What size truck do I need?
Hello, Can someone tell me what size truck I need to pull this 5th wheel comfortably? Would a Ford F-350 SD XLT SuperCab Long Bed 4WD with a 6.0L V8 OHV 32V TURBO DIESEL handle it? We w...
Forum Discussion
Hi,
It depends on the model year of the F-350 and if it is a dually or not.
Before 2005, the GVWR of the SRW F-350 was only 9,900 pounds. The dually was high enough for your trailer. In 2005, the GVWR for a longbed supercab diesel F-250 went up to 10,000 pounds, while the F-350 was a bit higher - like 11,500 pounds. You will have to open the drivers door and check.
Nevermind. The 2005 and later F-350 came with 18" rims in the SRW edition, 17" rims in a dually. The 2004 and earlier F-350 came with 235/85R16E tires in the single rear wheel, only rated at 3,042 pounds each. So no it is not enough truck. The curb weight of a 4 wheel drive F-350 SRW diesel crewcab is about 8,000 pounds, leaving a tiny 1,900 pound cargo rating for both passengers, your 150 pound hitch, and the trailer's 2,600 pound "loaded" hitch weight.
Besides the 6 liter has had many problems, that is why you can pick one up so low cost. A good coolant filter system since it was new would have avoided the problems, but rarely did a owner put on a coolant filter.
The 2004 and earlier V10 would be much less overall curb weight, and might work well. But a better pick is the 6.4L diesel or V10 in a 2005 and newer truck. However with their stronger chassis, resale value is higher, so it is sort of catch 22. Get one cheap or something that has more capibilities.
Also pay attention to where the water tank is in the fifth wheel. If it is under the bathroom (most are) then it can apply much of it's 600 pounds of weight to the hitch. So expect the hitch weight to go up by about 300 pounds when the fresh water tank is full. Add to that anything in the bedroom (say 100 pounds of clothes?) and about 1/3 to 2/3 of the weight of everything in that large storage compartment below the bathroom.
I know someone who towed with a 4X4 F-350 dually about 18,000 pounds Holiday Rambler back in 2005 with a 2004 model. He ended up rplacing it with a F-450 rated for more weight. He was OK on all his axle weights, but was over Ford's recommended GCVWR by about 1,000 pounds. The newer F-450 had 19.5" rims and had no problem with the higher GCVWR.
Good luck on your search.
Fred.
It depends on the model year of the F-350 and if it is a dually or not.
Before 2005, the GVWR of the SRW F-350 was only 9,900 pounds. The dually was high enough for your trailer. In 2005, the GVWR for a longbed supercab diesel F-250 went up to 10,000 pounds, while the F-350 was a bit higher - like 11,500 pounds. You will have to open the drivers door and check.
Nevermind. The 2005 and later F-350 came with 18" rims in the SRW edition, 17" rims in a dually. The 2004 and earlier F-350 came with 235/85R16E tires in the single rear wheel, only rated at 3,042 pounds each. So no it is not enough truck. The curb weight of a 4 wheel drive F-350 SRW diesel crewcab is about 8,000 pounds, leaving a tiny 1,900 pound cargo rating for both passengers, your 150 pound hitch, and the trailer's 2,600 pound "loaded" hitch weight.
Besides the 6 liter has had many problems, that is why you can pick one up so low cost. A good coolant filter system since it was new would have avoided the problems, but rarely did a owner put on a coolant filter.
The 2004 and earlier V10 would be much less overall curb weight, and might work well. But a better pick is the 6.4L diesel or V10 in a 2005 and newer truck. However with their stronger chassis, resale value is higher, so it is sort of catch 22. Get one cheap or something that has more capibilities.
Also pay attention to where the water tank is in the fifth wheel. If it is under the bathroom (most are) then it can apply much of it's 600 pounds of weight to the hitch. So expect the hitch weight to go up by about 300 pounds when the fresh water tank is full. Add to that anything in the bedroom (say 100 pounds of clothes?) and about 1/3 to 2/3 of the weight of everything in that large storage compartment below the bathroom.
I know someone who towed with a 4X4 F-350 dually about 18,000 pounds Holiday Rambler back in 2005 with a 2004 model. He ended up rplacing it with a F-450 rated for more weight. He was OK on all his axle weights, but was over Ford's recommended GCVWR by about 1,000 pounds. The newer F-450 had 19.5" rims and had no problem with the higher GCVWR.
Good luck on your search.
Fred.
