New Trailer and Truck

Grit dog wrote:
^Nope, not in NM. RVs are exempt from CDL. May need a class E depending on weight, but not in the OP's case.

I did dig deeper into this and it seems you do need the class E license for anything gross combined over 26k which the OP will be over that amount.

Thanks for all the good advice. We decided on the Solitude 344gk and just ordered. It is going to be a long 13 weeks waiting for it to arrive. Now I just need to get the truck. Going with the DRW. Originally I thought I wanted one of the new 2020 GMC Denalis. They seem like a really nice truck. But you can't find them anywhere. So it looks like I am going to stay with a Ford. Back to the dealer today to decide between a F350 and F450.

^Nope, not in NM. RVs are exempt from CDL. May need a class E depending on weight, but not in the OP's case.

ggates wrote:
I currently pull a TT (<10k) with a 08 Ford Superduty (SRW). We are looking at switching to a new trailer (5ver) and likely a new truck. We are considering a Grand Design (Solitude 344gk). It maxes at around 16k lbs. We really love the new 2020 GMCs. I also intend to put a fuel tank in the bed (1000 lbs) and a heavy hitch (Hensley).

My dilemma is SRW vs DRW. I really prefer a SRW (size, parking, etc.), but don't want to make a mistake and have to replace the truck in 2 years. I live in NM, so altitude and mountains are a real effect, but we want to use it to travel the country as I retire.

Any real world advice/experience would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If you don't have a CDL already you may want to look into your state laws for towing an RV also as it looks like you will be required to have a Class A CDL for any combined gross weight over 26,000 lbs. All states that I know of go off the GVWR of both vehicles combined not off of what they might weigh when loaded. A 14000 GVWR truck and a 16800 GVWR trailer would put you at 30800 lbs combined. If it were me I wouldn't even consider a SWR for a 16.8k GVWR 5th wheel...

I pull my 16000 lb RV with my SRW and have absolutely no issues. I wouldn't be throwing a 1000 lbs of fuel in the bed of my truck though. I think the new GMC SRW could quite easily handle the load your talking without issue. I believe it has a GVWR of 12400 lbs. I've heard the 2020 Ford SRW will be 12400 lbs as well.

All,

Thanks for the great advice. Now I just need to get the wife to decide. If she wants the Solitude, we get a DRW. If she is willing to live with the lighter Reflection, then she can have a SRW. Going trailer shopping today. Either way a get a new truck. Should be fun.

SRW doable? Some will say, change tires, add air bags, use an alum hitch. Problem is you CANNOT change weight ratings/capacity of truck. Period. If you had nothing whatsoever in truck or 5er, then yes you could, but what fun is that w/o family, personal items and food?

Yes the new tow ratings from GM has caught many attention for SRW, but IMO, you will find you'll max out real quick even with a 3500.

Let me give you a personal example:

Dec '14, bought a '15 F350 SRW,4x4,cc,sb,6.7. Added/replaced factory fuel tank w/a Transfeflow 50 gallon tank. Truck scaled out at 8700 w/o anyone in cab, GVW of 11,500. Had a '06 Cedar Creek Silverback w/ dry wt of 10,800, max wt of 13,800. Fully loaded netted 2,000 pin so 10,700 on truck, total gross of 21,500. All within legal limits of truck all the way around. ALRIGHT I said! Truck towed awesome with this coach.

Enter 2017 and we upgrade 5ers to a '18 Big Country with a advertised dry pin of 2,888, dry wt of 13,420 and max wt of 16,000. With same '15 F350, fully loaded and B&W Patriot, I now had 3740 pin, 7360 on truck's rear axle, 12,350 on truck, gross combo of 24,470. 5er's actual dry weight was 14,000. Truck's axle capacity is 7,000 and max combo 23,500. So now I'm over all the way around. Added upper/lower Stableloads, but ended up taking the uppers off. Truck towed this coach well also, but had to be in mindset that I'm over and keep a safe distance between me and vehicle in front. Towed to Maine from CNY w/o any problems.

2018 comes and now our vaykay plans have us leaning towards FL in Aug. Knowing I was already over on truck (which this didn't bother me too much), but over on the tires planted a huge gut feeling in my stomach that wouldn't go away. Just knowing the normal heat generated on tires, add in the extra weight on them, higher air and road temps down south wasn't setting too well w/ me. Needless to say, bought a '17 F350 DRW, cc,4x4,6.7. Hated to part ways w/ the '15, but after towing down/back, wife driving part ways and her saying she felt better driving/towing w/ the DRW vs the SRW (when she doesn't drive/tow a lot), knew after all this it was a smart decision. Yes I still miss my SRW truck for bopping around town and towing my snowmobile trailer as well as just having a SRW in snow, but the DRW was the way to go and would highly recommend the same if your looking at a trl wt closing in on 16k. IMO, SRW are good up to 14 to NO more than 15K max trailer weights. Just the piece of mind the DRW brought to me w/ wife towing this much weight was worth it. FWIW, the gut feeling went away except now having to pay for it! LOL

Mote wrote:
Like the others have said a SRW may be capable, but since you are planning on traveling the country with this setup you will really appreciate the extra stability of the dually.
We just have a small 30 foot fifth wheel. When we went from SRW to Dually I was amazed at the difference in handling.

^This.

Like the others have said a SRW may be capable, but since you are planning on traveling the country with this setup you will really appreciate the extra stability of the dually.
We just have a small 30 foot fifth wheel. When we went from SRW to Dually I was amazed at the difference in handling.

It’s certainly safely doable ( at least with a Ram ;) ) with some upgrades to the truck.....though, you may potentially have liability issues if you are at fault in an accident! We’re running the Hensley, some stuff in the bed, and towing a 5er that grosses-out a little over 20K pounds, and occasionally tow doubles! But, to make it a safe tow rig.....upgrades are seriously recommended!

Though....the 1000pounds of fuel would likely be a “deal-breaker”! If you kept it at a more reasonable 500 pounds or less.....maybe! I also, would “not” consider.....unless the trailer has disk brakes! As earlier stated.....upgrades! memtb