Was assured that my TV 04 f350 kg ranch PSD SB 6.0L 4x4 would be up to the task.Hate to trade it in but need to be safe. What do you think? What TV do you use for a similar 5er? Been rving 11 months a year for the last9 years and should know better than trust the dealer.Look forward to your input. Bob

Hi,Depends on the hitch weight I guess. Is it triple axle? That can put more of the trailer's weight on it's own wheels, and less on the pin.It also depends on the trailer balance. Some have the fresh water tank under the bathroom, and in the front of the trailer. Some like Glendale RV Titanium will have the fresh water tanks over the rear axles, so that the hitch weight will not go up or down when it is full or empty. Glendale made some fifth wheels with really light pin weight. More of the overall weight was on the trailer tires. I need to change my answer. The 2004 only had a 9,900 GVWR and that is way to low to be towing any fifth wheel, except for the very lightest ones. What is your curb weight? If it is over 7,300 pounds, then towing any fifth wheel is questionable. That leaves you less than 2,000 pounds for cargo, and a little for passengers and that 200 pound hitch. IF you want to use a 2003 and earlier, then a dually is required. 2005 the GVWR for the F-250 went up to 10,000 pounds while the F-350 SRW was 11,400 pounds, 1,500 pounds more than the 2004 model.As for the 6L and 6.4L International engines, they are not recommended by many, who say that the oil cooler is a problem. This can be solved with a simple engine coolant water filter, that needs to be changed every 1,500 miles for the first 2, then about once a year.Good luck,Fred.

I tow a 34ft 14000lb 5er with my SRW and am very happy with the performance. Still, mine is a 2013 (after all manufacturers beefed up suspensions and payloads), yours is a 2004 so I'd be concerned about payload of your truck first and foremost. The long length might also be a factor pushing SRW around a little where DRW would add more rubber to road to counteract. Some would be comfortable with the later, some not. But again I'd look at your truck payload pretty hard.Maybe it's a reason to get a new truck :)

I thought a Dually was the answer to ALL of life's problems!20% tongue weight is 3100 lbs. plus hitch weight & anything in the bed or cab. How much cargo capacity do you have? How about the drive tires?Good luck.

I feel to answer your question I would have to tell you it is a NO from me. sorrychevman

MNRon wrote:I tow a 34ft 14000lb 5er with my SRW and am very happy with the performance. Still, mine is a 2013 (after all manufacturers beefed up suspensions and payloads), yours is a 2004 so I'd be concerned about payload of your truck first and foremost. The long length might also be a factor pushing SRW around a little where DRW would add more rubber to road to counteract. Some would be comfortable with the later, some not. But again I'd look at your truck payload pretty hard.Maybe it's a reason to get a new truck :)Beef up the supension OR up the GVWR???I think some of the higher GVWR were a result of marketing, not so much stronger springs or frames or axles! They just used more of the axle rating. Our 2001 2500 has a GVWR of 8,800# bit total axle ratings of 11,284# so lots of room to grow.I read about all the time about newer higher GVWR TV needeing bags or Timbiers to "level" the TV. While my 01 with camper package is within about 500# of ratings and is still better than level.

Towing 39 ft 15.5 k with 1ton Sw diesel - Mistake ??

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Aug 07, 2015
bucky wrote:
Once again the quote monster has reared it's ugly head. NA na, my quote is bigger than your quote. :)
Back to the subject with a question for the OP. Have you actually weighed the coach? Pin and axle weights? Loaded for a trip? Until you do all of this is moot.

Good point...typical thread about weights and safety when the OP doesn't give any axle weight numbers which starts the usual arguing.

The OP combo may handle fine or maybe he simply wants a one ton DRW. If the first is the case just keep on trucking.
If he wants a DRW truck then by all means he should get one as your combo is a danger to his family and everyone on the road. :R

OP needs to give us some actual scaled front and rear axle weight numbers for starters.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 06, 2015
stevewise wrote:
I tow a 43 ft 15,500lb 5er with a 2014 F350 SRW. took it up through New England from Kentucky this summer with no problems.

Bring it out West and see how it goes in the mountains and winds. Little too much tail for the dog IMHO.
stevewise
Explorer
Aug 06, 2015
I tow a 43 ft 15,500lb 5er with a 2014 F350 SRW. took it up through New England from Kentucky this summer with no problems.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 16, 2015
gtsum wrote:
I have 2014 ram 3500 srw. It does good 99% of the time but on our 2600 mile trip a few weeks ago, I ran into 7 hours of rain and 30-40mph wind. Towing 16500 with 3500 on the pin. I weighed it and I was 100 over rear axle and 100 over truck gvwr. That, along with the mountains and feeling a bit of side to side push pull on winding roads is leading me to order a 2016 drw. Ymmv

Yep! Under NORMAL conditions your truck is fine I am sure, it's when things get out of the ordinary you need the extra stability!

You will be thrilled with the new rig! I knew the dually would make a nice tow vehicle but I honestly did not think it would be so good.
gtsum
Explorer
Jul 16, 2015
I have 2014 ram 3500 srw. It does good 99% of the time but on our 2600 mile trip a few weeks ago, I ran into 7 hours of rain and 30-40mph wind. Towing 16500 with 3500 on the pin. I weighed it and I was 100 over rear axle and 100 over truck gvwr. That, along with the mountains and feeling a bit of side to side push pull on winding roads is leading me to order a 2016 drw. Ymmv
Winged_One
Explorer
Jul 11, 2015
bobandvicki wrote:
Was assured that my TV 04 f350 kg ranch PSD SB 6.0L 4x4
would be up to the task.Hate to trade it in but need to be safe. What do you think? What TV do you use for a similar 5er? Been rving 11 months a year for the last
9 years and should know better than trust the dealer.
Look forward to your input. Bob

I have a similar weighted FW. You are right on the edge with a SRW, especially depending on how much you put in the truck. I had a SRW and it wasn't bad, but it was overloaded. I decided to go DRW because I could still fit it in the garage. ;)

To me, the DRW rides rougher than the SRW when empty, but better when loaded. The SRW got pushed through corners, the DRW doesn't.

The DRW was also only $500 more. Easy pick for me.
shadows4
Explorer III
Jul 09, 2015
bobandvicki wrote:
Was assured that my TV 04 f350 kg ranch PSD SB 6.0L 4x4
would be up to the task.Hate to trade it in but need to be safe. What do you think? What TV do you use for a similar 5er? Been rving 11 months a year for the last
9 years and should know better than trust the dealer.
Look forward to your input. Bob

Op'er looking at your previous posts, it looks like you got the 5er in March. Why are you just now questioning the purchase? Has something happened? Just curious. Good luck, John
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jul 09, 2015
joebedford wrote:
I traded my 2004 because it wasn't up to the job. It was fine at 14000 but at 19000 it just couldn't hack it.

Our truck would be the same but a match is a match.

chevman
joebedford
Nomad II
Jul 09, 2015
I traded my 2004 because it wasn't up to the job. It was fine at 14000 but at 19000 it just couldn't hack it.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jul 09, 2015
larry barnhart wrote:
well just for fun this is our awesome rv. Chev 8560,alpenlite14,360 combined 22,920. perfect match for us.

chevman

I would have guessed your Alpenlite to be heavier. I guess your wife is not a hoarder like mine!