Looking for a HD truck

[tjfdesmo]

I have towed with the 6.4, and Cummins. The towing experience with the diesel is so relaxed in comparison. Towing at elevation you will definitely feel the 6.4 get wheezy. The HO/Aisin just grunts along. And for mountain towing the exhaust brake is priceless.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I have towed with the 6.4, and Cummins. The towing experience with the diesel is so relaxed in comparison. Towing at elevation you will definitely feel the 6.4 get wheezy. The HO/Aisin just grunts along. And for mountain towing the exhaust brake is priceless.

Absolutely - if I were towing frequently, or above 10,000 lbs, or in mountains, I would have gone diesel.

 

[nlambert182]

My current rig doesn't require a diesel at all. I'd have gotten away with a 6.4 all day long no matter where I was pulling. I could've probably gotten away with a 1500 in the right configuration and had I not came from a diesel before this truck I'd have probably done that. But... after towing for so many years with the Cummins and experiencing what it's like to buy and tow a trailer too big for the truck, and then buying one bigger than I need and experiencing the difference I now always buy a truck bigger than I need. Same experience with towing SRW vs. DRW. Done both. There is a significant difference between towing a big trailer with a SRW and a DRW.

Some folks get spun up about that because I usually suggest it, but for me personally, I like that built in level of security. I'll repeat the last part. For me personally.

 

[CatchingSmallies]

I get that... so I'd recommend trying to stay in the 34' range and around 12k lbs GVWR. Again... there are some 2500 gassers and 3500 SRW diesels that will pull that much weight, but you'll have to very specifically pay attention to their payload ratings. Length of the trailer will also play a factor into how it tows. For 40'+ trailers a DRW will make a night and day difference. It's not a comfortable tow in a lot of cases.

So another option I am looking at is the 2025 Grand Design Reflection 322FKTS travel trailer. 35 ft and 10k GVWR. I think that rig will check the boxes for my wife. Dry hitch is 1100lbs and based on the 12-15% rule probably 1232-1265 loaded to GVWR. Wife and me, dog and less than 200 lbs of gear in the truck for another 500-600 lbs, so total payload under 2k. I use a Fastway E2 WDH now and it works great for the combo I'm towing, but I could go to a Hensley or Pro Pride. I'm thinking a 2500 with the Cummins Diesel would be a good match for that setup. Plenty of payload and power in a 3/4 ton and an engine brake for the descents. That's 7 foot longer than my current camper. I appreciate all the feedback.

 

[Dean2]

Some of us have tried very hard to give you quality advice, but that is damn hard to do if you jump all over the map. Ball pull, 5th Wheel, 10,000 lbs to 17,000, 1000 lb hitch weight to 3,200 lbs, 20' to 45'.

Buy the trailer you intend to get and maybe then we can actually give you some specific advice. What is happening here is just mental gymnastics and I have lost interest.

 

[nlambert182]

As far as towing power, a 2500 with a Cummins will do it. HOWEVER... you lose ~900 lbs payload when you switch to a Cummins . So plan on losing payload if you're comparing to a similarly equipped gas variant.

35' on a bumper pull, even with an anti-sway hitch is still going to be subject to "some" sway. It may not be a lot and certainly manageable for all intents and purposes but just be aware of it.

5th wheels and travel trailers tow VASTLY different though. A fifth wheel will always be a more stable tow than a travel trailer. But... if you're intent to stick with a larger/longer trailer with a truck in SRW configuration I would almost certainly point you towards a travel trailer.

 

[tjfdesmo]

3500 w/leaf springs > 2500 w/coils

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Thanks very much for the replies. We are shopping campers now and will probably land on a fifth wheel in the ~12-14k GVWR, so 2.5-3.2k pin weight. The 2500 gassers I have looked at have the payload. The Cummins 2500 does not have the payload after adding in passengers and other stuff in the truck. What I would really love to know is will the gasser do OK hauling that weight up the mountains in CO and NM (we go every year) or do I need to get the 3500 turbo diesel? I'm concerned the gasser doesn't have much more HP and torque (about 40 lb ft) than the 5.7L in my Tundra and it also weighs 1k pounds more. And my Tundra has 4.3 gears vs. 3.7 in the 2500 gassers I have seen. I don't want to be that guy in a HD struggling to pull his fifth wheel up the mountain.

If that is your plan, one ton diesel (single or dually) fits the bill. Could a gas truck do it, yes, but the diesel will be less “exciting”. Especially in the mountains. JMO

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

Deleted

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

3500 w/leaf springs > 2500 w/coils

My signature truck handled a 3k pin weight no problem. Sat level.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

This is good advice.

If you're not daily driving it, get a 3500 dual rear wheel with the 6.7. It will provide a smooth towing experience and you'll enjoy the trip to the campgrounds much more. With the DRW, you won't need airbags at all. 12-14k should sit nice and level.

SRW one ton diesel would work just fine.
No need for a dually.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

So another option I am looking at is the 2025 Grand Design Reflection 322FKTS travel trailer. 35 ft and 10k GVWR. I think that rig will check the boxes for my wife. Dry hitch is 1100lbs and based on the 12-15% rule probably 1232-1265 loaded to GVWR. Wife and me, dog and less than 200 lbs of gear in the truck for another 500-600 lbs, so total payload under 2k. I use a Fastway E2 WDH now and it works great for the combo I'm towing, but I could go to a Hensley or Pro Pride. I'm thinking a 2500 with the Cummins Diesel would be a good match for that setup. Plenty of payload and power in a 3/4 ton and an engine brake for the descents. That's 7 foot longer than my current camper. I appreciate all the feedback.

My fifth wheel pin weight was 23%. Just fyi.

 

[tjfdesmo]

My signature truck handled a 3k pin weight no problem. Sat level.

I towed with my 2500 well beyond the axle and the tire ratings. The fact remains that the leaf spring setup, with it's wider spring perch to perch width is more stable, and doesn't have the inherent wiggle from the short track bar, and the give in the link arms.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

I towed with my 2500 well beyond the axle and the tire ratings. The fact remains that the leaf spring setup, with it's wider spring perch to perch width is more stable, and doesn't have the inherent wiggle from the short track bar, and the give in the link arms.

Never experienced any “wiggle” with my truck. So I wouldn’t say “it’s a fact” leaf springs are more stable.
Every one assumes that, but you know how that saying goes…..
Check out RV forums.
That said, a one ton SRW would have been better for me at the time, more payload.

 

[tjfdesmo]

Never experienced any “wiggle” with my truck. So I wouldn’t say “it’s a fact” leaf springs are more stable.
Every one assumes that, but you know how that saying goes…..
Check out RV forums.
That said, a one ton SRW would have been better for me at the time, more payload.

That information didn't come from a forum. I have two friends that are retired auto engineers, both with tons of suspension design and testing experience.

 

[CatchingSmallies]

Some of us have tried very hard to give you quality advice, but that is damn hard to do if you jump all over the map. Ball pull, 5th Wheel, 10,000 lbs to 17,000, 1000 lb hitch weight to 3,200 lbs, 20' to 45'.

Buy the trailer you intend to get and maybe then we can actually give you some specific advice. What is happening here is just mental gymnastics and I have lost interest.

I completely understand if you don't want to spend any more time helping me sort this out. However, going out and buying whatever we (my wife) want and worrying about how to pull it later is not how I roll. I have gotten some great feedback here that is helping me decide on our next RV as well as what I would need for a TV. I suppose if you knew we are also considering just going to a motor home as an option... I really do appreciate the feedback from everyone. Thanks again.

 

[CatchingSmallies]

My fifth wheel pin weight was 23%. Just fyi.

Apologies. As @Dean2 eloquently pointed out, after failing to agree with my wife on the size of a fifth wheel and what we would need to tow the one she wanted, I threw a curveball and suggested we might go back to a travel trailer. That's where the 12-15% hitch weight came from. I might need marriage counseling more than truck advice at this point.

 

[Ritchie_Rich]

That information didn't come from a forum. I have two friends that are retired auto engineers, both with tons of suspension design and testing experience.

I’m relating my experience having owned both. Not engineering theories…..

 

[tjfdesmo]

I’m relating my experience having owned both. Not engineering theories…..

LOLOLOLOLOL

 

[Dean2]

I’m relating my experience having owned both. Not engineering theories…..

You and I often agree on things but in this case, you have owned 1 or 2 of each, he is quoting guys that have designed, built and tested 1000s. Wonder who's advice we should listen too.