What truck??? That’s the question!

[dwatson8841]

I’m interested in a Luxe 47FB Toyhauler. GVWR 26,000 lbs,
Hitch Weight 4,700 lbs. I’m leaning toward a medium duty truck with a hauler bed. Watched a YouTube video on a Chevy Superduty 5500 but the sales rep stated that a heavy fiver would exceed the GCVR of the truck. Now I’m really confused. Thought that would be plenty of truck since it is one that Luxe is recommending. Also looked at Ford F550. Very confusing for me. I’m looking at changing from Newmar Mountain Aire to a fiver for retirement. I’m afraid my coach is moving into an expensive repair age and new fiver from Luxe has 5 yr warranty. Anyone with experience in this challenging decision for me? Thanks

[jrollf]

Big Truck Big RV (You Tube) did an episode on the 5500. The salesman straight up said it is the wrong truck for pulling heavy 5th wheels / toy haulers. Said it was designed and rated to carry a lot of weight (high payload) but not to pull big heavy trailers (Low GCVR).

If you want to "move up" your next logical step is likely an MDT like an International 4700. Freigtliner, Volvo, and a few others build MDTs like this.

If you are willing to by used and in good shape, they often are not any more expensive than a new diesel F350. A well taken care of MDT will last a million miles.

Suggest to get it registered as an RV to avoid high registration fees, and help with insurance, which will probably be a bit stiff. Maintenace costs will be higher to.

The plus side is the brakes will be MUCH more capable, so will the exhaust/engine break and powertrain overall.

[Bowtie Jim]

Read this....

[Bowtie Jim]

He is right.
They were never meant for towing heavy.
More for hauling heavy weights like a dump truck.
Even the 6500 tow rating is 23,500 max.
Weird because a regular cab long bed 3500 is rated to tow around 35,000.
It does have 90 more hp and 210 lb ft more tq though but a lot less steel.

[arcaguy]

Originally Posted by jrollf

Suggest to get it registered as an RV to avoid high registration fees, and help with insurance, which will probably be a bit stiff. Maintenace costs will be higher to.

This may be problematic depending on the state. I Michigan you have to have facilities to sleep and cook to register a vehicle as an RV. I'm thinking the truck pictured won't fit into that box. Not all states are the same. All I'm saying is do your homework before you buy anything.

[jrollf]

Originally Posted by arcaguy

This may be problematic depending on the state. I Michigan you have to have facilities to sleep and cook to register a vehicle as an RV. I'm thinking the truck pictured won't fit into that box. Not all states are the same. All I'm saying is do your homework before you buy anything.

Yes it does vary from state to state, so does the driver's license to drive one. If you can't register it as an RV, you might be able to register it as "non-comercial", again, depends on the state.

[tuffr2]

Freightliner Sport Chassis

https://youtu.be/wPLLWHqVVxU

[TB673]

Bowtie Jim is correct about the 3500HD.
Every 3500HD Dually equipped with the 6.6 Duramax has a (5th wheel) tow rating of over 30,000LBS, and minimum GCWR of 40,000 LBS.
Link to the tow ratings is below. The 3500HD starts on page 38.


https://www.chevrolet.com/content/da...-eBrochure.pdf


Tim

[tuffr2]

It has been awhile since I last looked but would a F-450 cab chassis work? You need a truck that can both carry a lot of weight plus tow a lot of weight. A F-450 has 4:30 gears so maybe a F-550 with 4:88 gears?

No wonder I do not see F-650's or GM 5500 trucks towing much. They are usually ambulances or dump trucks.

7 or 8 years ago I was at the Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus Ohio. They had the Freightliner sport chassis there with a hauler bed and it was nice. Nice cab with plenty of room. You sit high and will be in great shape climbing into and out of the drivers seat. I am thinking this is what you need.

The claim Ram, Ford, and GM make about their 350/3500 dually trucks towing over 30,000lbs IMHO is a bogus claim. Especially if you come to a mountain.

Sent from my SM-G930V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

[MADP4301]

To the OP. I just wanted to comment on the idea to move to a 5th wheel from your Mountain Aire. We did this exact same thing a year ago now moved from a 43’ Mountain Aire DP to our 41’ Riverstone. We had it for 10 years (bought it used 5 years old) and we kept seeing annual maintenance costs skyrocket. It was due for new tires, batts and a host of other house mechanical fixes as everything was wearing out. I’m not knocking those out there buying 10-15 yr old Diesel Pushers as you get into it for 30% of new! However, you need deep pockets and patience to keep them running and that’s not for everyone.

We wanted to stay within the weight range of 3500 trucks for ease of service and it can be used in place of the “toad” with minor annoyances of parking a long bed dually. I would love a New Horizons or maybe Luxe but couldn’t swing the total cost (5th wheel + MDT) and the hassle of insurance, maintenance and driving around a MDT detached. At that point I think it’s about the same as having a diesel pusher.

I wish the OEM’s could get another 1k to 1.5k lbs GVWR in a nicely optioned Dually but then it’s class 4 or 5 territory. Our pin weight is +\- 4k lbs (trailer 19k lbs) and we carry 50 gallons fuel in a transfer tank. Fully loaded up we are close to maxing the truck. I will say it handles it very well having done about 8,000 miles towing. Obviously we love the 5th when parked over the motorhome and my wife is adjusting to no bathroom and kitchen on the go! What really shocked me was how less fatigued I am towing the 5th v. driving the Motorhome. We routinely do 500 mile days and I was always dead after. Now I’m fine and even went 650 last fall in route to Texas. I think it’s the quiet, tight ride quality of a mass produced vehicle compared to the shake rattle and roll of a house on wheels. I can only imagine the noise in the 5th wheel going down the road that we don’t hear!!!

Best of luck in whatever you decide…

[dwatson8841]

Thanks for all the good advice!

[4x4ord]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

It has been awhile since I last looked but would a F-450 cab chassis work? You need a truck that can both carry a lot of weight plus tow a lot of weight. A F-450 has 4:30 gears so maybe a F-550 with 4:88 gears?

No wonder I do not see F-650's or GM 5500 trucks towing much. They are usually ambulances or dump trucks.

7 or 8 years ago I was at the Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus Ohio. They had the Freightliner sport chassis there with a hauler bed and it was nice. Nice cab with plenty of room. You sit high and will be in great shape climbing into and out of the drivers seat. I am thinking this is what you need.

The claim Ram, Ford, and GM make about their 350/3500 dually trucks towing over 30,000lbs IMHO is a bogus claim. Especially if you come to a mountain.

Sent from my SM-G930V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

I would get an F-450 pick up. The cab and chassis is narrower and has less power. An F-450 pick up is rated for somewhere around 37000 lbs and should have no problem with a 26000 lb rv.

[Billett Bee]

O.p.
My 48fb just came off the build line and awaits paint. Our 2 rigs are identical in length and have the same 25,999 gvwr. I drive a 2020 ram 3500 drw ho hd with aisin & 410 gear with air ride suspension. Gcwr is 43,000, wich means you can safely haul a 34,000lb trailer or so. The only number you will be close on is your pl. I took all the weight out of my truck and am moving it toward the garage area. I also moved the 100 g fresh tank further back to sit on the front axle. I deleted the generator. Plus if you want you can put the w/d in the garage if your that concerned. I figure my pl will put my truck about even to 300lbs over.
The 3500 has more hp and tq than the 4500 and 5500 because there de tuned for commercial use. Everyone will tel you but you have to be able to stop, the 3500 will stop a gcwr of 43,000, yer good

[xc-mark]

a 3500 is over weight rating for the pin weight , a 4500 would be over the rating . In my opinion ther are two choices that are right...... VOLVO 760 single retired tractor or custom built RV hauler . The problem is how big of a cab do you need? 4 doors? Freight liner M2-106 sportchassi are big money but you could find a good use one for under 70K . The tricky part is buy one , Most bank dont want to talk to anyone about personal loans on commercial trucks. Home equity line of credit would work or having roughly 50% cash to buy it may change the banks mind. L9 Cummins 350hp and 1000 ft tq with a Allison 3000 trans and gearing to run 78mph in high gear will get the load up hills nicely. air ride cab and air ride rear suspension is a must with a good air ride hitch and it will be the best towing experience you could ask for. I have driven a freightliner on a test drive, empty you can still use it as a daily driver if needed . It turns better then a crew cab 8' bed 350/3500 and rode smoother but parking is a issue in the garage. When I retire I will be shopping a for a Volvo.