I am about to make a decision to buy a fifth-wheel but need to get the right truck for it. The fifth-wheel is a 2004 Keystone Everest weighing empty 9000 lbs. I have a truck in mind to purchase--it is a 2005 Ford F250 with extended cab, super duty XLT with extended wheel base of 144"--61/2 foot bed; engine 5.4 V-8 It does have the tow package, but it may be a regular one and not the Tow Boss as recommended. Two people in the know have stated that I should not have any trouble towing, but recommended that I inquire in this forum if anyone has had experience with this type of truck pulling a fifth-wheel of the type mentioned. If the towing package is a standard one, will this seriously curtail towing?
(I am enclosing my e-mail for reply even though I checked that my e-mail address be not shown, as I need an answer soon, if possible.)
Would appreciate any help you might be able to give. Thanx... Ron at - ronsurels@juno.com.
That Keystone with a UVW of 9000 lbs will likely have a GVWR of 12,000 lbs and a hitch weight approching 2200 lbs! I don't think the truck or engine you are considering is nearly enough!
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
You need to can the "dry weight" information...not worth a whole lot because you won't tow empty...you'll have full propane tank(s), maybe some water in a tank, food, clothing, chairs, etc..you get the picture..you need to go by the 5er's GVW...take approx. 20% of that and that'll give you an idea of how much pin weight your going to drop in the bed of your truck...
You may not load all the way up to the 5er's GVW, but better safe than sorry when trying to figure how much your truck can tow...
Not familiar with what the GVWR is on your truck, but load it up ready to go camping, including the hitch, weigh it, and subtract that weight from the trucks GVWR and thay'll give you an idea of how much more "room" you have left for pin weight.
Mostly basic math and a little common sense. Your truck is a 3/4 ton, but don't know if with the gasser what the GVWR or GCWR is....might help to know those numbers as well as the 5er's actual GVW...
appears several of us all answered about the same time....I agree with the others, but again, not that familiar with the Fords rating with the small V8
Jim & Kathy
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Need to know more information. What is the GVWR for the fiver and what axle ratio do you have. I struggled with an 08 2500HD 6.0 gas 4:10 axle Chevy with a 12k 5'er. I just moved to 1 ton in sig and I'm OK now. You will likely find that is too much fiver for that truck. If you try to push the limit, you may regret it.
Steve Rinker
Rochester, NY
2013 Keystone Sydney 340FBH 5'er
2012 Silverado 3500HD, SRW,LTZ,4x4, Z71, Crew, 6.0 Gasser, 4:10 Gears, Standard bed
"These days, I have problems in areas that I used to not have areas", so life is good.
Just an opinion here for whatever you think that is worth. If you already owned the that truck and was asking the question I would tell to try it and see it works for you and go get it wieghed with trailer loaded for traveling to make sure your not over any axle or tire ratings. I suspect you'll be close with that vintage truck and likely over your manufacturers GVWR.
9,000 empty means that FW is likely up to 12,000 lbs fully loaded (could be less depending). Means your pin wieght is in the range of 2,000# or over. Pretty heavy for a 3/4 ton of vintage. Your really in the 1 ton SRW range for the year of truck. Also that small gas V8 is going to power challenged. That's not a problem for some people and extremely irrating for others.
Since you haven't bought the truck yet I would recommend a 1 ton (either single or dual rear wheel) for any truck over 3 years old. If your interested in buying new or just slightly used the more modern 3/4 tons have higher capacity and can carry that FW without issue
Seems OP, as most of us have stated needs to get some more info...GVW of the 5er...GVWR of the 250....Sounds like truck with that engine might be lacking and he would find it out if towing the 5er up any mountains/hills he may be towing over....
More truck....I tried to pull a 2003 Cougar with a 2007 F-250 with the 5.4l. It had the tow package. It had 373's which it would have helped to have better gearing but still, It would pull it, mileage was in the 4-5 mpg range along with 4000+ rpms most of the time going up hills and I live in Central Texas! Ford said to let her rev as it will not hurt it. But it sure hurt my ears and my pocketbook. I think if you would look for the V10, if you wanting to stay with gas, would be your best bet. I, from experience, cannot reccommend the 5.4 for pulling a 5er, especially what you are trying to do.
trailguyNH wrote: I am about to make a decision to buy a fifth-wheel but need to get the right truck for it. The fifth-wheel is a 2004 Keystone Everest weighing empty 9000 lbs. I have a truck in mind to purchase--it is a 2005 Ford F250 with extended cab, super duty XLT with extended wheel base of 144"--61/2 foot bed; engine 5.4 V-8 It does have the tow package, but it may be a regular one and not the Tow Boss as recommended. Two people in the know have stated that I should not have any trouble towing, but recommended that I inquire in this forum if anyone has had experience with this type of truck pulling a fifth-wheel of the type mentioned. If the towing package is a standard one, will this seriously curtail towing?
(I am enclosing my e-mail for reply even though I checked that my e-mail address be not shown, as I need an answer soon, if possible.)
Would appreciate any help you might be able to give. Thanx... Ron at - ronsurels@juno.com.
IMHO, I would look for a fiver that grosses around 10k lbs.
In your case a lightweight fiver would probably work. Lots of half ton guys pulling fivers with with half ton 5.4's, They are dead reliable and the power is lower in the power band.
Can you tow a fiver? Absolutely. But I think that if you go with the biggest fiver on the market you may not be satisfied.
I have a 99 Dually V10 with 3.73 gears and I currently pull a travel trailer with it. When we upgrade to a fiver I am going to look for something with a GVWR of around 11k lbs. I think that a GVWR around 13-14k is just too much for a 5.4 and it may be starting to push a V10 pretty hard.
If your heart is set on a larger fiver, consider upgrading to a V10 or a Diesel Dually.
Thanks!
Jeremiah
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
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