Forum Discussion

502monte's avatar
502monte
Explorer II
Jun 12, 2013

Thinking up moving up

Thinking or moving up in size,what do you think about these two floor plans and weight,length? What truck would you pull them with?

344QB-OK - Wildcat Fifth Wheels

Dry Hitch Weight TBA (TBA)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 10,880 lbs. (4,935 kg)
GVWR TBA (TBA)
Cargo Carrying Capacity TBA (TBA)
Exterior Length 38' 9" (11.8 m)
Exterior Height 12' 6" (3.8 m)
Exterior Width 96" (2.4 m)
Fresh Water Capacity 60 gal. (227 L)
Gray Water Capacity 100 gal. (379 L)
Black Water Capacity 100 gal. (379 L)

356QBQ - Salem Hemisphere Fifth Wheels

Dry Hitch Weight 1,790 lbs. (812 kg)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 11,190 lbs. (5,076 kg)
GVWR TBA (TBA)
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,541 lbs. (1,153 kg)
Exterior Length 42' 3" (12.9 m)
Exterior Height 12' 5" (3.8 m)
Exterior Width TBA (TBA)
Fresh Water Capacity 44 gal. (167 L)
Gray Water Capacity 92 gal. (348 L)
Black Water Capacity 60 gal. (227 L)
  • The truck I have have is a 3/4 ton chevy with only 35K miles, so if the truck does not handle which ever camper we chose I will change the suspension to 1 ton or go all out to a dually.Converting the truck would be a lot cheaper then trading it in on another truck.
  • We just moved up to a sabre 36 qbok. The dry weight was more than a 1000 lbs more than the advertised dry weight. I pulled it home with my 3/4 ton and it was only about a 1" off the bump stops. It pulled it fine but the it did not ride real good and I am sure min the mountains it would handle terrible. We had all our stuff in it at the time also. I traded for a 1 ton Drw. Rides and handles much better now. I am sure the campers you are looking at will weigh 14k to 15k once loaded. I would toward at least a 1ton srw. A 3/4 ton will do it but a 1 ton will do it better in my opinion. Just my .02 cents.
  • Skip over the 250/2500 and get a SRW 350/3500, and you will have fewer RV.net weight police chasing you all over the board. You will only have to deal with the dually guys!!!!

    Chris
  • I think a 3/4 ton will do the job. As you can see in the picture, I have an old 2000 one ton crew cab dually. I like the long bed dually. I enjoying having a 110 gallon aux tank in the bed. Plus I am in better shape if a rear tire has a problem and the big trucks don't suck me in as much when they pass.

    The down side is my truck uses more fuel than my friends similar 3/4 ton. I also have lower gears/higher rpms and more tires to buy. I cannot rotate my tires either.

    After having my 32ft fiver for 8 years, I think my next rig will be a bumper pull and my next truck a 3/4 ton. I am wanting better mpg, fewer stairs, and a rig that isn't 13ft tall.

    I know my next rig will be a 50 amp wired for two a/c's. It is hot in the summers. I am not sure the Cougar or Wildcat will pass the wired for two a/c test. I know my friends Cougar does not.

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion. This is my 2 cents.
  • Thanks for the replys.

    jevanb still looking wife was not sure about the dinette table because it was not very wide, but I see for the new model they moved the stairs to the other side and made the table wider.
  • we Love out 344QB just the right amount of weight for my 2500HD. But your dry weight will be in the 11.5k per the yellow sticker, and the pin around 2k. my pin is sitting at 2500lbs but the superglide adds a lot of weight. plus the pillow top bed , batteries, propane, wood, blocks for stabs, tripod, chairs, ect....
  • since the salem has a rubber roof, I wouldn't want it myself. the wildcat doesn't say what the roof is.
    bumpy