Is a Single Rear-Wheel or Dually Rear-Wheel Truck Better for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer

Question:

5th wheel toy hauler is 43foot and 86inch width. approx. 2400 lbs hitch weight and gross weight 20,000 lbs. Looking at Fords F350 diesel, prefer SRW, is DRW necessary?

asked by: Jim L

Expert Reply:

If you have the option I would definitely go with a dually. Higher capacity, less stress on the vehicle; the only down side is it is a larger truck. But provided that the truck you choose has the capacity for the trailer then single rear or dually rear would be fine.

I definitely recommend a long bed because short bed trucks will require additional equipment to be able to make tight turns. Otherwise you are right on the money looking at 1-ton diesels.

When people ask I will always say a 1-ton diesel long bed is going to be the best for 5th wheel towing. And if its a dually that is icing on the cake!

If the trailer gross weight is 20,000 pounds then you will want to look at hitches rated above 20,000 pounds. I would look at something around 24,000 pounds such as the Q24, # C16245. Although a 22K Reese hitch, # RP30033 would work too.

expert reply by: Michael H