Questions about a 43' Mobile Suites

[Khenson]

Hello,

We just ordered a 43' MS Lexington. I have 2 questions. The tow vehicle we are considering is a F450 dually. The dry weight on the MS is 16.2k. Will the F450 be sufficient?

Second questions...will we be extremely limited on where we can park this 43' monster?

Thanks for the responses!

[edj]

Wow, that is a big rig.... Congratulations. Is this the model you are getting? If so, it is listed as just shy of 18K pounds dry weight.

There are lots of RV parks with pull through sites that can easily fit that rig. Just call to confirm when you make the reservation and tell them to hold the big site for you. But, don't plan on spending too many nights in a State Park.....

[Khenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by edj Wow, that is a big rig.... Congratulations. Is this the model you are getting? If so, it is listed as just shy of 18K pounds dry weight. There are lots of RV parks with pull through sites that can easily fit that rig. Just call to confirm when you make the reservation and tell them to hold the big site for you. But, don't plan on spending too many nights in a State Park.....

Thanks edj...we are pretty stoked (and nervous)!

The one you linked to is the Elite Suites whereas we bought the Mobile Suites. The MS dry is just over 16k.

[Tide Guy]

Khenson, Congratulations, Suggested you order the F450 unit and get it spected to carry the load. I have a 06 F550 with the 4:88 rear end, milage is not great, but it will get us there. My 40' TS loaded, we full time, is approx. 19.5K and the F550 handles it well. I agree parking can be a problem sometimes, but have learned to park it without any problem. Only problem is in shorter site, you may hang out a little.

Enjoy the new rig.

Tide Guy
(Roll Tide)
07 40' Travel Supreme
06 F550 PSDCC

[K-Star]

an F-450 should do very nicely. i think the GVWR of the 43' Mobile Suites are 21K #'s. the F-450 is rated to 24.4K. you will be very happy with the towing ability of the F-450 and the turning radius is great.

we are looking at possibly getting the Portland. we are stopping at the DRV Factory in August.

[WD40]

I think it will pull it but the truck will be loaded. You need to go up to a F-650 for a trailer that large, you can't have to much truck, but as we all know you can not have enough.
Doug

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khenson We just ordered a 43' MS Lexington. I have 2 questions. The tow vehicle we are considering is a F450 dually. The dry weight on the MS is 16.2k. Will the F450 be sufficient?

The key question is what is the GVWR on this rig? That's the number the tow vehicle must be sized to handle.

I may be in trouble now, though. Now that my wife has heard about the 43' rigs (see my signature), she wants to see one!!

Rusty

[WD40]

What kind of tires does the 43 footer have on it, looks like it only has two axes, (4 tires) so does it come with 18 or 20 ply tires? If it's 16.2 dry wt. and say 3000 lb tongue wt. I would like to here what others have to say about this.
Doug

[dlovitt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC The key question is what is the GVWR on this rig? That's the number the tow vehicle must be sized to handle. I may be in trouble now, though. Now that my wife has heard about the 43' rigs (see my signature), she wants to see one!! Rusty

Sounds like you may have a truck for sale soon. Have to explain to Madam B that it's not the size of the equipment; it's how well you utilize it.

[weighit]

Using the dry weight is not what you need to worry about, use the GVWR as the number to figure things off of. You will have a pin weight well into the 4,000 lb range and many are using a 450 to pull the larger trailers. But quite a few of those have moved up to 550, or larger trucks after a while of pulling with the 450. My 36 Mobile Suites has a 4400lb pin and my International handles it well. Enjoy the new trailer and I'm sure your going to have a blast. Safe travels.

[Khenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-Star we are looking at possibly getting the Portland. we are stopping at the DRV Factory in August.

Do you plan on pulling it with your current F450?

[Khenson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WD40 What kind of tires does the 43 footer have on it, looks like it only has two axes, (4 tires) so does it come with 18 or 20 ply tires? If it's 16.2 dry wt. and say 3000 lb tongue wt. I would like to here what others have to say about this. Doug

It has 3 8000lb axles.

[WD40]

It has 3 8000lb axles.
OK, I feel a hole lot better about this RV. Have a blast in your new home on wheels.
Doug

[tnance]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khenson Hello, We just ordered a 43' MS Lexington. I have 2 questions. The tow vehicle we are considering is a F450 dually. The dry weight on the MS is 16.2k. Will the F450 be sufficient? Second questions...will we be extremely limited on where we can park this 43' monster? Thanks for the responses!

Forget the dry weight figures. Use the trailers GVWR to size the truck. You will be closer to the max GVWR than the dry weight. If the trailers GVWR is 21K lbs then that is what I am pulling. I cannot imagine pulling the weight I am pulling with an F550 much less an F450.

While the turning radius of the F450 is better than a smaller pickup it not close to the 55 degree front wheel cut on many class 6 and up trucks.

In my opinion I would look for a class 6 or larger truck to pull 21K.