Truck/Trailer Decisions.

Several years ago we had a new 2016 SRW F-350 diesel when we purchased our 42' Cardinal that weighed in (gross) at 16,500+ and at that time the pickup was rated at 16,000 for fifth wheel towing. I was shocked that towing for an F-250 and F-350 SRW was exactly the same...16,000 pounds.

We towed a couple of months and decided we really needed a dually, so we traded up to a 2017 DRW F-350. The difference was amazing. Absolutely never had another white-knuckle day on the road. Was it harder to park...yes, certainly it was. Was it a bit more expensive to drive, yes it was.

Did it give us a MUCH stronger feeling of safety for ourselves and others - YES IT DID!!

Your current rig is 12k (GVWR). So if you are jumping up in size significantly, it's probably on the order of 16-18k, so 4000+ pin weight. Family of 5 it likely 700-1000lb and you are packing heavy. 

Check the numbers on the SRW trucks but it looks to me like a diesel dully is appropriate. 

I tow a 40 foot 5th wheel with a 2014 srw diesel f350, your going to hate having a diesel, lots of power, quiet, good fuel milage empty or loaded.  the 5th I have is a cougar 330RBK and it will sleep 4 in the back bedroom, two in the main bedroom, two on the pull out cough so thats 8, and I have never looked to see if the table makes down also, that woudl be another 2.  the biggest thing is to find out what they say the factory 5th wheel hitch weight is, add 500 lbs for overage and the hitch and look for a truck that has that pay load capacity with everyone loaded up.  

you never mentions a spicif rv, so anyones coments are going to be guesses, but there are plenty of lighter 5th wheels out there that will sleep what you want. 

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ironheadchop wrote:

Hello all. We are in the market for a new 5th wheel camper for a family of 5. I am wanting a Montana or a Bighorn that sleeps at least 8 people and this thing would be loaded down with all our stuff as we pack everything but the kitchen sink. I was originally looking to get a 23' F-350 with the 7.3 gas motor but after looking at the GCWR's the 7.3 is only good for 28,600 or 29k depending on what trim you get vs. the 6.7 TD HO coming in at 35,200lbs. I really do not want a DRW or a Diesel but if I was to have to get one or the other I would get the 6.7 to stay with a SRW truck. Does anyone here pull a large 5th with a SRW F-350? I'm sure with the SRW I would be legally over weight regardless. 

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You are looking for trouble if you go that heavy. There are lower weight 5th-wheels to handle 5 people that have bunkbeds.