Purchasing Question

[AKinLA]

Looking to purchase a 5th wheel, this will be my first RV. I've got a F-250 and looking mostly at used trailers. Pointers on what to really look for in a used unit vs. new would be appreciated. There is one in particular I'm interested in. It has sat under cover and on concrete (2 yrs) since it was originally purchased, what concerns would the forum have with this type of unit?

[FlatBroke]

Only took 4 posts and the truck war started. Bet You could go to the recipe section and find another truck war going.. LOL

[Golden_HVAC]

AKinLA wrote:
Thanks again for the help,

The truck is a 2016 F-250 4X4 with a 6.7L power stroke diesel platinum edition with tow package and ready for 5th wheel hitch to be bolted in. Its rated for 14,000 lbs conventional and 15,100 lbsgooseneck.

The trailer is 10,600 dry and with the tanks if full adds another 1400, I'd will be close to the limits of weight for the truck if using the 20% (12,080 lbs). Is this too close? Will the truck be a dog going down the road?

The 2016 will handle this load great! However if you have not bought the truck yet, the SRW F-350 had a 1,500 pound higher GVWR, and would be a better pick. But if you own it already, well you will be fine, just upgrading will not be a great idea without going to a heavier truck. You will be fairly close to the weight limits on the 17" tires, but hopefully you have 18" rims with the same tires as are stock on the F-350 SRW and a 200 pound per tire higher weight rating.

Have fun camping!

Fred.

[GramaofAAAA]

We have a 2011 F-250 4X4 super duty, the same motor as you....we are on our 2nd 5th wheel. Our 2013 Montana Mountaineer fits great with our Ford. It has pulled it about 7,000 miles on this trip from Oregon to Houston and will make the trip back in the spring. The Montana is 34' and dry weight is 10,400. I do try to pack light, but we are full-timers. 🙂

[Gearitis]

AKinLA wrote:


The trailer is 10,600 dry and with the tanks if full adds another 1400, I'd will be close to the limits of weight for the truck if using the 20% (12,080 lbs). Is this too close? Will the truck be a dog going down the road?

Huh, with that 6.7 you will hardly know its back there. I am pulling right at 12k, pin right at 1800, I have had it weighed folks, and I have to be careful with the throttle if not in cruise. Don't even think twice about that "dog" statement.

[korbe]

NC Hauler wrote:

laknox wrote:

korbe wrote:
Besides the above issues on if your truck is powerful enough to pull the 5er, one concern we had was the length. Both for our driveway and camp spots. The longer the trailer, the fewer camp spots it will fit into. Not talking about RV parks, but state and federal campgrounds.

Power has little to do with anything; it's the PAYLOAD capacity that's the real issue with the 3/4 ton trucks.

Lyle

Agree. As mentioned by Old-Biscuit, if GVW is 12,000#..It should work.

Great. I try and stay out of the "enough power" oops, I mean payload stuff, and still get dragged in. Classic 🙂

[IdaD]

AKinLA wrote:
Thanks again for the help,

The truck is a 2016 F-250 4X4 with a 6.7L power stroke diesel platinum edition with tow package and ready for 5th wheel hitch to be bolted in. Its rated for 14,000 lbs conventional and 15,100 lbsgooseneck.

The trailer is 10,600 dry and with the tanks if full adds another 1400, I'd will be close to the limits of weight for the truck if using the 20% (12,080 lbs). Is this too close? Will the truck be a dog going down the road?

No, you'll be just fine. The GVWR on your truck is artificially low for reasons unrelated to capability, so being close or frankly even a fair amount over your payload rating is no big deal provided you're comfortable with it - your truck certainly will be. I'd pay more attention to your axle rating which I assume is in the 6500 range.

Edit - my comment is assuming your GVWR is 10k lbs.

[NC_Hauler]

AKinLA wrote:
Thanks again for the help,

The truck is a 2016 F-250 4X4 with a 6.7L power stroke diesel platinum edition with tow package and ready for 5th wheel hitch to be bolted in. Its rated for 14,000 lbs conventional and 15,100 lbsgooseneck.

The trailer is 10,600 dry and with the tanks if full adds another 1400, I'd will be close to the limits of weight for the truck if using the 20% (12,080 lbs). Is this too close? Will the truck be a dog going down the road?

You should be "good to go":)...You don't necessarily have to fill fresh water tank up, unless you're boon docking. If loaded to max GVW of 5er, You could hit 2800# with pin weight. Truck should tow OK.

[AKinLA]

Thanks again for the help,

The truck is a 2016 F-250 4X4 with a 6.7L power stroke diesel platinum edition with tow package and ready for 5th wheel hitch to be bolted in. Its rated for 14,000 lbs conventional and 15,100 lbsgooseneck.

The trailer is 10,600 dry and with the tanks if full adds another 1400, I'd will be close to the limits of weight for the truck if using the 20% (12,080 lbs). Is this too close? Will the truck be a dog going down the road?

[Artum_Snowbird]

This info might help, but you sound good for the tow.

2015 Ram

[IdaD]

justafordguy wrote:

IdaD wrote:


It may or may not be enough truck, depending on age. On the newer models, an F250 is the same thing as a SRW F350 except for an overload spring and an axle block (in some cases as I think these are optional on the F250). Even if those aren't present they can be added and you've got exactly the same truck aside from the payload sticker and the decal on the fender.

Again this depends on year. I think in some of the older models the 3/4 ton series was actually somewhat lighter built in terms of axles used and etc.

Correct, but only if it is older that 1999. 1999 and up F250s are the same as F350 SRW trucks other than the overloads and axle riser block size. Camper package on the F250 makes it the exact same.

Thanks for the clarification. I knew it could be an issue in some older models but wasn't sure on the cutoff.

[justafordguy]

IdaD wrote:


It may or may not be enough truck, depending on age. On the newer models, an F250 is the same thing as a SRW F350 except for an overload spring and an axle block (in some cases as I think these are optional on the F250). Even if those aren't present they can be added and you've got exactly the same truck aside from the payload sticker and the decal on the fender.

Again this depends on year. I think in some of the older models the 3/4 ton series was actually somewhat lighter built in terms of axles used and etc.

Correct, but only if it is older that 1999. 1999 and up F250s are the same as F350 SRW trucks other than the overloads and axle riser block size. Camper package on the F250 makes it the exact same.

[NC_Hauler]

laknox wrote:

korbe wrote:
Besides the above issues on if your truck is powerful enough to pull the 5er, one concern we had was the length. Both for our driveway and camp spots. The longer the trailer, the fewer camp spots it will fit into. Not talking about RV parks, but state and federal campgrounds.

Power has little to do with anything; it's the PAYLOAD capacity that's the real issue with the 3/4 ton trucks.

Lyle

Agree. As mentioned by Old-Biscuit, if GVW is 12,000#..It should work.

[laknox]

korbe wrote:
Besides the above issues on if your truck is powerful enough to pull the 5er, one concern we had was the length. Both for our driveway and camp spots. The longer the trailer, the fewer camp spots it will fit into. Not talking about RV parks, but state and federal campgrounds.

Power has little to do with anything; it's the PAYLOAD capacity that's the real issue with the 3/4 ton trucks.

Lyle

[Golden_HVAC]

IdaD wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Not enough truck!
Fords are heavy to begin with, and depending on year you could have a honest load carrying capacity as low as 1500 pounds. Dry pin weight is really a misleading number. You will NEVER tow a dry trailer. You may not ever see it, but lacking real world numbers take a worst case. Trailers GVWR is what you want to look at. 20% of that is your pin weight.

It may or may not be enough truck, depending on age. On the newer models, an F250 is the same thing as a SRW F350 except for an overload spring and an axle block (in some cases as I think these are optional on the F250). Even if those aren't present they can be added and you've got exactly the same truck aside from the payload sticker and the decal on the fender.

Again this depends on year. I think in some of the older models the 3/4 ton series was actually somewhat lighter built in terms of axles used and etc.

It really depends on the model year, crewcab or not, and diesel engine will take away about 700 pounds of cargo rating compared to the V10. 4X4 option is also about 400 pounds more than the 2WD.

In 2004 and earlier, the GVWR was only 8,800 pounds and a crewcab diesel can only carry about 900 pounds! The 2005 went to a 10,000 GVWR and can carry about 3,000 pounds, and that is plenty for most smaller fifth wheels.

I would check the curb weight, and post your GVWR so that you will not get a lot of replys that your truck is to light. You can find the GVWR and axle weight ratings on the drivers side door sticker.

If you have a 2005 and later F-250, you have plenty of truck. Earlier ones are not such a heavy hauler. ..

Good luck,

Fred.