F350 or F450 for 5th wheel towing?

[GroupSe7en]

Need some quick advise.

We've decided to take a job where we'll be traveling around the country. To keep from having to change 'houses' every few months (with a 2 yr old), we bought a monster 40' 5th wheel. 16,500 lbs loaded with 2850 lb hitch weight.

My Ridgeline laughed at me :Wow1:

I need something to haul it with. I was thinking an F350 or F450, 4x4 with the PowerStroke.

I thought I could throw a RTT on it and use it to explore and camp on the weekends.

Will a 350 be enough to get the job done or will I need a 450.
Plus - can I do it with singles on the rear or do I have to go to dualies

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
Mark

Of all the times to do this - I leave for my 3 week Labrador & Newfoundland trip on Wednesday! Why do I always do this to myself?

 

[The Adam Blaster]

I would look at the duallies for that size and weight of trailer.
It's going to tow a lot better, less swaying etc.
Plus, I'm not sure if you'll find a 1-ton with SRW that will have a high enough rating to hold that 2850 pounds in the bed along with passengers in the cab and luggage etc.
I'm not familiar enough on the load ratings of te 350 vs. 450 to tell you to go one way or the other.
I do know over the last 5 years the capacities have increased substantially though! My feeling is that you might be able to do it wit the 350, but you would definitely have no problem with the 450.

 

[StromHawk60]

probably the F450...

I have a 2002 F350 with the psd and although the new ones have a higher capacity, I agree that the dually 450 (maybe the dually 350) would be a better choice.

 

[Azlugz]

I have an 09 F350 SRW 4 dr LB 4x4 with the 6.4 twin turbo and am pulling a 38' Jayco that is rated at something just under 15K. The truck has no problems with it at all and even handle hills fairly well. We also added a 5.5K Onan Generator to the front that adds weight. I agree tho, you are at a weight where it is questionable. We had a class III receiver put on the trailer also to flat tow the Jeep behind it.

Only thing I would suggest in considering an F450 is to check your insurance. Someone on a Camping forum I am on said that his insurance would not cover a 450 for private use unless he was a retired full timer as it is considered a comercial truck. Sounded hokey to me, but better safe!

Couple shots of my baby. In the pics, the truck is completely stock. The trailer legs are down but not leveled yet so the weight is not off the truck. Hitch is listed at 2432lbs but the generator is in the front bay and weighs close to 300lbs and has a 14 gallon fuel tank that full will weigh better than 100lbs. My truck doesnt squat at all, just levels out nice.

 

[WILLD420]

Do some research about licensing laws. Look for a state that you will be living in to get all that done through if the laws where you currently live are too strict.

A lot of states are very lax in their laws regarding F450-F550 type trucks. Others are downright hostile toward normal citizens driving anything bigger than a Hyundai.

Look for a truck that has 19.5 tires on it. They will hold up to the mileage you are going to be putting on a lot better. They will also be much more stable and less likely to have blowouts from bruising etc after being used off-road.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

A 2011 Ford F350 SRW will tow your trailer with load to spare, with the right axle gearing. You can also get it with factory provisioned 5th wheel ready for a 26K trailer.

 

[DT75FLH]

F-450.

you get 19.5 commercial tires, and a Dana 110 commercial rear axle. its like twice the size of the sterling 10.5" rear. you also get bigger brakes and a Super Dana 60 front end with a heavier frame.

it has close to 6k capacity in the bed

if your going to tow that heavy across the country I'd think you'll have less maintenance issues and a margin of safety with your CCC/GCWR.

I usually would look at weights ..why be at max CCC/GCWR on a f-350 when you can get the 450.

 

[jarmstrong]

from your post I am assuming you already have your camper and my question is, are those actual weights or from the camper company ? If it were me I would arrange to have it weighed at a truckstop so you KNOW the actual #s you are dealing with and then decide on a truck.I bought a 2500 and was really surprised how fast you hit the limit once you load up.The other thing is I seldom hear of someone who was sorry the bought a bigger truck but have heard often" gee, I wish i had a dually " just my thoughts.hope this helps.
Jerry

 

[The Adam Blaster]

from your post I am assuming you already have your camper and my question is, are those actual weights or from the camper company ?
Jerry

That's a good point.
Getting info from the manufacturer, or worse yet, the SALESDEMAN, is not the most trustworthy or reliable source.
They often times will give you just the base weight, without ANY options such as A/C or water tank, or microwave etc. The base weight and the delivered weight can end up being thousands of pounds different.

 

[GroupSe7en]

Thanks guys!

I'm getting all of my info from a sales brochure. Actually 2 brochures, Raptor and Ford. Between one wishfully minimizing and the other wishfully maximizing, I think I'm better off with an F450. My more responsible (and far cuter) half is pushing for something cheap. "Couldn't we just get a used F250 from like 1990 - I see a ton of them around..."

I've got my eye on a couple of used F450s. One is in Texas (where else!) and the other is in Florida. The funny thing is that I seem to be able to find the King Ranch version - WOW! - for less $ than a lesser equip'd truck - weird.

The King Ranch is nicer (a lot nicer) than my living room.

They seem to all come standard with DRW. I'll see how it goes and then make a move to super singles if it makes sense.

I've got to stop thinking about this until I get back from Labrador and Newfoundland.

I appreciate your input.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[hillbillyjake]

jsut to solidify any ones else wondering about the king ranch intereior. that is bar none the nicest interior in a truck i have ever seen. absolutlely beautiful

buddy of mine had a tri-axle toy hauler he towed behind his 450. in my opinion that the only way to fly if your towing that much weight with a truck smaller than a semi.

good luck

 

[GroupSe7en]

There's an '08 King Ranch on ebay from North Texas Truck w/ 100k on the clock. I'm seriously thinking about it.

 

[Miketnsa]

I tow a 12K 5th wheel with my 09' F450 4X4 4.88 King Ranch and I wouldn't tow with anything else now! (My 5th wheel controlled my 03' Cummins 2500 now my F450 is large and in charge) I safety tow at 70mph and this 9,300lb beast doesn't even know it's pulling anything head wind, cross wind, whatever!
When it's 100+ degrees in South Texas I love the fact that I'm pulling the load on 100 psi 19.5 commercial rubber. 32,000 mi and the tires still look brand knew!
Can't make the coolant or Trans temp move no matter how hard I push it in hot weather! Must be 100+ in the rare case the cooling fan kicks in. Love knowing I have the same axle (Dana 110) as trucks with 19,500 GVWR. (sometimes I get on my knees just to look at the hugh punkin)
Ford's trailer braking system is flawless! Up to 7.5mpg now @ 70mpg ;-) grossing 22,500lbs bone stock with zero upgrades. Love the doppler weather radar on the Navigation! Careful on the 08' 450's I've read a ton of lemon complaints on some of the early models. Because of tree hugger's there will never be another truck as capable, will be a classic! Twin Turbo's, Twin Alt., cast iron block, heads, and bed plate...Wouldn't trade it for an 11' F-450 if they got 50mpg!:smiley_drive: