Looking for personal experiences and input. Just purchased our new(used) 37' Crossroads fifth wheel. 14,000 dry weight + our personal gear. Now will need to purchase the right truck capable and safe enough to tow it. Have reluctantly considered hiring out the long tow, but do not want to forgo the full rv experience. We are full timers and will not be towing it but maybe twice a year. The first tow will be the long one; 3k miles - (southeast coast to northwest coast). from there any tows would be less than 500 miles each, once maybe twice a year. Till we retire many years from now when we would love to travel frequently and would buy something a lil smaller and easier to maneuver. So so many specs and info to consider...;> Manufacturer > 1 ton single axle trucks vs/ dually, > diesel vs/ gas. i.e. fuel price, power, I realize a diesel would be more durable, likely more power and torque and have a longer life....for a price. Was told a 3/4 ton long bed would handle the job ?? not so sure I would be comfortable or feel entirely safe towing with that option. I want to consider that this truck will serve as a partial (50-75%) daily driver. So I will want to weigh fuel price, towing ability, power and safety, etc......gets my head spinning.What else should I be considering and I will appreciate your input and personal experiences.Thanks

goofasap wrote:Looking for personal experiences and input. Just purchased our new(used) 37' Crossroads fifth wheel. 14,000 dry weight + our personal gear. Now will need to purchase the right truck capable and safe enough to tow it. Have reluctantly considered hiring out the long tow, but do not want to forgo the full rv experience. We are full timers and will not be towing it but maybe twice a year. The first tow will be the long one; 3k miles - (southeast coast to northwest coast). from there any tows would be less than 500 miles each, once maybe twice a year. Till we retire many years from now when we would love to travel frequently and would buy something a lil smaller and easier to maneuver. So so many specs and info to consider...;> Manufacturer > 1 ton single axle trucks vs/ dually, > diesel vs/ gas. i.e. fuel price, power, I realize a diesel would be more durable, likely more power and torque and have a longer life....for a price. Was told a 3/4 ton long bed would handle the job ?? not so sure I would be comfortable or feel entirely safe towing with that option. I want to consider that this truck will serve as a partial (50-75%) daily driver. So I will want to weigh fuel price, towing ability, power and safety, etc......gets my head spinning.What else should I be considering and I will appreciate your input and personal experiences.Thanks1 ton, for sure; even for short trips. Dually would be better but a newer (13,14,15) SRW might also be able to handle the payload. You'll just have to work the numbers. No way a 3/4 ton be able to handle that rig. You're looking at probably 2500-2800 lbs DRY pin weight. Translate that ratio to the GVW to see what the potential pin wt would be when loaded.Lyle

I would alsonot recommend the 3/4 ton. Ive pulled similar unit with 1 ton duallySRW. It worked fine. However bought a F350 DRW a few weeks ago. First drove truck from Texas Panhandle to Memphis Tenn. Had no problems parking truck in any kind of parking lot. Installed B&W Companion hitch at Amarillo and pulled Cameo 125 miles. It was very stable. DRW is a good choice.

That size is to me definitely in diesel dualie territory. You're probably looking at ~17k GVWR which is up to ~3400lb hitch weight.That's a lot of truck to only really need once or twice a year.Hard choices.

avvidclif1 wrote:That size is to me definitely in diesel dualie territory. You're probably looking at ~17k GVWR which is up to ~3400lb hitch weight.That's a lot of truck to only really need once or twice a year.Hard choices.Assume the trlr is two axles - which means heavy pin weight, as above.Also - as above - a lot of money for something used twice a year - whether you buy new or used. New = major "ouch".Really not a practical "daily driver" if you *only* plan to use it twice a year for it's intended (towing) purpose.Who will drive the "daily driver"? Lots of gals aren't overly thrilled about diving pickups - especially duallys.However, some love it.But, if you gotta have a TV - (IMO) a used 1T pickup. NO 3/4 ton.Dually would be best, but SRW would be OK due to the limited towing (plus you won't be driving over curbs as a daily driver, LOL!)Having it moved by one of the many services would be a good alternative, and may be cheaper in the long run.Use something more practical as your daily driver.Good luck with your decision, and BTW - spending some time on Escapees MDT and HDT forums might be beneficial.Lots of long & heavy trailers - and experience towing/moving same.~

capable truck to tow new 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 29, 2014
Dually

You will thank all of us that know the difference. Very solid relaxing towing experience.
B_Sjulestad
Explorer II
Mar 29, 2014
Get the right truck the first time. too many times many have purchased what they thought would be enough truck only to find out its not. You will need a 350/3500 diesel DRW. Anything less and you will wish you would have down the road. This I know from experience.
wandering1
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
Real simple, if you are going to get a pick up then look at the towing specs for the PU and select the configuration that will handle your fifth wheel trailer.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
I won't tow anything with anything less than a 3500 diesel dually. They are stable, you get no sway, and you have the power to tow just about anything without white knuckle driving. You have to weigh the issue, a safe and comfortable towing experience vs economy. In my opinion, a safe and comfortable towing experience is worth every penny ... especially since I also once experienced the economic way. Never again!

Get more truck than you "think" you need . You'll not regret it! Ever!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 28, 2014
14,000# 'dry weight'......that puts you into 1 ton dually

We tow 14K 5th wheel (that is fully loaded weight not dry) with a 1 ton SRW and due to pin weight we are at limits.

Doesn't much matter if you tow couple times a year or every month. Whenever you tow you should do so within a trucks capability (Ratings/limits).

A 1 ton DRW is what you need to stay within ratings/limits of the truck.
Halmfamily
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
We have a 40', weighed this week 13200 lb fiver and towed with a SRW F350 and now DRW GMC 3500. I of the two I prefer the GMC DRW for the stability and smoothness, when bobtailing we just park farther out and take up two spots. We also went from a Reese 16 K to a B&W Companion and that also helped smooth put our ride. I would rest drive as many trucks as you can and find the one that is the most comfortable to you. My vote 1 ton DRW.
Winged_One
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
avvidclif1 wrote:
That size is to me definitely in diesel dualie territory. You're probably looking at ~17k GVWR which is up to ~3400lb hitch weight.

That's a lot of truck to only really need once or twice a year.

Hard choices.

+1 If you want to meet specs you have no choice.
goofasap
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
"Good luck with your decision, and BTW - spending some time on Escapees MDT and HDT forums might be beneficial.
Lots of long & heavy trailers - and experience towing/moving same."

What is "Escapees MDTand HDT" ?
medium and heavy duty towing ??
Thank you very much for the info. What is
greginsp
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
I can only compare to our experiences. Should be pretty close to your situation since our 5th wheel is similar in size and weight.

We went from a SRW Ford 3/4 ton to a 2013 Chevrolet DRW Diesel. The old 3/4 ton was way too light and the new truck seems to be a perfect match. Even the higher bed height wasn't a problem.

Towing is a breeze and it is very stable even in cross winds and passing trucks.

I have been using the truck as a daily driver for almost a year with no issues. I usually park towards the back of the parking lots and don't go through drive through fast food joints. I do go through ATM (outside lane)lines with no problems.

I think one reason I have no issues with commuting is that my commute is about 30 miles round trip with around 26 being freeway which allows the truck to fully warm up and get through DPF regeneration with no problem.

If you are used to a small commuter vehicle, it will take some getting use to, but for us we have always had a pick up of some sort and even my wife drives it a lot since it is our only 4WD vehicle and we get a lot of snow during the winters at our current long term spot.
BB_TX
Nomad
Mar 28, 2014
For that weight a dually would likely be best. But new SRWs have some pretty impressive payload ratings, but you would be very near the limit on their ratings. But for the limited towing you plan it may well work for you. Check the payload and tow ratings carefully.
And again for that weight and long distances I think you would be happier with a diesel, especially towing over mountain areas.
As to which brand, doesn't matter. Ford, GM, and Ram are so close on power, ratings, and reliability now that any will work fine for you. Just a matter of personal preference.
My F350 SRW is also my daily driver. Only tow 3-4 times per year for no more than 2,500-3,000 miles total. No problem for me, but I like driving my truck.