Community Forums

LikinBikin · 06-08-2022, 08:08 PM

at the risk of opening a BIG can o' worms ...
Just purchased our retirement home - a 38' Alliance Paradigm 340RL (38', 16,500 lbs). Other than this opp came up and we just jumped at it, we had no pref of truck 1st vs camper. Now, we are in search of a tow vehicle. (And maybe a hitch. Generator. Solar components. Washer & dryer. Places to stay.) Want to stay w SRW, as it will be our only ride, and the wide hips on the dually can be an issue. (I know, I was raised on a farm and have some knowledge of driving the old 3500 around town! )
Found a few Rams, Fords suitable for the task; less so Chev/GMCs.

Our intro to camping was a 21FBS Starcraft getting yanked around by a 2017 Ford Expedition. Almost 3 years with the combo and part-timing it, we want to give full-time RVing a go.

So - what say you?

RVNewbie55 · 06-08-2022, 08:18 PM

This will be interesting

Old-Biscuit · 06-08-2022, 08:53 PM

350/3500 DRW Diesel

Your Brand/Flavor...you to you

16,500 GVWR is pushing the Limits of SRW
*I tow at max with an SRW but one needs to know where the limits are

You have the 5th wheel....now get the right tool for towing it --- DRW

Wide hips........no wider then the mirrors

Nwcid · 06-08-2022, 08:56 PM

Any late model DRW truck. It is not just about capacity, but also stability.

Been daily driving one for over a decade.

JDT · 06-08-2022, 09:12 PM

I looked for a 340RL a couple of years ago when were shopping. Couldn't find one close enough to go see but I had included it on my list of possibilities. You need to account for things like a generator and washer/dryer which will add quite a bit to the hitch weight. My Pinnacle's listed hitch weight was less than 2500 pounds but adding a Splendide washer/dryer and loading it up for a month long trip increased it to 3120. I'm only familiar with Ford but I do know a short bed diesel would not work for me as most of the payload capacities I saw was in the 3200 to 3300 range. My long bed has 4054 and works great with my fifth wheel. I would think something in the 4K payload range would work for you.

Most will say dual. I've had 2 and never want another one, to each their own. As far as handling and stability I can't tell the difference between our previous F350 dually towing a heavier Excel. In fact, I think this combo has much better road manners.

Zulu Kono · 06-09-2022, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikinBikin

at the risk of opening a BIG can o' worms ...
Just purchased our retirement home - a 38' Alliance Paradigm 340RL (38', 16,500 lbs). Other than this opp came up and we just jumped at it, we had no pref of truck 1st vs camper. Now, we are in search of a tow vehicle. (And maybe a hitch. Generator. Solar components. Washer & dryer. Places to stay.) Want to stay w SRW, as it will be our only ride, and the wide hips on the dually can be an issue. (I know, I was raised on a farm and have some knowledge of driving the old 3500 around town! )
Found a few Rams, Fords suitable for the task; less so Chev/GMCs.

Our intro to camping was a 21FBS Starcraft getting yanked around by a 2017 Ford Expedition. Almost 3 years with the combo and part-timing it, we want to give full-time RVing a go.

So - what say you?

Cummins Dodge.

PulNSerenity · 06-09-2022, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikinBikin

at the risk of opening a BIG can o' worms ...
Just purchased our retirement home - a 38' Alliance Paradigm 340RL (38', 16,500 lbs). Other than this opp came up and we just jumped at it, we had no pref of truck 1st vs camper. Now, we are in search of a tow vehicle. (And maybe a hitch. Generator. Solar components. Washer & dryer. Places to stay.) Want to stay w SRW, as it will be our only ride, and the wide hips on the dually can be an issue. (I know, I was raised on a farm and have some knowledge of driving the old 3500 around town! )
Found a few Rams, Fords suitable for the task; less so Chev/GMCs.

Our intro to camping was a 21FBS Starcraft getting yanked around by a 2017 Ford Expedition. Almost 3 years with the combo and part-timing it, we want to give full-time RVing a go.

So - what say you?

Wow that seems heavy for a 38' 5ver. I have a 37'10" Montana (basically same size) & it's gross is 13,885. Is that 16,500 dry weight or gross. I am thinking the latter. With all of the goodies you are wanting to add, you will get to that number in a hurry! I would definitely go 3500 diesel. Any of the big 3 will work. They are all pretty nice trucks right now. I am with you on the dually, but man, that would really be pushing it for a srw that will be full timing. From what I have experienced & noticed on the road GM & Ram seem to carry the weight better. Seen too many Fords get the squats when they get any kind of weight in them. Good luck & enjoy your new home!

dieselfixer · 06-09-2022, 08:43 AM

2nd Dodge w Cummins 6.7HO

**Camp CA** · 06-09-2022, 08:51 AM

My 41 ft trailer has a 16,600 lb GVWR, similar to yours, and tow it with a Ford F350 Crew Cab long bed DRW diesel. As others indicated, a DWR offers a very stable tow. In addition, your Alliance Paradigm 340RL washer / dryer will be clocated in the cab (vs. mid-trailer like mine) so you will be adding extra pin weight to the truck hitch so a DRW will be desireable.

Bill Nourse · 06-09-2022, 10:33 AM

I tow a 38' toy hauler at about 16,000 with a 2022 SRW, CC, Standard Bed Duramax. Useful load is listed at 3927 and I use an Andersen hitch to conserve weight. My rear axle empty weighs 3450 and the rear axle rating is 7500. I have plenty of power, the truck feels very stable and I have no problems stopping.

Jerry Burks · 06-09-2022, 02:04 PM

My Alliance 310RL (15kGVWR) and F350 Lariat SRW diesel is absolutely maxed out in terms of truck GVRW, RAWR, Cargo Capacity and trailer GVWR when loaded for traveling (half fresh water tank). Only the trailer axle ratings have a little room left. I did add helper spring spacers and sumo springs to the truck as well as higher rated tires. The auto-slider hitch is a bit heavy, though but worthwhile.

Only additions to the trailer are the Onan 5500 generator, 400W solar panels and slide toppers. Pin weight is 3080 lbs. Installed disk brakes recently. With washer/dryer etc. it would be way above limits.

That said, it tows absolutely fabulously. Very stable in wind and on rough roads.
But your bigger trailer with other additions, I would say DRW as well.

CecilD · 06-09-2022, 08:08 PM

Depends on how you are going to use the trailer. Park it once and stay in it - SRW. Tote it around the country - dually.

The periodic downside of wide hips is more than offset by towing stability and comfort. I have a friend with the 310RL, he tows it with the latest generation GMC 3500 SRW and he likes the truck's performance. The extra 1,500# of weight rating might put you over the numbers assuming you load it heavy.

Nice new trailer with nice new truck; do yourself a favor from the outset and protect both with an air hitch.

Nlambert · 06-10-2022, 05:12 AM

Unfortunately, you're in DRW territory with that weight. I wouldn't suggest towing with anything less than a 350/2500 DRW. I went from a 2500 to a 3500 DRW and really didn't notice the difference with driving other than squeezing into some otherwise tight spaces. Didn't take long to adapt.

TXiceman · 06-10-2022, 07:49 AM

That size 5er is into DRW diesel territory due to the loaded pin weight of the trailer. Your payload on the truck will consist of the loaded trailer pin weight (ignore the brochure weight) plus the hitch plus any cargo plus passengers beyond the driver.

We are on our 3rd DRW truck and have been full-time for over 9 years now with the DRW as our only transportation. The wife drives the truck with and without the trailer.

As for the wide hips, if the mirrors fit through, so will the hips. The biggest issue with the DRW is that in the crewcab and long bed, the turning radius stinks, and you have ot adjust to that.

Ken