The retirement tow vehicle planning...

Bedlam wrote:
With SRW you are limited to under 15k lb FW's due to the pin weight. If you are fine with these smaller rigs for full-timing, it will be enough. If you want anything close or larger to this weight, get the DRW so you have reserve capacity and additional stability.

Not true. A 5th-wheel will put at most 25% of its weight on the pin and rear wheels. A standard 1-ton will support 4,000 lbs. of payload in its stock configuration with the SRW rims and tires from the factory. That works out to a theoretical trailer weight of 20,000 lbs., or the towing capacity of the truck or the GCWR, whichever is the limiting factor. With most trucks that is the towing capacity of 17,000 lbs.

Having read all the DRW nonsense on forums I started to count 5th- wheel travel trailers on the highway on trips and see how many were pulled by SRW versus DRW trucks. Trip after trip the SRW trucks are being used more than 80% of the time.

You start with the trailer and then find the truck and starting with assumptions is counterproductive.

What is relevant is that all the diesel truck engines will be very different going into 2015-2016 due to new EPA requirements. GM had problems with its first production engines for DEF and particulate filters and Ram has had to change its engines for 2013 and again for 2014 so there is a high risk factor for anyone buying a 2015-2016 model year truck with a diesel engine. Lubricants will also change and this too is an experiment in progress with solutions that will need to evolve over time.

This applies to all diesels including those powering a Freightliner. If you don't mind spending 4x as much for a truck then a new M2 will definitely provide you with a stronger towing vehicle with a stronger frame, better brakes, and more towing capacity. But even a used M2 is 3 times the cost of a new 1-ton diesel pickup.

The longer the trailer the fewer the places where you will be able to camp. Many places have back-in only spaces and not enough turning room for any tow vehicle with a trailer longer than 30'. Fine if you plan to stay at private RV parks all the time but otherwise longer is not better. Slide-outs are great if you have room to extend them. This also limits where they can be used and where you can camp.

A place may have some 40' spaces but if the last one is taken by someone else (who may have a 24' trailer or motorhome) you are out of luck. I checked the spaces at campgrounds in the Yosemite area which is typical of USFS campgrounds in the west and this is what I found in terms of length of RV and available spaces in campgrounds.

16' RV - 211 campgrounds 100% of RV campgrounds
21' RV - 180 campgrounds 85%
25' RV - 150 campgrounds 71%
30' RV - 138 campgrounds 65%
35' RV - 88 campgrounds 42%
40' RV - 64 campgrounds 30%
45' RV - 32 campgrounds 15%