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 ??

Me_Again
Explorer III
Jul 05, 2015
Tom/Barb wrote:
Me Again wrote:

That was a SRW not a dually, he was illegally in the hammer lane(6 lane FWs in Washington restrict towing in the fast lane) doing 70 when traffic backed up. Driver and wife did not die, just three people going the other direction. I do not believe he hit any of the South bound vehicles ahead of him as he went for the median. He received a 485 dollar fine about 6 months later. Not sure if there was civil action against him.

Speed limit in that area was lowered to 60 MPH after that accident.

Chris

I was on scene that day. and saw what happened.

yes he was to fast and in the left lane, and no, he did not have enough truck to handle the emergency. I saw all the injured carried away. the fire and the mess that was made.
I am glad the driver and his wife made it, I understood they had not.

Article says driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
He was fined $485. There is an old thread or two about this.

I also do not think WSP knows how to measure 5th wheels, stating this three axle trailer was 30'.
gmcsmoke
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Tom/Barb wrote:
NC Hauler wrote:
AGAIN, Im as safe, if not more so, towing my 5er with my truck than you driving your MH.

NTSB disagrees with you. IMHO The owners of RV trucks are over confident in the abilities of their trucks. While the owners of Motorhomes are more aware of their responsibilities. Plus the use of air brake systems, wet hubs, tag axels are much more capable of handling the heavy load.

As for my coach, it is basically a fire truck chassis, carrying about 50% of its designed carry capacity. can you say that about any 5ver / truck combo?

since you're all about safety I'm sure you have a CDL with air brake and hazmat endorsements right; I'd hate for you to look like a hypocrite and all.
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
:S

Wow has this gotten out of hand.

I'd hook up to 16,000 pounds any day of the week with my 3500 Ram.

No way you need an F450/F550 for those weights.

Besides, until recent model years, the ONLY difference between the F 350 and the F 450 was rear axle ratio. Tires, everything the same for a few model years there.

Now Ford, in a very good move, has gone back to selling true F450's, with the 19.5 tires.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Jul 05, 2015
Tom/Barb wrote:
NC Hauler wrote:
AGAIN, Im as safe, if not more so, towing my 5er with my truck than you driving your MH.

NTSB disagrees with you. IMHO The owners of RV trucks are over confident in the abilities of their trucks. While the owners of Motorhomes are more aware of their responsibilities. Plus the use of air brake systems, wet hubs, tag axels are much more capable of handling the heavy load.

As for my coach, it is basically a fire truck chassis, carrying about 50% of its designed carry capacity. can you say that about any 5ver / truck combo?

Your opinion is far from humble and not based on anything other than YOUR opinion. Im far from over confident, but sounds like you are in describing your rig as a fire truck. You're out of touch with reality, and HAVENT owned one of these newer , 13' and up 350/3500 dually trucks. Your basing all you've posted on factless opinions...no real facts to back up any of your conjecture.. I have enough true facts on my truck to know that it can easily and safely tow 16,300# of 5er. Do the sctual research and try to catch up with 2015..
bucky
Explorer II
Jul 05, 2015
Hauler, I guess you didn't see the :). As I made no reference to you I don't understand your ruffled feathers. As to my fellow poster referring to the wizzing contest I'm betting he was referring to the quote war and not the information contained therein.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
NC Hauler wrote:
AGAIN, Im as safe, if not more so, towing my 5er with my truck than you driving your MH.

NTSB disagrees with you. IMHO The owners of RV trucks are over confident in the abilities of their trucks. While the owners of Motorhomes are more aware of their responsibilities. Plus the use of air brake systems, wet hubs, tag axels are much more capable of handling the heavy load.

As for my coach, it is basically a fire truck chassis, carrying about 50% of its designed carry capacity. can you say that about any 5ver / truck combo?
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
Me Again wrote:

That was a SRW not a dually, he was illegally in the hammer lane(6 lane FWs in Washington restrict towing in the fast lane) doing 70 when traffic backed up. Driver and wife did not die, just three people going the other direction. I do not believe he hit any of the South bound vehicles ahead of him as he went for the median. He received a 450 dollar fine about 6 months later. Not sure if there was civil action against him.

Speed limit in that area was lowered to 60 MPH after that accident.

Chris

I was on scene that day. and saw what happened.

yes he was to fast and in the left lane, and no, he did not have enough truck to handle the emergency. I saw all the injured carried away. the fire and the mess that was made.
I am glad the driver and his wife made it, I understood they had not.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
Bottom line, a newer1 ton SRW truck would be enough for a 15.5K GVW 5er. "I" personally like the stability of a dually and I have a lot of "safety margin" even if I want to go much heavier.

Ron, if something comes up and Larry can't make it...call me,:B
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
We had a 2500 dodge bought new and then was thinking about buying the 35 ft alpenlite. On an rving trip we stopped at the biggest alpenlite dealer and towed one of their 35 ft models. the truck did good but level roads. my thinking was not enough truck. Later when having a new 2001 chev dually we were rving and that night I talked to an older man with the triple axle alfa gold. He didn't feel the truck was too small for that long heavy fifth.

I felt I was learning some folks don't really care for facts and see it every winter for 6 months. Still feel the same in 2015.

cummins 12v98 can feel secure on his trip as he knows I am close by.

Of course I would be over loaded with our 05 chev.

Joking!!!! True on our truck

chevman
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Jul 04, 2015
A big deal about a 350 or a 450 is silly. what does the job is more important than numbers so maybe we need to give it a rest and be safe with what we are using.

chevman