Buying a rig, help with truck choice pls.

[UKMark]

Hi all
I am from the UK and looking to spend winters in US South West. Provided the visa application goes well (we only get 90 days in US as standard so need a B2 visa) we will buy a 5er and truck for our winter stay and store it over the summer whilst we go back to the UK each year.
We have looked at 5s and so far we are leaning towards a 38ft Montana which seems to have a dry weight of about 13,000lbs. At least that what I have been told by the (not too helpful) guy at Camping World. We are out 'house hunting' again tomorrow.:) as we are over here (In AZ at present) in a rented motor home until March. So we will have a clearer idea of the 5 then. But it will be in that ball park. Anything smaller will not suit is for such a long period.
What seems to be a total minefield of decision is the tow truck. I have read hundreds of posts on the subject here and have at least formed a list of questions to start with so I am hoping that the great brains of the forum can clear things up a bit and help me decide.
First off, pls understand, being from the UK I don't really have any particular 'team' I follow. But I would want a U.S. truck (IE Ford, Dodge or Chevvy). Nothing from overseas.
Also, the truck will be our only transport whilst here so something usable/park able/drive able to get the shopping as well is needed 🙂

So here are some of the questions I have to help make a decision. Sorry for such a long post.
1. 2500/3500. Sales guy at GMC said only difference is an extra leaf on the rear springs....
2. Short or long bed
3. Gas or diesel. This is a big one. General view so far seems to be diesel. I personally don't like diesel vehicles being an owner of a diesel SUV in the UK. But that is just a personal thing and won't impact the purchase if diesel is the way to go.
4. Engine size, if there are options
5. Transmission options?
6. Rear axle ratio. Looked at a Ford truck but the axle was 3.3. Salesman assured me that would be fine but not so sure.
7. Colour 🙂 Only joking...
8. Anything else to be considered....

Many thanks, sorry again for such a big post
Mark

[misterpowertool]

if you are not planning on travelling with the trailer, you may as well hire someone to move it 2x a year for you and buy or rent a car.

[dballentine]

UKMark wrote:

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
With that weight I would suggest a 3500 (brand of your choice) srw, if possibly even a dually. Diesel motor only with that weight. You would be at the very upper end of the Ram 6.4/4.10's rating, if not over a little once loaded up. Not sure about the Ford 6.2, but over the Chevy/GMC (same exact truck, just slightly different cosmetic styling!!!) 6.0 tow rating, even with the 4.1

Oh dear! Lots of numbers there... From the UK I don't follow some of the tech speak about your trucks. Can you explain/expand pls? Sorry to be a bit slow....I am guessing you mean engine sizes for the gas version.
Thanks
Mark

3500 = Model number for GMC/Chevy/RAM 1-ton trucks. Equivalent Ford model is F-350.

SRW = Single Rear Wheel (per side). As opposed to DRW, dual rear wheel, commonly called a "dually".

RAM 6.4/4.10 = RAM (Dodge) brand, 6.4 liter motor, 4.10 rear end ratio.

Ford 6.2 and Chevy/GMC 6.0 both refer to engine size in liters.

Hope this helps!

[UKMark]

romore wrote:

I hesitate to recommend such a vehicle unless you have gained some driving experience on this side of the pond. That is a huge combination which requires practice, the truck alone is somewhat larger than anything you would normally drive in the U.K.

Yes it will be quite a beast and not something you see every day in the UK that's for sure.
But I do have a little experience driving bigger vehicles, although not of the articulated kind for sure. We are currently in a crented lass c motor home with a total length bumper to bumper of 43ft. It was a bit daunting at first but all going well so far.
We are returning to the UK in March to tie up business there with the intention (visa permitting) of returning in the fall to buy the rig and head off. It is my intention to do some HGV training in the UK and take the drive test for such a vehicle. Not a legal requirement for driving an RV rig over here I realise but useful training and good to have the added vehicle class on my licence.

So thanks for the word of caution, well heard.
Cheers
Mark

[UKMark]

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
With that weight I would suggest a 3500 (brand of your choice) srw, if possibly even a dually. Diesel motor only with that weight. You would be at the very upper end of the Ram 6.4/4.10's rating, if not over a little once loaded up. Not sure about the Ford 6.2, but over the Chevy/GMC (same exact truck, just slightly different cosmetic styling!!!) 6.0 tow rating, even with the 4.1

Oh dear! Lots of numbers there... From the UK I don't follow some of the tech speak about your trucks. Can you explain/expand pls? Sorry to be a bit slow....I am guessing you mean engine sizes for the gas version?
Thanks
Mark

[RedBearn]

Can't beat the 2015 F-350 DRW Diesel, quiet running, fast pick up, 440 HP, 860 ft lbs of torque. If you go to a heavier rig later you will be fine. They will pull anything you can hook them too.

[UKMark]

azdryheat wrote:
...A 2500 truck for your Montana will most likely be towards the limits of its capabilities while a 3500 SRW will do OK while the 3500 DRW might be overkill.

Hi there
See you are from Tucson. We are there now, wonderful place.

Yes the single/dual wheel question was something I forgot to add to the list in the OP. Doh!!!

It does seem to be a hot topic with pretty much equally divided views (certainly for the capacity I have in mind). My absolute preference would be a single for as I stated in the OP, the truck will be our only transport and the thought of parking a 3500 dually in Frys or Starbucks car park is not a happy one.:E

So if anyone has any good solid reason for going the DRW route for the use I have in mind, pls share. I realise that there is probably no such thing as too much power, too big or too safe, but in the end it has to be a safe, solid compromise that works for all purposes. I think.....

Thanks for all the advice so far
Mark

[Need-A-Vacation]

With that weight I would suggest a 3500 (brand of your choice) srw, if possibly even a dually. Diesel motor only with that weight. You would be at the very upper end of the Ram 6.4/4.10's rating, if not over a little once loaded up. Not sure about the Ford 6.2, but over the Chevy/GMC (same exact truck, just slightly different cosmetic styling!!!) 6.0 tow rating, even with the 4.10's.

N-Trouble wrote:

romore wrote:
That GMC salesman doesn't know his trucks. The 3500 also has a heavier frame, stronger rear end, and larger brakes, the manufacturer does not merely add a leaf so he can change the decal on the door. That trailer definitely requires a 3500 with dual wheels.
I hesitate to recommend such a vehicle unless you have gained some driving experience on this side of the pond. That is a huge combination which requires practice, the truck alone is somewhat larger than anything you would normally drive in the U.K.

Doh... Actually salesman is right for once and you've been mislead. Do your homework... Only diff between a GM 2500HD and a 3500HD SRW is an extra leaf.

Only other difference is if a gas motor 2500HD it has a 10.5" axle, but the diesels get the 11.5" axle in both the 2500HD & 3500HD as well as the 3500HD gasser.

[azdryheat]

A trailer with a dry weight of 13,000 pounds should probably have a gross weight (GVWR) of around 16,000 - 17,000 pounds. For starters I wouldn't pull with anything less than a diesel as you need the torque to move these monsters. I would consult the appropriate year Trailer Life-Towing Guide (on-line) for the year of truck you're looking for, equipped the way you want it, to learn how much 5th wheel it will handle.

My first 5er had a 14,000 GVWR that I pulled with a 2009 Chevy 2500 short bed, 4x4 with the 6.7 Diesel and we were at the maximum of the truck's capabilities. My current trailer has a GVWR of 19,000 and I wouldn't tow it with anything less than my 3500 DRW.

A 2500 truck for your Montana will most likely be towards the limits of its capabilities while a 3500 SRW will do OK while the 3500 DRW might be overkill.

[N-Trouble]

romore wrote:
That GMC salesman doesn't know his trucks. The 3500 also has a heavier frame, stronger rear end, and larger brakes, the manufacturer does not merely add a leaf so he can change the decal on the door. That trailer definitely requires a 3500 with dual wheels.
I hesitate to recommend such a vehicle unless you have gained some driving experience on this side of the pond. That is a huge combination which requires practice, the truck alone is somewhat larger than anything you would normally drive in the U.K.

Doh... Actually salesman is right for once and you've been mislead. Do your homework... Only diff between a GM 2500HD and a 3500HD SRW is an extra leaf.

[romore]

That GMC salesman doesn't know his trucks. The 3500 also has a heavier frame, stronger rear end, and larger brakes, the manufacturer does not merely add a leaf so he can change the decal on the door. That trailer definitely requires a 3500 with dual wheels.
I hesitate to recommend such a vehicle unless you have gained some driving experience on this side of the pond. That is a huge combination which requires practice, the truck alone is somewhat larger than anything you would normally drive in the U.K.

[donn0128]

Fifth wheel towing and dry weight numbers dont play nice together. At bare minimum you will want a truck to handle the trailers GVWR. For that fiver to me that means at the bare minimum a one ton SRW, dually would be better.

[carlw32]

UKMark wrote:
Hi all
I am from the UK and looking to spend winters in US South West. Provided the visa application goes well (we only get 90 days in US as standard so need a B2 visa) we will buy a 5er and truck for our winter stay and store it over the summer whilst we go back to the UK each year.
We have looked at 5s and so far we are leaning towards a 38ft Montana which seems to have a dry weight of about 13,000lbs. At least that what I have been told by the (not too helpful) guy at Camping World. We are out 'house hunting' again tomorrow.:) as we are over here (In AZ at present) in a rented motor home until March. So we will have a clearer idea then.
What seems to be a total minefield of decision is the tow truck. I have read hundreds of posts on the subject and have at least formed a list of questions to start with so I am hoping that the great brains of the forum can clear things up a bit and help me decide.
First off, pls understand, being from the UK I don't really have any particular 'team' I follow.

Good luck in you hunt with a 13K dry weight any of the big three one ton dually trucks will do the job. Pick which one you like best.