|
|
Post by cliffywhitt on Nov 15, 2018 7:22:36 GMT -5
Looking at KZ fifth wheelers. I have done a ton of research. Lookked at Jayco and Forrest River. It appears KZ has better construction the others I have researched in the non high end trailers. I am looking at 31 RKD dry weight is 10100 lbs. I am rated on my eco boost for 111000 lbs. With just me and my wife traveling I realize we need to pack light. Do you feel that this would be an adequate set up or should I be looking at a vehicle with a higher tow rating or a Half ton Durango? I have pulled many trailers boats with my eco boost and really impressed but never a 5th wheeler. We are looking at a couple of 1 month trips per summer. No full time. How would this pull in the hills?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks Cliffy Whitt!.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnr on Nov 15, 2018 7:45:15 GMT -5
Hi. I'm assuming you've got a Ram 1500 currently? If your dry weight is 10,100, I'd say your truck is undersized for the job. I would opt for a Ram 2500 with tow package at least. Always remember that the engine may be powerful enough to tackle going up hills, but the real issue is stopping in an emergency. An undersized truck will not be able to stop that camper and keep it under control.
I had to answer while guessing at some facts. I wasn't sure if you were talking about 1500/2500 trucks or if you're talking about 1500/2500 Durango RVs. If I got it wrong, let me know!
|
|
|
|
Post by lynnmor on Nov 15, 2018 8:45:48 GMT -5
You didn't describe the truck you intend to use. There is a lot more to consider besides tow rating, payload for example. Personally I wouldn't consider anything less than a 3/4 ton truck for a fifth wheel, and a one ton would be best. You mentioned eco boost, so I think you have an F150.
|
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on Nov 15, 2018 21:20:03 GMT -5
You didn't describe the truck you intend to use. There is a lot more to consider besides tow rating, payload for example. Personally I wouldn't consider anything less than a 3/4 ton truck for a fifth wheel, and a one ton would be best. You mentioned eco boost, so I think you have an F150. Ford should be ashamed telling people they can tow that kind of weight with an F150. I see a future law suit when someones really hurt and a high dollar attorney gets involved. The eco boost maybe a great engine, but it's still a 1/2 ton truck and there is no fix for that other than a bigger truck. |
|
|
|
Post by nvguy on Nov 15, 2018 22:59:37 GMT -5
I think you are underestimating how much stuff you will load in the 5th wheel. Even if you are very careful, you will be at the limit of your truck's capacity before you know it (and most likely over it.) Don't forget, you and your wife are payload as well, and my wife's purse alone is 50 pounds. Another factor is the frontal area of what's being towed, while your Eco Boost can pull a boat really well, a 5th wheel is a whole 'nother kettle of fish- lots more wind to push, check out the Ford towing guide for more detailed info about frontal area and how it affects towing capacity.
I don't advocate running a tow vehicle at 100% capacity, as it shortens the vehicle lifespan and puts a lot of strain on the driver. I can understand your enthusiasm towards your existing truck. Having had an F150 I was impressed with its performance...but it was still a half ton truck that was working hard, and I wasn't pulling a 31' 5th wheel. I now have a F250 and pull a 35' 5th wheel, and its easier to drive than my F150 with a 21' pull or car trailer.
|
|
|
|
Post by RdRmr on Nov 16, 2018 14:01:59 GMT -5
cliffywhitt
We have that exact rig, 2016 315RKD love it by the way, have had it coast to coast twice, so far over 24,000 miles. But to tow it with a F-150, not enough truck as previously mentioned. That unit starts out with a hitch weight of 1,980 unloaded. You are only going to increase that number when you load it. What is the payload capacity of your F-150? I'm sure you will have a lighter capacity. The numbers you need to be concerned with are: GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of your truck, GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating), maximum weight of both truck and trailer combined, payload capacity, curb weight of the truck (as it came from the factory). There are lots of numbers that come in to play here. I had a 2008 Ram 2500 w/Cummins prior to purchasing the 315RKD, its max payload capacity was 2,475 so with an initial hitch weight of 1,980 I only had about 500 pounds to play with and hadn't loaded the 5TH wheel yet. Too close for my liking after the wife and I and all our gear was loaded. So now I have a 1 ton SRW with a payload capacity of 4,400, you can never have too much truck. The object is to arrive at your destination relaxed and at ease. Check your numbers carefully, you want some cushion, don't max out your tow vehicle. You want to be able to stop it safely and control it in hilly areas and in the wind. Be careful. Happy Campin....
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on Nov 17, 2018 11:33:22 GMT -5
Looking at KZ fifth wheelers. I have done a ton of research. Lookked at Jayco and Forrest River. It appears KZ has better construction the others I have researched in the non high end trailers. I am looking at 31 RKD dry weight is 10100 lbs. I am rated on my eco boost for 111000 lbs. With just me and my wife traveling I realize we need to pack light. Do you feel that this would be an adequate set up or should I be looking at a vehicle with a higher tow rating or a Half ton Durango? I have pulled many trailers boats with my eco boost and really impressed but never a 5th wheeler. We are looking at a couple of 1 month trips per summer. No full time. How would this pull in the hills? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Cliffy Whitt!. I'm all in with the rest of the group, no matter if your looking at other brands or not a 1/2 pickup is to little of a truck to pull a trailer with a dry weight of 10100lbs, at the least a 3/4 ton truck should be used an best of all a 1 ton if you can afford such ... As stated once you load your trailer the weight will increase by at least a thousand pounds even if you think your packing light, then add water an sewage your up another four or five hundred pounds, add food, cloths, dishes,
pot an pans over another few hundred pounds ...
As you stated Kz builds a very good product an I believe like other here they are heads above the rest in doing such, but the fact is like other had stated you can pull the trailer but can you stop it in an emergency or otherwise ...
Again it's about safety for your family as well as others around you on the road 
Safe Travels
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by cliffywhitt on Nov 20, 2018 16:38:02 GMT -5
Thanks for your help. Guess i will look at a half ton Durango or a bigger truck. Very helpful!
|
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on Nov 22, 2018 12:00:01 GMT -5
cliffywhitt
I really think you should look at a bigger truck, even thought it's just your wife an you trailers get pretty small after a few weeks in one, sort of like cabin fever an your always looking for space to store stuff ... Not saying the 1/2 ton Durangos are not nice trailers because they are, but believe me after a few years you will be looking to upgrade to
something larger in a trailer an thinking I should have bought that bigger truck ...
I personally would be looking at 3500 series in Chevy or Dodge or as a number of us have the F350 1 ton long bed either dual wheel or single wheel ... If I was to buy any of the brands I would be looking at diesel an long bed trucks
not sort bed, they seem to ride better, have more weight distribution, can carry more over all, an you don't have to
buy a sliding fifth wheel ... Also you don't have to go new, there are allot of good used diesel trucks three or four years old out there that are priced in the thirty to forty thousand dollar range with low miles on them ... A diesel truck with say sixty or seventy thousand miles on it isn't even broke in yet an looking around I'm finding them in allot of place's at least out here on the left coast ...
Good Luck an keep us all posted. happy thanksgiving
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on Nov 26, 2018 22:06:31 GMT -5
Thanks for your help. Guess i will look at a half ton Durango or a bigger truck. Very helpful! 1/2 ton is not enough truck, no matter who makes it. 10.100 dry will be 12,000+ wet with food, chairs and stuff, your getting close to 350/3500 range. |
|
|
|
Post by bluegrass2 on Nov 26, 2018 22:56:07 GMT -5
Our local Chevy dealer said he refused to sell us a 1/2 ton for a 30 ft. 1500 Durango 5th wheel. He knew we would be back with complaints and repairs. He said we would have to go elsewhere to purchase the 1/2 ton if that's what we want, as much as he would like our business. We didn't buy a Chevy, better deal elsewhere, but we did buy a 3/4 ton very happy with our purchase, tows great. We appreciated the Chevy dealers input. RV companies need to get realistic about tow vehicles.
|
|
|
|
Post by cliffywhitt on Dec 4, 2018 16:30:46 GMT -5
I am a Ford long box guy. Looking at 250 or 350. I really like the 2500. I am not to keen on diesel living up in the North Country, but we don't need to stir up that conversation. That is pretty well documented. Unless someone really wants to convince me.
|
|
|
|
Post by nvguy on Dec 4, 2018 22:32:13 GMT -5
I am a Ford long box guy. Looking at 250 or 350. I really like the 2500. I am not to keen on diesel living up in the North Country, but we don't need to stir up that conversation. That is pretty well documented. Unless someone really wants to convince me. Even though I own a Diesel, It's hard to dispute the numbers that say unless you run a ton of miles- the Diesel doesn't really pencil out. (Based on several cost of ownership analysis I have seen) But i gotta say having a ton of torque while the engine just lazes along is really nice, and for me, it makes it worthwhile. The 10 MPG isn't bad either. |
|
|
|
Post by Edd505 on Dec 4, 2018 22:45:51 GMT -5
I am a Ford long box guy. Looking at 250 or 350. I really like the 2500. I am not to keen on diesel living up in the North Country, but we don't need to stir up that conversation. That is pretty well documented. Unless someone really wants to convince me. I won't argue gas diesel, but when it gets in the 20's I pull the plug out of the grill & just plug in the diesel. |
|
|
|
Post by mkpaint on Dec 26, 2018 5:39:51 GMT -5
I am a Ford long box guy. Looking at 250 or 350. I really like the 2500. I am not to keen on diesel living up in the North Country, but we don't need to stir up that conversation. That is pretty well documented. Unless someone really wants to convince me. I won't argue gas diesel, but when it gets in the 20's I pull the plug out of the grill & just plug in the diesel. I have a 2017 f250 crew cab with 6.2 gas 8mpg towing we will be trading for a f350 diesel. Our f250 stops and handles weight ok. Also will pull trailer 65 but down shifts alot and needs more torque. We have a dg385fl 13800 dry i believe. |
|
|
|
Post by Chuck on Dec 26, 2018 10:03:49 GMT -5
mkpaint With your F350 diesel you more than likely will get anywhere from 10 to 12mph most days towing at 60 to 65mph but you will see as stated you have much more torque.... You will also find pulling hills an going over mountain passes will be a breeze an the engine brake on the Fords are pretty darn good so going down 6 percent grades will not be much of a problem as well ... Safe travels Chuck |
|
|
|
Post by mdcamper on Dec 27, 2018 7:59:59 GMT -5
What is the payload of your truck? There is a sticker on the drivers side door B pillar. It also will tell you the GVWR etc. Can't go by what the brochure says on ANY truck. Also, take in to consideration any aftermarket add-ons as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by laknox on Dec 27, 2018 11:00:33 GMT -5
Thanks for your help. Guess i will look at a half ton Durango or a bigger truck. Very helpful! There are very few "true" 1/2t towable FWs out there; they just don't have the payload necessary to carry the pin. There =are= a few +/- 20' FWs out there, Escape 2.0 comes to mind as well as some older ones, but not much else. I got a 2500 D'max and now I wish I'd shopped around for an SRW 3500 when I was looking, but I wasn't as edjumacated as I am now. Depending on what you see your RVing future as, go with a 1t 350/3500 SRW. While it may be "too much truck" for now, 5,6,7 years down the road, when you're looking at those 35 footers, you'll thank me. :-) Lyle |
|
|
|
Post by mdcamper on Dec 27, 2018 18:50:39 GMT -5
While I wouldn't tow our current 5er with a 150 or 1500 it does have a considerably light pin weight at 1130 dry. If you load lightly theoretically it could be done with an F150 with max payload and max tow packages. They come in at a little more payload then our Titan XD does. With that said, I again would not tow our 34 ft trailer with an F150 or 1500. They are just too light and their brakes/tires are not up to the task long term.
Regardless of what truck you purchase ALWAYS look at the door sticker for payload ratings and if at all possible take your truck to a scale and weigh it with your typical camping payload (people, fuel, gear etc).
|
|
hanr3
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 16
|
Post by hanr3 on Mar 25, 2019 13:44:47 GMT -5
I'm the odd man out here. I tow a 5th wheel with a F150, and even triple tow with the F150. My 5th wheel maxes out at 7,000 fully loaded and 6,000 empty. We don't live in it, we camp in it and have a hard time packing 1,000 pounds of gear. My boat fully loaded weighs 2,300 pounds. I have no trouble of worries towing or stopping my load. I am under all ratings, carrying capacity, towing capacity, etc.
The biggest challenge towing a 5th wheel with a 1/2 ton truck is pin weight, carrying capacity. If you can stay under those numbers, the rest will work itself out. Example, the OP mentioned a 10,000 camper. That's a 2,000 pound pin weight, plus hitch (180 pounds), passengers (300 pounds), accessories (?), etc. Too much for a 1/2 ton, even with max tow/haul package. I suggest you find a smaller 5er or a bigger truck. There are only 3 or 4 models of 5er that a 1/2 ton can pull. KZ just introduced a new model designed for the 1/2 tons. Check them out.
|
|
