Shopping for first RV...need guidance

Phydeauxman wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
Based on your response, most of my comments stay the same.
- 6yr old probably stays in the truck while hooking for a couple more years.
- After impressing upon him the safety aspects, the 14yr old gets to do the grunt work (it you already paid for him why pay for fancy leveling systems).
- With the diesel, pulling power shouldn't be a problem.
- If you are comfortable towing a car trailer, the 5th wheel should be easier on the road.
- Backing is the same but different. Slower to start turning but you can turn sharper than a bumper pull.
- Still recommend a used unit as a starter until you decide what you really want.

Upgrading the truck to "be" a 1 ton. Sort of, yeah, not really.
- For all practical purposes, you won't be able "legally" change the ratings.
- Last I heard, the engine, transmission, frame are identical.
- It's primarily the suspension and possibly the rear axle wieght rating. You can do after market upgrades but no it won't change the sticker on the inside of the door.
- Others come down firmly on one side of the debate or the other, I'll leave it to you to decide.

I would still suggest haning out near the 30ft range given your truck.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Honestly (and I am sure some won't like this) I am less concerned about the sticker as I am about being safe. I was thinking...with all of the things I have read...that we might be able to go up to a 32' safely with the 250 as it sits. I would have to do more detailed calculations but seems close. Now to find one (5th wheel) that meets the desires we have. Out of curiosity...how do you calculate how much TT you can safely tow with a given tow vehicle? Seems like it is easier to find a TT that sleeps more people that would be safe to tow but obviously there trade-offs with going that directions.

Tow ratings work the same for TT or 5th wheel. The difference is what typically reaches it's limit first.

At least in theory, you should be in the trucks rating for all the following:

Rear Axle Rating (Hitch weight/Pin Weight): TT is usually around 10% of the trailer weight (weight distributing hitch plays in a bit). 5er is usually 20-25% (directly over the rear axle). This is why 5er size is usually limited by the pin weight.

GVWR (truck): this is all the weight on the truck tires. Includes, truck, hitch/pin weight and anything you put in the truck including people.

Front Axle Rating: Usually not an issue. With a TT, you can get in trouble due to the fact that the hitch weight takes weight off the front axle. Too much can create handling issues.

CGVWR: This is the overall combined rig. This is usually about power train and braking ability. A lot of 1/2ton trucks have plenty of power to drag a big TT but not enough rear axle to support a similar sized 5er. To complicate this there are semi-1/2tons with beefed up suspension almost to a 3/4ton. Also, there is the question of truck brakes. When you move up to 3/4ton and larger, they come with larger brakes. In theory trailer brakes stop the trailer and truck brakes stop the truck but the bigger truck adds a margin of safety.

Then you have the comfort aspect (not really in the official ratings). A bigger heavier truck will be less affected if the TT starts swaying in a cross breeze (5ers have drastically less impact due to cross breeze or passing semi's). Of course, this is all relative. A 50mph cross breeze is going to be white knuckle in a 5er.

Check the weights (loaded weight not dry) and you can probably find something in the 32' range that will work with your current truck.