Truck and 5th Wheel under $25,000 Possible?

When I was shopping in 2005, a dealer offered me a suitable truck (F-250 with hitches) for $4600 if I was to buy any towables in his inventory, and that included new and used 5th wheels under $15,000.

I don't know how much inflation has raised prices, but I do know you can still get a suitable 7-15 year old tow vehicle for under $10,000, if you don't go overboard on the size of the fiver. Some will tow with a modern 1/2 ton or any old 3/4 ton, other fivers need a class 5 to class 7 tow vehicle, but a 20,000 pound trailer is probably not in your price range.

wintersun wrote:
The problem is the cost of the truck to tow a 10,000 lb. trailer. It is likely going to have to be a diesel and it is possible to find a truck with 120,0000 miles in good shape with newish fuel injectors for $25,000 that eats up 100% of your budget.

A 28-30 foot travel trailer in excellent condition can be purchased for under $8,000 and then put the rest into a gas engine equipped crew cab or super cab 1/2 ton pickup truck or a full size SUV with a 4.10 rear end to pull it.

Include the cost for possible adding sway control to the tow vehicle and possible a new hitch and a brake controller.

There are plenty of 7.3 PSD trucks in the 150K mile range with lots of life in them capable of towing a medium size fiver in the $10K price range.

The problem is the cost of the truck to tow a 10,000 lb. trailer. It is likely going to have to be a diesel and it is possible to find a truck with 120,0000 miles in good shape with newish fuel injectors for $25,000 that eats up 100% of your budget.

A 28-30 foot travel trailer in excellent condition can be purchased for under $8,000 and then put the rest into a gas engine equipped crew cab or super cab 1/2 ton pickup truck or a full size SUV with a 4.10 rear end to pull it.

Include the cost for possible adding sway control to the tow vehicle and possible a new hitch and a brake controller.

Yes $25K is doable. $10K will buy a decent 7.3 PSD or early 2000's truck and 15K will get you a decent 5'er.

We sold a 2003 Chevy 2500HD Duramax/Allison with 160k miles on it beginning of last year for $7500. We also sold a 28' 2005 Keystone Cougar for $11k. Both of them were in great shape and didn't need any work done.
Yes, you should be able to find a combo quite easily in that price range, with money left over for any repairs they might need.
I would suggest going to a couple of dealers and consignment lots to figure out what floor plan will work for you, then scour CL, RVT and RVTrader for a comprable unit.
Good luck

My picture in sig is about 24k. Lotssss of searching, and now with ad ons im well over that, but ultimately i got a good deal on both my truck and trailer

Mine is a bit older...1997 and 1999, but I have under $10,000 in this pair

Let's see....we just sold our 2000 Dodge Dakota with over 200,000 miles on it for $3000. and we will have our 25 foot Alpenlite 5th wheel (1984) up for sale next spring (don't want to bother with it now) ....we'll be asking $3000. or so. so yes, you can do it. DOES take some looking and being in the right place at the right time!

Shouldn't be a problem. I'd look for a 2001 or newer GM truck with the 8.1 big block. You can probably find one for around $10,000. That leaves nearly $15,000 for the FW and the hitch.

I won't say it's impossible, but you're going to have to really do a lot of searching to get everything in that price range. You are up for a hard challenge! It also depends upon how much truck you want and how big a 5er you want. My opinion? very slim for that budget.

If you're willing to take a loan, well, your budget will go a LONG way in helping reduce the principle amount! Absolutely!