Help with tow vehicle choice

I'm new to the RV and tow vehicle world, and after doing a not insignificant amount of research I have realized that the enormous amount of information out there can be a little overwhelming. I was hoping to get some direct opinions based on personal experience from anyone nice enough to help out so I can have some actual real world advice, so any help would be much appreciated!

Right now, I am planning on purchasing a travel trailer for my family later this year that will likely be in the 30 ft range and 7-10k lb range. But I don't have a tow vehicle yet, and I want to make sure I buy enough truck so that in a few years if I want to move up to a 40 ft 5th wheel that weighs 14-20k lbs, I am not limited in my choices.

First off, I have only been to 1 RV show & had time to do a little internet and lot shopping, so do those length and weights seem appropriate for the larger RV's within each of the classes (travel trailers and 5th wheels)?

Now, on to the tow vehicle.

I have a family of 6 so was wanting to get as much room as possible in the cab of the truck for comfort (obviously with a bench in the front). For this reason the Ram mega cabs are intriguing to me, but should I be worried about the fact that they don't have the option of the longer 8ft bed? Along those lines, how reliable & safe are the sliding type of setups for 5th wheels that people use in the shorter beds?

I live in the south where there isn't really any snow, but hope to travel to most of the national parks at different times during the year. I don't really plan on being off road on our trips, and will be using the truck for minimal things outside of family trips. Given that should I spring for a 4x4 or will I be safe with a 4x2?

Will I need a dually to cover the weight of a potential larger 5th wheel? Do the dually trucks tow better across the board?

In looking at the Rams, there is also the potential of getting the Aisin transmission which would increase the reported two capacity from about 18k to 28k lbs. Is this what people would recommend (or the similar step up in other truck makes).

I could obviously just go with everything upgraded (4x4, Aisin, dually, etc), but all these things are expensive and I don't want to stretch my budget any more than I have to if they aren't necessary.

Also, in general anything else that you can think of for me to consider getting in the tow vehicle would be appreciated (I figured I would get a tow package with extended mirrors, an integrated braking system, 5th wheel setup, etc).

Thanks in advance for any help or guidance y'all can give me and I look forward to potentially seeing some of you on the road!

Tow Vehicles

12 Replies

Gunner02
Explorer
Jan 17, 2015
Thanks for all the replies, they have been helpful!

Any concern about towing a 5'er with a standard bed (6'4") truck? Do the sliding mechanisms work reliably and are they used only rarely (no need when driving around bends, etc. only when parking)?

Thanks again!
v10superduty
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
Gunner02 wrote:

I could obviously just go with everything upgraded (4x4, Aisin, dually, etc), but all these things are expensive and I don't want to stretch my budget any more than I have to if they aren't necessary.

I am "not" suggesting you do not buy a 4x4; however it does not "upgrade" your tow capacity.
In fact its the opposite. Identically equipped 2 or 4 wheel drives will see a higher tow rating by a couple hundred pounds on the 2 wheel drive. Its comes down to tow vehicle weight.
The advantages are great "if" you can use them on a 4x4.
I got by fine with my V10 as a 2 wheel drive for 12 years living where 99% of trucks are 4x4.
Only had to get towed twice, both times were in Florida.:h
Lantley
Nomad
Jan 14, 2015
BB_TX wrote:
Family of six you may end up larger starting trailer than you are anticipating. And if you already have plans for a much larger 5th wheel in the future, then go for the bigger truck now. For that 40' future 5th wheel go ahead and get a dually. You will need it. Otherwise you definitely will be limited in your choices.

New trucks are rated for very high payloads and tow ratings now. But still, you need to look toward the future. Check weights of those larger 5th wheels and see just how much truck you are going to need. Don't buy too little truck now and take a loss on it to move up to a larger one in the not too distant future.

Good Advice avoid playing the upgrade game. By your 2nd RV first.
I went from a large pull behind to a large 5'er.
While its tough to predict the future.
If you think you have a large fiver in your future by the dually truck now. It will only cost you more to do it later. Keep in mind if you do not go the fiver route you do not need a dually.
The dually will always deliver a better tow than a SRW truck.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
C-Bears wrote:
For the type/size of TT you are considering now a 1-ton dually diesel would be too much truck. For a future 20,000 pound fiver a 350 or 3500 dually probably would not be enough truck, you would probably be needing a 450 or 4500 dually, or more.

Actually there are 350's/3500 dually's out there that CAN handle 20,000# 5er's...it's being done now...I'm not that heavy, but my truck has a 14,000# GVWR, with a RAWR of 9750# and with Aisin tranny and 4:10, my truck has a GCWR of 37,500#...would never go that high, but pretty sure that not only Ram, but also GMC/Chevy and Ford 1 ton dually's can all handle a 20,000# 5er...and more, so depending on GVW of the 5er, one doesn't necessarily need a 450 or 4500 truck...unless going much higher with pin weight or something to that effect.
C-Bears
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
For the type/size of TT you are considering now a 1-ton dually diesel would be too much truck. For a future 20,000 pound fiver a 350 or 3500 dually probably would not be enough truck, you would probably be needing a 450 or 4500 dually, or more.
mtofell1
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
The two prospective trailers you mention are miles apart in terms of tow vehicle. The TT is a nice fit for a 2500 SRW. The 5th wheel is 3500 DRW territory. To cover all your bases you could get the bigger truck but it kind of sucks to hassle with a dually if you don't need one (parking, drive-thrus, etc.).
Bedlam
Moderator
Jan 14, 2015
If you RV more than camp, then a 2wd truck will be fine in any RV resort. If you camp, taking your setup into unimproved roads with mud or loose sand will require 4wd or patience and plenty of traction material you will need to haul with you.

I agree you need a crew cab to fit your family and a dually to handle future desires of towing a large fifth wheel. You may want to check out the chassis cab trucks Ford F550 and Ram 5500 - I found some are equally or closely priced to the F350 DRW and 3500 with much more payload capacity.
Houston_Remodel
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
There are 2 of us and we think the 29 footer is just right. Add 4 more and it would be quite crowded.
BB_TX
Nomad
Jan 14, 2015
Family of six you may end up larger starting trailer than you are anticipating. And if you already have plans for a much larger 5th wheel in the future, then go for the bigger truck now. For that 40' future 5th wheel go ahead and get a dually. You will need it. Otherwise you definitely will be limited in your choices.

New trucks are rated for very high payloads and tow ratings now. But still, you need to look toward the future. Check weights of those larger 5th wheels and see just how much truck you are going to need. Don't buy too little truck now and take a loss on it to move up to a larger one in the not too distant future.
APT
Explorer
Jan 14, 2015
If you are towing short distances, a crew cab truck will be fine. You'll likely learn the travel time isn't fun so you'll take two vehicles.

I recommend a 3/4 ton SUV or 1-ton passenger van to handle weight of family, cargo, and trailer TW. Save the 5er for when the kids move out.