Community Forums

traveller333 · 01-30-2025, 04:25 PM

I would love to hear thoughts on which truck is best for towing a 43 ft. 5th wheel.

I'm looking at the Ford F350 dually, Dodge Ram 3500 dually and the GMC 3500 dually.

Are there any substantial differences among them in this specific application, or is it just personal preference?

Are there any model years I should stay away from?

Thank you

**Camp CA** · 01-30-2025, 05:45 PM

I have only had Fords and they are good trucks.....purchased a F350 DRW long bed diesel last year.

HutchCamper · 01-30-2025, 07:06 PM

At this point I believe it's down to personal preference. All three are good trucks. Our current is a 2023 F350 CC LB DRW with the 6.7 and we are very happy with it. I'm old school so wanted and got an XL. Event it has more crap on it than I would ever order lol.

p220sigman · 01-30-2025, 08:05 PM

I suspect you will get a lot of "I own X brand and it is the best so you should get it" type responses. Personally, I don't have brand loyalty. I've owned trucks from all three and each had good points and bad points. In the end, none was any "better" than the other. My GMC was the most comfortable to me, so that is my favorite.

My suggestion is decide what trim you want and go drive each of them and just spend time in them getting to know them and one will probably stand out for you. The other option is work up deals on all three and buy the one that is the overall best deal.

Lantley · 01-30-2025, 08:18 PM

Pick your poison. They are all capable. None are superior to the other.

High Road Travelers · 01-30-2025, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lantley

Pick your poison. They are all capable. None are superior to the other.

Yep, my sentiments exactly.

Out of curiosity, what 43 foot fifth wheel will you be towing?

Thanks,

mote · 01-31-2025, 03:25 AM

All three brands are great trucks.
The only thing with the Ram, be sure you get the high output engine with Aisin transmission for a camper that heavy.

Rhagfo · 01-31-2025, 07:07 AM

Well personally I quit drinking the Blue Kool-aid fourteen years ago. I had been Blue Oval loyal since my second car (43 years). I switched to Dodge/Ram first a used 10 year old 2001 Dodge 2500 5 speed manual with 3.55’s and 243k on the odometer. Now have a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW, HO, Aisin, 3.73 with 27,000 miles in 2018, just rolled 106k.
Both have been good strong TV, and no CP4, and avoided the 6.0 issue.

zrock2010 · 01-31-2025, 07:09 AM

from years of working at a park and talking to people with similar size units you want something bigger or a on hwy tractor. 43 foot is a lot of trailer for a pickup

jimcumminsw · 01-31-2025, 09:18 AM

I do not have any experience with the newer pick-up trucks other than my older son who owns a 2022 3/4 Ram Crew cab truck. He pulls a two-horse trailer to rodeos for his daughter to participate.

But this is his third Dodge/Ram diesel pick-up truck (he never sells the trucks he has bought) He has a 96 12V 3/4 single cab LB, a 2006 5.9L Cummins Dodge 1000HP show truck and the newer 2022 truck.

One thing he has mention is the two-stage exhaust brake with his newer truck. Is he clams towing with the truck and the trailer attached is way better than anything he has used before.

Nlambert · 01-31-2025, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mote

All three brands are great trucks.
The only thing with the Ram, be sure you get the high output engine with Aisin transmission for a camper that heavy.

Agreed. Pick your poison.

From the stance of a long time Ram owner (3 6.7 Cummins & all 3 with the 68RFE) though, HO vs SO on the Cummins does not matter. I've owned both the HO and SO and both tow equally well. The difference with an HO is that you get an Aisin transmission over the 68RFE. Again, personal preference. Some are afraid of the 68, but it's a great transmission as long as you use it was intended. None of mine have ever given an ounce of trouble.

My previous rig was a 2016 3500 with an SO 6.7 and the 68RFE. I towed a 43' Chaparral weighing in at 16.5k lbs. The truck did fantastic with it and never had an issue.

All that said, all 3 brands are comparable. It should really boil down to preference. The one nudge I'll give towards Ram is the exhaust brake. It absolutely outperforms all of the other options that I've driven.

Nlambert · 01-31-2025, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zrock2010

from years of working at a park and talking to people with similar size units you want something bigger or a on hwy tractor. 43 foot is a lot of trailer for a pickup

Not really.... you absolutely don't need anything that large just because it's a 43'. A properly equipped 3500 dually will handle a 43' rig like it isn't back there.

Dave Pelletier · 01-31-2025, 12:11 PM

all will do the job just fine. I have a small fleet including 4 CTD Rams; went with Ford on the last two because they have the best towing performance and the alloy bodies don't rust.

Dave

DaveDsl · 01-31-2025, 03:05 PM

Dave is correct, is only the longevity of the Chassis base design that will not accept the beating delivered by carrying max load day in day out towing. Want to work on the Towing vehicle Less and enjoy the drive more, invest in at least a Class 7 Towing Monster with Air Ride and heavier power train. A Used Business Class Freightliner is truly no longer than a Dually Crew Cab yet is three times ANY Manufacturers design of a Ton. Ford Dodge or GM 4500/5500 series trucks are a close second.