one year with a 40' fifth wheel and dually

[RedJeep]

Its been just a little over a year that I have had my current setup which includes a 40' Cyclone toy hauler and a 2001 f350 dually. I figured I would share my observations given how many questions are posted about big trailers and duallies.

My prior setup was a 36' keystone travel trailer towed by a diesel excursion. The main thing we didn't like about it was how every breeze or passing car would push us around. Also going down hills it always felt like the truck was being pushed around. We had two antisway bars. Granted, neither of those issues were horrible but given the amount of miles we put on the RV annually (about 6000) we wanted a more stable ride.

Our toy hauler weighs in around 15.5k so I was really surprised to see how well it towed behind the dually. We experience zero sway. What is most important to me is how well it handles in the mountains, particularly curvy downhill runs. It does great but we also have our first truck with an exhaust brake. I am now a firm believer in the benefits of exhaust brakes. I have not found that steering or slowing/stopping is a problem at all. In fact the dually/fifth wheel combo performs better in all aspects of driving when compared to the excursion/TT except in acceleration.

Ok, so that's the good. The bad is. Fuel mileage sucks. We average 8.5mpg (lots of mountain driving) at an average speed of 55mph. We found that navigating such a big trailer around the campgrounds that we like to visit is a pain but after a year I've improved somewhat on backing up and driving through tight locations. I'm now thinking of installing several rear/side looking cameras to help in tight spots. I've also had to add a 6.0 trans cooler which means I now have two additional trans coolers.

The dually has become my daily driver. So far it has worked out well. One pain is that given that I came from an excursion I like having an enclosed bed so I bought a bed canopy. For every camping trip I pull it off of the truck and reinstall it after the trip. What a pain, but I haven't come up with another option.

We're camping this weekend at the coast in the rain and I'm sure happy that I have the big trailer to entertain the family and friends.

[tinner12002]

As far as your canopy on your truck bed, I bought a fold up tonneau cover, three sections, back two fold over onto 3rd at front of bed and snap down to hold them in place. When I'm done towing I undo the two snaps fold it back out and latch, done. Takes about 30 seconds either way.

[nwcutie]

Yeppers on the mileage. I get about 8.5 towing about 18K with my 2006 6-leaker. We are right around 26-27K total depending on how much water etc. I am towing from Tacoma area to oregon dunes mostly, sometimes over tiger summit and snoqualmie to Eastern wa or Id. Yikes!

[arhayes]

Ditto on the mileage. I'm getting between 8 & 9 mpg with our 42.5' TH which pushes 19.5k loaded. I'd hoped for more based on the close to 15mpg I get not towing, but such is life. I'm very pleased with the towing with the F350 dually.

+1 on the radios for backing, plus I've added a camera which gives me a little visibility for both backing and seeing what's behind me on the road. Either way, though, 40+ feet restricts access and maneuverability in many situations.

[dougford]

RedJeep wrote:
...being able to camp with the trailer that we really like.

Isn't that what it's all about? But, thanks for the info. I'm sure many will find it useful. FWIW, I only get 7-8 pulling my Octane with my 2008 F350. But, I can't keep it at 55...I listened to too much Sammy Hagar as a kid (well, and even now...).

[christopherglen]

I can get 10-12 running 55 on I5 over several hundred miles. A headwind runs around 8, no wind 10.x tail wind can approach 12. I am running a tune, and that is hand calculated odometer VS diesel pump. I loose ~.2 mpg per mph over 55.

[64thunderbolt]

with custom tunes for your 7.3 you will get better milage and power plus longer life for your transmission than with the cs. Read my sig and I get about 10.5/11. I know you are heavier than I but I got the same with my big one before downsizing.

[RedJeep]

ksss wrote:
I get 8.5 to 9 pulling my 38' Fuzion with my 06 LBZ. Your mileage is probably in line considering how big it is.

It is with great sadness and a heavy weight upon my wallet that I accept your statement as the truth. 😞

[Boxer_Lovers]

X3 on using two day radios to maneuver. Just get your direction signals worked out in advance or someone might not survive the process.

[ksss]

I get 8.5 to 9 pulling my 38' Fuzion with my 06 LBZ. Your mileage is probably in line considering how big it is.

[valhalla360]

Assuming you aren't single, a spotter with hand signals works great for backing. Decide ahead of time what the signals are and if you can't see her, the rig stops. This results in no yelling or other theatrics for the neighbors to pull thier chairs out and enjoy.

[RedJeep]

Lantley wrote:
I also went from a 7.3 PSD X to a dually 5'er combo. While the 5'er tows great it really does not tow much better than my 10K trailer towed using a Hensley Arrow Hitch. I felt no push from the trucks with the Hensley. I also had an exhaust brake on my Excursion.
With a premium hitch (Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride) a TT can tow as well as a fiver.
What I miss most about my old combo is the passenger space. My Dually gets us there but the cab is cramped vs. our Excursion.
Our dually does get a little better MPG's. I attribute that more to the 6 speed Allison transmission vs. the 4 speed tranny in the Excursion.
Maneuvering the 5'er is different vs. the TT however, I have no problem putting the 5'er where I want it. I do worry a lot more about low hanging branches and clearance issues with the 5'er vs. the TT.
My dually is also my DD. I have a Bak Flip G2 tri-fold cover to keep items in the bed dry and secure. I can't imagine removing a bed canopy each trip.

I miss that Excursion. It was a very useful vehicle with lots of room and seating. I had read up on the Hensley and found lots of positive things said about it. And, yes, low hanging branches pose a real threat so add that as one more item to the "downside" to having the big toy hauler. But all the downsides still, so far, don't outnumber the benefits of being able to camp with the trailer that we really like.

[Lantley]

I also went from a 7.3 PSD X to a dually 5'er combo. While the 5'er tows great it really does not tow much better than my 10K trailer towed using a Hensley Arrow Hitch. I felt no push from the trucks with the Hensley. I also had an exhaust brake on my Excursion.
With a premium hitch (Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride) a TT can tow as well as a fiver.
What I miss most about my old combo is the passenger space. My Dually gets us there but the cab is cramped vs. our Excursion.
Our dually does get a little better MPG's. I attribute that more to the 6 speed Allison transmission vs. the 4 speed tranny in the Excursion.
Maneuvering the 5'er is different vs. the TT however, I have no problem putting the 5'er where I want it. I do worry a lot more about low hanging branches and clearance issues with the 5'er vs. the TT.
My dually is also my DD. I have a Bak Flip G2 tri-fold cover to keep items in the bed dry and secure. I can't imagine removing a bed canopy each trip.

[MarkTwain]

RedJeep wrote:
I
Our toy hauler weighs in around 15.5k so I was really surprised to see how well it towed behind the dually. We experience zero sway. What is most important to me is how well it handles in the mountains, particularly curvy downhill runs. It does great but we also have our first truck with an exhaust brake. I am now a firm believer in the benefits of exhaust brakes.
Ok, so that's the good. The bad is. Fuel mileage sucks. We average 8.5mpg (lots of mountain driving) at an average speed of 55mph. We found that navigating such a big trailer around the campgrounds that we like to visit is a pain but after a year I've improved somewhat on backing up and driving through tight locations. I'm now thinking of installing several rear/side looking cameras to help in tight spots. I've also had to add a 6.0 trans cooler which means I now have two additional trans coolers.

1. 8.5 is not great but considering the size of your rig it is not a surprise:(
2. With regard to backing up your rig, I find that having a CB in my truck and my spotter also has a hand held CB so she can visually quide me and give me instant verbal directions.

[tsetsaf]

Truxedo for your bed. Link

[jmtandem]

RedJeep

This is the type of information that is very useful. Thanks for sharing. Maybe some pics sometime.