Forum Discussion

Tibbs54's avatar
Tibbs54
Explorer
Aug 05, 2014

Shopping the best truck to tow a 5th wheel

I'm so new at this and really appreciate all the answers I've received from this forum on my other topics. It's helped me make and change my decisions many times -- in search of the perfect (for us) FW and TV.

I am now looking at a Northwood Arctic Fox 27-5L. The specs (taken from the Arctic Fox Web site - not a specific FW) are:

Dry Axle Weight 7,782
Dry Hitch Weight 1,868
Net CC: 3,750
Dry Weight: 9,650
GVWR: 13,400
Length 29'5"

I'm looking for a 2015 TV. I would like to have "wiggle-room" for comfort and safety. Any recommendations? Ford F350? Dodge Ram 3500? I'm open to Diesel and from what I've read that seems to be the way to go. I'd rather not go DRW -- but will if that will give me the edge I desire. Thoughts? Suggestions? What would YOU choose to tow this trailer? OH....a point I need to include is that occasionally, when we are bringing family along, we will have about 800 pounds of people/pets in the TV and we will be towing over the Rockies. Most often it will be just two of us - but I need to be prepared for the heavy payload. Thanks all for your help and advice!
  • spud1957's avatar
    spud1957
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    Any 2015 1 ton SRW would be what you want with a payload of at least 3200lbs. You will be close to max weight with a gas but doable. If you have the money, diesel would be ideal.

    S
  • wcjeep's avatar
    wcjeep
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    Diesel SRW with exhaust brake should work great. While I'm partial to Dodge, any of the big three should work. There is a new aluminum Super Duty coming soon. A test vehicle melted to the ground the other day. Current stock will probably go on sale if you can wait. Dave Smith in Kellogg,ID has great prices on Dodge. His Chevy prices are usually good.
  • Chalkie's avatar
    Chalkie
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    Don't just go and buy a tow vehicle on the say so of others, myself included. Do your homework, run the numbers for yourself. Specs are available online on all the manufacturers websites.

    Personally, I will never again have a gasser for a tow vehicle, however, what you can afford clearly plays into that decision. My personal dream tow vehicle would be a Freightliner SportChassis RHA-350.
  • N-Trouble's avatar
    N-Trouble
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    Chalkie wrote:
    Don't just go and buy a tow vehicle on the say so of others, myself included. Do your homework, run the numbers for yourself. Specs are available online on all the manufacturers websites.


    +1 and most importantly go drive all three (GM, Ford, Ram). Everyone is going to have their own opinion, and of course the truck they drive is always going to be the best.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    Don't dismiss a dually. (any brand). They ARE more stable than SRW vehicles. If towing a trailer with overall weight of 10,000 pounds or more, you want as much truck as you can get for a 5er or TT. Wider the foot print, more stable the ride!
  • amandasgramma's avatar
    amandasgramma
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    We're looking at a larger AF...we bought a Dodge Ram 3500 - quad cab....etc etc etc. Be sure to look at the Dodge website that has what EACH YEAR's towing capacity is.....we found there IS a difference. Course, we were buying used....... :) :) As a wife of a car/truck fanatic (and who has not a clue about anything except how to start the rigs), all I can remember is he says "torque torque torque"....that torque and hitch weight/payload is the most important things to look at.......
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 05, 2014
    I tow a 14K GWVR 5vr with my 3500 RAM SRW.

    No white knuckles, no wind sway, no rocking/rolling, no etc.........

    14K is the MAX GVWR trailer I would tow using a SRW. Heavier trailer....dually for sure.

    But a SRW is a great tow platform....as is an SUV, Mini Van, small pickup as long as trailer and tow vehicle are matched.....payload, RAWR, Tire Load and GVWR.
  • Peg_Leg's avatar
    Peg_Leg
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    My 5er has the same GVWR as what your considering. I'm right at the towing limit but nowhere near the weight limit. Any gas engine for this size will need a low gear ratio (higher number) I ordered mine with the 4.10 gears as they are hard to find on a lot. I've drove SRW's with a 5er but the dually is the way to go for stability especially in the mountains. With 5,000 lb payload, I don't need to worry about over loading it.

    I haven't had mine out west but Appalachians haven't presented me any problems. I wouldn't tow it up Pike's Peak either, been there with 11,000 lbs & truck camper. No problems just would not try it with a trailer.

    I don't use the tow/haul mode very often. The shift points are to high for my driving style. I do use it for descents for the braking assist. I have almost 50,000 mi on the truck with over 30% of that towing. I really wanted a big block motor, but have been pleased with the 6.0 and 6 speed combo.

    Good luck on finding the right rig for you and many happy miles to you.
  • Sturgeon-Phish's avatar
    Sturgeon-Phish
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    Buying enough truck for your current need especially starting out, usually leads to a larger truck when you upgrade the camper. Guess how I know this.
    I imagine if a poll were taken, most have gone down the road of, want a bigger camper, but now the truck struggles.
    Think into future needs and get what you may grow in to and can afford.
    Jim
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Aug 05, 2014
    Peg Leg wrote:
    My 5er has the same GVWR as what your considering. I'm right at the towing limit but nowhere near the weight limit. Any gas engine for this size will need a low gear ratio (higher number) I ordered mine with the 4.10 gears as they are hard to find on a lot. I've drove SRW's with a 5er but the dually is the way to go for stability especially in the mountains. With 5,000 lb payload, I don't need to worry about over loading it.

    I haven't had mine out west but Appalachians haven't presented me any problems. I wouldn't tow it up Pike's Peak either, been there with 11,000 lbs & truck camper. No problems just would not try it with a trailer.

    I don't use the tow/haul mode very often. The shift points are to high for my driving style. I do use it for descents for the braking assist. I have almost 50,000 mi on the truck with over 30% of that towing. I really wanted a big block motor, but have been pleased with the 6.0 and 6 speed combo.

    Good luck on finding the right rig for you and many happy miles to you.


    Don't know about the most modern engines, but most gassers will actually get =better= mileage (yes, it's relative when towing, but noticeable) if you do run the RPM up higher, or let it =stay= high when climbing a grade; just slow down to match the RPM. The engine will work =less= hard at a higher RPM because you'll be in the power band rather than trying to use the torque at a lower RPM. I've seen it first-hand, though it was quite a few years ago with an old 3/4 ton TBI gasser I had when still farming. My dad and I towed a big trailer to our property in CA and he'd run one gear lower (Turbo 400 with GearVendor OD) than me and consistently got 1-1.5 mpg better than I did over the trip.

    Lyle

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