Newb looking for 5er

[TazCamps]

The wife and I are considering trading a TT in for a 5er. unfortunately I missed the biggest show in my area so I need your help and suggestions.

We are a family of 6 which includes 4 teens so I need sleeping space/storage that will not have me constantly converting beds or moving belongings (which we currently do 😞 ). I am assuming a Bunkhouse and wife does not like when you have to walk through the bath to get into Bedroom. Looking online she has only liked one 5er but it is 40' which I would prefer smaller.

My TV is a 2005 F250 crewcab 4x4 shortbed with the 6.0 powerstroke.

Any info is appreciated

[IdaD]

I would be very sure to understand what the actual capacity of your truck is before you go spend a bunch of money on a new truck. I don't know specifically about the 2005 Fords, but as a general rule of thumb the actual capability difference between late model 3/4 tons and 1 tons is non-existent in some cases and very minor in others (and the difference can generally be eliminated by upgrading tires, installing bags/timbrens, etc.). Now if your funds are unlimited and you want to buy a new truck just for the sake of buying a new truck, have at it. But I'd want the full story before I spent that kind of coin. That said, there is a point you'll hit where you really do need to step up to a DRW - on the newer trucks that's really where the capability difference jumps up.

[JIMNLIN]

In '05 Ford uprated the super duties with much higher capacities than '04 and older trucks.
The op won't need a DRW to tow a 12k-13k 5th wheel trailer.

[Greene728]

SanMarMor wrote:
I had the same truck, except a 2003. It had such a little carrying capacity, there isn't a 5er made that could be towed and stay in the gross weight limit. It only had like 800 pounds CC when the truck was empty. Plan on a new 3/4 ton, or a good used one ton. I picked up a used one ton.

Mark

800lb cargo capacity empty? On a 2003 F-250? Hmmmm? Not sure about that one.

OP. As others have stated. Your truck is going to be your limiting factor where a 5th wheel is concerned due to pin weight and your trucks meager payload capacity. Contrary to some opinions here, there are some smaller and lighter fifths you could pull (think 30ft and under with a loaded weight of say maybe 8500-9000 lbs) but that would defeat your purpose which is going bigger. So with the pin weight, hitch weight, occupants, and anything else you load in the truck, your gonna be iffy at best. Forget about something in the 40ft class and you will most certainly be way over probably all your trucks capacities.
Either look for a travel trailer that will work with a quality hitch set up. Or if a fifth is what your heart is set on, I'd plan to upgrade trucks also.

[laknox]

Another option, not yet mentioned, is a toy hauler, either FW or bumper-pull. Simply convert the garage into a bedroom area. Some even have a half-bath in the back-end as well as a separating wall from the main living area. As the others have said, you're almost assured to need a 350/3500 for a FW, while you can likely keep your current truck if you stick with a bumper-pull.

Lyle

[SanMarMor]

I had the same truck, except a 2003. It had such a little carrying capacity, there isn't a 5er made that could be towed and stay in the gross weight limit. It only had like 800 pounds CC when the truck was empty. Plan on a new 3/4 ton, or a good used one ton. I picked up a used one ton.

Mark

[JIMNLIN]

Welcome to the forum where a question will give you many answers....some way out there.

I can't help you with a floorplan for 6 people and one you like.

A F250 as any truck doesn't pull trailers determined by the trailers length

However lets look at your F250 which is the same as a F350 SRW other than higher rated rear spring packs in some cases. If your F250 has the camper package or heavy service package it has the same suspension. I weigh all my trucks front and rear axles ...that way I know how much load to carry.

If your truck has 17" tires and wheel at 3195 lbs then the rear suspension has a 6100 rawr which gives around 3000 lbs payload in the bed.
Many F250 came with a optional 18"/20" wheels rated at 3525 Lbs and makes for a 3500 lb payload in the bed.

When looking at 5th wheel trailers pay attention to the trailers dry weight and dry pin weight....the trailer CCC......and its gvwr. There all players in figuring any trailers hitch load.

[NancyLepri]

Its a big investment. If you got the time go big and bigger truck. Or keep the TT it could save you quite a bit...I love my 5er. Only sleeps 4 with a 2500 GMC truck. So you probably have to go bigger.

[bid_time]

You might want to stick with looking at TT's instead of 5er's. You can pull a much bigger TT with the same truck than a 5er. Lot's of 4 bed bunkhouse TT's available, you just need to get out to a few dealers and tell them what your looking for.

[Halmfamily]

We've been where your at except with two teens. All of the bunk houses we looked at the beds were just not long enough or the layout didn't work. We encourage ended up traditional get out out truck to a dually and went with a front living room model. The couches folded out to two queen beds and they had a big tv ando room to move. Two minutes to convert back to living room. This was a decision the kids made as they want room for all of us if the weather was bad.

Fast forward three years kids are too busy with work, school and social life to camp with us. We traded out to a rear living room for us and couldn't be happie . Kids can still come but sleep on couch or recliners.

You will need a bigger truck as you will max out on weight real quick with a fifth wheel. Good luck.

[kiwiRVer]

If you are set on getting a fifth wheel then you are going to be investing a fairly large amount of money. The best place to see a lot of options is at a show so spend a few hundred dollars and fly in to visit one of the big shows. Tampa is on in January and has a huge selection of fifth wheels to look at.

Apart from that, an F250 is probably going to be too small for what you are looking for as mentioned previously.

[newman_fulltime]

save your money get the kids tents

[TxGearhead]

I would keep what ya got. The kids may get to where they have too many school activities on weekends and summers for you to travel much. Or they just don't want to be seen with you. Or both.

[donn0128]

First things first. You need a bigger truck. While your 250 is satisfactory for a TT and would be fine for a fiver under about 30 feet even with your family in the truck, anything bigger is going to put you over the limits in a big hurry.