horse or cart first?

[riven1950]

Ok, more newbie 5th wheel questions:

We've pretty much decided on a 6.2 f250 4x4 gas 3.73 CC 6 3/4 ' bed if we go ahead with our switch to a fifth wheel.

Also looking at 5th wheels that have a gross weight of 10500-11000 max, 32-34' max. length.

Payload on the truck will run 3100-3200 area so should not be an issue we think with that size 5th wheel.

I am reading about bed height issues with f 250 and f350 trucks and lighter 5th wheels, things like flipping axles etc to level up. Don't really want to go there.

If we buy the truck first will the height issue be something we need to worry a lot about when deciding on a 5th wheel?

Can you determine if this is an issue from the 5th wheel specs without physically seeing the 5th wheel ( some we like on paper are not close by )?

Are there hitches out there where you can adjust for the height issue?

Would a 2wd be easier to deal with?

We have always had a 4x4 although rarely use it. We get snow trace about every 5 years and don't offroad, although with a new 5th wheel we would plan on a cross country trip which may involve some boondocking. Ford truck forums indicate a little better mileage with 2wd but we like the looks of the 4wd better and the insurance of 4wd if needed.

Not too concerned about not having enough truck after we find a fifth wheel. We don't want a big 5th to haul around and have found many in our size / weight range that we can deal with.

Hope this is not as confusing as we are confused.

thanks

[Veebyes]

This is an RV forum. What you do with the truck besides tow the RV trailer is not really relevant. If the truck is going to have a dual use then those needs must be considered too.

The facts are that very few have the NEED of FWD during RV use.

[Learjet]

I had the F250 6.2 with 3.73 and pulled 12,000 lbs scaled weight ok....I would highly recommend the 4.30 gears. It's not all about weight...the high profile 5th wheels have tremendous drag going down the highway, especially in a headwind

[rhagfo]

fj12ryder wrote:
"A two wheel drive truck in snow is useless."

Oh bosh. Of course they aren't useless, they don't get around as good as a 4WD obviously, but will do just fine in moderate snow. Some weight in the back and knowing how to drive in snow helps a lot, and a locking differential helps too.

There are two parts to driving in snow, go and control!
Yes, you can do a decent job of going with a 4X2, but for great control you really need 4X4. When the front wheels are driving and not plowing control is much better. That and most likely with a 4X2 you will likely loose traction in the most inconvenient place, like half way up a grade. With 4X2 you need to stop and chain up, with 4X4 just engage 4X4! I consider it cheap insurance.

[jtaylor1920]

When I bought my DRW truck a few years back I ended up getting a 4x4 because it’s about the only thing the dealers order here, but I would probably have bought a 4x2 if I could have found one.

For one the beds sits lower and two the extra payload never hurts. As for the 4x4 feature I’ve used it twice, both times driving on the sand.

Driving in the snow, not if I can help it. I’d rather not have my 60k truck smashed by people that see snow a couple times a year and freak out. That’s what the AWD SUV’s are for. The truck is for pulling the fifth wheel.

[fj12ryder]

"A two wheel drive truck in snow is useless."

Oh bosh. Of course they aren't useless, they don't get around as good as a 4WD obviously, but will do just fine in moderate snow. Some weight in the back and knowing how to drive in snow helps a lot, and a locking differential helps too.

[JIMNLIN]

Many city folks just don't get out when a snow or ice storm comes around. So a 2wd with a LSD factory option works for them.
I'm on the other side...... where getting around a muddy worksite or hauling out of a wet pasture make a 4wd necessary.
I also living in a rural area 5-7 miles from the highway and drive on county roads getting to those highways. Most snow/ice storms the county may be several days before they show up to plow the roads.

My 2500 Dodge/Cummins 2wd sits in the tractor shed when the roads have any ice or snow on them or if a pasture or worksite is too muddy. This is where my 3500 DRW 4wd or the wifes 1500 chevy 4wd shines.

There is no one size fits all as we all have different needs and driving scenarios.

[4x4ord]

Dtank wrote:

riven1950 wrote:


We have always had a 4x4 although rarely use it. We get snow trace about every 5 years and don't offroad, although with a new 5th wheel we would plan on a cross country trip which may involve some boondocking. Ford truck forums indicate a little better mileage with 2wd but we like the looks of the 4wd better and the insurance of 4wd if needed.

Not too concerned about not having enough truck after we find a fifth wheel.

Hope this is not as confusing as we are confused.

thanks

Truck: whether gas or diesel, no good reason to *not* have a 1 Ton.

2 X 4 versus 4 x 4: You answered your own statement/question. Are you purchasing a 4 x 4 'cause it looks better?..:R

I had TWO different 4x4 vehicles 'cause I had a mtn cabin. CHP would often require chains on the road up. If you had a 4 x 4 - you only had to *have* chains with you - but they never checked.

NEVER used (or needed) the 4 x 4 (s) - even with *LOTS* of snow.
Later, had a 4 x 2 pickup which did just fine in the (same)snow.

(IMO) UNLESS you're planning on off-roading, the 4x4 is a waste of $$.
And, unless you have lockers front and rear - it's just two wheel drive at both ends, LOL.
(Great sport watching the 4 x 4 folks think it conquers all, and go sliding across some black ice.)

Will you re-coop the extra cost when you sell it? Maybe.

BTW - limited slip diffs are pretty amazing and a great "insurance" policy - for less money and possible repairs.

Good luck! Hope whatever you decide - it LOOKS great!..:C

.

You very obviously have very limited experience with driving in snow and ice. It could very well be that people who don't see snow don't need 4 wheel drive. A two wheel drive truck in snow is useless.

[Dtank]

riven1950 wrote:


We have always had a 4x4 although rarely use it. We get snow trace about every 5 years and don't offroad, although with a new 5th wheel we would plan on a cross country trip which may involve some boondocking. Ford truck forums indicate a little better mileage with 2wd but we like the looks of the 4wd better and the insurance of 4wd if needed.

Not too concerned about not having enough truck after we find a fifth wheel.

Hope this is not as confusing as we are confused.

thanks

Truck: whether gas or diesel, no good reason to *not* have a 1 Ton.

2 X 4 versus 4 x 4: You answered your own statement/question. Are you purchasing a 4 x 4 'cause it looks better?..:R

I had TWO different 4x4 vehicles 'cause I had a mtn cabin. CHP would often require chains on the road up. If you had a 4 x 4 - you only had to *have* chains with you - but they never checked.

NEVER used (or needed) the 4 x 4 (s) - even with *LOTS* of snow.
Later, had a 4 x 2 pickup which did just fine in the (same)snow.

(IMO) UNLESS you're planning on off-roading, the 4x4 is a waste of $$.
And, unless you have lockers front and rear - it's just two wheel drive at both ends, LOL.
(Great sport watching the 4 x 4 folks think it conquers all, and go sliding across some black ice.)

Will you re-coop the extra cost when you sell it? Maybe.

BTW - limited slip diffs are pretty amazing and a great "insurance" policy - for less money and possible repairs.

Good luck! Hope whatever you decide - it LOOKS great!..:C

.

[4x4ord]

I'd get a 3500 SRW diesel before shopping for a fifth wheel if I was feeling quite certain that a smaller fifth wheel would do.

[laknox]

Riven1950, general rule of thumb is to settle on the cart, then see if the horse is up to carrying the load. If I've learned anything, it's that I =should= have gone 3500 instead of 2500, even though I don't really want something heavy enough to =require= the 1t. It just gives you more options if/when you go to another FW. You're looking at "half-ton" class FW's (a total b.s. marketing tool, IMO) in that weight and size range, along the lines of the Jayco Eagle HT and the KZ Durango 1500 FWs. Given they are "built light", they simply won't have the longevity that a heavier unit likely will have, especially if you're a frequent camper. While I think a 3/4t will easily handle the size FW you're looking at, you also have to look forward to the next FW where you might want a bit more comfort and size. The price difference between the 3/4t and 1t SRW isn't all that much, so consider it.

Lyle

[Fiver_Driver1]

I have been to Alaska and back twice with two-wheel drive trucks towing my fifth wheel (In the summer, of course) and never needed four-wheel drive. Here in Arizona we often camp up on the Rim. If the weather looks iffy, we stay home. Never had a problem with two-wheel drive.

[Veebyes]

I have never had to turn around because my 2wd dually was unable to take me there. Why I have even been to Walmart a few times. The long walk from a little further out in the carpatk is healthy.

[JIMNLIN]

I always buy the truck I need/want and then match the truck camper/TT or 5th wheel trailer to my truck. My truck has to work along with pleasure.
We've had three 5th wheel trailers all in the 28-32' range. We started back in the '60s with three truck campers. We wanted a bit more room so a 5th wheel trailer fit our requirements and for pulling our fishin' boats. For us a behemoth trailer didn't fit our wants/needs.
Having made a living for several years with one ton DRW trucks I wanted no more of them for a pleasure truck..... mainly because they can't physically go where we sometimes like to go.

[Veebyes]

Nothing is worse than buying a mistake then taking a loss as you sell then buy what you should have in the first place.

[fj12ryder]

^^^^^^^The worst thing would be to find a floor plan and 5th wheel you love and have to settle for something you don't like as well simply because your truck won't handle it. Nothing is much worse than settling for second, or third, best.