What truck should I buy to haul my new RW 415

Hello all, I just bought a new 2014 RW 415 and I'm new to RVing. I wanted to make sure I got the right truck to haul the RW weight and have been looking at either a Ford 350 or Dodge 3500. My biggest problem is trying to figure out what size engine would be best to handle the weight and still do decent on the gas milage as it will be my daily driver for work. We plan on doing some traveling across country during the summer times so I want to make sure I can get up the hills ok. I've been looking closely at the Ford's just because of the prices and availability of them. We want to purchase used truck like a 2000 to 2010.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Road Warrior 415RT

Hi Fishtank,

You need to look at both the trailer GVWR and the Pin Weight. I'm not sure about the 2014, but the current RW 415 GVWR is 20,000 lbs. You should plan on a Pin Weight of about 20% of the GVWR, or 4,000 lbs.

The truck needs to have a 5th wheel tow rating of 20,000 or more and a payload spec of around 4,500 or more. The payload has to accommodate the Pin Weight along with weight of your hitch, bed liner, bed cover, tools, firewood, pets, passengers and anything else that goes in the truck.

Those numbers will put you into a late model 1 Ton Diesel dually.

You can get more specific information at Fifth Wheel Safe Towing.

What Dan said above. One ton dually is where you need to be, at the lowest end.

Rod

Any of the big 3 1 tn. DRW after 2011. Most of the older trucks do not have the weight ratings you need.

Diesel not gas.

Bob&Patty said:

Any of the big 3 1 tn. DRW after 2011. Most of the older trucks do not have the weight ratings you need.

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The only pickups that I'm aware of that meet your year requirements and that are rated to tow 18,000-20,000 pounds are Ford F450's years 2008-2010. The 2008 had a 4.88 axle ratio while the 2009 and 2010 models had a 4.30 ratio.

Not quite. The newer trucks have a much higher rating than the 2008-2010 models.
I can only speak of which I know, and that is my 2013 RAM.
It has a GCWR of 32,000. The 3500 DRW weighs in at 9,350, that's traveling weight. That leaves enough room to tow a trailer of 22,250.
The GVWR is 14,000. That leaves room for a payload of 4,650. Not many trailers have that kind of pin weight. So plenty of room for most rigs.
Just thought I'd throw that out here.

Peace
Dave

cookie said:

Not quite. The newer trucks have a much higher rating than the 2008-2010 models.
I can only speak of which I know, and that is my 2013 RAM.
It has a GCWR of 32,000. The 3500 DRW weighs in at 9,350, that's traveling weight. That leaves enough room to tow a trailer of 22,250.
The GVWR is 14,000. That leaves room for a payload of 4,650. Not many trailers have that kind of pin weight. So plenty of room for most rigs.
Just thought I'd throw that out here.

Peace
Dave

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Dave I agree with your statement that the newer trucks have a higher ratings then the older trucks. But Fishtank is looking for a used truck between 2000-2010 a 2009 or 2010 diesel F450 for example have a GCWR of 33,000 with a maximum 5th wheel GVW of 24,200 for a 4x4 model, 24,600 for a 4x2 model. If Fishtank is interested in a Ford product I suggest he does a Google search for "Ford Fleet Towing" followed by the year of vehicle he would be interested in, the pdf's are very informative.

This is exactly what put me in the hdt market. I had a 2014 415rw, they are HEAVY!!! Especially in the mountains on a steep downhill pass! I pulled mine at first with a 2011 1 ton Powerstroke. After two different near misses, both of which the trailer brakes failed, I decided to find something bigger. I have owned a 99' F550 Powerstroke when it was new. It was a lot of truck. It would work great, but it is hard to find one in good shape. I would only have one with the 6 spd manual. The new 350/3500 and 450/4500 are very nice, but way to expensive. I found my 2006 Freightliner for $17,800. Sold the 2011 Powerstroke for the little I had left owed on it plus the price of my flat bad. I also had enough left over out of the sale to pay cash for an 06' 4x4 Toyota that I daily drive. The Freightliner is very nice for trips with the family, and it handles the weight with ease. Fuel economy is about 1 mpg better while towing than 11' Powerstroke, and I only drive it about 20 miles a week other than when I am towing just so it doesn't sit. The other reason is the Freightliner still only gets 9-9.5 mpg empty (same as loaded). If money was no option, I would have a new F450 4x4 Powerstroke. Unfortunately, the oilfield is very very slow right now, and I did not want to stick my neck out there for $40-$50k. Plus the Toyota is nicer to drive around town than any full size pick-up. I also like not ever having to worry about weight. The Freightliner is registered as an RV, and as such there is no extra registration fees. Oil changes are brutal unless you do them yourself though at 44 quarts of oil. Good luck in what ever you decide. I hope you don't make the same mistake I did though, and get enough truck the first time.

cookie said:

Not quite. The newer trucks have a much higher rating than the 2008-2010 models.
I can only speak of which I know, and that is my 2013 RAM.
It has a GCWR of 32,000. The 3500 DRW weighs in at 9,350, that's traveling weight. That leaves enough room to tow a trailer of 22,250.
The GVWR is 14,000. That leaves room for a payload of 4,650. Not many trailers have that kind of pin weight. So plenty of room for most rigs.
Just thought I'd throw that out here.

Peace
Dave

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The operative sentence is "that meets your year requirements" 2000-2010. That leaves out the 2011 and up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Other-...44e4b9b5:g:wDwAAOSw7FRWU3KX&item=301803551157


Here you go! This would be perfect. I wish I was in the market right now!