What truck do we need to haul this 5er?

Parrothead Mike wrote:
Looks like the weight police are out in large numbers here. If you truly plan to do mountain driving then a 1 ton will be your best friend.

I'm pulling a heavier 5th wheel than you're looking at with my 3/4 ton with a Roadmaster suspension kit to help with the weight. I've pulled through some southern "mountains" without any difficulty, but I'd be needing something bigger to go out west. My '02 Chevy Duramax pulls my new Silverback up and down the highways like a champ getting just over 11 mpg when sticking to about 65 mph.

Don't know about the weight police:R...but you are NOT towing heavier than the OP. His 5er's GVW is 15K..Your's is around 13.5K....His pin weight could hit 3K or more..your's, many 26-27K...

More than several 7% grades in the "southern mountains" of VA and WV....that's on the interstate..much steeper on some secondary roads in NC, TN, VA and WV.

I'd hold on to your 02', it's a keeper...wth that MPG...

Looks like the weight police are out in large numbers here. If you truly plan to do mountain driving then a 1 ton will be your best friend.

I'm pulling a heavier 5th wheel than you're looking at with my 3/4 ton with a Roadmaster suspension kit to help with the weight. I've pulled through some southern "mountains" without any difficulty, but I'd be needing something bigger to go out west. My '02 Chevy Duramax pulls my new Silverback up and down the highways like a champ getting just over 11 mpg when sticking to about 65 mph.

janegowest wrote:
Looking at a 5er with these specs:

Length: 32'4"
Height: 12'8"
Dry axle weight: 9,215
Hitch weight: 2,090
Dry weight: 11,305
Average load capacity: 3,694

What truck would we need to safely navigate mountains, like Yosemite? It seems like if we want 4 season, it always gets heavier!

Thanks for your help!

We just purchased a 5er with similar specs.

The hitch weight is your area of primary concern IMO. One thing's for sure, you can count on the manufacturer's advertised "empty" hitch weight to be a low-ball number based on a unit with zero options. This low-ball number aside, all your personal gear will certainly increase this number substantially regardless.

The 2300 lb. advertised "empty" hitch weight of our unit increased to 2800-2900 lbs. lightly loaded for the realworld. We tow with a '16 Ram 3500 6.7 SRW with a payload of 3960 lbs. After adding the weight of the hitch assembly, a passenger, and some light gear in the back seat, we only had/have 700 lbs. of payload remaining.

If you're one who likes to be within all the maximum ratings (and not just the RAWR), a 3/4 ton diesel will not be enough truck in terms of payload numbers. You may be able to squeeze by with a 3/4 ton gasser which typically has a bit more payload than their diesel brethren, but it would be close.

Good luck!

janegowest wrote:
You mean we need a freightliner, don't you? ; )

They are nice.

20 percent is a minimum for pin weight. A realistic number is 25 Percent so that means one should figure 3,750 pin on a 15K RV.

Below is what one should use to tow that RV. Of course IMHO!

Used? May as well get an F450 :B

IF you load it to the max of 15,000# then you will have +/-3000 lbs on the pin. You will very likely be over on the GVWR or RAWR of any 3/4 ton truck. But lots of 3/4 tons are pulling that trailer out there today, airbags, etc.

I'd go with a 1 ton single axle of your favorite brand. The weight police will tell you it has to be a DRW.

IMO you are right on the edge of 3/4 and 1 ton but I 'think' you will be loading it to the max.

Can you please tell me what 32' fifth wheel you found that has a 3694 lb CC?

I have a 5th similar. A 250 is not enough. A Ford one ton SRW may not be enough. If you look at the yellow tag inside the drivers door you will see the payload of that particular truck. I found the Ford has the lowest payload, then Chevy, then Ram. My 2013 F350 diesel, SRW, CC, LB, 4x4, Lariat had a payload of 3267. I was over that with a Montana HC 305 with a 2175 pin weight and advertised as 250 towable. No way. The Ram 3500 SRW I just bought has 4018 payload. Equipped exactly the same.
You will be surprised what you weigh after you fill with propane,batteries, clothes, and food. Then add the weight of the 5th hitch to the truck, a generator, some odds and ends, etc. next thing you know you are 400 over payload. Been there.

phillyg wrote:
Pshaaaaaw, a one ton SRW can never handle that monster FW. You need a heavy duty truck (HDT), looks like a typical tractor trailer puller; a nice Volvo would do it. Just kidding, thought I'd play weight police for a moment. Yes, a one ton SRW would handle it nicely.

You mean we need a freightliner, don't you? ; )