My wife and I are getting our first r.v a 5th wheel, 30-34ft, will a ford f250 or chevy hd 2500 gas have enough rump to pull this beast?also I am 6'7" are there any taller showers in any brand named 5th wheels, thanks for your replies. Glenn/Harriet
I would not go for a F250, instead, go for the F350. You will likely be 'over' the truck capacity with a F250. I was also considering a F250 but after studying the numbers for a while, I decided to go with the F350. I want to get a 30-34ft Fifth Wheel next and wanted to eliminate the possibilities of having a pin weight that would exceed the truck's rating.
The gas motor will have enough humff to haul it but it will work at it and downshift. It does not have to be hills, a head wind will make it harder to pull as well.
I had a F150 ton with the 5.4L 3V and towed my 24ft fifth wheel with it and it did an OK job but strong head wind meant down-shifting to 3rd and 2nd gear which I didn't like...
My two cents...
Ben
2012 Hyundai Veloster 6 Speed, triathlon gray (commuter car)
2011 Ford F350, 6.7L diesel, Lariat, 4X4, Crew Cab, Short box, Tri-coat white
2008 Princecraft Pro 166 (black)
2005 K-Z Jag 23 fifth wheel
it all depends on how much you are planning to haul it. diesel trucks are expensive to buy, and expensive to work on/maintain. also how much do you plan on driving it without the trailer. dual wheels are nice when towing not so much when running errends.
2000 K3500 CCLB DRW 6.5 TURBO
2009 Cougar 320 SRX
2007 atlas 24 auto hauler
1987 GMC origional low miles
There is a $350-$400 dollar difference in a 2500 vs a 3500. Why not get the extra tow power? Otherwise the trucks are identical. Same mileage and so on.
Glendale Titanium 29E34TS fifth wheel
2012 Ford F-350 4WD Lariat 6.7L
PullRite OE Series Super5th 18K
Superbumper
First, find the trailer you want so you know how much it weighs and what the hitch pin weight is. You need this info before you know how much truck you need, NO! not all trucks can haul the same weight.
Next shop for a truck based on how much "5th wheel" it can haul and how much payload (hitch pin weight and stuff you plan to carry) it will handle. There are two weights a truck can tow, a trailer weight and a 5th wheel weight, you need to know what the 5th wheel weight is. The total weight of the trailer and truck must not excceed the GCWR (gross combined weight rating).
Get the truck specs from the dealer, if the dealer doesnt have the specs then contact the manufacturer, dont believe the salesman. You are legally responsible for haveing an adsequate tow vehicle.
The 350 / 3500 actually may pull less weight because they themselves are heavier so the Combined Gross Weight will be the same and your truck weighing more means less for the trailer weight BUT you will have more payload capacity in the 350/3500 so pin weight can be more. Engines are the same etc. I pull a 35 ft Sunnybrook with a 2500HD with Duramax engine and Allison transmission and it pulls like a dream BUT I have not pulled out west up real mountains., Here going to Vermont or upper Maine is easy really.
Chevy Silverado 2500HD with Duramax engine and Allison transmission
2002 Sunnybrook 34BWTS with lots of goodies
Pullrite Superglide Hitch, Prodigy brake controller
S and S Co-Travelers and along for the ride is Ketzel the wonder cat.
Ahh your not going to find a ceiling tall enough to fit you on the second floor without combing your hair But some of the "high profile" units will have a 78" ceiling height like ours does. Our shower does have a dome but it would be tight for someone your size (I'm 6'2")
So I'll ask the old tired question " how's the weather up there"
If your buying a mid thirty foot high profile 5er your going to need a 350/3500 IMO. They will get heavy with the taller frontal area over your trucks axle, known as Pin Weight.
Good Luck
For a quality unit that long with plenty of headroom, you will need a 3500 diesel IMO. If you want to stay with the 2500, you will need to stay with lighter weight units and think harder about the length because length usually adds weight. Find the trailer you like, then ask the question again about the specific make and model you are considering. Please find the trailer first, then the truck to match.
We got a Montana 3455 (implication of 34') actually measures 37'4" in length. my F350 full of fuel and "ready to camp" weighs 8500 lbs. My 5er pin wt is 2520 lbs. The GVWR of the F350 is 11500 lbs. As you can see, 8500 + 2520 = 11,020. I can put up to 480 lbs of more stuff in the truck, but would be at max spec. I wouldn't want more wt that this for my F350. My 5er "ready to camp" weighs 13,700 lbs. I hope this helps.
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But some of the "high profile" units will have a 78" ceiling height like ours does. Our shower does have a dome but it would be tight for someone your size (I'm 6'2")
