New to 5th Wheels

[EricW]

Hi, My family traveled frequently for 8 years in a Class A motorhome and retired it when the kids started to become competitive athletes that took us away from always traveling together. Kids are now pretty grown and in grad school and beyond leaving just two of us and a Great Dane and mini-Dachshund traveling together. We decided on not going with another Class A because of the better amenities in a 5th wheel and for better traveling accommodations for the 196 lb Dane.

We’ve been shopping for a fifth wheel for several months and every time we get close, we find something else we like. We’ve been through this many times and know that eventually we’re just gonna have to bite the bullet. Initially, we were looking at 35 foot range, and then sold it a little more room was available at 38 feet so decided something under 40, and yes, you’ve guessed it, now we’re looking at a 41 or 42 footer.

I have one question… other than campgrounds that don’t allow big rigs is there a huge difference in towing a 38 footer or 41 footer? I bought a Ford F350 diesel, but not a dually. I have searched no in the forums, but failed miserably for an answer. Any help would be greatly appreciated, even if it’s just pointing me to the correct section of the forum.

Eric

[DMW]

G'day Eric:

I was in your shoes not too long ago. I ended up buying a 43' toy hauler even though I don't have the toy any longer.

The reason is over 5,000 lbs of cargo capacity, 150 gallons of fresh water capacity, two 30-gallon gas tanks (one dedicated to the generator, and one for toys which gives me a total of 60 gallons for the generator), and room for a residential washer and gas dryer (GE) that I had installed. I had propane plumbed to the garage. I had the dryer converted to burn propane. I also have space for storage cabinets in the 13' garage.

If you haven't considered something like I have, I would suggest you give it some thought. But of course, since you bought the truck already, you may not even want to consider it. I pull it with a Silverado 3500 dually diesel.

Best of luck.

Dave

[EricW]

Thanks for the information. That sounds like quite a rig you have. I almost went for dually but I’m trying to use my truck as a daily driver for now and those are a bit wide for my day-to-day jaunts. And of course I still have two kids at home who aren’t cheap. One going to a local University just starting a masters program, finishing up a private pilot certification working toward a commercial aviation job and he’s also a full time surfer. My daughter now teaches at the same University and is doing research to up her odds at a good med school. So, my monthly dues are pretty high for a retiree 😎😁😎😁 and I don’t see that settling down any time soon.

We’ve looked at toyhaulers with the thought of using the garage and ramp/back porch as a reprieve for our 196lb Great Dane but definitely can’t go too large with only a 20K towing capacity. We also won’t have our kids around much unless they fly to see us for a few days… unless we’re traveling where the waves are good and my son and a couple buddies will surely drop by.

I need to do the math for each 5er my wife picks out but she does like nice things… as do I. Hope not to need to upgrade truck this soon.

[DMW]

You sure do have a full plate! Taking care of all of what you mentioned is a lot for anyone these days. Leave your cell phone in the bathroom when you do take off. lol.

Dave

[EricW]

I am pretty lucky that my wife is a great mom and raised two great Americans. The phone is a good idea.

[DMW]

In answer to your primary question, I would not think you would notice much difference in towing trailers in the range of size you mentioned. Naturally, you always have to be aware of the distance the trailer wheels are from the drive wheels and watch them through turns so you don't climb a curb or hit something.

I have three axles and I try not to have to make any sharp U-turns, which is not always reasonably possible. I just try not to turn too sharply because of the side loads put on the tires causing a scrubbing motion. My trailer tires are rated to take 125 psi, cold. I don't let them go below 120 psi. Unfortunately, they aren't made to caster.

But other than that, I don't have any issues in pulling my 43' trailer.

With a truck in the class of the 3500s, I would think just about any RV trailer in the size range you're considering, with the exception of the few heaviest ones, would be just fine. Keep in mind, there are many weight ratings to consider though. The hitch weight of the lighter ones may not be enough weight to bring the rear of the truck and the front of the trailer down to level, which is theoretically the optimum situation.

My 5er is just right for my Silverado 3500 putting just a touch over 4,000 pounds of hitch weight on the drive axle. The combination is so close to perfectly level it hurts. And it rides and handles just fine. The engine exhaust brake has enough authority to be very, very, useful saving the wheel brakes considerably with the trailer weighing 19,000 pounds loaded. Even in the northern Rockies, I didn't have to use the wheel brakes very often. So with a slightly lighter trailer, I would think you would be really happy with the exhaust brake.

I would not expect you to have any problems with a trailer of lesser weight. Although my trailer VWR is 21,000 lbs, 19,000 lbs is the heaviest it's ever been.

But in the end Eric, I suggest you use the VWRs for the truck and trailer in your calculations. I would also suggest you use 20 to 25% of the MVWR of any trailer you consider for a reasonable hitch weight estimate.

A word of caution: I would be overweight on my drive axle if my hitch weight was over 23% of MVWR of my trailer. The drive axle loading is my biggest concern. So in your research, look hard at your drive axle weight estimates. I doubt you'll have any issues with a slightly lighter trailer than mine though.

My scaled hitch weight of 4,040 lbs came to 21% of the MVWR of the trailer and all of it went on the drive axle. My scaled steering axle weighs the same with, or without the trailer hooked.

I seriously doubt you will have any issues with truck or trailer at all. But don't take my word of it. It's always the operator's responsibility to ensure the combination vehicle is safe to operate.

Be safe out there.

Dave

[DMW]

I don't know what the ratings are for a single rear wheel F350. I doubt you would have any problem with the weight ratings except for possibly the drive axle or tires. And maybe not there either. But that's something you have to look closely at starting with the max trailer weight rating for the truck. My hitch weight brings my drive axle up to just over 9,000 lbs and my truck up 13,200 lbs.

But don't take my word for anything. It's the responsibility of the operator to ensure his vehicle is safe to operate.

As for ride and handling, I would think you'd be happy there for the most part if you stay within the design limitations of the vehicles. I found myself caught in a wind storm out west in the desert one day and was glad I had the dual rear wheels for a little more stability. But that only happened once.

My guess is you would likely not see much difference in towing slightly larger trailers. As any 5er driver knows, you always watch your trailer through a tight turn as well as watching ahead.

Dave