34IKE & truck

[RJEV]

We currently have a motorhome but since we seem to sit more than we move we are thinking that a 5th wheel might now be a better fit for us. We are looking at the Excel 34IKE. We are also looking at a Ford F-350, diesel, 4 wheel drive, crew cab, short bed. We have some space limits where we park the truck and a short bed will be a better fit. Also, a dually would not fit either. Do you think the F-350 would work? Thoughts and comments appreciated.
Thanks,
RJ

[Ol-Forester]

Well I have a 2013 33GKE Limited. Tow with 2006 chevy3500 duramax dulley.


Here is my Cat Scale weights:


Steer Drive Trailer


w/5th wh 4440 6900 12140
Truck alone 4660 3300


Difference -220 3600 12140


GVW w/5th 23480
Truck 7960


Difference 15,520


The trailer was loaded on way to Florida. Not as much stuff in it as the first couple years, and holding tanks empty. I was surprised at the pin weight, over by 100 lbs of what my truck manual calls for. Glad I have dual wheels.

[Ol-Forester]

Don't know what happened to spacing!!! Tried to edit and save to no effect.

[drfife]

I tow a 2013 Excel Winslow 34IKE with a 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD SRW, standard (6') bed.

I am within weight specs for the truck with the trailer loaded for travel.

I have towed 27K+ miles from coast to coast, border to border, mountains, high winds, etc, without issue.

You will be chastised on the forums for towing a 34IKE with a 350 SRW.

I know I am within specs and am perfectly happy with my lashup.

PM me for questions.

[Ol-Forester]

Agree that you would be ok. The newer trucks have heavier ratings. Heck the new 3/4 tons have as high of ratings as my truck, except I think on pin weight. I have never checked into tire ratings. Sure do see many single wheel ton trucks pulling some big trailers.
I kind of agree on the new duallys size being a consideration. I use mine as a regular truck for firewood, bird hunting, regular driver. Seems like the keep getting physically bigger, but they sure are nice.

[Rob17]

Originally Posted by RJEV

We are looking at the Excel 34IKE. We are also looking at a Ford F-350, diesel, 4 wheel drive, crew cab, short bed. Also, a dually would not fit either. Do you think the F-350 would work?

I pull my '14 34IKE with the truck in my signature. I too was concerned about the towing difference, if any, between the Excel and my previous trailer that was shorter and lighter. After towing the Excel for 8000 miles, including the mountain pass here in the west, I see no need to trade-in for a dually. I have to say though that I am right at my GVWR when completely loaded with fuel and gear.

Rob

[JDT]

We did exactly the same thing, moving from a 39' diesel motorhome to our Winslow almost 3 years ago. It is a much better fit for us.


We towed our 34RKM with a 2012 GMC 3500 Duramax srw for 2 seasons. As others have said we were within the weight specs except for the hitch weight which put us just a little over, I think because we added a Splendide washer/dryer combo which sits right up front by the closet. Our experience was a little different in that we had issues with the ride when towing. On good, smooth roads it was wonderful but the rough stuff caused jerking and bucking that made the wife really uncomfortable. I don't know why this was a problem for us. Could have been the rear kitchen. I bought an air ride hitch to help smooth things out not realizing it sat further forward than the B&W it replaced which made our turning radius much too tight. I gave up and bought the dually. Everything is good now.


Another thing we considered is when we grow up we want to get a Limited, maybe in a 36', and we will already have the truck for it.

[rockintom]

Originally Posted by drfife

I tow a 2013 Excel Winslow 34IKE with a 2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD SRW, standard (6') bed.

I am within weight specs for the truck with the trailer loaded for travel.

I have towed 27K+ miles from coast to coast, border to border, mountains, high winds, etc, without issue.

You will be chastised on the forums for towing a 34IKE with a 350 SRW.

I know I am within specs and am perfectly happy with my lashup.

PM me for questions.

This info is true......however Doc didn't weigh his rig with his extra toothbrush and floss!!! It'd be a close call on tongue weight!!!

Going to Barrett Jackson auction today and tomorrow, so won't be able to spar for a day or two. rockybaby always stirrin' it up!

[drfife]

Looking forward to a couple of quiet, peaceful days on the forum.

Have fun Tom.

[BRS50]

RJ,
I think Dr. Fife has proven that the 3500SRW works just fine with a 34IKE. We had a dually once and both of us preferred the SRW as our unhitched touring vehicle and for non-camping uses. After going through this discussion here I trusted the Doc's experience/evaluation and we went 31IKE with our '12 Chev SRW SB.

With all the options we added to the lighter 31 it ended up at 15480# GVW (3230# Pin) and the shorter unit puts a little higher % on the pin. With a heavier PullRite hitch I'm 200# over on payload but only if I fill my metal 60gal tank, with a stock plastic 36 gal tank and a B & W hitch like Russell's I'd be well under. With the newer 3500's 17500# FW towing limit you'll be fine on that, close on payload and GCVW but, as Russell says, within spec.

These ratings are definitely conservative, I've got a couple thousand miles of towing on the new Excel, including some mountains, (also 50000 & 8 years prior FW experience) and the 3500SRW seems like a fine match for our rig. The truck feels solid and safe, not over matched by the FW and it fits our needs better than a dually. I even filled up a couple times to see how it felt running slightly over on payload only and I really didn't notice any difference from running 600# lighter near empty on fuel and without wife and dog. I am glad I got the disk brakes with a trailer that heavy.

[Big B]

RJEV, I looked at Ford's website and found a F350 Supercab SRW Diesel is rated to tow 16,200, payload 3,900. A 34 IKE, GKE or any other 34 is rated to 17,500.
You might get away with that setup for awhile but you will be beating your truck up and potentially putting yourself in a dangerous safety situation. In my opinion if your truck is the limiting factor you would need to find a coach that works with that. Or you might be better off staying with your MH. Good luck

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Big B

RJEV, I looked at Ford's website and found a F350 Supercab SRW Diesel is rated to tow 16,200, payload 3,900. A 34 IKE, GKE or any other 34 is rated to 17,500.
You might get away with that setup for awhile but you will be beating your truck up and potentially putting yourself in a dangerous safety situation. In my opinion if your truck is the limiting factor you would need to find a coach that works with that. Or you might be better off staying with your MH. Good luck

What is dangerous if you are within weight ratings for the truck?

How is the truck getting "beat up"? The SRW and DRW both have the same engine, transmission and brakes.

Using this logic, we should all tow with HDT's.

[Rob17]

Originally Posted by drfife

How is the truck getting "beat up"?

I was curious about that myself.

[rockintom]

You know.......it's kinda fun seeing someone else being the weight police on here for a change !!!!