Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS > Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-12-2010, 07:43 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
Short bed or Long bed for 5th wheel?

I'm a newbie to this site and this is my first post. At the current time we have a pop up and love it. Down the road in the next year or two, I would like to get a 5th wheel. I first need a truck to pull it. I imagine myself getting anywhere from a 30-35 foot 5th wheel

My question: I would like to get a short bed truck, but do I have to have a long bed to tow a 5th wheel? I know I want to get a diesel engine. Just looking for now at a dodge 2500 mega cab 4x4 (no dually).
To pull a 35' trailer, will I need to jump to a 3500 1ton.
In conclusion
What are your recommendations,
long bed/short bed
3/4 ton or 1 ton
Axel ratio 3.73 or 4.10
your recommended truck to pull a 35 footer

thanks
NorCalCamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 08-12-2010, 08:54 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
wingnut60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wherever we are
Posts: 4,280
1 ton, minimum. Best will be dually. Axle will be what it is, most are going to lower ratios--3.73/3.55. Dually will have 4.3/4.1. Short beds will need a slider hitch for most fivers. If you stay nearer 30' than 35' the SWRs will work.
Joe
__________________
'16 40QBH Phaeton
'21 Sahara HA toad
'15 38RSSA Mobile Suites--traded
'05 36TK3 Mobile Suites--retired but not forgotten
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2010, 10:10 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by wingnut60 View Post
1 ton, minimum. Best will be dually. Axle will be what it is, most are going to lower ratios--3.73/3.55. Dually will have 4.3/4.1. Short beds will need a slider hitch for most fivers. If you stay nearer 30' than 35' the SWRs will work.
Joe

"SWR" ?
NorCalCamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2010, 10:26 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
wingnut60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Wherever we are
Posts: 4,280
Single Rear Wheels, compared to a dually (DWR)
__________________
'16 40QBH Phaeton
'21 Sahara HA toad
'15 38RSSA Mobile Suites--traded
'05 36TK3 Mobile Suites--retired but not forgotten
wingnut60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2010, 10:46 PM   #5
Community Administrator
 
NLOVNIT's Avatar


 
Pond Piggies Club
LA Gulf Coast Campers
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Entegra Owners Club
Skyline Owners Group
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 40,507
Blog Entries: 1
To pull & stop a 35 footer: 1t dually. If you really want that Dodge 2500, stick to 30-32 footers.

We pulled a 31 ft Cougar with a Chevy 2500HD crew cab 4x4 short bed. We didn't have a slider hitch & never had an issue. Even with a 90-degree turn, the nose missed the truck's rear window....by mere inches, mind you, but it missed it. Of course, this might not be the case with other 5-r's & short bed trucks - which is why most folks go with a slider hitch.

Lori-
__________________
Lori (& Dave, my spirit guide) - RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member | My iRV2 Photo Albums
2016 Phoenix Cruiser 2350S, 2018 Phaeton 40IH,2006 Bounder 36Z, 2004 Cougar 285EFS, 2000 Aerolite 25FBR
There is great need for a sarcasm font.
NLOVNIT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2010, 05:38 AM   #6
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Mission TX
Posts: 73
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCalCamper View Post
I'm a newbie to this site and this is my first post. At the current time we have a pop up and love it. Down the road in the next year or two, I would like to get a 5th wheel. I first need a truck to pull it. I imagine myself getting anywhere from a 30-35 foot 5th wheel

My question: I would like to get a short bed truck, but do I have to have a long bed to tow a 5th wheel? I know I want to get a diesel engine. Just looking for now at a dodge 2500 mega cab 4x4 (no dually).
To pull a 35' trailer, will I need to jump to a 3500 1ton.
In conclusion
What are your recommendations,
long bed/short bed
3/4 ton or 1 ton
Axel ratio 3.73 or 4.10
your recommended truck to pull a 35 footer

thanks
long bed/short bed: long box as you never have to worry about the turning radius... also on some units you have a larger fuel tank... also room for a 4x8 sheet of plywood when not towing

3/4 ton or 1 ton: for the difference in price get the 1 ton. Some 35ers are quite heavy & it also would allow you to upgrade to a larger/heavier unit in the future

Axel ratio 3.73 or 4.10: I have a 4:10 as it provides additional tow capacity

I would also consider a dually for the ride stability & the additional carrying weight.

Eh!
geeksrus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2010, 06:29 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Texas Boomers Club
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Cypress, Texas USA
Posts: 8,854
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCalCamper View Post
Just looking for now at a dodge 2500 mega cab 4x4 (no dually).
If you're looking at new trucks and want to tow large, heavy 5th wheels, I'd suggest the 2011 3500 dually crew cab long bed, 68RFE automatic and 4.10 axle ratio. This will get you 11,500 lbs GVWR and 24,500 lbs GCWR in a 4x2 configuration - haven't checked the 4x4 ratings.

Be prepared to order it - there are very few trucks truly rigged for towing heavy 5th wheels sitting on dealer lots.

Rusty
RustyJC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2010, 06:52 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
450Donn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Dallas,OR
Posts: 4,584
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorCalCamper View Post
I'm a newbie to this site and this is my first post. At the current time we have a pop up and love it. Down the road in the next year or two, I would like to get a 5th wheel. I first need a truck to pull it. I imagine myself getting anywhere from a 30-35 foot 5th wheel

My question: I would like to get a short bed truck, but do I have to have a long bed to tow a 5th wheel? I know I want to get a diesel engine. Just looking for now at a dodge 2500 mega cab 4x4 (no dually).
To pull a 35' trailer, will I need to jump to a 3500 1ton. For this large fiver you will really want a dually.
In conclusion
What are your recommendations A long bed will give you more storage space and not require a slider hitch
3/4 ton or 1 ton Again for this size range of fiver you will really want a dually
Axel ratio 3.73 or 4.10 3.73 will pull fins, hgowever with the larger heavier fivers I find my 4.10 does better in the mountains
your recommended truck to pull a 35 footer

thanks
I would suggest you first pick your "ideal" fiver and with the trailers GVWR information in hand go truck shopping. Otherwise, pick the largest truck you can find and match the trailer to it's limitations.
__________________
Don and Lorri
Resident Dummy.
450Donn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2010, 07:24 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
yogi154's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Peotone ILL
Posts: 104
We pull our 5th with a short bed dually. I went with a 5th Airbourne Sidewinder. This pinbox takes the worry out of sliding the hitch. Like everyone says go to a one ton truck. We started with a 3/4 ton and had to move up. Towing with the dually is much more stable.

Just my 2 cents

Good Luck
__________________
Wayne & Marti , Yogi Dog Ford 2012 F350 PSD Old Blue ....Mobile Suite 2012 38 REB3 w/ Vanity Slide Peotone , Illinois VIET NAM VET 1st CAV 70-71
yogi154 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2010, 12:34 PM   #10
Member
 
jeffinsalida's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 51
If you are looking at a Mega Cab you have no choice from Dodge but short box. I pulled a 5th wheel with my 3500 mega cab for three years. Starting 8-11-10 I am pulling it with a long bed mega cab (same truck) thanks to http://www.longbedmytruck.com The sliding hitches were not a good option for me because I use a B&W Companion hitch and pull a gooseneck for firewood.

My wife still loves the room in the Mega Cab and now does not have to watch the cab corners anymore. We have hit our cab once. :( Some trailers have space to allow tighter turns with a short box. On our way home from Utah it was wonderful to not have the worries of hitting the cab!!!! I am super happy with my Long Bed Mega Cab
__________________
06 Dodge 3500 Long Bed Mega Cab, CTD, Auto, Gauges, Brakesmart, Towing Holiday Rambler, B&W Companion Hitch, Anderson Aluminum Ultimate 5th wheel hitch.
jeffinsalida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2010, 02:18 PM   #11
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 15
I really dont want a dually because 99% of the time its not going to be towing a trailer. Maybe if I just stick to a SRW with a 1 ton truck, I will be fine towing 5th's up to 32'....which is ok.

Years down the road, I imagine myself being retired and driving across the country and spending a month on the road (or more). Maybe then it would make sense to buy the dually and a bigger trailer if needed. I can get by with a 30-32 footer now. Even though I have 4 kids, they're getting older and not wanting to go on these trips as much anymore.

thanks for all the replies
NorCalCamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2010, 04:00 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Spicewood, Tx
Posts: 708
Generally, I agree with previous posters. There are plenty of heavy fivers in the 30-35 ft range that need a 3500 SRW or a 3500 DRW tow vehicle. And if a long bed will work for you, then skip the short bed.

But I like my tow vehicle to fit in the garage, so SRW short bed it is. That is all I've used for towing fivers since '89, let see that is 21 yrs. The first 14 yrs were without the benefit of a slider hitch or notched fiver cap. Never had a problem. As long as you don't get the Dodge short, short bed you shouldn't have a problem either with all the newer solutions.

There are also some fivers in the 30-35 ft range that will work with a diesel 2500HD SWR, especially today's models. It just takes lots of research.
__________________
Larry Day, Texas Baptist Men volunteer
'13 Silverado LT 3500HD D/A CCSB 2wd, custom RKI bed
'19 Starcraft Telluride 292RLS
dayle1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-14-2010, 04:39 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 369
I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet but there are quite a few RV manufacturers that are designing the front end caps of their units to accommodate short bed pickup turning. Bighorn is one of them there are others. But in saying that it's hard not to be overloaded with SRW and a 35 ft 5th wheel.
Stillwater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2010, 08:46 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
powderman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: N. E. Ohio & Lady Lake Fl.
Posts: 1,120
I have a long bed Ram with 4:10 rear end, and wish it was a 3:73. That is plenty of gear for most situations, and you can always pull down a gear for those few times (such as a 10% grade). Also you should know that the ONLY difference between a 3/4 ton & a 1 ton in the Ram is a single helper spring on each side. Also you should go and drive both a long & short bed to feel the difference as the longer wheel base rides a lot smoother. Good luck
powderman is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Initial Experiences With Our New 2011 33RSE Limited (VERY Long) gdbontly Excel Owner's Forum 30 08-16-2010 09:31 PM
Size of Camper for Short Bed STUMPMAN Truck Camper Discussion 10 04-21-2009 10:04 PM
short box vs long box wakamicamper Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 13 12-04-2008 05:44 AM
5th Wheel with short bed P/U John and Ginny Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 9 05-21-2006 06:16 AM
Dodge Ram 2500 QC...short or long bed??? lisascs Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 14 03-14-2005 02:45 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:27 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.