Because of our growing family, we're looking at trading our 40' DP for more family friendly FW so I need to get a tow vehicle. The truck would pretty much just be used to pull the trailer and we'd drive it for in-city transportation when we're on vacation.I'm not a truck guy and don't know much about them or what I should be looking at. I'd like to spend $5k-$10k (or less). Need to be able to sit 5 comfortably. I'd rather not get a DRW since I'd rather drive a SRW when we're not towing. Do I need 4x4 or is 4x2 okay? I'd like to get a diesel but would consider gasoline. With diesel, I'd like to get an exhaust brake.My first thought is something like a 04-07 Dodge Ram 3500 Megacab (not sure if it's even in my budget) but I'm open to suggestions. Please don't make this into a brand X is better than brand Y. I'm really looking for something like "Brand X, model Y with this engine would fit your needs and budget ...".Thanks

IMO you're pretty much out of luck trying to find a truck at that price point. An older truck would have to be a dually and a diesel to boot, and even then I think you're going to find that an 18,000 lb. 5th wheel is too much trailer for what you're considering.I pull a 15,000 lb. 5th wheel with my 2001 Dodge dually and I'm right at the edge, and a little over, when it comes to capacity. You need to either look at newer, and more expensive, trucks or a smaller/lighter 5th wheel.

I would suggest one of the last years of the Ford 7.3 (2003.5) but a low miles one will be at you upper amount. I would get the manual 6 spd (auto tranny weak link) and the turbo can be tricked into beind a surprisingly good exhaust brake for $10. It can also be chipped into putting out a lot more than the stock 275 HP.The weight police will jump in that you cannot pull your 18K with a 03 F350 but I do it often. If you could find a F450 crew cab 7.3 even the weight police MIGHT back off. Nah they will say you need a MDT.

How about a MDT or a HDT? That is really what you will need for that much trailer.

With that budget a diesel isn't going to happen. Even a 1995 Powerstroke with 300k miles is going to be at the very top end of that range. Depending on how heavy you are pulling you may not need diesel. I personally have a trailer that weighs right at 10k pounds and have tried both and will never, ever, ever go with a gasser again. Just my opinion. 4x4 vs 4x2 is again preference. Me personally, I wouldn't own a two wheel drive anything due to our lifestyle. Yours may be different. It does nothing in regards to towing. Just do yourself a favor and dont buy a 6.0 Powerstroke.

Unfortunately as others have pointed out a truck that is capable of the trailer you are looking for will have to be a diesel dually and most likely out of the price range you mentioned.Out of curiosity why do you feel a truck/fifth wheel combo would be more family friendly than the motor home with a toad? Seems like the comfort of a motor home while going down the road would be more family friendly than being crammed in a truck for long periods of time.

Suggestions for older pickup to tow 18k lbs 40'+ FW

carringb
Explorer
Dec 29, 2014
Every trailer I've owned has had the trailer brakes fail for one reason of another, including my current trailer. I like being able to stop the full combination with the tow vehicle only.
Fast_Mopar
Explorer
Dec 29, 2014
Stefonius wrote:

The nice thing about an F450 is that the brakes are designed to stop 26,000 pounds without assistance. My brake controller failed last year while I was towing a 15,000 pound fifth wheel on hills and around curves. The truck still stopped perfectly.

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I thought the tow vehicle brakes were designed for the weight of the tow vehicle itself plus the payload rating of the tow vehicle plus some type of safety margin, but not to include the entire theoretical trailer tow rating as well. But, hey, I've been wrong before.
Stefonius
Explorer
Dec 29, 2014
Michelle.S wrote:
I really find some of these responses very interesting, such as:

"The nice thing about an F450 is that the brakes are designed to stop 26,000 pounds without assistance. My brake controller failed last year while I was towing a 15,000 pound fifth wheel on hills and around curves. The truck still stopped perfectly."

The reason I find this interesing, we had a brake problem in the spring and had our rig (approx 17K) towed to the Dealers. Now a very large Tow rig showed up, don't remember exact brand, but certainly much, much bigger than any 450. Well towing on the flat at 40-45 MPH our rig pushed that truck through several Red lights as there was no way he could stop it. Glad it was all flat with no grades or sharp curves.
I'm wondering if the shop that towed you sent a truck out that wasn't up to the job. I had to get towed two years ago. My F450 with attached 36' fifth wheel weighed in at over 20k pounds. They sent an enormous wrecker - HDT body, 14 wheels. We were over 100 feet long when hitched. That wrecker didn't seem to notice that it had anything behind it.

I'm glad you made it to the dealership safely. It sounds like quite the hair-raising experience!
Jarlaxle
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2014
Re-gear it (4.11's, maybe even 4.56's) and I suspect it would do fine.
Lantley
Nomad
Dec 28, 2014
Hannibal wrote:
XL or not, that's a good looking truck jerem0621. I could be very happy with something like that.

It is a nice truck,But not for towing 18K.
Hannibal
Explorer
Dec 28, 2014
XL or not, that's a good looking truck jerem0621. I could be very happy with something like that.
Michelle_S
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2014
I really find some of these responses very interesting, such as:

"The nice thing about an F450 is that the brakes are designed to stop 26,000 pounds without assistance. My brake controller failed last year while I was towing a 15,000 pound fifth wheel on hills and around curves. The truck still stopped perfectly."

The reason I find this interesing, we had a brake problem in the spring and had our rig (approx 17K) towed to the Dealers. Now a very large Tow rig showed up, don't remember exact brand, but certainly much, much bigger than any 450. Well towing on the flat at 40-45 MPH our rig pushed that truck through several Red lights as there was no way he could stop it. Glad it was all flat with no grades or sharp curves.
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 27, 2014
Yes - The F450 chassis cab brakes are the same they use in F550, so you get better braking than your GVWR indicates. My F250 had the underpinnings of the F350 which gave me greater capacity margins. That was an excellent price for your bed - I paid more than that for my flat bed.
Stefonius
Explorer
Dec 27, 2014
carringb wrote:
Definitely need an F450 for that weight. It's only the very newest 350s/3500s that can even come close.

Aftermarket beds are available for the cab-chassis that looks just like stock, or even have built-in storage but mirror the stock bed profile.
That's what I have on my truck. I found a one-piece fiberglass hauler bed that looks like a stock pickup bed and fits on the chassis cab frame. The folks that had it sold it to me (installed!) for $2,500. I think they were happy to get it out of their shop. I only paid $5,000 for the truck before doing any work to it.

The nice thing about an F450 is that the brakes are designed to stop 26,000 pounds without assistance. My brake controller failed last year while I was towing a 15,000 pound fifth wheel on hills and around curves. The truck still stopped perfectly.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Dec 25, 2014
Whatever you do, don't cut corners on the safety factor...With wife and children included in the equation, try to match up a truck to tow with that won't cause safety issues even if you only tow once or twice a year...it only takes one time to regret decisions we make in our life. Good luck with whatever choices you make with a 5er and what you're going to tow it with, enjoy and make great memories with the family:)