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01-07-2018, 10:09 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
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Newbie needs help with path forward
Hi folks,
I own no truck or RV. I,m ready to retire, 62 with a wife and 7 year old. Tent camping my entire life and ready to move up?
I’ve been researching both tow vehicles, trailers and 5th wheels. It gets complicated. Wish to be informed, know I’ll make mistakes, OK with mistakes, but beg the help of experience and bet I’ll find it here.
More than likely moving to Mexico in the next 6 months. Goal is to travel North America  May need to live in RV for perhaps 6 months in Mexico because we may not like it.
My research has narrowed my options to either a Ford F-150 EcoDiesel or a Ram 1500 diesel. After a full day in an RV show we liked 2 models. A Lance 2185 and. Artic Wolf 265 5th wheel. 2 very different directions I know so that’s why I’m here. Am I crazy?
I have no fear or issues confidently driving anything, but need something friendly for my wife who would not be towing.
Thanks for your help 
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01-07-2018, 10:33 PM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 14
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You don't really know what you want. My advice? Buy used. I'd look in SoCal, Palm Desert area for a Snowbird owned set up. They commonly are sold as a pair when one of the partners passes. CraigsList is a good place to start your search.
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01-08-2018, 12:20 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Horse Town USA, CA.
Posts: 3,781
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Never ever believe a salesmen that the truck will tow your 5th wheel. You need to educate yourself on calculating the real not published towing capacities and the real life hitch and weight of trailer. Trucks are always over stated trailers are under stated. Do a search above in the search box for calculating 5th wheel towing capacities. Here is a link to a good site about towing.
RV Safety|RV Towing Calculator|Tow Ratings|GCWR
__________________
1999 35 ft. Dolphin 5350, F53, Banks System, 5 Stars Tune, Air Lift Air Bags, Koni Shocks, Blue OX TruCenter, TigerTrak track bars F&R, Roadmaster 1-3/4" rear auxiliary sway bar, 2004 F450 Lariat Pickup 6.0 Diesel Crew Cab DRW, 4X4, GVWR 15,000, Front GAWR 6,000, Rear GAWR 11,000, GCWR 26,000,1994 36ft Avion 5er, GVWR 13,700, 2,740 Pin Weight.
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01-08-2018, 01:36 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 250
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Newbie Help
I think you need a bigger truck for either of the trailers you mentioned, The Cummins diesel in the Dodge is a great engine but the 1500 is too light to tow a 6000 to 10000 lb trailer, I would use a F250HD or a 2500HD dodge at the very least, you might even consider a F350 or 3500 series Dodge, check the towing capacities of the truck before you purchase and give yourself a little extra room for safety sake. Good luck and Happy camping.
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Bill And Jeanne Anglin, Wasilla, Alaska.
1999 Dutch Star 3884, Freightliner, Cat 300, Jeep Liberty Toad.
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01-08-2018, 07:51 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Central Vermont
Posts: 1,485
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If you get a Super Duty F250/350, consider gasoline instead of diesel as Mexico does not have the ultra low sulphur diesel required and would ruin the emission system quickly.
The RAM you mentioned is out of the question 2017 Half-ton Truck Tow Rating Reviews
The F150 might be doable if you order with the HD Payload Package, but you would have to make compromises. I strongly advise a Super Duty gas engine.
I just reviewed your original post and, once again, Mexican low sulphur diesel will ruin the emissions system (probably dead on the road) fairly quickly. You need a gas engine for Mexico.
I looked up your RV choices and saw a 6000 GVWR travel trailer and a 11500 fiver. A half-ton will pull the TT, but only the 3.5L Ecoboost F150 could marginally pull the fiver. Once again, get a gas Super Duty.
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2015 F350 XLT PSD CCSB SRW, Andersen Ultimate hitch
'12 Cougar High Country 299RKS, Mor/Ryde Pinbox
1/77 Armor Bn, 5th Mech, I Corps
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01-08-2018, 08:04 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Itinerant
Posts: 755
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What SkiSmuggs said x2.
Forget about the 1/2 ton trucks (150/ 1500). 3/4 ton (250/ 2500) would be a little better.
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2010 Cameo F34CK3, 500ah GBS LFP, 1280w solar, Magnum PT100 SCC & 3012 hybrid inverter/ charger, Installed 4/2016 been on 24/7/365, daily 35-45% DOD 2,656+ partial cycles.
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01-09-2018, 01:00 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Roseville, CA
Posts: 598
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My advice would be to rent something first and see which one you'd like and take an RV driving course! Don't bother with a half-ton trying to tow a fifth wheel.
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Jim & Linda Kelly
2017 Landmark 365 Newport
2015 F-350 DRW 2WD 14k GVWR, 5660 payload
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01-13-2018, 03:31 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bismarck, ND
Posts: 43
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Since you currently have neither the 5th wheel or the truck, I would strongly encourage you to locate and select your 5th wheel FIRST, and then go truck shopping.
You need to pay particular attention to the RV's loaded max weight, and the loaded pin (hitch) weight. This is where guys get into trouble when under buying trucks. Make sure your truck is rated for more than your max possible pin weight on your chosen 5th wheel.
And NEVER listen to the salesman, who will almost always tell you your truck will "pull anything on the lot". All they want to do is sell an RV.
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2012 F-250 SC 6.2L, 3.73, 4x4 Longbed w/ Firestone airbags, and B&W Turnover Ball Hitch w/ 5th Wheel Companion Hitch. Pulling 34' 2016 Grand Design Reflections 318 RST.
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01-13-2018, 03:36 PM
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#9
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Senior Member/RVM #90
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Columbus, MS
Posts: 54,771
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Hi !  Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang! 
The good folks here in this forum will help you I'm sure. I just wanted to say hello!
Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!  
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Joe & Annette
Sometimes I sits and thinks, sometimes I just sits.....
2002 Monaco Windsor 40PBT, 2013 Honda CRV AWD
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01-13-2018, 03:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 14,891
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More truck than necessary will make your life a whole lot more pleasurable and safer while towing.
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Gordon and Janet
Tour 42QD/InTech Stacker
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