Which truck to install hitch

[Corey9212]

Hello I bought a new to me fifth wheel and have two trucks that will pull it but I don't know which truck to install the fifth wheel hitch. So I'm asking your opinion and please explain why (saying one truck is better cause of who makes it is not an acceptable answer.)

First Truck is a 1997 Ford F350 XL, it is DRW, has a 9' flat deck, is a crew cab, 5.8L gasser and a 5 speed manual transmission and I do believe the rear axle is a 4.1 ratio. It has 318,000 km on it, it is the best out of the two for fuel mileage. It has been very reliable and has never let me down, all mechanics who have driven it can't believe it's that old and is that mechanically sound.

The second truck is a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 ST. It is a short box, crew cab, 5.7L Hemi, automatic transmission, 3.73 axle ratio. It has 126,000 km on it. It's had 3 transmissions in one year, several breakdowns that put it out on average a week at a time. While towing a trailer the engine screams and fuel mileage is 3 mpg while towing.

The ford is most reliable and better gas mileage, the manual transmission is a nice bonus. But the high mileage worries me.

The dodge is younger and has lower kms on it. But the constant breakdowns and very low gas mileage makes me think it is borderline lemon.

[RobRV]

If it was Me I would put the Hitch on the Ford!

[Mr_D]

Trade/sell them both and get a diesel pickup.

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Trade/sell them both and get a diesel pickup.

X2! I wouldn't pull a 5er or much else with a small block gasser. Hell, my 5.4 Trition can't even pull a cargo trailer in OD.

[RustyJC]

You gave us no information whatsoever regarding your 5th wheel, but I seriously doubt that either candidate truck is rated to tow a 5th wheel of any substantial size.

Rusty

[Corey9212]

The fifth wheel is a 1999 24' vanguard, the gvwr is 6000 lbs. Both trucks have pulled my 1989 29' vanguard which weighs in at 9000 lbs when loaded to go camping, and don't even know the trailer is on there. The ford has pulled 20,000 lb farm discs with ease.

I would trade for a diesel (my ultimate goal would be a F550 or 5500 diesel crew cab with manual transmission.) but I am unable to get financing for a newer truck so I have to work with what I got for now.

The trailer was my grandma and grandpa's and when my grandpa passes away he left me his fifth wheel. He pulled it with a Chevy half ton for many many years through the rocky mountains and they were perfect together, but the truck was sold shortly before he died.

[Corey9212]

Maybe this will help me get some answers:
scale measurement is with the truck loaded, ready to hook up the trailer and go.

Dodge:
GAWR F: 5,200
Scale: 3,880
available: 1,320

GAWR R: 6,000
Scale: 3,995
Available: 2,005

GVWR: 8,800
Scale: 7,253
Available: 1,547

GCWR: 15,000
Scale: 7,253
Available: 7,747

Ford:
GAWR F: 4,000
Scale: 3,549
Available: 451

GAWR R: 6,800
Scale: 4,189
Available: 2,611

GVWR: 10,000
Scale: 7,716
Available: 2,284

GCWR: 13,000
Scale: 7,716
Available: 5,284

Everyone I talked to about the fords specs (even hitch experts) question the numbers saying they should be higher than that.

[CD]

Originally Posted by Corey9212

Maybe this will help me get some answers:
scale measurement is with the truck loaded, ready to hook up the trailer and go.

Dodge:
GAWR F: 5,200
Scale: 3,880
available: 1,320

GAWR R: 6,000
Scale: 3,995
Available: 2,005

GVWR: 8,800
Scale: 7,253
Available: 1,547

GCWR: 15,000
Scale: 7,253
Available: 7,747

Ford:
GAWR F: 4,000
Scale: 3,549
Available: 451

GAWR R: 6,800
Scale: 4,189
Available: 2,611

GVWR: 10,000
Scale: 7,716
Available: 2,284

GCWR: 13,000
Scale: 7,716
Available: 5,284

Everyone I talked to about the fords specs (even hitch experts) question the numbers saying they should be higher than that.

Probably the limiting factor with the Ford is the engine. It has better gear ratio and is better because of more tires. Having said that I think either one will work fine on the 5er that you have.

[rollondown]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Trade/sell them both and get a diesel pickup.

My vote too.
You'll save in the long run.

[SmokeyWren]

Something is wrong with the Dog. 3 MPG is unacceptable. But even if it got 8 MPG, I'd still choose the Ford. Dually with a stick shift. Made for towing 5ers.

The most likely problem with towing a 5er with an older truck is the automagic tranny going south in the middle of nowhere. You won't have that problem with the old Ford. Your experience proves that it's a very real possibility with the Dog.

[Corey9212]

Originally Posted by SmokeyWren

Something is wrong with the Dog. 3 MPG is unacceptable. But even if it got 8 MPG, I'd still choose the Ford. Dually with a stick shift. Made for towing 5ers.

The most likely problem with towing a 5er with an older truck is the automagic tranny going south in the middle of nowhere. You won't have that problem with the old Ford. Your experience proves that it's a very real possibility with the Dog.

That's what I thought with the dodge but everyone around here keeps saying its normal cause the Hemi loves its gas. I've installed a new fuel filter, new plugs and wires and maintenance is always right on. I manually keep track of all my vehicles gas mileage and at those fill ups I just about freaked. Especially since I can only use mid grade gas (regular and premium grade causes all sorts of issues from pinging to lack of power.) So a fill up with the dodge costs me around $300 every two-three days.

So far it sounds like the ford is the truck to go with. Even people around here are agreeing (which is what matters cause you guys deal with this all the time and know what your saying.)

[Dale1953]

I agree with smokey about the dodge!!! I had A 2007 s.b quad cab with 3:73 and got 10 to 11 mpg pulling my 6500 lbs. T.T and had over 200,000 on it with no engine or trans problems. Even though I'm a dodge man I would sell the dodge and use the money to rebuild the ford when it needs it.

[wa8yxm]

Most, if not all 5th wheel hitches mount on rails that pin or bolt to the truck bed, Though the 5th wheel assembly is expensive, the rails, are relatively cheap.

I would install rails in BOTH trucks, likewise wire them both up for the trailer (you can easily disconnect an aftermarket brake controller and move it to the other truck if the harness is in place).

That way you can move the hitch truck to truck as needed.

I'm concerend about that Doge's tranny issues though.

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by Corey9212

The second truck is a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 ST. It is a short box, crew cab, 5.7L Hemi, automatic transmission, 3.73 axle ratio. It has 126,000 km on it. It's had 3 transmissions in one year, several breakdowns that put it out on average a week at a time. While towing a trailer the engine screams and fuel mileage is 3 mpg while towing.

You obviously have one or more undiagnosed problems with this truck. What you're experiencing is NOT typical of the 5.7 Hemi or the 545RFE transmission. 3 transmissions in 1 year? Obviously, unless you're trying to tow some absolutely outlandish load, someone is either rebuilding them incorrectly or missing an inherent problem in the vehicle (for instance, a contaminated, plugged or leaking tranny cooler or use of the wrong transmission fluid) and just throwing parts at it without solving the problem. 3 MPG towing? I think not - I towed a 13,500 lb 5th wheel with a 1996 Dodge dually with 8.0L V-10 and 47RE automatic and regularly got 6.5 MPG in the Texas Hill Country. It never broke down or left us stranded.

With all respect, I don't know who's working on this truck, but you would be well served to find someone who has the tools, capabilities and interest to get it diagnosed and fixed correctly.

Rusty