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Nwatkins176 · 02-08-2014, 05:24 PM

Hello everybody. I just bought my 3rd RV, but my first 5er. I am a full timer and I will need to trade my jeep on a truck. Below are the weights of the trailer, can I get somebodies opinion on how much truck I will need. I am confused by all weights. I prefer to stay with a SRW Crew Cab 1 ton. I am not opposed to a DRW though. I am confused because this 5er is one of the smaller lighter ones in the Keystone Raptor Line and the loaded weights seems to be more than weights I have been seeing in towing guides for 5th wheels. I guess the question is, if you had this trailer what truck would you get? I will be looking around 2008-2010 range used truck. If a 3/4 ton will be fine even better.

Thanks for the help

2014 Keystone Raptor 310ts

Shipping Weight: 13192
Carrying Capacity: 3308
Hitch: 3000

Nwatkins176 · 02-08-2014, 05:49 PM

One more question. If I go with a 2008-2010 truck are there any engines or trannies those years that I should stay away from. I don't really have a preference on my truck, I think either of the big 3 are fine. But if a Engine around that year was crap, could you all let me know to stay away from it. Thanks for help everybody.

RoyM · 02-08-2014, 06:08 PM

That is a heavy brute, with 3000 lb on the hitch you will be overloaded with anything less than a DRW.

Nwatkins176 · 02-08-2014, 06:10 PM

That is what I am starting to realize.

Thanks for the opinion.

tuffr2 · 02-08-2014, 06:15 PM

Wow - that pin weight is scary heavy. No way would I use a 3/4 ton truck. Also look at the beefed up trucks that all 3 builders injected with steroids in 2011. Any 2011 DRW should handle that weight.

Nwatkins176 · 02-08-2014, 06:32 PM

When I bought that trailer, I didn't realize that 3000 Pounds was a lot of hitch weight. So I will be shopping for a dually. Any years or manufacturers I should stay away from?

tuffr2 · 02-08-2014, 07:00 PM

All 3 are so close it will depend on which truck you like. In 2011 Chevy really improved their frame and engine. Ram improved their interior and already had a stout frame and Cummins engine. Ford introduced their in-house designed and built diesel engine. Ford already had a great interior.

Again - all three are great trucks. I bought the Ford, my friend bought the Ram. Both trucks are comfortable and tow great. The Chevy probably is the same. No problems (at least yet) from the Ford nor the Ram.

To see these trucks in action checkout Fast Lane Trucks on Youtube.

Good luck

bsjulestad · 02-09-2014, 02:09 PM

Agreed, 350/3500 DRW at a minimum for sure.

450Donn · 02-09-2014, 02:20 PM

Any of the Ford 6.0L diesels run as fast away as you can. Personally I would look at either a Dodge 5.9L Manual trans dually or a GM dually 2006 or newer. The Dodge 6.7L Cummins is a great motor as long as it has had all of the most recent updates.

SmokeyWren · 02-09-2014, 03:16 PM

Keystone Raptor

310TS Model
13192 Shipping Weight
3308 Carrying Capacity
16500 GVWR
3000 Hitch (dry)
3300 Hitch (20% of GVWR)

So you need a tow vehicle that can handle gross trailer weight of 16,500 and net wet and loaded hitch weight of 3,300 pounds without exceeding any of the manufacturer's weight limits.

2011 Ford F-350 SRW long bed CrewCab 4x4:

GCWR: 23,500
GVWR: 11,500

Wet and loaded truck could easily gross 8,500 before tying onto the trailer, and most folks would load it to around 9,000 pounds. Not enough payload capacity to haul that much hitch weight. So you're going to be overloaded with the SRW. 16,500 trailer plus 8,500 truck =25,000 pounds, which exceeds the 23,500 GCWR of your truck. You'd have to be missing a few brain cells to try to tow that trailer with the SRW.

2011 Ford F-350 DRW long bed CrewCab 4x4:

GVWR 13,300 minus 3,300 pounds hitch weight leaves you up to 10,000 pounds for the weight of the wet and loaded truck without exceeding the GVWR of the truck. You'll probably have 500 to 1,000 pounds of excess capacity there unless you go crazy hauling firewood and/or an auxiliary fuel tank in the bed.

GCWR 30,000 minus 16,500 trailer leaves 13,500 for the max weight of the wet and loaded truck. Your truck will probably weigh 9,500 to 10,000, so you'll have lots of excess capacity before worrying about exceeding the GCWR of the truck.

You mentioned engines: 2008, 2009 and 2010 F-350 diesels were the International 6.4. Good, dependable diesel engines, but thirsty. If you're going to fuss about MPG, then you should probably move up to a 2011. Note that moving to another brand may not help MPG, because the problem was compliance with EPA emissions, and the other brands had to meet the same rules as Ford.

JohnT · 02-09-2014, 03:28 PM

Good info suggested. I would query the Keystone users group for anybody that actually weighed their unit loaded. It will give a better idea of what to expect.

We had a 2011 GMC 3500 4x4, DRW Crew cab when we towed a 5'er. We were very happy with it.

Nwatkins176 · 02-10-2014, 06:37 AM

Thank you everybody! Shopping has started on a 2011 or newer DRW. No Fords 6.0 litters though.

SmokeyWren · 02-10-2014, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwatkins176

No Fords 6.0 litters though.

The last Ford 6.0L diesel was the 2007 model. So stick to 2008-up and you won't have to worry about the 6.0L.

caissiel · 02-10-2014, 09:36 PM

My 6.0l is nine years old and will not get an other diesel past 2007 until the EPA cleans their act. I will wait until there is proof these newer engine can last. For sure not a Ford till 2013.