What truck do you use?

[Rvgirl42]

Hi All,

I'm graduating to a larger fifth wheel (41 ft.) with a GVW of 16,709 lbs. I'm shopping around for a truck now.

I'm looking at ultra-duty trucks.

It's just for me and my two dogs but we will be full-time.

Here's a list I found of the "best" and the towing capacity for each. Maybe you use something different? Let me know the year, as well as the make/model and what makes it the best for you?

I would appreciate the help!

MC Sierra 3500HD

Base towing capacity: 13,000
Max. towing capacity, conventional: 20,000
Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel/gooseneck: 23,100

Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

Base towing capacity: 13,000
Max. towing capacity, conventional: 20,000
Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel/gooseneck: 23,300

Ram 3500

Base towing capacity: 10,880
Max. towing capacity, conventional: 21,440
Max. towing capacity, gooseneck: 31,210

Ford Super Duty F-350

Base towing capacity: 14,500
Max. towing capacity, conventional: 21,000
Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel/gooseneck: 32,000

[GTM]

Well I'm sure you will get the ford verses chevy arguments. I researched the big three before I bought and ended up with a 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually long bed. GVW of the truck is 14000 lbs My 5th wheel has a GVW 0f 20,000 lbs. max rated weight truck and trailer it is around 32000 The truck has not dissapointed us yet other than the fuel tank is to small, but that can be said about all of them. My recommendation would be that regardless of the truck get a Dually.

[Notanlines]

Gary has good advice when recommending a dually, and I'll go one step further and also include the recommendation of a diesel. In most forums the brand trollers would come out and bash the other two brands, Not quite so bad on this site, although there are a couple that pop up occasionally.
You made a good choice by picking the RV first and the TV second.

[Rvgirl42]

Thanks, GTM. Did you buy your truck new or used? If you like it, I'll check that out. I had an F150 when I had a light fifth wheel. It served me well but eventually the transmission gave out so I think I'll leave Ford on the table for now. I appreciate your advice. Thank you!

[Rvgirl42]

I appreciate your words on picking the TV first. Can you tell me what the difference is about a Diesel? I've never understood why it makes a difference. Is it gas mileage? Thanks again!

[GTM]

Hello.

First of all. Get a Diesel. Better torque, better fuel econ than a gas, run forever. They are though more expensive to purchase and repair but I feel the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Second. Dually period for the size 5th wheel you will be pulling it will give you a more stable ride and will handle the load better.

Like I said when I ended up with the Dodge Ram I looked at all three of the big three. I ruled out the Chevy as it did't have the tow ratings I was looking for which left the Ford and Dodge. Both are very close in weight carrying capacity, however when it came to ride the Dodge had the Ford beat. You will hear that all Dullies ride rough. Well I traded in a 2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel single rear wheel drive and the new truck ride alot smoother than the old one.

My truck was optioned with the Laramie trim, 8ft Bed. Asain transmission a must have option. 410 rear end and a GVW of 14000 lbs. Regardless of the truck you will need something with a GVW in this range for the size of trailer you have.

Good luck and have fun.

Gary

[MTK46]

Thanks, GTM. Did you buy your truck new or used? If you like it, I'll check that out. I had an F150 when I had a light fifth wheel. It served me well but eventually the transmission gave out so I think I'll leave Ford on the table for now. I appreciate your advice. Thank you!
You can't compare a F-150 to a F-350 trans.
Now I happen to be a Blue Oval guy but if looking at a Ram 3500 dually get it with the Aisin trans. GM's will come with a Allison.
If you happen to find a good deal on a used dually like I did on my 2017 I wouldn't pass it up. Mine still had 6 months worth of base factory warranty and only had 21,000 miles on it

[GTM]

I purchased new

[FuShiLuMeitan]

2019 GMC Sierra 3500 HD DRW. Towing 2018 Keystone Raptor 353TS via Geny Executive Gooseneck hitch. All three work for us. Also recommend Centramatics on truck and trailer rims. I gave all manufacturers in trucks to provide something to my requirements, 3 rounds later the largest GM dealer up here in Oshawa, Ontario got off their arses (6 other dealers, recommended through manufacturers websites dropped the ball).

[jvglasso]

We bought 2019 gmc 3500 4x4 denali last year this time. Got best price compared to Ford and ram. As a single FT i recommend 2020 with new trailer ghosting camera system . Check it out online never worry about backing again. We love our truck.

[jccjr50]

Have 2018 f350 dually. Like truck comfort and the 48 gallon gas tank. Had Ram before and would not have another one due to the number of recalls and how I was treated on the issues I had with my 2014 3500.

[Dando]

Ram 3500 dually aisin, 4;10, auto level longhorn.. very happy..30k tow capacity..longhorn laramie luxury brown, gold...

[donshapansky]

I bought a 2019 F-350 dually with diesel, 4:10 rear axle King Ranch and just returned from a 4400 mile trip. Our DRV weighs 21,080 lbs. all up we weighed CAT scales at 30,040 lbs. We cruised at 65 - 70 mph and spent a lot of time in the western areas of Idaho, WY, CO and MT . My trip meter showed 9.2 mpg for the total trip. We drove about 600 miles without the trailer, I used to have an FL60 with a Teton that we had for 6 years and 185,000 miles. I would not go back due to the superior brakes, power and comfort. The F-350 would pull 5% grades in sixth gear at 2100 rpm on cruise and with the engine brake on and adaptive cruise actuated it would hold the same grade down on the preset speed. The combination of the MorRyde hitch and suspension I have nothing but praise for the handling of this package. My Teton also had MorRyde it sold me on the suspension, I never had any repairs done to the suspension in all those miles. I do have a Stealth module but only engaged when empty is it in play, position 3, I saw 17.4 mpg playing in the mountains with just the truck at the speed limits in Yellowstone and Jackson Hole

[CoMaddMax]

I had a 2012 RAM 2500 diesel SRW that I pulled my 43" Spartan toy hauler for 2 years. I upgraded to a 2018 Chevy DRW with the Allison tranny. As far as stability I really can't tell a huge difference. But the Chevy pulls much better than the RAM and the RAM had an overheating issue pulling up the long steep grades here in CO. I bought my Chevy used, but it only had 3,000 miles on it and it was cheaper than the used Fords and RAM's that were comparable. I've been really happy with the Chevy.
ps Looks like I need to update myTV below...

[nytmare]

I have a 2019 DRV 40KSSB4, which is 40'10" and has a GVWR of 21,500lbs (It generally weighs in around 20,000lbs depending on destination) and has a pin weight of around 3,800lbs. I tow it with a 2019 Ram 3500 Limited dually (HO diesel I6, AISIN tranny w/ 4.10 gears, crew cab, full bed, and a B&W Companion hitch). The Ram has a towing capacity of 32,360lbs and a payload capacity of 5,320lbs. I'm well within capacities and the truck has all the bells and whistles (except air bags... which I've really not missed). The truck tows the trailer very well up and down mountains and in traffic. However, and this is pretty much the case with a truck of this nature, when not towing... the suspension is a bit harsh over expansion joints and other road irregularities. I've hit a couple potholes that I felt through my kidneys.

[FuShiLuMeitan]

Aaahhhhh, sigh, trucks, only thing better is the tractor forum. ;)

[Goose_NC]

Just buy the truck with the payload for your needs. Plan on 22% of gross trailer weight as pin weight. Plus whatever else goes in the truck when traveling.


All brands have busy service centers.