Newbies seeking guidance! Where to start????

You should be able to get all the amenities you want at around 32'. You cam do that in the price range you suggested. You can definately bargin for a good deal. Stay under 10k dry weight, less is better. There are many light weight offerings. The truck will be fine. If you can attend an RV show you will see a lot of different units. Take your time if you like something see if that type has its own forum and check folks input. Check the internet for a PDI list (pre delivery inspection)That is critical do not let anyone rush you and ask any and all questions. Last but not least all manufactures have some problems so do your due diligence and most of all have fun and enjoy. Rving is a wonderful experience. Best of luck

OpenRangePullen_Ford wrote:
The truck isn't going to have a problem with 16k pounds in tow.First you will need a 5th wheel hitch installed with a 5th wheel hitch slider because you have a short bed. And for anything under 35 feet it will have to be made out of lead in order to weigh 16k pounds. For any kind of RV if its over 30 feet it would be in best interest to get a second air conditioner installed. I have my F-250 and its does fine pulling my 41 footer, but your truck can pull longer up to about id say still around 41 feet. Pin weights are a big thing too, try to stay below 2,400lb(3/4ton truck) and 3,400lb (1 ton truck) .For first timers Idd go with a Open Range Roamer 316RLS Its near 32 feet long dose well with a 2nd A/C and best of all which is rare for small 5th wheels; A Automatic Leveling System which always comes in handy. Open Range's are very high quality for the price and will last a wile too. Get Open Range!!!

Why do you need a Slider Hitch with a 6.5 box? I have towed 5 different 5th wheels since 1998 with a 6.5 box a Without a slider hitch and never have had one issue.

Usually it is best to stay about 25% below the maximum capacity for your truck. This provides safety and lessens the wear and tear on your drivetrain.

If your truck isn't equipped with a tow package you want to add the missing items like an auxillary transmission cooler, trailer plug, high output alternator, heavy duty flasher relay, extendable mirrors...etc.

My choice would be to shop around both new and used...find 3- 5th wheel model you like and then spend several hours in each living in them. Try out the bed, shower, toilet area, kitchen, seating to make sure it fits and is comfortable.

Narrow your choice down to the final and then look for deals. Look for a well cared for used 5th wheel for the best deal. You won't take the initial depreciation hit plus any manufacturing defects will have been taken care of.

I use two rules of thumb for RVs.... Most RV'ers start small and work up through 3 sizes of RVs before they finally find one that fits. In other words start big.
And choose a large enough RV comfortable enough to get stuck in if you are on a trip and hit bad weather for a week. It's a lot nicer to be couped up in a 35ft vs a 25ft RV. Cabin fever kicks in quickly.

donn0128 wrote:
I assume you have a 2500HD. If so, do not believe the trailering guide.
Basic rule of thumb, a 3/4 ton is capable of hauling around 10,000 pound GVWR fifth wheel
a 1 ton SRW is capable of around 12,500-13,000 pound fiver.
One ton dually us necessary for anything heavier.
The real killer when attempting to pull a fifth wheel is pin weight. or a 15K GVWR fifth wheel your will have over 3000 pounds of pin weight. That is in addition to the hitch, 250-350 pounds, passengers, and additional cargo you might have on board above the basic stripped truck, one 150 pound driver and a 1/4 tank of gas. In other words if you have a 2500HD fully loaded by the time you add passengers, fuel, hitch, tools, fire wood etc, in the real world you need to start looking for a fiver under 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Or do what we did, buy too big of a fiver, then spend countless dollars attempting to "make do" and in the end trade for a truly capable truck.

I haul a 41 footer that weighs 13,762 on a Scale with my 3/4 ton and My truck pulls just fine and is still level while towing.

The truck isn't going to have a problem with 16k pounds in tow.First you will need a 5th wheel hitch installed with a 5th wheel hitch slider because you have a short bed. And for anything under 35 feet it will have to be made out of lead in order to weigh 16k pounds. For any kind of RV if its over 30 feet it would be in best interest to get a second air conditioner installed. I have my F-250 and its does fine pulling my 41 footer, but your truck can pull longer up to about id say still around 41 feet. Pin weights are a big thing too, try to stay below 2,400lb(3/4ton truck) and 3,400lb (1 ton truck) .For first timers Idd go with a Open Range Roamer 316RLS Its near 32 feet long dose well with a 2nd A/C and best of all which is rare for small 5th wheels; A Automatic Leveling System which always comes in handy. Open Range's are very high quality for the price and will last a wile too. Get Open Range!!!

These requests always get complicated.

For my $0.02, I'd offer the following:

- You need to decide if you are going to go by the manufacturer's ratings or not. You'll find many on this forum that advocate either side of that issue. For me, I suggest staying within the Manufacturer's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating). I'm sure it won't be long before someone says you don't need to worry about those, but that's my advice. This forum can provide lots of detailed information, but "GVWR" will be the weight of your truck loaded up PLUS the pin weight of the 5th wheel. GCVWR will be the total weight of the 5th wheel and truck combined.

- Again, you asked for advice: the trailering guide is worthless IMO. It is based on a bare bones no option truck. I pulled a 16K 5th wheel with a F350 and that felt about right. I currently own a the 2010 version of your truck and pull lots of equipment trailers with it (No RV currently) and I wouldn't use it to pull a 15K 5th wheel.

- I would suggest that you rent a "Class C" motorhome for trip or several. See how you like setting up, breaking down, see whether you want to go to a new place every day or stay in one place for several days. While a Class C is not a 5th wheel, they can be easily rented and this will expose you to some of the aspects of RV'ng (RV parks, facilities in an RV, hooking up hoses, etc) without incurring significant costs and without throwing additional challenges (trailer pulling, backing, loading) all at once.

- Think through why you are getting a 5th wheel (nothing wrong with that, but it's a big jump from nothing to a 5th wheel). My advice is to think it through and I'm not necessarily advocating changing since many people ultimately end up with circa 35 ft 5th wheel, but why a 5th wheel and not a travel trailer?

- Consider how "luxurious" you want your travel to be: the "RV'ng" lifestyle covers a broad range. Minimalistic to having everything under the sun. More amenities and more stuff taken with you leads to bigger trailers (= heavier adn more expensive).

- Just me, but without changing the truck, I'd probably suggest a circa 28' higher-end travel trailer rather than a 5th wheel.

You will love RVing. Having your own bed with everything that is comfortable with you all the time is wonderful. We have 29ft 5th wheel and spend about 4 months a year in it. I would like to spend more but my wife needs her studio time.

I assume you have a 2500HD. If so, do not believe the trailering guide.
Basic rule of thumb, a 3/4 ton is capable of hauling around 10,000 pound GVWR fifth wheel
a 1 ton SRW is capable of around 12,500-13,000 pound fiver.
One ton dually us necessary for anything heavier.
The real killer when attempting to pull a fifth wheel is pin weight. or a 15K GVWR fifth wheel your will have over 3000 pounds of pin weight. That is in addition to the hitch, 250-350 pounds, passengers, and additional cargo you might have on board above the basic stripped truck, one 150 pound driver and a 1/4 tank of gas. In other words if you have a 2500HD fully loaded by the time you add passengers, fuel, hitch, tools, fire wood etc, in the real world you need to start looking for a fiver under 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Or do what we did, buy too big of a fiver, then spend countless dollars attempting to "make do" and in the end trade for a truly capable truck.