Forum Discussion

Snowwolfe's avatar
Snowwolfe
Explorer
Oct 21, 2022

Will I regret this truck?

We have plans on buying a fifth wheeler in the 33-35 foot range. No need for anything bigger as there is just two of us and our trips would be limited to 3-4 a year. I do want to carry a generator in the bed of the truck or have one installed in the 5th wheeler.
One trip a year will be a drive to Alaska and back in the summer months. During the Alaska trips the truck will be our daily driver for 6 weeks once we park the camper. When home I'll most likely drive the truck 500-800 miles a month.
The truck I plan on ordering is a F350, crew cab, long bed, 4x4, single wheel, with the 6.7 diesel and 3:31 locking diff. My main concern is will I regret not getting a dually. If I must have a dually the plan to buy a 5th wheeler will probably be scrapped.
Have zero interest in going with a gas motor no matter how much some people like them. I am not concerned about the additional fuel costs or increase in maintenance.
  • spoon059's avatar
    spoon059
    Explorer II
    Oct 25, 2022
    My next truck will be right at retirement and we are planning a 2-3 month cross country trip. We plan to buy a dually, just for the stability and no concerns with weight going across country.

    The following truck will likely be a downgraded 1 ton SRW when its just the wife and I and a smaller camper.
  • Snowwolfe's avatar
    Snowwolfe
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2022
    Decided to shelf the idea of buying a SW truck. Told the wife last night I know me, and me likes excess. If we make these trips to Alaska there will be a generator either in the bed or the fifth wheeler. Plus a small freezer, smoker, extra propane, etc.
    We are still on the fence deciding if we want to buy the fifth wheeler in 23 or 24. But when/if we do there will be a dedicated dually for pulling it.
    If we buy a dually I'll decide how it is around town. We always have two or three other vehicles to use if we dont like using it. If it isn’t much of a hassle then I’ll sell my other truck.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Oct 24, 2022
    op wrote:
    My main concern is will I regret not getting a dually. If I must have a dually the plan to buy a 5th wheeler will probably be scrapped.

    Depends on how much loaded pin weight a 33'-35' trailer has. The 6.7 diesel will have no problems pulling those size trailer....but the truck rawr which carries the load is limited.

    Match the size truck you need to estimated hitch weight from its gvwr not a length number.
    33'-35' rv trailers loaded hitch weight vary greatly in trailers this length.

    As MFL and ford truck guy points out some 5th wheel trailer that size may have too much hitch weight plus other stuff in the trucks bed and rear of the cab may over load a F350 SRW 7250 rawr/tires/wheels and rear suspension.

    The most weigh a 7250 rawr F350 srw can carry will be in the 3600-3800 lb range depending on truck options.

    Choose a lighter gvwr trailer and the F350 srw will be good to go.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2022
    Pbutler, OP was concerned with room in the bed to carry a generator. “I do want to carry a generator in the bed of the truck or…” Lots of solar either eliminates the need for a generator or makes a smaller generator workable.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 22, 2022
    ford truck guy wrote:
    Jerry, I have always lived by the motto- There are two numbers that I myself want to stay within. Number one is the RAWR number two is the tire rating, everything else to me is just numbers


    I agree!

    A wise man, knows his actual equipment limitations, due to his personal knowledge, and years of experience.
  • JTrac's avatar
    JTrac
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2022
    I also have that truck. Our Pinnacle has 3120 hitch weight and 14,700 total weight. The truck has over 4K pounds of payload capacity and is really a sweet match up for our fifth wheel. It's the best riding and handling rig we have ever owned in our 40 plus years of rv'ing. I will average around 10 mpg towing, sometimes it goes above 11 depending on the conditions. We've taken several long solo trips with it and the mpg has been around 22 every time.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2022
    Jerry, I have always lived by the motto- There are two numbers that I myself want to stay within. Number one is the RAWR number two is the tire rating, everything else to me is just numbers
  • Pbutler97's avatar
    Pbutler97
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2022
    ford truck guy wrote:
    Snowwolfe wrote:
    Thanks guys. Already talked to my Ford dealer and when the 2023 order bank is opened next week will submit the order. With luck will see the truck by April.

    April of 2024? 2025? :R

    way back last year we ordered 3 of the 2022 Superduties in March.. we received them in October.. just over 7 months and we felt LUCKY !



    Around here the Ford dealers seem to be stocking up, not on Super Dutys but lots else. A local dealer now has at least a dozen Broncos lined up out front along the highway. Those showed up over the last week. Perhaps a sign of either A- supply issues easing or B. New sales going down the toilet due to the economy. I bet it's B.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 22, 2022
    ford truck guy wrote:
    MFL wrote:
    Hey ford truck guy...curious as to your rear axle wt not towing? I would guess about 3,500 with hitch installed? Just trying to figure available pin wt, before going over RAWR of possibly 7,250.

    I agree with OP being GTG, with the length he is considering.

    Jerry


    Jerry, I am at 3580 with my B&W installed, fueled ready to go on my rear axle. I run AT MAX RAWR with a few hundred pounds (250ish) cushion on the tires.. scaled I am at 7240 RAWR with a scaled pin of 3660


    Thanks for replying with your numbers...seems I guessed pretty close.:)

    Your rig is bigger than the OP is considering, but shows he will have
    some room, if he finds a bit larger trailer, that he really wants.
  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2022
    The truck mentioned is plenty for a fiver in that size range. Have fun!
    Lwiddis is probably referring to lack of electric at times in AK.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,010 PostsLatest Activity: Mar 31, 2025