Need new tow vehicle

[mprice11]

I recently upgraded fifth wheels from a 1993 Jayco eagle to a 2005 285BHS Coachman Chaparral Bunkhouse. I know I need a larger truck to pull this as it's UVW is 7771 and it's GVRW is 9450lbs. I want to stick to gas as it will be used to pull on the weekends, generally a half hour away, sometimes 3 hours away. Does anyone pull a fifth wheel of this weight with a 2500HD with 4.1 gears? If so, how does it pull and what is the general fuel mileage? The truck will be a crew cab with standard box. Does the 6.0 gas have enough torque or do I need to look at a V10 Ford?

[rskeans]

In 1999 I pulled a 14K lb 5ver with an F350 V10 w/4.30 ratio. It did it, but it was painful. I think your biggest concern would be pulling with a 2500. My V10 averaged 8.0 mpg from CA to Montreal. I thought that was good, but I rarely went over 60mph.

[Bamaman11]

There's just no substitution for a diesel for any trailer over 10K total weight or for an owner that's going to put many miles on a truck. They just pull so much easier and last so much longer.

[laknox]

mprice11 wrote:
I recently upgraded fifth wheels from a 1993 Jayco eagle to a 2005 285BHS Coachman Chaparral Bunkhouse. I know I need a larger truck to pull this as it's UVW is 7771 and it's GVRW is 9450lbs. I want to stick to gas as it will be used to pull on the weekends, generally a half hour away, sometimes 3 hours away. Does anyone pull a fifth wheel of this weight with a 2500HD with 4.1 gears? If so, how does it pull and what is the general fuel mileage? The truck will be a crew cab with standard box. Does the 6.0 gas have enough torque or do I need to look at a V10 Ford?

IMO, a 2500 gasser with 4.10 gears would pull that weight without an issue, especially in Iowa. Now, will it CARRY the pin? That's the $64,000 question. Figure at least 2k lbs on the pin, so you need to have a truck that's capable of carrying that much pin PLUS the hitch, people, fuel and "stuff".

Lyle

[RLGetman]

Got a 2011 Ford F450 Lariat for sale if anyone needs a tow vehicle.

[MFL]

mprice11 wrote:
The V10 would be in an 2006 F350 crew cab long box. What could I expect for fuel mileage both pulling and non pulling?

I get 8-10 mpg towing, with my 6.2 Ford. I got 13-14 non towing, on the hi-way, but that was during break-in, so was speeding up, slowing down.

A V-10 CC 350, should get a little less, towing, and non towing.

You will not be bragging about mileage, whatever heavy truck you get. If it has the power, 6.0, 8.1, V-10, 6.2, they will be thirsty, towing or not!

If you found a nice 06 350 V-10, it will be a good towing machine, with good payload, and give you the option, of going a little bigger, on a future FW.

Good luck,
Jerry

[fla-gypsy]

I tow a 10k GVWR TT all day long with my Ford F-250 V-10/4.10 combo and don't think twice about it. I also have plenty of payload to pull the same weight in a 5th wheel but just don't like them. Can't speak to the 6.0L but a Ford 6.2L would do it as well.

[mprice11]

The V10 would be in an 2006 F350 crew cab long box. What could I expect for fuel mileage both pulling and non pulling?

[mprice11]

Thanks for all the replies. I believe the FW has a hitch weight of 1500 lbs, I assume this is dry weight as well. The 2500HD's appear to have a towing capacity of 10600 lbs with the 4.1 ratio according to nada. However, I have seen other tow rating capacities listed at 9900 lbs. Max payload is 3437 lbs and GVWR is 9200.

[MFL]

I think the 2500 6.0 4.10, would be a good match for your new to you FW. The V-10 Ford 250, would work great too, just a little harder to find.

Good luck with your search, and welcome to the forum!

Jerry

[valhalla360]

We are towing with the V10 now, not sure the axle ratio. It does fine with a similar size 5er.

You are in Iowa so not too many high altitude grades to worry about. Check the tow ratings and if it fits, it should be fine.

[Dave_H_M]

I think you will be fine. Check on the truck's tow and haul ratings.

BTW I don't know exactly when ford dropped the V 10 in the F 350 and below. Maybe around 2011.

the ford 6.2 pulls my fifth wheel fine for me.

[Toolguy5]

I had an 2003 2500HD 6.0, 4.1 crew cab 4x4. I used to pull a Keystone sprinter 303BH. Dry weight 7570. GVWR of around 9500 can't remember exactly. The only issue I had was in South Dakota. My temperature gage would climb. Truck never really over heated. I traded off shortly after that and went with the one in my signature. The 2003 was actually raged for towing 10500. With GVWR of 9200 for truck.


Good luck.

[NMDriver]

Look at the Cargo Capacity of the truck. If it can CARRY 2500lbs +/- then you will be ok. A larger cargo capacity on your rear axles is always better for a 5er truck.

I think you will be fine with any 250/2500 truck and a 5er with a GVWR of under 10,000lbs but that is just a generality not a for sure.

Without knowing the cargo capacity/rear axle weight rating of the truck and the hitch weight of the 5er you cannot get an exact answer.

You should get around 9=10MPG and my 2500 diesel pulls my 10,000lb fiver like it is not there...at least until we hit a steep hill and it downshift. 😉