Looking for recommendations

[Randy VK]

I'm new to the fifth wheel world.
Currently looking for help deciding make and model for our needs.
Looking for a 4 season couples RV. We are from Alberta Canada going to be hauling down Texas way for the winters and living in it in the summer up in Canada. Currently have a Dodge Ram diesel 2500 pull vehicle.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Camp CA]

You are going to get a lot of opinions on this question..........all 3 fifth wheel trailers I have had have had (Everest for 10 years and 2 Montanas for 8 years) have been pretty comforable winter/summer, including winter camping in Lake Tahoe and summers in the hot California delta. Make sure it has 2 AC's, preferrably heat pumps, and a fireplace.

Suggest buying a 1 ton long bed DRW diesel for higher towing capacity margin and stability for long trips. That was the best purchase I ever made after 15 years for towing fifth wheel trailers with a 3/4 ton short bed SRW truck.

[Toby Dog]

There is no need for a dually until weights are known. Depending on the year of your 2500 there are many 5er choices out there.
In 2010 Ram got a new frame that can handle a lot of 5ers.
If the Ram is your daily driver the hips will get to be a everyday PITA.
I'm a dually owner only because it fits my 5er weights and I don't use it except as a tow vehicle and runs to the dump.

[JIMNLIN]

A 2500 Ram Diesel ??
Pulling a big TT/5th wheel rv trailer or any trailer within your Ram tow ratings is no problem.
With no specs given on your truck we can only guess how much weight it can carry but it will go something like this.
2500 Rams over the years has had 6000-6200-6500 rawr depending on year and models.
Your drivers side door sticker has the trucks rawr numbers.

Drop by a set of CAT scales and weigh front and rear axles separately with special attention to the trucks rear axle as its gonna' be carrying all the hitch weight...other stuff in the bed and weight of the hitch itself.
Simply subtract that number from your Ram rawr number and that will be your working in the bed payload.
Generally depending on year models and 2wd vs 4wd 2500 rams can have up to 3200-3400 lbs .

A 5th wheel trailer with a 13xxx gvwr may have a hitch weight in the 2800-3000 lb range.
I would stay under 12k-13k gvwr 5th wheel trailer.

A large TT will be no problem with hitch loads for many 2500 Ram trucks.

[Randy VK]

Thanks very much for all the input.
The truck is a 2017 2500 diesel, I am scheduled in next week to get rear airbags put on also. The info Im finding on the truck is 18,000lbs towing and 4000lbs load.

[wrvond]

I researched our 5th wheel purchase for two years. While I'm not limited by my truck, my driveway is very steep and no camper (5er or TT) over 30ft. long can make the transition from street to driveway without getting hung up.
While you may not have the same access problem I do, your truck size will be a limiting factor.
Ultimately, I determined that for the price the Cougar half ton towables offer the best bang for the buck. There are several floor plans to choose from but since you plan to (essentially) full time, I'd go with opposing slides in the living area for sure.
Good luck!

[JIMNLIN]

Originally Posted by Randy VK

Thanks very much for all the input.
The truck is a 2017 2500 diesel, I am scheduled in next week to get rear airbags put on also. The info Im finding on the truck is 18,000lbs towing and 4000lbs load.

There are no 250/2500 LDT (Ram/GM/Ford) that can carry 4000 lb load in the bed. They don't have enough OEM spring capacity.

Any size LDT actual payloads will come from a trucks actual scaled weights....not a brochure advertisement.

Stick with a 12k-13k 5th wheel rv trailer.

Ram may give a 18k lb tow rating for a specific 2500 truck ,,,but that tow rating is for all types of trailers.
I have a 16k triaxle GN stock trailer that I can pull with my 2500 Dodge/Cummins.
Stock trailers and flatbed trailers can be loaded to maintain any amount of hitch weight needed . We can't do that with rv trailers.

Get those front and rear axle weighed. Then find your trucks rawr number on the drivers side door post and do the math. You sure don't want to overload tires/wheels/suspensions.

[Johneb]

Triple E in Canada made some very good 4 season 5th wheels. We know, we have a 2007 340rl xl. Been in it down to about 15 degrees and was very comfortable. The furnaces didn’t run all the time. Have lived in it up to 3 months at a time and we still loved each other when we got home. Highly recommend.

[Johneb]

Whatever you get take it to a semi trailer shop and have the axles aligned. Them make sure your tires are balanced. Saves wear and tear on your tires and helps with fuel mileage,though usually not much.