I am retiring next year (although I will continue to work part-time). We have a special needs child (Down Syndrome along with other medical issues) and are looking at an RV as a way to do some traveling with her that we've not been able to do in the past. Because of ear and headache issues, she will never be able to fly and is uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings like a hotel. We think she will enjoy trips in an RV -- once she becomes used to it -- and maybe we can do a little sightseeing. We have pretty much settled on this fifth wheel - Couger 32BHS. DimensionsLength 36.17 ft. (434 in.)Width 8 ft. (96 in.)Height 11.75 ft. (141 in.)WeightDry Weight 9,160 lbs.Payload Capacity 2,340 lbs.GVWR 11,500 lbs.Hitch Weight 1,835 lbs.I don't have the truck to pull this yet and would like to use an F250 6.2 gas - I would order with the 4.30 axle ratio. Since I normally drive a truck anyway, this truck is not going to be pulling anything most of the time, so I don't really want the hassle of a diesel or a dually. We have been fortunate and finances for this are not an issue...it's something we have planned on for years and will not even have to borrow to buy either vehicle. We are committed to trying this -- it's really the only way we're going to do any traveling I fear. We are in our mid-50s, so if this works out, we could potentially have a good number of years to see a lot of things we haven't been able to.I want to feel confident about my tow vehicle, but I don't want something that I don't need 95% of the time. Question: Given these circumstances, is this an acceptable tow vehicle for this fifth wheel?Thanks for any feedback.

I think you'll be fine but I don't understand your statement of 'hassle of a diesel or a dually'? I personally would not pull without a diesel.

Ditto on the diesel, if you tow in the mountain states you'll curse the day you did not get one. A 3/4 ton will be fine for that fiver but you really should think about getting a one ton. The price difference is minor and if you decide that you want a bigger fiver then you'll be able to pull it without buying a new truck. A one ton drives exactly the same as a 3/4 ton. I agree you do not want a dually.

Tow vehicles that are also daily drivers are always a compromise. I think you are making the right choice. My tow vehicle is only a tow vehicle so I chose a diesel dually as it is the best one can get for towing / hauling but I'd hate it as my daily driver.

The F250, or 350, with 6.2 engine, 4.30 gearing will work just fine for that fifth wheel. If you have local restrictions, parking, higher licensing, or insurance, regarding the class 3 350, you can use the 250. Otherwise, for the minimal cost difference, the 350 will be the better TV for that FW. I don't think you would notice the difference in ride quality, even though the springs may be slightly heavier.Jerry

Do your homework on the truck. Look at the gross vehicle weight rating of the individual trucks you might look at. That truck you mentioned will "pull" the 5er but what is the weight on the rear of the truck when your trailer is loaded and your truck has a full tank of gas, goodies and passengers. I had a 2001, 3/4 ton crew cab, short box, diesel GMC and it pulled the toyhauler I had back then and also the 5er I have now but I was over the GVWR of the truck. I now have a 2011 1 ton dually, long box, crew cab, diesel GMC and I feel much safer pulling the 5er. It is also my daily driver. I don't have problems in parking lots, etc. I retired about the same age as you intend to. Been retired for going on 16 years now. It sounds like you're ready to pull the plug. I hope you and your family have a great time with the trailer and I know your daughter will enjoy camping when she gets used to doing it. Good luck.

Help with Towing Vehicle | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

Butch50
Explorer
Feb 24, 2018
john&bet wrote:
To add food for thought. I have been researching for a new truck for our 14,000gvw 5th. So far all 350/3500srw trucks, gas or diesel do not have the gross combined vehicle weight rating to handle it. They have the ratings as far as payload, pulling ratings, but not combined ratings. I will continue my search.

I don't know what brand you are looking for but here is the Ford towing guide. Look at starting on page 18 they have right next to the axle ratio the GCWR for F150 right up to the F550

I have to agree that I couldn't find the other 2 HD pickup manufacturers GCWR for their trucks.
Butch50
Explorer
Feb 24, 2018
If you prefer the gas then go with it.

I had a 2011 F350 with a 6.2 and 4.30 and I was towing a Arctic Fox 27-5L with a 13,400# GVWR and it just fine. We lived in MT at that time and towed the mountains and never had a problem. Sure we went a little slower but still passed the semis on the passes.

When we went to Alaska with the same truck and a Northern Lite 10.2' CD Special Edition truck camper and traveled over 11,000 miles. I averaged 10.88 MPG hand calculated over the whole trip, I didn't figure that was to bad for a LB CC King Ranch F350 with almost 4,000# truck camper.
GPG52_
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2018
We debated the same issue when purchasing our retirement combo in 2014.
We opted for: 2014 Ford F250, 6.2L, 4.30 Ratio, 6 speed and a
2014 Cougar (by Keystone) 327 RES. For the amount of towing we do, we could not justify the dually or diesel.(Albeit no argument that dual/diesel would offer a superior performance)
Our two main drivers for our decision were: I)Cost/Benefit II)I love to wash my TV through car washes on a weekly basis. So dually would be problematic.
Some consideration when we factory ordered our TV: 1-Long Box 2- Rear ratio 3- Snow plow package (not that I ever plan on installing a plow but rather to get the beefed up suspension and alternator kit 4- luxury interior as Dear Wife and I travel alone, some creature comfort in the cab is nice. 5- Nice clear coat Ruby Red paint
One regret was that for an added $100.00 we should have ordered the box camper kit, again to beef up suspension.
We have travelled from Toronto, Cnd to Kissimmee, Fl on several occasions and the combo worked fine for us.
Fuel mileage is as expected when pulling 11,300lbs dry.
Hint: As we were in no rush to order our TV we took the time to source out a local dealer/salesman who specialized in bidding on gov't and local commercial vehicle tenders. Reason being he understood what Heavy Duty trucks were about, options and programs.
The salesman was familiar with factory ordering and accustom in dealing with reasonable commission rates, factoring in no lot consignment fees.
Half the battle is being happy and proud as you walk up to your vehicle, then any imperfections don't seem to matter.
Happy trails ...
GPG
john_bet
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2018
To add food for thought. I have been researching for a new truck for our 14,000gvw 5th. So far all 350/3500srw trucks, gas or diesel do not have the gross combined vehicle weight rating to handle it. They have the ratings as far as payload, pulling ratings, but not combined ratings. I will continue my search.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2018
I been towing my fifth wheel which weighs in at 10K ish with an F250 6.2 with 4.30 diffy since 2012 now and have never looked back since I switched to gas. if all those ponies under the hood won't get me there, I don't want to go.

The choice is yours.

Got 52K miles on the 250 now and am in the same boat as you on the resale. i don't give a flip about the resale, This truck should/will get me to the end of the road.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Feb 23, 2018
welcome to the forum.
I've also towed with several 3/4 tons and and several one ton DRW trucks. Non of my drw trucks was any more stable pulling the same size trailer my 3/4 ton trucks could pull. I bought the DRW to pull heavy 15k-20k lbs plus trailers that had more hitch weight than a 3/4 ton truck could carry.
The F250 truck chassis will handle a 11xxx lb trailer just fine. The F350 srw is the same truck but has a heavier rear spring pack. In fact if the F250 you choose has the heavy service pack or camper pack it has the same suspension as the 350 srw truck.
And if you choose a F350 srw be aware some come with the same 10k gvwr as the F250. Get the 11500 gvwr with 7230 rawr.

You don't need a one ton drw to pull a small trailer that weight.

Gas or diesel ?? Your choice there.
oldbird1965
Explorer
Feb 23, 2018
I used to tow my Travel Supreme all the time with diesel SRW. Then one time in WY I got hit in the side with a 60mph side wind that blew me a whole lane over. A dually took care of that problem for the most part.
alanq
Explorer
Feb 23, 2018
the bear II wrote:
I have towed the same 5th wheel with single rear wheel (SRW) trucks (2) and dually trucks (2). I use my trucks as daily drivers in Los Angeles traffic including into downtown LA. The dually is my preferred truck for towing a 5th wheel. The stability is noticeable over a SRW truck. You get used to the size.

the first 3 trucks were gas engines. I wasn't truly happy until I got my present dually with a diesel engine and exhaust brake. This makes the towing experience so much more enjoyable and safe.

You'll do OK with a gas engine but as others have indicated once you tow with a diesel it's hard to go back to a gas engine.

Thanks! If you can do it in Los Angeles, I have no excuse for being uncomfortable in Small Town, North Carolina. :)
alanq
Explorer
Feb 23, 2018
MFL wrote:
OP, welcome to the forum, and the never ending gas/diesel. Many opinions, you just need to get what works best for you. I just need to say, be sure and get the fifth wheel prep pkg when ordering, whether it's a 250 350 350 DRW, standard bed, long bed.

Jerry

Thanks! I will definitely get the fifth-wheel prep package...I also want that 360-degree camera view they offer now.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Feb 23, 2018
I have towed the same 5th wheel with single rear wheel (SRW) trucks (2) and dually trucks (2). I use my trucks as daily drivers in Los Angeles traffic including into downtown LA. The dually is my preferred truck for towing a 5th wheel. The stability is noticeable over a SRW truck. You get used to the size.

the first 3 trucks were gas engines. I wasn't truly happy until I got my present dually with a diesel engine and exhaust brake. This makes the towing experience so much more enjoyable and safe.

You'll do OK with a gas engine but as others have indicated once you tow with a diesel it's hard to go back to a gas engine.