a tonneau cover or a canopy because it doesn't hang over the bed rails.

I use my truck for a lot of things so my older hitch comes out when not in use but I like the idea of using the landing gear to pull it out of the bed.

The Ford 6.2 gas engine will not have any problems towing that size trailer. I have a F350 Dually 2WD with 4.30 gears with the 6.2 and pull a toy hauler that loaded weighed 16,500 on the Cat scales, plus 8,000 for the truck, for a total of 24,500. I previously had a Ford 6.0 diesel and other than on very long uphill grades do I miss the torque of the diesel. The gas engine averages 7 mpg and the diesel averaged 9 mpg pulling the same trailer. You can not justify a diesel on fuel savings due to the higher upfront cost and higher maintenance. Diesels do have their place as trucks that are meant to be worked hard on a daily basis.

riven1950 wrote:
Looking at making a change to a 5th wheel from bumper pull.

When a f250 has factory 5th wheel prep can you buy any hitch or do you have to buy something from the dealer?

If the truck is on the lot and not 5th wheel prepped can the dealer do it for about the same money as FMC would charge from the factory?

Do people remove their hitches generally or just leave them in the truck all the time?

Can you have a drop in tool box, like a Kobalt from Lowes behind the cab with a 6.5 foot bed or would you need a 8 foot bed for that?

Sorry for the rookie questions but I know nothing about 5th wheelers and the FMC dealers know less than I do.

Thanks

First off, learn from my mistake, and get the F350 SRW and not the 250. Gives you way more options, especially if you want to "grow" after a few years. Second, not sure what you're wanting to store in your tool box, but consider the behind-the-wheel boxes that fit behind the wheel well and in front of the tailgate. My brother has one that's just a box where he keeps cables, straps, etc. The other one is drawers for his tools. Very handy. If you plan on loading the box heavy, that's another reason to go with the 350 since that weight comes off your available payload. You =will= need a fairly shallow, front to back, box since there just isn't a lot of room between the front of the bed and the hitch.

Since I use my truck for a lot of other stuff besides towing, my hitch comes out after I get home. I used to use a cheapo engine hoist to lift it out whole, though it does come apart and I can still lift the pieces; they're just cumbersome. Some guys use their rig to lift the hitch and leave it hanging on the king pin. Other guys have hoists, electric or manual, and some guys have tractors. Some guys rarely use their trucks for anything but towing their FW and leave the hitch in all the time.

If the truck has the factory prep, there are hitches made to go right on them. Others require a "picture frame" adapter that goes into the factory pucks and the hitch fastens to the adapter. My personal recommendation is always some flavor of the B&W Companion hitch. Excellent product with a excellent company to deal with if you have any questions or problems.

Lyle

Hitch always installed here since truck is only used for travel. If getting a toolbox be sure to get a toolbox/fuel tank combo.

like said above, i leave my hitch hanging on the king pin.

i also have a 40 gal aux in bed tank in front of the hitch on my F250 short box with room to spare.

Thanks for all of the answers. Learning more every day, I think.

The F250's we have looked at have a payload of around 3100lbs. The 5th wheels we are looking at are around 10,000 / 10,500 lbs gross and about 1500 pin weight ( unloaded I'm sure ). Anyway we think we don't want a diesel and the f250 with 3100 or so payload will carry the pin weight, us ( two people 90% of time ), and two 12 foot kayaks.

The tool box I asked about is not heavy ( lightweight alum ) and not loaded down with tools. I keep misc stuff in there when towing or not, like battery cables, tie down for my utility trailer, machete, folding shovel, a few hand tools etc.. So it probably weighs a couple hundred pounds loaded.

Thanks for the info on hitches. Will look up those mentioned. Did look up the Anderson. Man, that thing looks lightweight. Will check the others out as well.

One trick for getting the hitch out, it to pull the pins with it hooked to the trailer (make sure the hitch lock is on). Then simply lift the front of the trailer and it will take the hitch with it.

It's plenty strong enough and as long as it's locked on the king pin, it's not going anywhere.