Ok, more newbie 5th wheel questions:We've pretty much decided on a 6.2 f250 4x4 gas 3.73 CC 6 3/4 ' bed if we go ahead with our switch to a fifth wheel. Also looking at 5th wheels that have a gross weight of 10500-11000 max, 32-34' max. length. Payload on the truck will run 3100-3200 area so should not be an issue we think with that size 5th wheel.I am reading about bed height issues with f 250 and f350 trucks and lighter 5th wheels, things like flipping axles etc to level up. Don't really want to go there.If we buy the truck first will the height issue be something we need to worry a lot about when deciding on a 5th wheel? Can you determine if this is an issue from the 5th wheel specs without physically seeing the 5th wheel ( some we like on paper are not close by )?Are there hitches out there where you can adjust for the height issue?Would a 2wd be easier to deal with?We have always had a 4x4 although rarely use it. We get snow trace about every 5 years and don't offroad, although with a new 5th wheel we would plan on a cross country trip which may involve some boondocking. Ford truck forums indicate a little better mileage with 2wd but we like the looks of the 4wd better and the insurance of 4wd if needed. Not too concerned about not having enough truck after we find a fifth wheel. We don't want a big 5th to haul around and have found many in our size / weight range that we can deal with. Hope this is not as confusing as we are confused.thanks

riven1950 wrote:Would a 2wd be easier to deal with?We have always had a 4x4 although rarely use it. We get snow trace about every 5 years and don't offroad, although with a new 5th wheel we would plan on a cross country trip which may involve some boondocking. Ford truck forums indicate a little better mileage with 2wd but we like the looks of the 4wd better and the insurance of 4wd if needed. If you are never going to go "off road" I think 4WD is a waste of money. Yes, you get some of it back when you trade in, but that couple of MPG adds up over time. Also, more things that can break on a 4WD.The F150 now comes with an electronic locking rear axle. MUCH better that a limited slip. Not sure if it is available on F250.

I think that is a problem only on older Fivers. I have no problem with my truck and the Titanium so I suspect the problem may exist with fivers built before 2000 but that's just a guess or as engineers call it, a WAG.You really should go with a one tone tho, the price difference is minimal compared to the truck price and you'll get a cushion. Frankly 3100 pounds on a 3/4 ton sounds like it's too much to me. My one ton is rated at 3300 poounds.

Payload is not going to be an issue, even going with a 12K GVWR FW, as it is the RAWR/tire rating that matters.Yes, the newer Ford HDs sit tall, and can be an issue, if you purchase a FW that is refered to as 1/2 ton tow able. In many cases, the larger the FW, the more apt to fit the taller trucks. Most hitches adjust up/down, some more than others. The pin box can be raised in some cases to help also. However the trick is to tow the FW level and maintain 6 inches of clearance between FW and truck bed rails.A 2WD may be a little lower, but probably not enough to matter, when comparing to 4WD. It would be hard to tell on FW pin box height, without actually measuring yourself, or have a trusted sales person do it. Keep in mind, the truck will squat a few inches with 2K pin wt over rear axle.Jerry

So with a pin weight of 20% or about 2100 pounds and a TV payload of 3100 leaves 1000 pounds for you, DW, kids, grandkids, friends, stuff ec.? Toooo close for me.

JMO, but I'd buy the 5th wheel first and then get the truck to pull it, especially if most of the truck usage will be to pull the trailer. Seems to me it's better find the trailer with the floor plan, build, and components you want, then get the truck to fit.We've pulled our 5th wheels with a 2-WD truck for the last 13 years and never felt the need for 4-WD. It adds needless complexity, higher purchase price, and more fuel usage. Lose, lose, lose. My stepson just spent over $1200 getting his transfer case working. A good argument against 4-WD IMO. $1200 will buy a lot of one-time tows if you do need one occasionally, we never have had the need, but YMMV. If you spend most of your time on paved or dry gravel roads, not really necessary.

horse or cart first? | Good Sam Community

time2roll
Nomad
Oct 19, 2018
My old 5.4 pulling close to 8,000 has never been stressful descending a grade. Been over I-70 and through Death Valley without issue. A few others even steeper. After a decade of that I put disk brakes on the trailer and stopping is much improved and a lot less $$ than going to a diesel.
splinterpicker
Explorer
Oct 19, 2018
I have a 1500 HD with 4:10 rear 6.0 gas. I had a 8500 lb trailer loaded. Everything pulled fine with a equalizer hitch. Truck sat level and was great on flat roads. Going up inclines was slower,but not bad. However going down was sometimes white knuckle. To me having enough to pull is one thing, Now I want stopping power with pulling. There is no comparison to diesel for that, no matter what your pilling.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Oct 19, 2018
I got by with a 2 wheel drive truck for years and although I was never in an accident I would certainly not say I was safe or wise. When front wheel drive and four wheel drive are available there is no excuse for purchasing a 2 wheel drive truck to use on icey roads.
lfcjasp
Explorer
Oct 19, 2018
4x4ord wrote:

You very obviously have very limited experience with driving in snow and ice. It could very well be that people who don't see snow don't need 4 wheel drive. A two wheel drive truck in snow is useless.

I don't know. DH has driven his two-wheel drive pick-ups in snow and no problem IF you know HOW to drive in snow. We've managed to get out of muddy muck "who knows how deep" with that two-wheel drive Ford F-150 right past 4x4s that were stuck...maybe they were in the worst muck or maybe they just weren't as experienced with driving in fudge icing.

FWIW, I'm dreaming of a fifth wheeler one day and I know what I want us to buy: a dually with diesel truck. Can't have too much truck for safe hauling.

ETA: The truck is standard. But I grew up in Washington State...the EASTERN side. We got some serious snow and if you wanted or needed to go over to Seattle, you better have chains on board. All Mom and Dad owned were two wheel drive cars, but man were they heavy (50's and 60's)
Only one time did we let a friend with a 4x4 Bronco take over the work of our own truck and that involved a mud slicked hill EVERYONE was struggling with.
JMHO
camperfamily
Explorer
Oct 18, 2018
I too suggest the 4.30 gearing. Traveled with a friend with a TT, under 8,000. He had a 6.2 F250 with the 3.73 gears. After a couple hours we agreed I'd follow him. He just wasn't able to keep up to me. Despite the heavier and high profile 5th our 6.7 diesel just plain outran him on every incline. Plus, he was really tired of the shifting after over 5k miles.

FWIW he has since traded and drives a '17 6.7 and after almost a year still has a huge smile.

Would I buy a 6.2 gasser – quite possibly, with the right gearing.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 18, 2018
I stand by my first post on page #2. Settle on your 5er first, you are looking at 32’ to 34’. In the 10,500# to 11,500# GVWR, our 32’ has a GVWR of 12,360#, I feel it is well built but still some light weight materials.
Find the 5er you really want, then let it decide what And how much TV you need. My DD now is the proud owner of a 2004 Ram 3500 CTD DRW for towing her 30’ four horse with living quarters GN trailer GVWR of just over 12,000#, but will be pin heavy. Yes a new Ram 3500 SRW can have 200# more GVWR, but she was not going to put out that much, this one only has 130K miles.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 18, 2018
fj12ryder wrote:
I meant to say Idaho, but stuck Utah in there by mistake. I figure Idaho gets more deep snow than Utah.

Well I will say snow is not the only reason for a 4X4, there is mud, loose gravel, and sand to mention a few issues.
Have you ever been nose down hill on a gravel road and needed to back up around a slight turn?
miltvill
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2018
The gas truck can bee a good choice. The diesel engine is a lot heavier then the gas engine. The gas engine does not need DEF or have a DPF to cause problems. Any shop can work on the gas engine. If I was the OP I would get the truck first then match the 5th wheel. I like my 2wd diesel for my needs but will get a 4wd next time just because I have never had one before.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2018
What in the world would all these people do if they had to go back to manual 2wd vehicles of the 50s or even 60s? What would you do without power or electronic this that or the other to compensate for the inability to drive?

I started driving in 69 & did not get my first automatic till 06. Learned to drive a 1946 stick, cable clutch, cable brakes, no power steering, no syncromesh to get into 1st gear. It was a vehicle that had to be driven with 100% of the drivers attention. No time to fool with the radio, didn't have one, eat, drink or mess with the cellphone with a vehicle like that. Both hands & feet were busy.

I love my 2wd dually automatic with stuff in it I still have not figured out in 12 years but I do miss that clutch sometimes, especially in a slippery situation when I want to 'feel' what is happening between the wheels & the ground.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Oct 15, 2018
Super_Dave wrote:

I live in Utah and have never used 4 wheel drive in the snow. The roads are kept very clear here when it snows. The only time I use 4 wheel is at one lake we go to with a slick boat ramp when wet.

I meant to say Idaho, but stuck Utah in there by mistake. I figure Idaho gets more deep snow than Utah.

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