new 5th wheel

[DamonCamper]

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

The 5th wheel you are looking at is really in one ton SRW territory.

Not sure we looked at the same 5er but the 290RLS that I researched grossed out right at 12,000lbs. A 3/4 ton will pull that pretty easy with the heavy tow package.

I have an Jayco Eagle 319MLOK that GVWRT is 13,000lbs and pull it with a Ford F250 Diesel SRW with heavy tow package and have absolutely no problems pulling.
At 65 it just purrs along at 1600RPM at 11 MPG. I;m very happy with both truck and 5er.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by DamonCamper

Not sure we looked at the same 5er but the 290RLS that I researched grossed out right at 12,000lbs. A 3/4 ton will pull that pretty easy with the heavy tow package.

I have an Jayco Eagle 319MLOK that GVWRT is 13,000lbs and pull it with a Ford F250 Diesel SRW with heavy tow package and have absolutely no problems pulling.
At 65 it just purrs along at 1600RPM at 11 MPG. I;m very happy with both truck and 5er.

I was at a campground next to a guy with a 40 ft triple axle toy hauler. He had a new F250 SB oil burner to pull it, so I asked him about the combo. He said the same thing, no problems pulling. Not one mention of weights.

[High Road Travelers]

And isn’t weight the main issue? Am I right in thinking that the 250 and 350 have the same motor and transmission? But not the same suspension, axles, etc.

[MFL]

Originally Posted by DamonCamper

Not sure we looked at the same 5er but the 290RLS that I researched grossed out right at 12,000lbs. A 3/4 ton will pull that pretty easy with the heavy tow package.

I have an Jayco Eagle 319MLOK that GVWRT is 13,000lbs and pull it with a Ford F250 Diesel SRW with heavy tow package and have absolutely no problems pulling.
At 65 it just purrs along at 1600RPM at 11 MPG. I;m very happy with both truck and 5er.

Agree; a Ford F250 diesel could pull, or carry the pin of a 12K GVWR FW easily. A gross wt FW at 13K should still be under the RAWR, and easily be towed by the Ford diesel.

[MFL]

Originally Posted by DamonCamper

Not sure we looked at the same 5er but the 290RLS that I researched grossed out right at 12,000lbs. A 3/4 ton will pull that pretty easy with the heavy tow package.

I have an Jayco Eagle 319MLOK that GVWRT is 13,000lbs and pull it with a Ford F250 Diesel SRW with heavy tow package and have absolutely no problems pulling.
At 65 it just purrs along at 1600RPM at 11 MPG. I;m very happy with both truck and 5er.

Originally Posted by corn18

I was at a campground next to a guy with a 40 ft triple axle toy hauler. He had a new F250 SB oil burner to pull it, so I asked him about the combo. He said the same thing, no problems pulling. Not one mention of weights.

It would be interesting to know the actual pin wt of that loaded toy hauler? I know the triple axle would help to lower the pin wt. Not sure if enough to stay within rear axle/tire ratings? Pulling....no problem!

[Old-Biscuit]

Big difference between 'pulling' and 'carrying'

Pulling is done by engine/tranny/diff

Carrying is done by the trucks rear axle/tires

5th wheel......carrying IS the deciding factor
Wet Pin Weight being carried by RAWR/Tire Load ratings

[m1arifle]

I dpn't have the diesel motor in my 2021 F250 I have the big 7.3 Godzilla gas motor. I am sure that it will handle the weight, I just want to stay under a certain amount as a personal preference. That gives me some leeway also, as to what I look at.

[DamonCamper]

Originally Posted by High Road Travelers

And isn’t weight the main issue? Am I right in thinking that the 250 and 350 have the same motor and transmission? But not the same suspension, axles, etc.

Yes you are to a point. While researching to buy my truck I found out some little nuances that can make a difference.
You correct in saying that the 250/350 have the same motor. There is an option out that you can get the bigger engine. Not sure of all the specs but it has right around 500 HP compared to the smaller 6.7L diesel. You can tell the difference that the larger engine has red in the logo on the side that says
Power Stroke.
I also found out that in some states a 350 is considered a commerial vehicle and is cost to register and and the tax is higher.
Now My 250 has the same engine as a 350, has the same rear axle, 3.55.
The slight difference was the fill point on the 250 is at the top of the differential while the 350 axle has the fill point the side. The 250 has 3 springs with an overload spring and the 350 has 4 springs and an overload.
I have 2740lb carrying capacity. Not real sure what the 350 has, can't remember but it is close. I have the 5th wheel towing kit and heavy duty towing capacity, 30,000lbs. After weighting the truck, the weight was front axle 4740, rear axle 3420 gross 8160. After hooking up the 5er it weight in at Front 4700, rear 5900, 5er 9660 gross 20260. So I am just under the 2740 cargo weight.
The engine has 475HP and 1025lbs of torque and when pulling 65mph, it sits at 1600 RPM at 11mpg.
A little bigger 5er would required a 350 or DRW for sure but for something less than 13000lbs is working for me. Might have a problem if I installed the washer and dryer in the forward closet. That weight would for sure put me over the cargo weight but then again, I know there is a fudge factor built in but have no idea what that is.

Happy Camping!!!~

[MFL]

Originally Posted by DamonCamper

Yes you are to a point. While researching to buy my truck I found out some little nuances that can make a difference.
You correct in saying that the 250/350 have the same motor. There is an option out that you can get the bigger engine. Not sure of all the specs but it has right around 500 HP compared to the smaller 6.7L diesel. You can tell the difference that the larger engine has red in the logo on the side that says
Power Stroke.
I also found out that in some states a 350 is considered a commerial vehicle and is cost to register and and the tax is higher.
Now My 250 has the same engine as a 350, has the same rear axle, 3.55.
The slight difference was the fill point on the 250 is at the top of the differential while the 350 axle has the fill point the side. The 250 has 3 springs with an overload spring and the 350 has 4 springs and an overload.
I have 2740lb carrying capacity. Not real sure what the 350 has, can't remember but it is close. I have the 5th wheel towing kit and heavy duty towing capacity, 30,000lbs. After weighting the truck, the weight was front axle 4740, rear axle 3420 gross 8160. After hooking up the 5er it weight in at Front 4700, rear 5900, 5er 9660 gross 20260. So I am just under the 2740 cargo weight.
The engine has 475HP and 1025lbs of torque and when pulling 65mph, it sits at 1600 RPM at 11mpg.
A little bigger 5er would required a 350 or DRW for sure but for something less than 13000lbs is working for me. Might have a problem if I installed the washer and dryer in the forward closet. That weight would for sure put me over the cargo weight but then again, I know there is a fudge factor built in but have no idea what that is.

Happy Camping!!!~

Your weights listed show all FW pin wt being put on the R/A. Your cargo capacity/payload is figured from using a class 2 GVWR, used for registration, and insurance, so not true limit. You still have some room on the rear axle. Yes, an F350 SRW can be considered commercial, due to class 3 GVWR, with some restrictions in certain areas, and higher registration/insurance costs are likely too. The real difference between 250/350 is RAWR, which is usually due to the rear spring pack difference you mentioned.

If your tires/wheels are same (likely both being diesel) 250/350, then adding the additional spring, or air bags, makes actual capacity close to same. A 350 DRW is the next BIG step up.

You have a nice rig, with some room to spare!

[corn18]

This is the weight sticker on the 2020 Ford F350 Platinum LB SRW 4x4 6.7L I was going to buy until my wife put the kabash on it. Slightly more than an F250.

[JackinDixie]

We downsized from a 2016 Keystone High Country 333MKS to a 2021 Keystone Cougar 29RKS in 2021. It's just the wife and I. We are retired, part-time RVers, but may become full-timers 4-5 month each year to escape the North Central Florida summer HEAT/HUMIDITY. The only thing she misses is the washer/dryer we had in the 333MKS. (NOTE: I plan to add a W/D hookup in the living room area behind the bathroom wall and will be an easy location to install an Equator W/D stackable unit. Access to water, power, and outer wall to vent the dryer out the left-side FIXED wall will be a breeze (pun intended...). Happy wife... happy life!

The ease of towing the shorter RV and WEIGHT is the reason I chose to downsize and I used to drive a 53-FT tractor/trailer for kicks. Our 2021 RAM 3500 4x4, CC, LB, DRW w/Cummins TD is more than capable to tow the 29RKS and as the other commenter posted, the 29RKS hasn't kept us out of any state, federal or private campgrounds to date. This is our 4th (and final...) RV, I hope!

Good luck.

[Triangle Drifter]

Our late 07 Alpenlite 34 is very much a little condo for 2. Since it was bought for just us the attitude is that any visitors will simply have to adapt.

Sure the sofa folds out but it is not very comfortable. It is a sofa, not a bed. The few visitors over the years have survived with it.

Put yourselves first. Get what suits you for the majority of the time.

[Hitched4fun]

I recommend reviewing where you have camped during the last year or two and where you want to camp in the future. The big fifth wheels are great for company, but not so great if you like to frequent NP campsites. We have often had a challenge finding spaces long enough for our 39'.

Aaron

[m1arifle]

I want to thank everyone for all the great information. Helen and I ended up buying a used 2020 Grand Design 303RLS from a General RV dealer. They ended up giving me a great price for my 2023 trade-in, so it was pretty hard to pass up this deal and my wife really liked the 5th wheel. It was a little more than I wanted to spend, but the 5th wheel barely looks like it's been used. When we saw it, they had just gotten it into the dealership, and it hadn't even been cleaned yet. It appears to me all they did was sleep in it.