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Guide to Choosing the Best Truck to Tow a Fifth Wheel (Cover Image)

Guide to Choosing the Best Truck for 5th-Wheel Towing

Written by: Amber S
Last updated: 2/26/2024
Est. read time: 13 mins.
You dream of hitting the open highway with your fifth-wheel trailer in tow, but before you can embark on your outdoor adventures, you have to figure out the best way to get where you're going. If you want to jump straight to the top of the line with an all-powerful, up-for-anything truck, then a 1-ton dually with an 8-foot bed and diesel engine will certainly hit all the right marks. However, just because one truck type is up for anything doesn't mean it's one size fits all. Factors like daily driving comfort, cab size, and up-front costs are worth considering as well. Truck options are as many and varied as the people who use them, but this straightforward guide will help break down the most important specs to consider, which features you need, and which ones you can't live without. You can also check out our comparison of the top 2017 and 2018 trucks to discover which truck has the highest towing capacity, which has the most powerful engine, and which received the most accolades in the industry.
5 Things to Think About Before You Buy:

1. Do I Need a Short-Bed or Long-Bed Truck for a 5th Wheel?

With the rising popularity of Quad Cabs, Mega Cabs, and SuperCrew Cabs, many truck bed lengths have decreased from the standard 8 feet. However, when purchasing a truck intended for towing a fifth-wheel camper, you should be aware that your truck bed length will affect both the cost of your hitch setup and the simplicity of your towing experience once you're on the road.
Long Beds - 8 ft.
Long-Bed Truck
Pros
  • Best turning clearance
  • Most convenient for towing
  • Best traction/reduced sway
  • Most cost-effective setup
Cons
  • Large for a daily driver
Learn More
Short Beds - Under 8 ft.
Short-Bed Truck
Pros
  • Easy to park & maneuver when not towing
  • Often include large cab
  • Excellent daily driver
Cons
  • Reduced turning clearance
  • Less convenient for towing
  • Less traction
  • Less cost-effective setup
Learn More
Shorter Beds - Under 6 ft.
Short Truck Bed
Pros
  • Lightweight and easiest to maneuver when not towing
  • Often include large cab
  • Excellent daily driver
Cons
  • Highly reduced turning clearance
  • Least convenient for towing
  • Least traction
  • Least cost-effective setup
Learn More
Which Hitch Do I Need
Long-Bed Truck

Long-Bed Trucks: 8 Feet

An 8-foot bed, also referred to as a long bed, is ideal for towing a fifth-wheel trailer. Fifth-wheel hitches must remain in front of a truck's rear axle, so the camper sits close to the cab. This can cause clearance issues on shorter trucks, as the trailer will strike the cab during sharp turns if the proper towing equipment is not used. However, an 8-foot bed provides plenty of clearance for making sharp turns with no special hitches or pin boxes needed.
Trailer Hitch in Truck Bed
Fixed Hitch

Which hitch do I need?

If you choose a long-bed truck, you can purchase a fixed hitch to tow your camper. Fixed hitches are generally more cost-effective than the sliding hitches required for short-bed trucks (often by several hundred dollars) in addition to being more convenient. Once it's installed, you don't have to worry about adjusting the hitch for turns or achieving cab clearance. Fixed hitches are available with above-bed and below-bed rails.
Short-Bed Truck

Short-Bed Trucks: Under 8 Feet

If you want to tow a fifth wheel, but the truck of your dreams turns out to have a bed shorter than 8 feet long, don't despair—you can have your cake and eat it, too (preferably while sitting in your fifth-wheel trailer in the camping location of your choice). Although truck beds under 8 feet run into clearance issues due to the camper being so close to the cab, there are hitches available that give you the option of towing with a short-bed truck.
Diagram: Turning in a short-bed truck
Short-bed trucks cause clearance issues on sharp turns, though this issue can be avoided with a sliding hitch or Sidewinder.

Which hitch do I need?

While fixed hitches aren't usually a viable option for short beds, sliding hitches are designed to work with beds shorter than 8 feet long. Sliding hitches provide greater turning clearance by sliding backward toward the truck tailgate during sharp turns, thus increasing the distance between the cab and the trailer.
Sliding Hitch
There are two types of sliding hitches: manual and automatic. Manual sliding hitches must be physically adjusted from the "locked" to the "turn" position, so you will have to pull over and exit your vehicle each time you make a sharp turn. Automatic sliding hitches self-adjust during turns, allowing you to circumvent this pesky process, albeit at a higher price point. With an automatic sliding hitch, you never have to exit your vehicle to make a turn—the hitch slides smoothly toward the tailgate when you turn and back toward the cab when you straighten out.
Short-Bed Truck

Even Shorter-Bed Trucks: Under 6 Feet

With truck beds under 6 feet long, even sliding hitches don't provide enough clearance to make sharp turns. Instead, you'll need to use a Sidewinder pin box replacement (or the OEM version, the Revolution). With Sidewinders and Revolutions, the pivot point is located 22 inches behind the king pin, close to the tailgate, creating much more space in between the truck cab and trailer on sharp turns.
Short-Bed Truck
A truck pulls a 5th-wheel trailer with a Sidewinder
Sidewinders are pin box specific, so you will need your current pin box model number in order to find the correct replacement box. If you know your pin box model number, you can select it to see Sidewinder options that will fit. If you don't know your pin box model number and can't locate it on the pin box, you can measure to find the correct replacement.
Sidewinder and Fixed Hitch
Sidewinder and Fixed Hitch
Which hitch do I need? Fixed hitches are highly recommended with Sidewinder and Revolution pin boxes. You will also need a wedge to prevent the king pin from rotating in your hitch. If you use a sliding hitch with a Sidewinder or Revolution, the hitch should always be kept in the "locked" position. Certain hitches are incompatible with Sidewinder and Revolution pin boxes.
Our Recommendation: If that Crew Cab is a must-have, but it comes with a short bed, the good news is that towing a fifth wheel is possible with the proper equipment. However, hitch and pin box upgrades will have a higher out-of-pocket cost and aren't as convenient as fixed hitch setups. For these reasons, trucks with 8-foot beds are the preferred vehicles for towing fifth wheels.

2. Gas vs. Diesel: Which is Best for Towing?

It's no secret that gas tends to cost less at almost every point: gas engines cost less upfront, fuel costs less at the pump, and maintenance costs are generally lower for gas engines.However, over time, the superior fuel economy of a diesel engine can actually save you money. Diesel engines usually have a greater towing capacity because of their large torque outputs, which makes them ideal for hauling around massive fifth-wheel trailers. Diesel engines also tend to last longer than gas engines.
Gas vs Diesel Chart
Our Recommendation: Bottom line, if you're going to be towing a hefty fifth-wheel trailer, particularly over long distances, a diesel engine will be beneficial if you can swing the initially higher costs. However, gas engines are also perfectly capable of towing a fifth wheel, so a diesel engine is a recommendation, not a requirement.

3. Tow Capacity, Payload, and GCWR: How Big of a Truck Do I Need?

You may have come across phrases like "weight capacity," "payload," and "GCWR" in your truck research, but what do all these ratings mean?Towing capacity is, as the name suggests, the maximum weight you can tow. Truck manufacturers differentiate between bumper-pull towing capacities and fifth-wheel towing capacities, with the latter being greater. Check for the specific fifth-wheel tow rating of your truck's year, make, model, and options (this information can generally be found online). It's good to have some wiggle room of a few thousand lbs when choosing a truck to tow your fifth wheel. For instance, if your fifth wheel is 14,000 lbs, you should aim for a truck that can tow at least 16,000 or 17,000 lbs.
Payload is defined as the load weight a vehicle can carry, including people, cargo, and vehicle options. Payload is the downward force of your cargo in your vehicle, or how much it can hold rather than pull. (This is the rating that usually gets exceeded first, so you want to be careful.) You can generally find a given truck's payload online. Most also list payload capacity on the yellow sticker inside the door jamb. Always make sure your payload capacity is enough to support your cargo, vehicle options, driver and passengers, and loaded trailer.
Payload weight = driver + passengers + cargo
GCWR is your Gross Combined Weight Rating, which is the maximum combined weight of your loaded truck plus your fully loaded trailer. The truck's specifications and towing capabilities should be listed on the sticker inside the driver's side door or displayed online. (Owner's manuals and manufacturer's websites are a great resource to check for these numbers.)Check for the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and subtract your Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), which is the combined weight of your truck, fuel, passengers, and cargo when your vehicle is loaded and ready for towing. The difference between the GCWR and the GVW is the maximum loaded trailer weight the truck can tow.
Gross Combined Weight Rating Minus Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings = Max Loaded Trailer Weight
You'll need to make sure that your loaded fifth wheel doesn't exceed any of your truck's weight ratings. It logically follows that a larger truck will offer a larger tow capacity and payload. In most cases you'll want to go with at least a ¾-ton truck like the Ford F-250, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, or Ram 2500, or—even better—a 1-ton truck. These are heavy-duty trucks like the Ford F-350, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and Ram 3500. If you tow with a smaller truck, or if you tow a trailer close to your truck's maximum weight capacity, you may need suspension enhancements to help stabilize and level your vehicle. With these larger vehicles, there will be less strain on the suspension and drivetrain components than with a smaller truck. That said, towing a small fifth wheel with a ½-ton truck like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, or Ram 1500 (to name a few) is not impossible as long as the truck is rated sufficiently for your trailer. Check out our sizing chart to get an idea of which truck type you might need to pull your fifth wheel.
1/2-ton trucks for 5th wheels under 10k lbs,; 3/4-ton truck for fifth wheels between 10k and 16k lbs; full ton trucks for fifth wheels over 16k lbs
Figures are based on average 5th wheel ratings and truck capacities; always check weight rating information on any trailer and truck prior to towing.
Our Recommendation: Always stay within all weight ratings and specifications required by your vehicle. If you're going to be towing a large fifth wheel trailer, or if you know you'll be looking at a fifth-wheel upgrade down the road, a 1-ton truck will allow this and will hold up the best under a sizeable trailer. However, if you plan on sticking with a smaller fifth wheel, a ¾-ton or even a ½-ton truck is likely all you need, provided its weight ratings are sufficient.

4. Do I Need a Dually?

In short, the answer is no—you don't necessarily need a dually (dual rear wheel) truck to tow a fifth-wheel trailer, but that doesn't mean you won't want one.On one hand, single rear wheel trucks enjoy slightly greater fuel efficiency and offer greater visibility than dually trucks. It's also more economical to replace four tires than it is to replace six. Additionally, keep in mind that you won't always be using your truck for towing, so while it's important to choose a truck that can safely and efficiently tow your trailer, it's also important not to overlook everyday driving comfort. It's considerably easier to navigate through a drive-through or pull into a tight parking space with a single rear wheel truck than it is with a larger dually. On the other hand, a major benefit of dually trucks is that they provide greater stability when towing a large fifth wheel, such as a toy hauler. A dually truck will typically have a higher weight capacity—again, an important consideration when towing something as large as a fifth wheel—and will cause less stress on the vehicle. Also, in the event of a rear tire blowout, you'll have backups already built in. You may not need a dually, but the extra set of wheels will certainly make for a steadier ride that in many cases will be worth the trade-offs, particularly if you plan on frequent towing.
Our Recommendation: If you plan on frequently towing a large fifth-wheel trailer, a dually is an excellent choice for a more stable ride. However, if you plan on towing a smaller fifth wheel, or if you'll only be towing your trailer on occasion, then sticking with a single rear wheel truck will provide more day-to-day driving comfort.
White dually pickup truck
The dual rear wheels on this Ford F-350 result in a higher weight capacity and greater stability, although they may affect daily driving comfort.

5. What Factory Prep Packages and Fifth-Wheel Rails are Available?

Typically, to install a fifth-wheel hitch, you also have to purchase and install hitch rails in your truck bed. However, many manufacturers are now saving you the hassle of purchasing and installing aftermarket rails (or paying to have them installed for you) by offering fifth wheel factory prep packages with their trucks. There are two types of installation rails: those that install above the truck bed, and those that install below it. Factory prep kits come pre-installed below the bed and are visible as a series of small pucks that sit flush with your truck bed, where the hitch is installed.
Five factory prep package pucks in red truck bed
Above-bed fifth wheel rail system in pickup truck bed
Pictured: an underbed rail system and an above-bed rail system.

Factory 5th-Wheel Prep Packages

One important thing to note is that these prep kits are custom-designed, so you will need to purchase a hitch compatible with your manufacturer's kit. For instance, this B&W Companion Hitch is custom-designed to work with new Ford Super Duty trucks with the prep package, while this B&W Companion Hitch is compatible with new Ram prep packages. These custom hitches will drop directly into the pucks in your truck bed, making for a quick and painless installation. With a prep package, dropping a hitch into the truck bed takes an average of 30 minutes, compared to the 4 or more hours it usually takes to install a hitch and aftermarket rails on a truck without a prep package. If you already have a hitch you want to use with your fifth wheel, but the hitch is not compatible with your factory prep kit, you don't have to throw out your perfectly good hitch. Instead, you'll just need an above-bed adapter like this Reese adapter for Ram trucks. Adapters behave like standard, above-bed rails and mount into the factory pucks in your truck bed, allowing you to use a standard, above-bed hitch. Whenever possible, it's best to use a compatible hitch designed for your under-bed rails for the best fit and minimal contact with your truck bed, but adapters are a good solution if you do end up with an incompatible hitch and rail system.The best way to find a hitch compatible with your factory prep package is to use our fitguide and select your year, make, model, and vehicle options. From there, you can select above-bed or below-bed rails to filter your options. If you choose below-bed rails, you will be presented with options that fit your OEM prep package. If you select above-bed rails, all of your hitch options will include the rail adapter that will allow you to use the hitch with your OEM prep kit.
Aftermarket 5th-wheel rails in red pickup truck bed

Aftermarket 5th-Wheel Rails

Although purchasing a truck with the factory prep package is more convenient, if you are purchasing a used truck or a truck from an individual rather than a dealership, a prep kit might not be an option. If your truck does not have a factory prep kit, you can still install the rails yourself. Aftermarket options are generally more budget-friendly than factory prep kits, and with the variety of custom-fit options available, you can often still achieve a factory look and feel. You can choose between above-bed and below-bed rails as well as between custom, semi-custom, and universal install kits. If you prefer to retain full use of your truck bed when the hitch is removed, below-bed rails are the ideal choice. Custom install kits built for your vehicle are always the best option, as they typically require little to no drilling into your truck frame, and they are much easier to install.
5th-Wheel Wiring Harness
Are fifth-wheel wiring harnesses available?In addition to aftermarket rails, aftermarket fifth-wheel wiring harnesses are available to simplify trailer hookup. These in-bed wiring harnesses will plug into your vehicle's factory wiring and allow you to mount a 7-way connector right in your truck bed. Many also feature 90-degree angled connectors to fit into tight spaces, so they can be installed almost anywhere in the bed. These harnesses are a custom-fit item, so you can use our wiring fitguide to find the right harness for your truck. When you use our fitguide to search for a hitch and rails, you can also find a wiring harness recommendation on the right-hand side of the product list page.
Our Recommendation: A fifth-wheel hitch can be installed regardless of whether or not the truck has a factory prep package, so if you don't have the option or don't wish to pay for the factory upgrade upfront, you can always find a hitch, installation rails, and wiring harness later on. If you do have the option, however, we highly recommend sparing yourself the time and hassle of purchasing aftermarket rails and installing them yourself.
Related ProductsRelated ArticlesWritten by: Amber S.Updated on: 2/26/2024

Tyler

3/30/2024

I have a 2022 Ram 2500 6.4L V8 Laramie, we purchased a 2024 Forest River Sandpiper 4002FB and I'm wondering if we are going to be over weight on the pin? And if we load up the camper. We got the B&W Companion for the hitch, I weighed the truck and it came in at 7700, with just me, that's not including my wife and hitch. I'm debating ungrading my truck or getting a different 5th wheel with a lighter pin weight but they are hard to find with a washer/dryer prep. Any suggestions or comments?

Heather

3/24/2024

It would've been great if you covered flatbeds as an alternative. I'd be interested to know which manufacturers create a single cab or crewcab duallies with shorter length flatbeds. The 5th wheels I have in mind don't exceed 32ft & will have closer to 27K or 3K cargo capacity. This is why I'm not looking at anything under a 450 & I'm leaning towards a 550 for future-proofing reasons. Figured there's fewer clearance issues with a flatbed & a shorter truck with a shorter flatbed is a more useful daily driver. What do you all think?

Etrailer Expert

Jenny N.

4/17/2024

@Heather To add 5th wheel rails to your flat bed you will need to use the Reese Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit item # RP30035. There is no custom fit option for flat beds. Additionally you will want to reach out the manufacturer of your flat bed to verify the structure is capable of supporting the rails. What is typically recommended for flat bed truck owners wanting to use a 5th wheel hitch is to install the B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Trailer Hitch for Flatbed Trucks item # BWGNRK1500. This can be welded into the flatbed and frame so you don't have a set of rails in the middle of your flat bed. Then you will want to use the B&W Companion Flatbed Gooseneck-to-5th-Wheel Trailer Hitch Adapter item # BWRVK3050.

Joël J.

2/26/2024

Bonjour Excellent article, no need to watch bla bla bla vidéo on you tube. I want to travel 6 month in Canada and USA. My idea is to buy before or when I arrive and sale before I go back to France. US small fifth wheel are BIG. I saw camper trucker for sale and was sea sick to watch the test drive. My question : any idea how to sort good to bad used RV dealers ? My last option is to ship my RV camper. If you have the same article for camper trucker, please give me the link. Best regards JJ

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

2/27/2024

@JoëlJ When you choose an RV dealer, you'll really want to take a deep dive into their customer reviews. Did other customers have problems? If so, how responsive was the dealer in handling them? How satisfied are their customers? These are all important factors you'll want to research. What do you mean by 'camper trucker'?

Christopher

1/11/2024

I have purchased a keystone Montana High Country 326rd, and looking to purchase a Ram 3500 6.7 diesel - i am concerned about pin weight. Payload on the truck is 4000lbs pin weight is 2885 - once you add the generator, lithium battery, people, hitch, etc etc our numbers statt to get foggy / any advice?

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

1/11/2024

@Christopher It's pretty easy to figure out. Take the weight you'll be adding in supplies, the approximately 300 lbs for a generator, 150 lbs per battery and the 200~ lbs for the hitch and add it up. Take 20% of that weight then add it to the 2885 dry pin weight of the 5th wheel. You should still be under the 4000 lb payload capacity of the truck. Keep the cargo weight as light as possible. Hope that helps!

Christopher

1/11/2024

@MikeL thank you! That is thr most comprehensive answer I have found - i was adding all of the trailer weights in full and adding them to the pin then adding our weights and cargo in the truck and I was up over 5000 in some cases - i am relieved I do not have to go to a dually
Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

1/11/2024

@Christopher Since the trailer's pin weight is 20% of it's weight, that same figure would apply to cargo loaded on the 5th wheel. Glad we could help!

John D.

12/6/2023

I just purchased a 2022 Ram 2500 Big Horn 6.7L Cummins...I have read conflicting information all over the internet but the dealership had it listed on their website as a towing capacity of ~18,690lbs. Does this sound anywhere accurate? Just want to make sure I don't pull a trailer that is too big and put not only my vehicle, but myself in harms way. Thanks!

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

12/6/2023

@JohnD That's pretty similar to what I found on the terrible, awful Ram online Towing Guide. Keep in mind, though that the more equipment added to the truck, the more the towing capacity is reduced. Short bed trucks have a higher capacity than long beds do. High trim levels will have a lower capacity. 4x4 vehicles typically have a lower capacity. In other words, the heavier optioned the Ram 2500 is, the lower the towing capacity. This conflicts with what's said in the owner's manual, which states that a 2500 truck can tow a 5th wheel up to 25K or a gooseneck trailer up to 20K. No mention of how the vehicle is equipped is given. To confuse things further, if you look up the 'Stellantis Towing Guide', they list 14-15K for the Big Horn. Confusing, right? I'd recommend getting with your Ram dealer for clarification.

John D.

12/6/2023

@MikeL so basically I just have to trust my dealer’s word? He told me 19,900 but everyone on Reddit claims otherwise. The sticker with listed payload says 2,293lbs. Front GAWR of 6000 and rear GAWR of 6040. I bought this truck under the impression it could haul more than 17,500 and I’m just hoping I wasn’t gipped.
Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

12/6/2023

@JohnD Unfortunately, this is a situation where after checking 3 sources, we couldn't find a definitive answer. I just tried a 4th source for you. If you Google search '2022 Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel towing capacity', you get the 19,900 lb figure your dealer told you. GM and Ford make it much easier and I'm sorry for the confusion.
See All (5) Replies to John D. ∨


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