cinandtim
west chester ohio
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Purchasing a lightweight 5th wheel. 7000lb empty, 29 to 31 ft. What would you recommend to pull with? Can I get by without deisel?
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APT
SE Michigan
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Joined: 06/09/2010
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Many gas powered trucks will work well. Are you looking at new trucks? I recommend the shorter axle ratio from your favorite brand (4.10/4.30) with their respective gas motors. If you are looking at older/used trucks with fewer gears in their transmissions, I say get the bigger engine (Ford's V10, GM's 8.1L).
* This post was
edited 06/18/12 07:11am by APT *
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
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donn0128
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Since dry weight term is totally useless I have to assume that your loaded ready to travel weight (or GVWR) will be close to 10K. Based on that you will have a tongue weight probably in the range of 1100/1200 pounds Too much for a 1/2 ton, so start your search for a 3/4 ton. And at that be prepared to upgrade the hitch platform. Gas motor might work if it is a late model motor. Fuel economy will suck. Diesel would be a better choice. And with diesel you could go back as far as 2004 and still have a capable tow vehicle.
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BarneyS
S.E. Lower Michigan
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donn0128 wrote:Since dry weight term is totally useless I have to assume that your loaded ready to travel weight (or GVWR) will be close to 10K. Based on that you will have a tongue weight probably in the range of 1100/1200 pounds Too much for a 1/2 ton, so start your search for a 3/4 ton. And at that be prepared to upgrade the hitch platform. Gas motor might work if it is a late model motor. Fuel economy will suck. Diesel would be a better choice. And with diesel you could go back as far as 2004 and still have a capable tow vehicle.
Donn,
What you have posted sounds to me like information for a regular travel trailer. The OP is purchasing a 5th wheel trailer. His pin weight will be quite a bit in excess of 1200lbs I think. Probably close to 2000lbs or over.
Barney
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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 OOPS! Guess I need to learn how to read.
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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Get a Diesel, spend your money once. You will want a bigger RV and then you will loose money on replacing your truck. Avoid the used PS 6.0 and 6.4 Fords you will probably end up with someone elses problem. Heard 06 was a good year for the D MAX any year 04 and newer RAM will be fine.
2011 Ram Laramie Longhorn 3500 Dually Long Bed, Cummins 350/800 HO, Towin Machine
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Rick MC
Long Island
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Cummins12V98 wrote:Get a Diesel, spend your money once. You will want a bigger RV and then you will loose money on replacing your truck. Avoid the used PS 6.0 and 6.4 Fords you will probably end up with someone elses problem. Heard 06 was a good year for the D MAX any year 04 and newer RAM will be fine.
Don't be hatin' my 6.4 PSD. I have no problems and would put it next to any of my friends trucks (dodge and chevy)!
Regular maintenance is the key. I agree you will want a bigger RV, Don't limit yourself, shop around there are some great deals out there! Good luck.
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cinandtim
west chester ohio
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Thanks for the responses, will be purchasing a new truck. Currently have a 28ft coachman T/T that I am pulling with a 07 Yukon Denali and it pretty much maxes out the Yukon. (Not a lot of fun pulling). I own a fleet of trucks so I am familiar with diesel, but was wondering if I could get by with a 3/4 gas powered. I agree loaded weight will be closer to 10K
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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Watch your yellow sticker on the door jamb. Diesels will have lower payloads than gassers. About 6-800lbs less depending on options. But JMHO if your looking towards 10,000lbs I would be thinking diesel. Theres a guy on here that gave an F250 6.2 mpg report and he was getting 8.2mpg. I would think the diesel will get 2-3 more mpg, and better towing ability. FWIW I read an article on Pickuptrucks.com about an F250 KR 6.7 4x4 diesel that only had a 1972lb payload rating. Thats why I say watch checkout the door sticker rating. With that being said if I was going the gas route, I would look at an F250 6.2 with the 4.3 rear end. Just curious what are you putting in your 5'er to weigh 3000lbs? Dry weight at 7000lbs and you think it will be 10,000lbs loaded.
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Cummins12V98
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Rick MC wrote:Cummins12V98 wrote:Get a Diesel, spend your money once. You will want a bigger RV and then you will loose money on replacing your truck. Avoid the used PS 6.0 and 6.4 Fords you will probably end up with someone elses problem. Heard 06 was a good year for the D MAX any year 04 and newer RAM will be fine.
Don't be hatin' my 6.4 PSD. I have no problems and would put it next to any of my friends trucks (dodge and chevy)!
Regular maintenance is the key. I agree you will want a bigger RV, Don't limit yourself, shop around there are some great deals out there! Good luck.
Meant no disrespect! The fact is a lot of the time when someone sells a rig is because they have had problems and the 6.0 and 6.4 have. If yours has been good you have no reason to sell it.
Agree, treat them good goes a long way, but sometimes you have no control.
Your truck does look good!
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