40+feet 5th wheels

[Scottie lady]

Scenario...f450 (top of the line) pulling 40-42 foot 5th wheel over highway mountain passes... How tuff is it really? 😁. Would not be traveling in bad conditions...
Janice

[tuffr2]

Since a turbo diesel does not lose very much power as it gains elevation I would expect it to do very good. I know on lower mountains I pass most motorhome. So I would guess you would also do better than the majority of the motorhomes.

Do you have the F-450 now? If not, are you waiting for the 2015 beefed up model?

[Scottie lady]

The plan right now is to purchase the F-450 2015 next February...

[DaveyD1]

Originally Posted by Scottie lady

The plan right now is to purchase the F-450 2015 next February...

Don't forget to look at the Heavy Duty 3500 Dodge.Has a towing rating of 25k lbs

[tuffr2]

From what I have read the 2015 F-450 will be built on the really heavy duty cab chassis frame with the 19.5" wheels and a more powerful 6.7 litre engine due to a larger turbo.

The 2013 Ram 3500 can be optioned with a heavy duty transmission and a 850ft. Lb. torque Cummins engine. Tow rating is 30,000 lbs. if option with all the correct goodies.

Just my thought Ford will meet or exceed the Ram offering. Either way neither truck would be a mistake.

[Scottie lady]

I'm not really worried about the truck....more interested in the length of trailer...or does it really matter ?! Would there be much difference in pulling a 38-40' as to a 40-42' on the mountain highway passes?

[Scottie lady]

My husband is a ford guy....but we are going to drive and check out the ram

[tuffr2]

I have used both a 2011 Ram 3500 and a 2012 F-450. Both trucks were wonderful long distance tug boats.

[Roam America]

i'll add that it depends on the trailer too. there are multiple manufacturers making 40+ foot 5ers. One in mind has a GVWR of 16500 #'s. No biggie for an F-450. Ir you're talking about a DRV 43 footer, with a GVWR od 24,000 #'s, you are in Freightliner territory there.

BTW, the F-450 GCWR is 33,000 #'s. My `08 (which had the 14,400 GVWR) and my `12 (13,300 GVWR) both had that GCWR. My `08 weighed 10,600 #'s. My `12 weighs 9,500 #'s

[HambonesBBQ]

Originally Posted by Scottie lady

I'm not really worried about the truck....more interested in the length of trailer...or does it really matter ?! Would there be much difference in pulling a 38-40' as to a 40-42' on the mountain highway passes?

It depends on the mountain highway and how tight the turns are. Length difference by itself isn't an issue. Bigger difference would be based on distance from hitch to pivot point of trailer. That can be different even on two trailers with same overall length. The greater that distance the more the trailer will track inside your turn and the more issues you will have on the super twisties.

[wandering1]

Not tough just slow.

[MarksFam]

I tow a 20k 44" fiver toyhauler up the Cajon pass here in ca at least once a month no problem. I have a Laramie ram 3500 super duty. I can maintain 55 easy.

[wingedone]

I went out west last year with a F350 DRW, a 40ft 5th, and another 6-8 ft of Swivel wheel on the back. I went up the mountain at Big Sky Montana, and drove up 89 into St. Mary, Montana. Twisty, switchbacks. And I didn't fall off the mountain.

If I can do it, so can you. And that 6.7 ran past everyone else climbing hilling interstates out there. It's a beast. PLUS, I got 10.5 mpg overall from Michigan to Montana and back home through the U.P.

That 450 will get you where you want to go.

[MarksFam]

10.5 is pretty good. My last run down the hill and back was 13.8 and 14.4.