Truck for Rarely towing 40ft 5th Wheel

[SlugWugg]

Lately, life keeps forcefully nudging me towards buying a pickup truck. I currently own a 2-seat sports car, but it's not exactly ideal for making a run to the lumber-store, much less towing a 5th wheel.

I currently have a 40ft 5th Wheel Toy Hauler RV (unsure weight? 11k empty maybe?). I would rarely be towing it, maybe 1-2x per year. It would be but it would be nice if I could move it occasionally, even if I'm avoiding rush-hour traffic and taking my time.

Otherwise, the 99% of the time truck would be used for relatively light purposes. Periodic driving around town, picking up lumber, occasionally pulling a small trailer, and that sort of thing. I probably wouldn't be beating up on it like a work-truck. I wouldn't be doing any intense off-roading either.

I'm more of a sports-car guy, and wouldn't be looking for the nicest truck on the block. I'll be shopping used markets, probably something around $12k, though my budget is very flexible. Ideally something that doesn't break down constantly or look like a complete rust-bucket. With that budget, I'd probably be shopping used models in the 2005 to 2014 year range.

Questions:

1) I generally see a F350 / 3500 is recommended. However, I've also seen plenty of people claim a F250 / 2500 can handle that just fine, even if it's not the ideal truck for towing that all the time. I also see about twice as many F250s available on used-markets, and I believe it gets better gas-mileage. Similar questions for the F450 / 4500.

2) For my situation, does gas vs diesel make much of a difference? Based on my research, diesel might be better if I was constantly towing (which I'm not).

3) Are there any packages/options I should look for? I think I've read the 250 might need "air bags"

4) How necessary is a DRW? It appears SRW gets better mileage and is fewer tires to replace. With SRW I apparently need to verify the tire is rated for the weight?

5) Is there anything else I should look for on a truck? I've never owned a pickup before, so far only sports cars, suvs, and regular passenger cars. I'm thinking I want back-seats (for groceries and occasional passengers).

6) Is there anything I should watch for with used trucks? I'm mildly competent, but not a car mechanic, and would probably take anything I buy to a mechanic in for a pre-purchase inspection.

[Old-Biscuit]

Smallest truck I would use to tow with regardless of how frequent would be a 350/3500 SRW and preferably diesel
*Bias as I have a 3500 SRW diesel that is not only my Tow vehicle but is also my DAILY driver and has been for 17 yrs (2007 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab Long Bed)

It's not a 2 seat sports car but is actually a pretty decent daily driver.........but I have always had a pickup truck or motorcycle as a daily driver for past 55 yrs



Biggest concern would be trucks rear axle rating as rear axle/tires CARRY the 'wet' pin of that 5th wheel

So what is the actual GVWR of that 40' 5th wheel?
20% (minimum) of that GVWR would be Wet Pin Rating
That additional weight has to be carried by trucks rear axle/tires

My 34' 5th wheel was 14K+ GVWR with an actual 3080# wet pin which put my old 3500 Rear axle right at it's RAWR
*Todays 350/3500 SRW have higher RAWR so that helps

[deserteagle5]

40 foot trailer that weighs 11k empty? That's dually specification, and with a diesel so as to have engine braking. Put a Jeep or whatever else in the toyhauler plus all you need to spend a weekend out and about and you'll easily push over 20k.

Widest part of any pickup is the mirrors so don't let the dually fenders intimidate you. No, you can't park in a compact car parking spot but most people very quickly adapt to driving a dually and don't mind it at all.

[SlugWugg]

350/3500

That definitely appears to be the simplest route.

Biggest concern would be trucks rear axle rating as rear axle/tires CARRY the 'wet' pin of that 5th wheel

What does "wet" mean here? I tried looking up the definition. Is that the weight on the front hitch of the trailer?

40 foot trailer that weighs 11k empty?

So what is the actual GVWR of that 40' 5th wheel?

I updated my post to clarify I don't know the actual weight. I've looked around for a sticker with that info, but can't find one. That's just an estimate based on looking up similar 5th wheels.

Widest part of any pickup is the mirrors so don't let the dually fenders intimidate you. No, you can't park in a compact car parking spot but most people very quickly adapt to driving a dually and don't mind it at all.

With my current daily-driver, I park at the edge of parking-lots anyway, so it doesn't get dinged up by car-doors and shopping carts.

My only reason for slightly leaning away from a dually is fuel-mileage. Though if I have another car for daily driving, fuel-mileage might not be too relevant.

preferably diesel

Personally, I don't have a bias either way. The piece of info I'm missing is why I'd want to potentially limit the used-market, and spend more on a diesel truck given my use case.

I've read various things, and see opinions going either way. It seems diesel is often more expensive, but almost always better for towing. If I'm almost never towing, it might not be a big deal.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by SlugWugg

That definitely appears to be the simplest route.



What does "wet" mean here? I tried looking up the definition. Is that the weight on the front hitch of the trailer?




I updated my post to clarify I don't know the actual weight. I've looked around for a sticker with that info, but can't find one. That's just an estimate based on looking up similar 5th wheels.



With my current daily-driver, I park at the edge of parking-lots anyway, so it doesn't get dinged up by car-doors and shopping carts.

My only reason for slightly leaning away from a dually is fuel-mileage. Though if I have another car for daily driving, fuel-mileage might not be too relevant.



Personally, I don't have a bias either way. The piece of info I'm missing is why I'd want to potentially limit the used-market, and spend more on a diesel truck given my use case.

I've read various things, and see opinions going either way. It seems diesel is often more expensive, but almost always better for towing. If I'm almost never towing, it might not be a big deal.

It would help if we knew exactly what you're trying to do. I'm guessing your current toy hauler is basically parked at an RV park 99% of the time? How far or where would you be moving it to? Sometimes, paying someone to move it 1 time per year is a LOT cheaper than buying, licensing and maintaining a truck, even used.

If this is a standard, commercially built RV the weight stickers would be somewhere on the inside.Look inside the medicine cabinet door, or the cabinet doors in the kitchen. Some also have a sticker in the entrance door door jamb. You should have a steel or aluminum plate tacked onto the 5th wheel pin arm, if it's original.

GVWR means Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is the maximum weight the trailer should be at, fully loaded. Use that number for evaluating the truck needed. IMO, something that size NEEDS a 350/3500 dually to be safe and legal.

If you meant moving it around at a campground, best off paying them to do it for you.

[SlugWugg]

It would help if we knew exactly what you're trying to do.

True. To be blunt, I have a bad case of indecisiveness right now, and am trying to "cure" that by better understand my options.

The short story is I basically need a pickup truck. But if I get a pickup trick, it would also be very convenient (but not required) if I could move a large 5th wheel occasionally. Potentially around my property, or potentially a up to 300 miles once per year.

1) Since I'm fairly set on getting a pickup, the next question is whether it's worth going the extra mile to get one that is capable of towing a 5th wheel. Or whether the few times I need to do that, I should just hire someone (as you noted). There's also the driver's license class (I think I'm fine in Texas, under 26k, but need to do more research)

2) Once I'm somewhat decided on the above, my next step is deciding whether to sell the sports car, and get a nicer truck instead that might work as a daily driver. But that's probably outside the scope of this thread.

If this is a standard, commercially built RV the weight stickers would be somewhere on the inside.Look inside the medicine cabinet door, or the cabinet doors in the kitchen. Some also have a sticker in the entrance door door jamb. You should have a steel or aluminum plate tacked onto the 5th wheel pin arm, if it's original.

I've checked every cabinet and door jamb, and just checked again. It's possible it's hiding behind my stuff in a cabinet somewhere. I just checked the 5th wheel tongue inside and out just now and found nothing. The only sticker I've ever found is in the garage, which says "max 2000 lbs" for just the cargo area.

[Old-Biscuit]

Post the YEAR, BRAND, MODEL of that 5th wheel and the specs can be found

WET pin weight...that is the weight of 5th wheel that gets placed on the hitch in truck bed and is carried by the trucks rear axle
WET is a 'camp ready' weight --- 5th wheel loaded up for travel/camping

[Sam 3]

We own a gas F250. When we built a Gazebo the lumber was 16ft. We rented a Penske truck from Home Depot. Well worth the cost.

[SlugWugg]

I can't find the model, I'll have to go dig through my papers later and find what's on the title. I'll have to get back with you on that (the papers are somewhat buried at the moment).



I have definitely considered rental-trucks, for the times I do need to go get lumber or other items. It's certainly a possibility. Just the insurance cost for another vehicle might be enough to cover the cost of numerous truck rentals.

Another potential use for a pickup truck soon, is I've started looking into buying undeveloped land. Clearing out trees, bringing in building materials, etc could mean I might eventually need a truck on a somewhat regular basis.

[George Schweikle]

But, the issue is within the scope of the end result of your changes. Maybe take a page from other recommendations about renting to experience a different type RV, but rent a big pickup truck to see if it will replace your sports car as a daily driver.

My daily drivers are an Alfa Romeo Spider and VW Golf GTI and I know replacing either of these with a big truck would absolutely never work for me but I'm not you and a truck might be your best answer

Originally Posted by SlugWugg

... Once I'm somewhat decided on the above, my next step is deciding whether to sell the sports car, and get a nicer truck instead that might work as a daily driver. But that's probably outside the scope of this thread......

[Camp CA]

Welcome to the forum!!

Great questions and good responses above. I will add:

1) F350 / 3500, F250 / 2500 or F450 / 4500. [I]Look for the trailer GVWR on the nameplate on the driver side OR contact the manufacturer customer service with you VIN for the GVWR then you can confirm whether you need a 350/3500 or 250/2500. Be sure to confirm the tow vehicle payload and towing capacity based on its specifications. [I]

2) Gas vs diesel. Depends on a lot of factors, including initial cost (diesel cost more), fuel economy (diesel has higher mpg), need for an exhaust brake (diesel), etc.

3) Packages/options Only necessary if you want to mitigate rear squat from the pin weight of the 5th wheel trailer and in that case consider TorkLift StableLoad, Timbren bump stop and air bags. I did not have any suspension on my F250 towing up to ~13,000 lbs while I used the Torkift and currently using air bags towing > 15,000 lbs.

4) DRW? You do not necessarily need a DRW truck to tow a fifth wheel. However, a DRW will be more stable, reduce sway while towing and provide a higher payload.

5) Is there anything else I should look for on a truck? Fifth wheel prep package to make the hitch installation and removal easier.

6) Is there anything I should watch for with used trucks? Service records, tire age and pre-purchase inspection.

[Bearmtn]

Buy yourself a little Maverick or a ranger. And on the very few occasions you need to move your toy hauler, rent something appropriate. You will be way ahead

[Camp CA]

If you decide to rent a truck to tow your fifth wheel trailer consider the fifth wheel hitch cost (~$1500+) and whether the rental company and your insurance company have towing weight limits. My CSAA auto insurance through AAA limits towing up to ~5000 lbs so I rented a DRW to tow my 10,000 lb boat/trailer and purchased an insurance rider from Enterprise since I was between trucks.

Another option is to hire a transporter to haul your fifth wheel trailer.

[DaveDsl]

Looking for a approval to buy/use something too small to be safe but to be inexpensive will not happen on here. Safe is Priority ONE, Manageable to tow the Device is TWO, and Expense is after Any and all after those two.