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Old 05-06-2012, 04:03 AM   #1
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Just bought a Patriot 33' fifth wheel. I figure I should go with 3/4 ton. Is that good sense? What else should I look for in the truck?



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Old 05-06-2012, 06:15 AM   #2
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You will probably want a 1 ton. You need to look at payload. Check the inside door sticker of each truck you look at for the available payload after options. The towing capacity and payload are decreased by the weight of the options in the vehicle. Also subtract the weight of any occupants and gear that will be in the truck from the payload. Then look at your pin weight. What is the pin weight of your 5er? Remember that the pin weight increases with loading the 5er. Are you looking at new or used TV's? How many people/pets will be in the TV? Do you want a regular, extended or crew cab? Do you want/need 4 wheel drive, some rv'ers prefer not to have it as it can decrease a trucks towing capacity, others feel it is a must have. This is personal preference. You will probably want a diesel for towing that thing up the hills.
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Old 05-06-2012, 08:14 AM   #3
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A 3/4 ton will be fine, I have a 33ft Patriot Provincial and it is a good fit formy 2500 duramax crew cab...
just under 10,000 dry weight leaving you 2700lbs to play with.
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Old 05-06-2012, 03:19 PM   #4
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Find some one to take it to a scale and get the actual weight. If possible, load it with what you would normally carry when camping.

I think you will be very surprised at the actual weight. Don't forget to get the pin weight also.

Then go truck shopping. Truck should be rated for at least 20% more than the actual trailer weight. More would be even better, especially if you like climbing mountains.
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Old 05-07-2012, 12:41 PM   #5
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If you are buying a diesel ( I highly recommend it with any trailer over 27ft) then it really doesn't much matter about the truck size as the engines are pretty much the same hp and torqueregarless of whether they are 2500, 3500 or 4500 series so towing in themountains isn/t a real issue.
I towed a 38ft 4 slide Cougar with my 2500 seriestoFlorida through the mnts of Kentucky & Tennessee, thru the mnts of Quebec & New Brunswich and rarely did it drop to 4th gear andran in 6th gear most of the time.

I've also towed my father inlaws 38ft titanium trailer which is considerably heavier than the Patriot/Provincial with no problems.

he tows with an extended cab 2500 all over North America, I towed his with my CC 2500 no issues and the dry weight is just under 12000 on that beast.

the Patriot/Provincial comes in at just under 10,000 (dry weight shipped) as per the shipping label on mine.

These trailers are designed to be towed by 2500 series, they keep the weight of them there for that reason. We liked the Rushmore but would have needed more truck due to theweights.

If you are concerned take it to the scales butfrom experience towing our 2013 Provincial/Patriot loaded with all the tools, cloths, food, chairs, barbeque, hoses, horseshoes, booze etc etc it tows fine and the DMax barely knows it is there behind it until we get into a hill withat least a 3% grade.

At 6% grade it does drop down to 4th gear though as would any 1 ton, or ton and a half........

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Old 05-07-2012, 12:42 PM   #6
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Our Provincial/Patriot is the CF345RF model as shown below in the profile... Same lenght and weight as the 335 I believe.....
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Old 05-07-2012, 01:43 PM   #7
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Francisco,
If in your shoes (And spending your money ! ) I would go with a 1 ton with single wheels on a new purchase. Ford, Dodge, or Chevy would do a great job.
However, if I had your trailer my current 2500 would be used; meaning I would not trade it for a bigger truck unless it is time to update.
As mentioned before these trucks have plenty of power and weight. Do your research and congrats on the new trailer.


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Old 05-07-2012, 09:27 PM   #8
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With the size of trailer that you bought, any 3/4 heavy duty 4X2 with a diesel is yourleast expensiveoption. A SRW 1 ton has basically the same limitations as the 3/4 HDbecause of the tires. If you want a 1 ton, go for the dually.

Chevy, Ford or Dodge are all good choices. Edited by: Hamops
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Old 05-07-2012, 10:53 PM   #9
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Be sure to check the available payload on the door sticker of whatever truck you choose. Optional add ons such as 4x4, off road packages, etc can greatly reduce your hauling capacity.
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Old 05-08-2012, 12:51 AM   #10
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Towing a 35" rig since 2009 with a 2500 Duramax. Been over the Rockies and other mountains. It tows like a dream and never had an issue. I agree that a diesel is the only way to go.
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Old 05-08-2012, 12:55 AM   #11
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; with a 2011 or 2012 1 ton 4X4 SRW diesel - higher GVWR that a 2500HD. It is always nice to have more truck than you need.
My last two trucks have been 1 ton diesel SRWs. My 2005 Chevy diesel had a GVWR of 9900 lbs - its weight with hitch and fuel was about 7300 lbs. That only left 2600 lbs for the passengers and hitch weight of the fifth wheel - it towed great but I was always exceeding the GVWR of the truck.
When the 2011s came out I upgraded to the newer Chevy 1 ton SRW 4X4 diesel- it has a GVWR of 11,600 lbs. The truck weight with hitch and fuel is about 7900lbs, . It tows the trailer better than my 2005 - stronger frame and suspension, more torque & horsepower, 6 speed Vs 5 speed tranny, exhaust brake, integrated brake controller.
You pay more for the diesel but they tow great and they will get better mileage. I get 10 to 12 mpg going 67mph - head winds is the biggest factor. Keep the speed between 55 and 60 and the mileage improves by about 1 mpg.
My trailer weight at the factory was 10,050 lbs. I have added 3 slide awnings and I am sure I have at least 700 to 800 lbs of stuff in the trailer (full propane, 2 batteries, camping stuff, "living items" and I tow with the water tank 1/3 full. I am sure my pin weight is in the 2200 to 2300 lb range.





Edited by: NorskeNY
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Old 05-08-2012, 02:26 AM   #12
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if there areno difference in registration inyourstate for goin over 10k gvw then get the 1tonetween an F250 and F350 there i s only about 800$ and no difference in ride quality and you gain about 1500lbs in payload
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Old 05-08-2012, 03:02 AM   #13
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In New York the combined GVWR weight must 26,000 or less for a "standard" license. I have a friend that just got a 40 foot toy hauler and a 2012 Silverdo diesel dually and he needs to get a class R license because the combined GVWR is greater than 26,000 lbs. The test will be with the truck and trailer. His wife will get one after him - she uses the trailer most of the time for dog shows.

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Old 05-08-2012, 04:50 AM   #14
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Hi--
We were told by several salesmen for several brands that the essential difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton is one spring in the suspension, not all that much. We ended up with a Ram 2500 diesel. We haven't towed our rig (34-foot, 325CK Cruiser Patriot fifth-wheel) very far yet, but the truck just has picked it up and walked away with it. No sag when hitching, plenty of power on the road.

People who have 1 ton trucks say there is definitely a more truck-like ride with the 1 ton vs. the 3/4, which could mean less comfort when you're just driving the truck without the trailer.

We also were told by both truck and trailer dealers that for towing a rig the size of ours, there was little sense in getting a dually. Our trailer weighs just under 10k pounds.

On the other hand, once we narrowed down our choice to a Ram, we found that there really isn't a lot of price difference between 3/4 and 1 ton trucks equipped in similar fashion.

So I'd guess you really can't make a bad choice. Base it on comfort, fuel mileage, cost (which includes the idea of replacing 6 vs. 4 tires with a dually at some point).




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