3500 or 4500 for heavy 5th wheel towing?

[Jerry J Patterson]

We are looking at both the 3500 and 4500 for a tow vehicle for our future 5th wheel that will have a GVWR of 20,000 pounds. although a 4500 has a slightly better tow rating over a 3500, what pros and cons are there between a comparable 3500 and 4500? Thanx in advance

 

[14hemiexpress]

The main pro I can think of for a 3500 is the registration fact. 4500 puts you into medium duty territory I’m sure that gets expensive to register.

 

[tron67j]

I was told that in California a 4500 has to stop in weigh stations but check laws wherever you might go to verify requirements. As mentioned registration is different and check your local laws as roads marked no commercial vehicles may not be available to you.

 

[Farmer Fran]

For some reason I thought the 3500 had more payload. But been a while since I looked. Maybe I have it backwards and maybe it was ford 350 vs 450

 

[OC455]

4500's payload is higher, 7k range and up, 5500's are in the 10k range....towing varies, you'd have to check the specs. 3500/4500/5500's, I know here are more expensive to register and insure.

 

[JRS950]

The 4500 uses a different front axle setup. It has a better wheel cut so it turns much shorter than a 3500. Bigger brakes and wheels. It only comes a cab and chassis, no pickup box. Need to go aftermarket for that.