I recently upgraded fifth wheels from a 1993 Jayco eagle to a 2005 285BHS Coachman Chaparral Bunkhouse. I know I need a larger truck to pull this as it's UVW is 7771 and it's GVRW is 9450lbs. I want to stick to gas as it will be used to pull on the weekends, generally a half hour away, sometimes 3 hours away. Does anyone pull a fifth wheel of this weight with a 2500HD with 4.1 gears? If so, how does it pull and what is the general fuel mileage? The truck will be a crew cab with standard box. Does the 6.0 gas have enough torque or do I need to look at a V10 Ford?

Look at the Cargo Capacity of the truck. If it can CARRY 2500lbs +/- then you will be ok. A larger cargo capacity on your rear axles is always better for a 5er truck.I think you will be fine with any 250/2500 truck and a 5er with a GVWR of under 10,000lbs but that is just a generality not a for sure.Without knowing the cargo capacity/rear axle weight rating of the truck and the hitch weight of the 5er you cannot get an exact answer.You should get around 9=10MPG and my 2500 diesel pulls my 10,000lb fiver like it is not there...at least until we hit a steep hill and it downshift. ;)

I had an 2003 2500HD 6.0, 4.1 crew cab 4x4. I used to pull a Keystone sprinter 303BH. Dry weight 7570. GVWR of around 9500 can't remember exactly. The only issue I had was in South Dakota. My temperature gage would climb. Truck never really over heated. I traded off shortly after that and went with the one in my signature. The 2003 was actually raged for towing 10500. With GVWR of 9200 for truck.Good luck.

I think you will be fine. Check on the truck's tow and haul ratings.BTW I don't know exactly when ford dropped the V 10 in the F 350 and below. Maybe around 2011.the ford 6.2 pulls my fifth wheel fine for me.

We are towing with the V10 now, not sure the axle ratio. It does fine with a similar size 5er.You are in Iowa so not too many high altitude grades to worry about. Check the tow ratings and if it fits, it should be fine.

I think the 2500 6.0 4.10, would be a good match for your new to you FW. The V-10 Ford 250, would work great too, just a little harder to find.Good luck with your search, and welcome to the forum!Jerry

Need new tow vehicle | Good Sam Community

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2015
I think you will be fine. Check on the truck's tow and haul ratings.

BTW I don't know exactly when ford dropped the V 10 in the F 350 and below. Maybe around 2011.

the ford 6.2 pulls my fifth wheel fine for me.
Toolguy5
Explorer III
Mar 05, 2015
I had an 2003 2500HD 6.0, 4.1 crew cab 4x4. I used to pull a Keystone sprinter 303BH. Dry weight 7570. GVWR of around 9500 can't remember exactly. The only issue I had was in South Dakota. My temperature gage would climb. Truck never really over heated. I traded off shortly after that and went with the one in my signature. The 2003 was actually raged for towing 10500. With GVWR of 9200 for truck.

Good luck.
NMDriver
Explorer
Mar 05, 2015
Look at the Cargo Capacity of the truck. If it can CARRY 2500lbs +/- then you will be ok. A larger cargo capacity on your rear axles is always better for a 5er truck.

I think you will be fine with any 250/2500 truck and a 5er with a GVWR of under 10,000lbs but that is just a generality not a for sure.

Without knowing the cargo capacity/rear axle weight rating of the truck and the hitch weight of the 5er you cannot get an exact answer.

You should get around 9=10MPG and my 2500 diesel pulls my 10,000lb fiver like it is not there...at least until we hit a steep hill and it downshift. ;)

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