Tow Rig

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Dan_Frisbie

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Pensacola, FL
We currently own a 34ft Class A (gasoline) and tow a box trailer with our motorcycles, paddle boards, and bicycles. Recently, we went on a trip in which we knew that we were going to need a car to go to a concert. We considered making the Wrangler a toad, renting a car, driving the truck behing the MH, etc, etc. We borrowed a car from a local friend in Jax and went to the concert, so that probem was solved, but what about the next time?
We are now considering a giant toy hauler (fifth wheel) and pickup. I really don't like the garage space in TH when camping, it just seems like wasted space to me. Also, TH's feel like they have smaller living quarters in relation to overall size (due to the garage), so we want a really big one, probably 45 ft.
Tow rigs;
GM, Ford, and Ram all have decent dually trucks and I'm not sure that there is a brand advantage or preference.

The Ram Mega Cab gives a lot of extra room for the dogs, naps, etc. Is the 6.4 ft bed enough for the big 5th wheel rigs? Ram doesn’t offer an 8ft bed with the big cab.
 
New truck? Wanting to get a new rig, or just satisfy a need. Persona;;y, I would look for a used car set up to be towed. Barring that a used car that can be setup to be towed. If you already have the Wrangler, just get it set up to be towed.

Boing with all new or newish, the 6.5” beds can usually tow a fifth wheel, either by using a slider hitch or getting a 5er that has the pin forward.
 
I am skeptical that thos huge toy haulers can handle all that weight over the long term unless you get onto the big bucks with something like spacecraft. We tow a small box trailer behind our wrangler. They dont tow a lot and i put airbags in the wrangler.

For the price they want for the duallies these days i would probably try to find a used hdt if i had to do it all over again
 
Personally i like the ram for the cummins diesel, chevy for the tranny, and ford for the interior. I have been told the duramax is far more expensive to maintain than the ford 6.7 but havent verified that. I have seen some mdts that combine the best of all 3 so maybe that is an option

I would rather have a full size bed than an articulating hitch. If you decide on a ford the 450 has a better turning radius than the 350. I always have to do a back and forth dance in the 350 to get it square into a parking space.
 
that’s lots of stuff. I Love my toy hauler for weekend or so but long term I like the comforts of my Montana.

Couple questions.
How far and how often do you go? Weekends? Live in for weeks/months?
What speed do you expect to travel at?
 
that’s lots of stuff. I Love my toy hauler for weekend or so but long term I like the comforts of my Montana.

Couple questions.
How far and how often do you go? Weekends? Live in for weeks/months?
What speed do you expect to travel at?
I'd like to cruise at 65 with reasonable comfort.
Distance and time gone is irrelevant as far as the truck is concerned...
 
I'd like to cruise at 65 with reasonable comfort.
Distance and time gone is irrelevant as far as the truck is concerned...
Not completely irrelevant as I am thinking outside the box. With your 65mph answer, you could have more comfortable regular 5ver and get one of these.

Swivel Wheel

It won’t work for me but i’ve talked to a few people that have them and they love them — it might be a good option for you?
 
45 feet might limit some places you can go. Have you considered towing a truck and putting the motorcycle in the bed?
We have the dually and they can be a pain to park in crowded places.
 
Not completely irrelevant as I am thinking outside the box. With your 65mph answer, you could have more comfortable regular 5ver and get one of these.

Swivel Wheel

It won’t work for me but i’ve talked to a few people that have them and they love them — it might be a good option for you?
Those are awesome but illegal in some eastern seaboard states that dont allow tandem towing
 
Unless something changed they are legal everywhere. It’s not considered a tandem trailer but pat of the fiver.
New York may be the one exception.
 
Not completely irrelevant as I am thinking outside the box. With your 65mph answer, you could have more comfortable regular 5ver and get one of these.

Swivel Wheel

It won’t work for me but i’ve talked to a few people that have them and they love them — it might be a good option for you?
I'm just asking about a truck...
 
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45 feet might limit some places you can go. Have you considered towing a truck and putting the motorcycle in the bed?
We have the dually and they can be a pain to park in crowded places.
I am aware of the space limitations and I am not going to put two $40,000 motorcycles in my truck bed.
I have owned a dually long bed and am capable of parking one.
 
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I'm just asking about a truck...
Alrighty then.

In that case:
I’ve had great luck with my fords.
You definitely will want/need a dually.
Can you do it in a short bed. Yes. But I would not recommend it as with a trailer that long you’ll likely end upon tight squeezes. Shorter wheelbase makes one think it’s better. Until you turn to tight and hit the cab. Yes you can get moveable slide hitch, but that’s just one more thing to do on arrival and after pulling out if it’s a tight area.
F350 long bed.
 
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I have been happily surprised at how well my 2014 F350 does handling our 44ft 5th wheel. The gvwr of the RV is 21,000 lbs. The 6.7 power plant is very solid. I have been forced to tow the rv a couple of times when the rv brakes were out and it handled it far better than I expected. I had to add airbags to eliminate the squat and I installed an external fuel tank in the long bed to save on fuel. The biggest issue has been managing heat on the front wheels when coming down severe grades even when I only use the RV brakes and tow vehicle tranny to manage speed.

Works great but I wish I had at least a 450. Far easier at my age towing with an oversized tow vehicle.
 
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Another vote for the Ford, 2015 F350 Dually, we took I70 through the Rockies this spring and it performed great. Our trailer weighs around 16k.
 
I tow our nearly 45ft TH with a 2012 Chevy CC LB Duramax bought new. Other than oil changes just 2 glow plugs.
Our garage has the HappiJac beds we lower after unloading wife’s golf cart & all-terrain mobility scooter. We have TWO full baths, 3AC’s, washer/dryer, & Onan 5500 genny.
I strongly advise on these size 5ers using nothing but an airride hitch. I use the AirSafe brand but BD5 or Mountain Air all great.
 

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