Truck suggestions

[Will]

I'm thinking of upgrading my current tow vehicle from my F150 to F350 only because I would like to get into a 5er in few years.

Not having any experience with pulling a 5er, I would like some input on what I should be looking for in a vehiclefrom you guys with the knowledge. Like bed length, gears, engine,so on.
I really don't want a dual wheel truck because it will not fit in my garage.

We have looked at a couple of 5er's and I think we might go for for 30'-34', 10,000lbs range.
like this Cruiser
http://www.crossroadsrv.com/cruiser/...ls/item/cf34ss

Thanks in advance

Will

[mike06081969]

I pulled a Blue Ridge that weighed 13,100 lbs empty with an '08 F-250 diesel. Truck pulled it fine, but I did have to put a set of air bags on it to level the truck out. The steering was too light and it "chucked" pretty bad without them. The Cruiser I have now is 7,910 dry, and I can tow it with just the minimal air pressure in the bags, so I probably wouldn't even need them for this camper.

[Dayle1]

The length and wt. you list is certainly within the range of a 3/4 ton HD. However, just in case your target RV grows, a 1 ton single rear wheel would provide greater flexibility. If you don't want a DRW due to non-garageable, then cab and bed length are issues also.

[Will]

Somrthing like this is what I'm thinking for a vehicle
http://townefordlincoln.com/Buffalo/...ruck/15173897/

[martinstwopopfarm]

I have an old 99 F-350, 7.3 diesel, with a long bed. I have enjoyed the truck. I prefer the longer bed for ease of turning the 5th wheel and the additional space for hauling. I have not had to add anything to the suspension for pulling my 5th wheel or gooseneck (loaded with tractors). It has been a dependable truck, that pulls well. I hope it is still going in another 14 years.

[NorskeNY]

Trailer - did you look at the CF335SStoo. It has a similar layout.


Ford F350 or GM 3500HD. SRW - you will want the extra GVWR of a F350/3500HD.
Diesel - great towing and better fuel milage. The gas engine in the truck should do fine - may want to consider a 4:10 rear end.
Long Box - better for hauling stuff and you won't need a slider hitch
Crew Cab - nice to have the extra room for passengers/pets if you have one
Integrated brake controller - mine works great. Think it has to be added at the factory
The snow plow prep should have extra cooling that would come with a trailering package.

Items you may want to add when you get it:
Bed Rug bed liner, Luverne SS running boards, Air
Lift LoadLifter 5000 air bags, Reese Custom
Base and Rail Kit, Husky or Reese 16K fifth wheel hitch,</span>Handy fifth wheel tailgate, rear wheel liners, rear
seat storage tray, PML rear diff. cover,</span>


Edited by: NorskeNY

[estoltz]

One of the biggest things you need to keep an eye on is hitch weight and payload. I'm not familiar with the fords (mopar guy) but typically the F350 should serve your purposes for payload. Especially on that trailer. If you opt to go to an F250 you will be pushing the limits and have to go for air bags like I did. I'm ok with that considering the 3500s were not even out and I was able to get a 2500 with the top line trim and all the options I wanted plus slightly better gas mileage than if I waited for the 3500s. Just do your homework and if you have any questions there are several forums out there including this one that have people who went through the process you are going through.

[Hunter11]

If you were looking at the Ford 6.2L gas truck Will posted I would get the 4.30 rear gear.

[cowboy_71]

I have a SRW f350 it still won't fit in my garage...check the height and length too...BTW it pulls my cruiser just great...

[mbutts]

I can fit about 2/3 of my F350 in the garage due to length.

I'm a recent diesel convert (moved from a 1/2 ton Expedition gasser to F350 diesel) and love, love, love it. Fantastic fuel economy and non-stop pulling. I would at least give one a test drive.
Edited by: mbutts

[KM]

We bought our truck in 2011 - 2011 F350 4x4 short-bed, super cab, 6.7L Power Stroke Engine. We wanted to minimize length, so intentionally went with short-bed. We don't expect to have many passengers, so were happy with the super cab. DH insisted it be 4x4, because we do live in New England.

She tows our 2013 Crossroads 315RE quite nicely. We are currently on our first long trip (for the past 7 weeks) and according to my husband, he doesn't even know the fifthwheel is there. We did opt to put in a Pullrite Superglide hitch (an automatic slide). We've made some pretty tight turns and never had a problem.

[1olcatonr]

We purchased a 2012 F350 XLT diesel for $ 10,000 more than this truck lists for. Crew cab long bed SRW 4x4. Big truck but really rides and pulls nice. We are towing a 32' Kingston 3 slides around 12,000lb loaded for the winter trip south. This truck has 3.31 gears and is rated to tow 16000lb. Empty highway miles is usually better than 20 mpg with this gear setup. We have no problem with mtns and get 11-12 mpg towing at 63 mh. I was a GM guy but really like the ford tow package and the sliding folding mirrors. The new diesel is very quite and has plenty of power. We traded a gas truck that was doing the job but it was really working it . Have fun shopping