Just bought a 29’ 5th wheel and would like to know the best size truck to pull it . Would appreciate feedback on your experiences.
Before that can be answered a few bits of information is needed. First what is the pin weight? Loaded weight? To get loaded weight add all gear that would be packed in your trailer along with full propane and water. The dry weights that are stated by the manufacturer are not all that accurate. Some 1/2 ton pickup would do depending on payload capacity, engine size, factory installed towing packages, gear ratios etc. For peace of mind and ease of towing a 3/4 ton gas or diesel is what I would recommend
The biggest question seems to be the length of the truck. Long bed, short bed? Extended cab, crew cab? We currently have an F250 with Crew Cab and 8' bed, making it too long to maneuver. Is a 6' bed doable?
I tow our 5th with an F350 short box. Our trailer has the Revolution pin box and I have no troubles at all. If your 5th doesn’t have a Revolution or Sidewinder pin box then you would have to go with a sliding hitch.
Truck size? First, determine the gross weight of your camper (which you didn't mention). Say it is 10000 lbs. Your pin weight will be about 23 percent of the gross weight for a 2300 pin weight. Add to this the weight of your hitch and occupants/cargo (in truck) weight. You are looking at about 2800 lbs or so. Now go to your door frame. There is a yellow/white placard that states your payload: THE COMBINED WEIGHT OF OCCUPANTS AND CARGO..... If the weight you added up exceeds the payload, you are overweight. The dry weight and pin weight listed by any manufacturer are a fantasy and will never be seen in the real world. Almost ALL 1/2 ton trucks have payload capacities below 2000 lbs and many 3/4 ton trucks under 2500 lbs. To pull a 5th wheel when you exceed your payload is both dangerous for you and your passengers and others on the road and you may be liable for legal action in the event of a wreck as scene investigators do check weights and payload. The trucks engine and drive train are not usually the limiting factor but the payload is. Manufacturers of 5th wheels who claim their products are "1/2 Ton Towable" should be ashamed for the marketing lies. Here is a Payload placard found on all vehicles manufactured after the mid-2000s:
Pulling it is one thing, controlling it another. If you have to do a quick stop, can you do it. I have seen 1/2 tons really overloaded and they pull it, but can’t control it when you need it.
