Tow Vehicle Opinions

[GetGone]

Hello everyone. This is our first post here. We are in the process of trading our 2018 Wildwood Heritage Glenn BAR337 5th wheel on a 2023 Montana 3793RD. The Montana about 4000 +- heavier than the Heritage Glenn which we towed with a 2005 Ford F350 Power Stroke Diesel Dually. This truck had absolutely no pulling issues with the H.G.. We are going to buy a new tow vehicle to replace our 2005 truck. If y'all don't mind I'd like to hear opinions on what different folks think is the best truck and set up to efficiently handle the new Montana 3793RD. We're not really loyal to any brand, though we are leaning towards Ford or Dodge. We truly appreciate the feedback.

[77Travco]

F150 Ecoboost... Throw on some airbags and you'll be fine.

[Dave Pelletier]

I'd chose a 1 ton diesel dually for that trailer; my 2022 F350 CC 4x4 6.7 PSD could easily handle it and has a 176" WB and a 5,500 lb payload. I have 3.55's but may consider 4.10's if I was towing heavy, often.

There is a good argument for an F450 just due to the larger brakes, commercial tires and better turning radius (due to the wide track front end). ....only downsides are when you're not towing, the 19.5" commercial tires can be a bit rough and the F-450 is only available with 4.30's. Great choice for towing though.

A Ram HO CTD/Aisin dually would also be a good choice IMO. If you are thinking of a SRW, I wouldn't at 16,600 GVWR and a modest 5er payload. loaded pin weight is likely in the 3,650 lb + range.

Happy shopping,

Dave

[tuffr2]

Are you thinking brand new? If so, any new dually truck will pull that big 5th wheel with ease and comfort. Even used, 2017 or newer would work just as good.

The brand new trucks have all the luxury features that the luxury cars have. Heated and ventilated seats, big screens and very nice interiors. They have a lot of safety features too. The power out of the new diesel engines is amazing for the RV crowd. Only extreme hot shot users can bog the trucks down.

Ram - nice interiors. Engine redesigned in 2019. Cummins engine. Best exhaust brake.

Ford - my favorite, interiors redone in 2020 and the diesel engine is the more powerful. New frame in 2017. Aluminum body 2017.

GM - redesigned in 2019. Engine upped power this year. GM upped the trucks capacity and made their trucks competitive with Ram and Ford. Example the hitch supplied at the factory is better than Ford 250 vs GM 2500. The factory hitch on the F-350 I believe is a 3" receiver. Not the old standard 2.5".

The wild card in the mix now is the Ford 7.3 Godzilla gas engine. None of the complex diesel pollution equipment, no DEF and decent pulling power.

A tough choice if I was picking a dually with the 6.7 power stroke or a dually with the 7.3 Godzilla. I would probably pick a 5th wheel that fits the 7.3 Godzilla and try to simplify maintenance and ownership.

I had a 2012 F-450 King Ranch for 6.5 trouble free years. I liked that truck but sold the 5th wheel so I also sold that truck. It had 400HP 800Ft.lbs torque with 4:30 gears made towing a non event.

If looking for used trucks use Google to find out about them. I had a generation 1 6.7 Ford diesel but in 2015 for example they made the generation 2 6.7 diesel which improved weak areas of the generation 1 engine and upped power.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Are you thinking brand new? If so, any new dually truck will pull that big 5th wheel with ease and comfort. Even used, 2017 or newer would work just as good.

The brand new trucks have all the luxury features that the luxury cars have. Heated and ventilated seats, big screens and very nice interiors. They have a lot of safety features too. The power out of the new diesel engines is amazing for the RV crowd. Only extreme hot shot users can bog the trucks down.

Ram - nice interiors. Engine redesigned in 2019. Cummins engine. Best exhaust brake.

Ford - my favorite, interiors redone in 2020 and the diesel engine is the more powerful. New frame in 2017. Aluminum body 2017.

GM - redesigned in 2019. Engine upped power this year. GM upped the trucks capacity and made their trucks competitive with Ram and Ford. Example the hitch supplied at the factory is better than Ford 250 vs GM 2500. The factory hitch on the F-350 I believe is a 3" receiver. Not the old standard 2.5".

The wild card in the mix now is the Ford 7.3 Godzilla gas engine. None of the complex diesel pollution equipment, no DEF and decent pulling power.

A tough choice if I was picking a dually with the 6.7 power stroke or a dually with the 7.3 Godzilla. I would probably pick a 5th wheel that fits the 7.3 Godzilla and try to simplify maintenance and ownership.

I had a 2012 F-450 King Ranch for 6.5 trouble free years. I liked that truck but sold the 5th wheel so I also sold that truck. It had 400HP 800Ft.lbs torque with 4:30 gears made towing a non event.

If looking for used trucks use Google to find out about them. I had a generation 1 6.7 Ford diesel but in 2015 for example they made the generation 2 6.7 diesel which improved weak areas of the generation 1 engine and upped power.

Good post. A couple minor comments;

- 2020+ Super Duties or the new GM's get you the 10spd tranny which offers superior towing performance compared to earlier models.

- the 3" hitch is now (2023) only available on the F350 DRW with 4.10's gears or the F450....but the OP has a 5er, so it's kinda moot.

Dave

[MADP4301]

You’re already used to a dually so just test drive all three back to back in dually spec and see which one you like best and of course the cost! That might be the hardest part to drive all three in trim levels you want. Inventory is better but still limited in dually.

I have a 2020 GM dually because I got employee pricing from family. No discount it would be a toss between all three. I do like the 10 speed. Ram will have an 8 speed but not until next model year.

I’m not brand loyal, more of a marketing persons nightmare. I also own a Dodge, Toyota and have had many German cars. I actually like switching it up!

Have fun shopping and you don’t have to worry about towing capacity sticking with any of the 1 ton dually’s….

[Isaac-1]

If you consider an F450 or other heavier pickup truck shop insurance before you buy as some states require all such trucks to be treated as commercial trucks, with commercial insurance rates. I know someone that traded from an F350 to an F450 only to see their insurance rates go up more than 4 fold.

[77Travco]

On a serious note...
All the brands are pretty good these days. I would check out the dealer service departments near where I live. I personally switched brands due to excellent customer service that I received just 2 miles from where I live.

[JIMNLIN]

a Montana 3793 RD show to be around 16500-17000 gvwr.

I'm not into large rv trailers but I do pull non rv trailers up to 21000 lbs. I wouldn't pass up a good deal on a GM/Ram or even a Ford 350/3500 drw.
Their all good LDTs for that size trailer.

[tuffr2]

That is too heavy for the 7.3 Godzilla IMHO. Easy work for the newer diesels.

[mto502]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

That is too heavy for the 7.3 Godzilla IMHO. Easy work for the newer diesels.

The 7.3 dually is rated to approx. 21k. There are a few folks on the Ford board hauling 16-18k 5th wheels and they seem to like the tow, but I hear you. It seems like a lot. I know 14k is no problem so a couple of thousand more would be fine I'm sure.

[Dave Pelletier]

Originally Posted by mto502

The 7.3 dually is rated to approx. 21k. There are a few folks on the Ford board hauling 16-18k 5th wheels and they seem to like the tow, but I hear you. It seems like a lot. I know 14k is no problem so a couple of thousand more would be fine I'm sure.

Wheelbase and DRW's are safety and stability items, Diesel vs. Gas isn't; it's just about comfort and performance (well, other than the exhaust brake). I'm a fan of the 7.3 and currently have one on order to add to the fleet.....at some point, the PSD is a better choice and that point may be different for everyone. For me, I think the 7.3 is the better choice for loads under 10,000 lbs though it can certainly tow/haul more. I'd definitely get the diesel for regular towing above 14,000 lbs or so....in between, I see good arguments both ways.

2 cents,
Dave

[tuffr2]

The 7.3 Godzilla engine in a dually would be a better balanced machine. Instead of the diesel engine putting 5,000lbs on the front axle and 4,000,lbs on the rear axle I think the gas engine would be better balanced.

I am thinking the 7.3 gas engine would put 4,200lbs on the front axle and 3,800lbs on the rear axle.

It would be interesting to see how close I am. I am thinking the gas dually would be 1,000 lbs. lighter than the diesel dually.

My diesel dually wore out front tires fast.

[Gr8bawana]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

The 7.3 Godzilla engine in a dually would be a better balanced machine. Instead of the diesel engine putting 5,000lbs on the front axle and 4,000,lbs on the rear axle I think the gas engine would be better balanced.

I am thinking the 7.3 gas engine would put 4,200lbs on the front axle and 3,800lbs on the rear axle.

It would be interesting to see how close I am. I am thinking the gas dually would be 1,000 lbs. lighter than the diesel dually.

My diesel dually wore out front tires fast.

There is absolutely no comparison between a gas engine and a diesel engine for towing heavy.