Jumpmaster
temple tx
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Joined: 11/16/2009
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I am new to this forum and hope someone can give me some advice. I have a family member that is offering me a 2000 model 34 foot carriage fifth wheel with three slides for less than half of the book value. I currently have a Terry 27 H that I pull with a 2500 Avalanche. I want to buy an older F-250 with the 7.3 power stroke to tow this trailer if I get it. Is a 2000 to 2003 F-250 enough truck for this size trailer or should I look at a F-350 with dual tires on the rear? I would appreciate any advice.
Scott
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tsetsaf
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Joined: 10/28/2009
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On the trailer there is a sticker with MFG weights (ie the weights Carriage estimates for the trailer both dry and loaded). Please check those against the legal towing limits posted on the door of the truck you are looking to buy. This will give you a ballpark. The reality is that your truck will weigh less than the sticker on the door and the trailer should be in between (the dry and the loaded weights).
Total weight, truck and trailer, you may be close to the max rating but within the legal limit of the truck. It is the tongue weight that may be a problem; depending on the design of the trailer usually it is 20% of the gross (15,000lb trailer = 3,000lb on the tongue). Add that 3,000 tongue weight to the 3-4000 rear truck weight and you may exceed the maximum capacity of the tires (first), suspension (second), and brakes.
With the modern Ford, Chevy, and Dodge diesels it is never a question of power or torque it is the ability to safely stop all of that weight.
As for the 250 vs 350 dually - the dually will give you a bit extra tongue weight capacity but the truck itself will weigh more lowering the amount of weight you can tow.
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Jumpmaster
temple tx
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Thank you for the information. The trailer is in another state so I will call tomorrow and have them tell me what the sticker weights are. I would like to have a bigger trailer but I sure do not want to buy a truck that is not safe to tow it.
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Mike@Asheville
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/28/2004
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I hate to tell you but you DO need a 350, preferably a dual axle for a 34' Carriage. They are very well made units and as a result heavier than many others you'll read about here. Look inside the kitchen cabinet doors; you should find a weight sticker showing dry weight. As an example, my 1st fiver was a Jayco 28' weighing 9K loaded; my 7.3L F250 pulled it fine. My newer fiver is a 36" HitchHiker weighing 16K and I'm pulling it with a F450. Sometimes I wish I had more truck. Good luck, it sounds like a sweet deal on a quality unit.
2003 36.5' HitchHiker Champagne Quad Slide
2004 F450 Lariat 4X4 PSD Crew Cab
Fontaine Classic Hauler Bed 25K Pullrite
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Get a dually and don't look back.
Donn
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8ntw8tn
Southeast Iowa
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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I don't know how that combination would be with a 3/4 ton, not having had that experience. What I can say is that our last trailer was a Cameo F34CK3, we pulled it with our present TV, and it was a very stable ride. I don't think I'd have liked towing with a smaller vehicle.
'04.5 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad cab 4x4 SLT dually w/5.9 H.O. Cummins & PacBrake
'06 Carriage Cameo LXI F35CKQ w/MorRyde pinbox
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mcumbie
Colorado
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For my Carriage 35 SB3, I traded my 3/4 ton in for my dually and have never regretted it......my 3/4 ton towed it well and it also had the exhause brake, but I can tell a difference with my 1 ton now, which has the same exhaust brake.
You'll love your Carriage....great units!!
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skylos
Issaquah, WA
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Joined: 06/10/2009
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I have a 1994 F250 with the 7.3L TurboDiesel that pulls my 1992 34.5' Carriage fifth wheel.
It does the job, but probably not as safely as a larger truck could do it.
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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You need a F350 Dually for the pin weight on a Carriage. You will be over GVWr on the truck with a SRW and an F250.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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Puddles
Lafayette, Indiana
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Joined: 03/17/2003
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donn0128 wrote:Get a dually and don't look back.
Enough said...
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