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Binkley2's avatar
Binkley2
Explorer
Jan 15, 2015

Which tow rig?

I recently purchased a 40' fifth wheel toy hauler, triple slide. The dry weight is 14,050 lbs., I figure 1000 lbs. of gear, my motorcycle is about 950 lbs., hers is 650 lbs. We try to two with minimal onboard water and empty grey and black tanks. I currently have a 1996 Ford F-350 DRW with a 7.3 liter Powerstroke and auto trans. It gets the trailer where it needs to go, but it really struggles on the hills and starting off, plus it is really old and I worry about the reliability. Fortunately our favorite camp grounds are not very far away, but we want o start venturing further. So my question is this, who runs a trailer this size and weight and travels long distances with it and what tow rig do you use and how well does it do. I am looking to buy a new truck, but not sure what to buy. Do I really need to look at medium duty trucks like an F-650 or a Kodiak? The guy I bought it from pulled it with a Chevy 2500 with an 8.1 gas engine and said it handled it just fine. Not sure I really would go that route, but maybe the motor is preferable but in a DRW. Any experienced advice is welcomed.

42 Replies

  • New 350/3500 diesel dually in any 'flavor' will handle it without going over ratings.
  • Binkley2 wrote:
    Do I really need to look at medium duty trucks like an F-650 or a Kodiak?
    Yes, but the 650 will ride like a shopping cart. If you have too much money lying around the Freightliner Sportchassis is a good rig. If you have time and want something really capable, get a Class 8 OTR tractor that's been rebuilt for large RV hauling.

    Binkley2 wrote:
    The guy I bought it from pulled it with a Chevy 2500 with an 8.1 gas engine and said it handled it just fine.
    He's lying. There's a good chance he got rid of it because it was not handling fine.