Truck/Trailer Decisions.
Hello all. We are in the market for a new 5th wheel camper for a family of 5. I am wanting a Montana or a Bighorn that sleeps at least 8 people and this thing would be loaded down with all our stuff ...
Forum Discussion
Several years ago we had a new 2016 SRW F-350 diesel when we purchased our 42' Cardinal that weighed in (gross) at 16,500+ and at that time the pickup was rated at 16,000 for fifth wheel towing. I was shocked that towing for an F-250 and F-350 SRW was exactly the same...16,000 pounds.
We towed a couple of months and decided we really needed a dually, so we traded up to a 2017 DRW F-350. The difference was amazing. Absolutely never had another white-knuckle day on the road. Was it harder to park...yes, certainly it was. Was it a bit more expensive to drive, yes it was.
Did it give us a MUCH stronger feeling of safety for ourselves and others - YES IT DID!!
350/3500 srw trucks are limited in real world payload by their 70007300 lb rawr Rawr will carry all the hitch weight plus the hitch and other gear in the bed. These trucks rear axle can weigh in the 3300-3500 lb range leaving around 3700-3800 lb payload before exceeding a axle/tire/wheel/rear spring pack.
16k lb rv trailers can have too much weight for a 350/3500 srw truck. 350/3500DRW trucks have 9750-10500 rawr depending on actual scaled weights.....and are better suited for heavy trailers.
Don't want a DRW....stay under around 15k gross weight trailer.JMO.
