F250 or F350 to Haul a 5th Wheel???

[jacknjade]

Hello-

I would appreciate your advice on the size of truck to haul a 5th wheel.

We are about to purchase our first 5th Wheel (2018 Jayco Northpoint 377RLBH with GVWR 16750) for a multi-state 6month trip around the country with my wife and 2 daughters.

We are new to 5th wheels, but experienced campers/RVers.

We are looking for advice for the type of truck to safely haul this beast.

We've narrowed down to Ford.

Would you recommend an F350 or would an F250 be safe to haul up and down the mountains? Gas or diesel?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Joe Hogan]

The tow capacity of a 2020 gas 6.2l F250 is 15,800 for a 5th wheel. Not enough. The 7.3 gas is somewhat higher at 19,500lbs The diesel is higher 22,800lbs. More importantly is the ability of the F250 to support the pin weight of the 5th wheel. The payload is about 4,250lbs. The payload is everything loaded in the truck in addition to the pin weight.
The F350 is here, lots of details.. https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../guides/20Towing_Ford_SuperDutyPU_r1_Nov7.pdf

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

After having pulled a 34' Montana 5th wheel for about 10 years before we moved to a motorhome, let me just say that it is a lot easier to be under-trucked than it is to be over-trucked. And, diesel is far superior in torque to gas, IMO.

We used a 2001 F-350 4WD with the now-discontinued 7.3 diesel (best engine Ford ever used IMO). Even pulling the Montana over the Continental Divide in passes at 8,000-feet elevation or more, we were never without sufficient power...or, braking. I still have the truck and it is semi-retired to local use and pushing a snowplow in the winter (which it does amazingly well).

The F-250 might work just as well for you, but the F-350 will leave no doubt in your mind that you have plenty of truck. Check the GCVWR and stay below 75-80% of the high end. If the F-250 fits in that scenario, it should work fine. Otherwise, go with the F-350. I would go with the F-350 anyway, but that's just me.

TJ

 

[jacknjade]

The tow capacity of a 2020 gas 6.2l F250 is 15,800 for a 5th wheel. Not enough. The 7.3 gas is somewhat higher at 19,500lbs The diesel is higher 22,800lbs. More importantly is the ability of the F250 to support the pin weight of the 5th wheel. The payload is about 4,250lbs. The payload is everything loaded in the truck in addition to the pin weight.
The F350 is here, lots of details.. https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten.../guides/20Towing_Ford_SuperDutyPU_r1_Nov7.pdf

Thanks, Joe.

 

[jacknjade]

After having pulled a 34' Montana 5th wheel for about 10 years before we moved to a motorhome, let me just say that it is a lot easier to be under-trucked than it is to be over-trucked. And, diesel is far superior in torque to gas, IMO.

We used a 2001 F-350 4WD with the now-discontinued 7.3 diesel (best engine Ford ever used IMO). Even pulling the Montana over the Continental Divide in passes at 8,000-feet elevation or more, we were never without sufficient power...or, braking. I still have the truck and it is semi-retired to local use and pushing a snowplow in the winter (which it does amazingly well).

The F-250 might work just as well for you, but the F-350 will leave no doubt in your mind that you have plenty of truck. Check the GCVWR and stay below 75-80% of the high end. If the F-250 fits in that scenario, it should work fine. Otherwise, go with the F-350. I would go with the F-350 anyway, but that's just me.

TJ

I appreciate your help.

 

[ManlyMan]

Having towed with both a gas and a diesel I would highly recommend the diesel for the mountains. Because of the size and weight of the fifth wheel you are considering you definitely should buy an F350.

 

[jacknjade]

Thanks, MM.

 

[Gronk]

Just MY experience, My trailer is a 38' with a GVW of only 12,400lbs. I had a 2500 with a 5.9 Cummins towing it and it did good, BUT I upgraded to a 3500 dually with the same engine and the difference is amazing! Side winds aren't anywhere near the issue that it used to be and it is way more comfortable with the 3500. My recommendation is go bigger with the truck. You can never have too much truck.

 

[jacknjade]

Just MY experience, My trailer is a 38' with a GVW of only 12,400lbs. I had a 2500 with a 5.9 Cummins towing it and it did good, BUT I upgraded to a 3500 dually with the same engine and the difference is amazing! Side winds aren't anywhere near the issue that it used to be and it is way more comfortable with the 3500. My recommendation is go bigger with the truck. You can never have too much truck.

Thanks, Gronk. Did you have any passengers in the back seat of your dually? I have never owned a dually but I have been told that they are very stiff and you feel every bump. My girls 10/13 years old will be riding in the back.

 

[BGMAC]

To help soften the ride, when I had my 36ft 5th wheel and Ford 350 dully Back in 2001, i had an Air Ride king pin. Made the rides much softer. They also make an air ride Hitch as well.

https://www.etrailer.com/Fifth-Wheel-King-Pin/Lippert-Components/UF35-946215.html?feed=npn&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAdsWM__zy23e6N3dwDuHKc_MXrA8UOwhiVak-jGU1dWh9VKVHgpAeM4aAnPXEALw_wcB