Is This Enough Truck for 5th Wheel??

[Nabs17]

Hey guys,

Newbie here and would like any advice from all the vet's out there.

The wife and I just (impulsively) purchased a 5th wheel a week ago and to let you know how impulsive it was...I don't own a truck nor do I have place to store it yet. 🙂

So I'm tracking down both activities but for this question I need to know if the truck I'm considering is enough.

First, background on the 5th wheel. It's a Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8281WS. It's roughly 8600lb's empty. It has 3 water tanks which total (roughly) 2100lbs.

You can see it here on this youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP0X_tgnFmE

Now the truck. What I've been reading is I (believe) I want a diesel engine and 4x4. Now the truck I'm considering has that but (and this is where I need your input) it has:

Cylinder configuration: I-6

Torque: 660 lb.-ft. @ 1,500RPM

So I'm not sure if a 6 cylinder engine is enough to pull the 5th wheel we purchased.

So let me know what you all think or if you have any additional questions of me.

Thanks in advance for your time and input.

Namon

[tinner12002]

Me Again wrote:

IdaD wrote:
No problem at all. That truck has the 68RFE so it actually has 370 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque. I would never buy a truck without 4wd, especially a diesel one. With all that weight up front they can get stuck surprisingly easily. Plus I drive offroad and in winter conditions a lot.

Doesn't 660 foot pounds indicate a manual tranny? Chris

Or maybe an older Ram...

[Me_Again]

IdaD wrote:
No problem at all. That truck has the 68RFE so it actually has 370 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque. I would never buy a truck without 4wd, especially a diesel one. With all that weight up front they can get stuck surprisingly easily. Plus I drive offroad and in winter conditions a lot.

Doesn't 660 foot pounds indicate a manual tranny? Chris

[tdsxt51]

tomman58 wrote:
see a lot of Dodge comments but for the best ride and interior you need to move away from the lower cost work trucks move into those that are for work but are of higher quality for touring in comfort. We have had GMC LTZ trucks for a few 100,000 miles and they make you long drives quiet and comfortable in their big leather seats. If you going to go, go first class.

Wow. Lot of opinions here. Personally, I wouldn't even consider the "first class" truck you're talking about. Big leather seats are available on all of the big 3 trucks. I drove all 3, and the RAM seemed pretty darn comfortable to me and my wife. Then you have your Cummins, which Chevy or GMC isn't even in the same class. And look under the hood of all 3, and check out the DEF locations on all 3. You'll see what I mean. Good choice on the Rockwood. :B

[tomman58]

see a lot of Dodge comments but for the best ride and interior you need to move away from the lower cost work trucks move into those that are for work but are of higher quality for touring in comfort. We have had GMC LTZ trucks for a few 100,000 miles and they make you long drives quiet and comfortable in their big leather seats. If you going to go, go first class.

[Njmurvin]

A short box with a superglide shouldn't require any extra caution.

Maybe the negative reference to Megacabs was more directed to payload capacity? Are they a lot heavier than a Quad Cab? Increased curb weight would reduce payload capacity which would, in turn, reduce the amount of pin weight it could carry.

[Allworth]

A short box requires caution.

An EXTRA short box is a PITA.

(I used to have one!)

[Cummins12V98]

"Whatever you do, avoid at all cost 2500 and 3500 SRW megacabs! "

Maybe a little explanation on your comment please!

[PAThwacker]

blofgren wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
If you get a dually, then yopu almost have to get the long bed. Short bed duallys look absolutely silly!

I respectfully disagree! I love my Megacab dually short box! Gives all the capacity of the long box with a truck that actually fits in a regular garage. I refuse to let my $70k truck sit outside.

Whatever you do, avoid at all cost 2500 and 3500 SRW megacabs!

[bubbatraveler]

I have a 2913 f250 powerstroke.I 4x4.love the truck pull 5er 9740 #35 ft.going to get new 5er this spring.38 ft 11900#.don't expect a issue.But after pulling for a few years.wish I got the one ton.just for peace of mind .I am careful how I drive.Good luck and welcome to the good group here.

[austingta]

Never will I have a 2wd truck. 4WD gives me not double, not triple, but I think four times more traction on slippery surfaces.

[Nevadastars]

lc0338 wrote:
I would not have a diesel engine truck without 4 wheel drive. They are helpless on soft ground if a little slick when empty. If you never unhook your 5er and/or never get off payment or solid roadway's or ice/snow then maybe you can get by with 2 wheel drive only

I agree. My first Cummins was an 04 2500 long bed 4x2 and that thing would get stuck on wet grass! Zero traction in the rear when empty with all that engine weight up front.

[blofgren]

2012Coleman wrote:
If you get a dually, then yopu almost have to get the long bed. Short bed duallys look absolutely silly!

I respectfully disagree! I love my Megacab dually short box! Gives all the capacity of the long box with a truck that actually fits in a regular garage. I refuse to let my $70k truck sit outside.

[patriotgrunt]

OP any update on your decision?

[Grapehound]

Unfortunately, Forest River advertises the Rockwood Signature Ultra Lights as "half ton towable." While the Rockwoods technically might fall just within the towing capacity of certain newer, beefy half-ton pickups (150/1500), such an arrangement compromises your braking and suspension components a bit too much for my tastes. Going down the road at 55 in the sunshine is one thing, but driving on a mountain road with a loaded trailer means I want some extra capability for braking and suspension between me and that big ravine on the right. Thus the 3/4 ton (250/2500) models are the minimum size pickup model I would go with for a Rockwood fifth wheel. Going to a 1 ton (350/3500) model gives you still better suspension (though braking and engine power is pretty similar). My Rockwood 8282 has a dry weight of 7,900 lbs. and a gross trailer weight of 9,200, but I pull it with a 2008 4WD Dodge Cummins turbo diesel 3500 megacab dually. My tow vehicle (8,200#'s) weighs more than the fifth wheel's dry weight! I was glad for it when I mistakenly took a logging road with multiple steep 180 degree switchbacks in the Great Smoky Mountains. My Cummins pulled me up some steep switchbacks without an issue (but for my own regret about not studying the map more closely).