Best Truck and Hitch Recommendation for Towing a 18K Dry Weight 5th Wheel Trailer 41 Feet Long

Question:

We just bought a 2015 Land Mark 5th wheel 41 feet and dry weight of 18K. Dealer is delivering to our RV site in Georgia. But we will be doing some traveling from there and not sure what kind of truck to purchase and hitch set up. We are experienced RVers and I used to drive big rig trucks, but I have been looking at Duallys with the 373 or 410 rear ends diesels of course but I am wondering if I can get by with a Ford 250 non-dually or a dodge or chevy 2500 having to tow this kind of weight. According to vehicle tow charts a dually is almost mandatory, but is it really? Any advice would be appreciated along with recommended hitch truck will have mounting pucks already installed. Thank you.

asked by: Tom A

Expert Reply:

With a dry weight of 18,000 pounds you would be much better off with a 1-ton truck, it doesn't have to be a dually but it wouldn't hurt. A diesel is a good idea given how strong and reliable they are. And you will want a long bed truck to avoid having to get a slider hitch or a Sidewinder replacement pin box.

If you go with a Ram then avoid the Ram Box option. Ford and Ram have 5th wheel prep packages and there are hitches that will fit directly in them. I would need to know what you end up getting and the gross trailer weight (as opposed to the dry weight). The prep packages (the pucks you mentioned) are different between Ford and Ram so they take different hitches.

So basically you would be looking for a 1-ton, long bed, diesel, doesn't have to be a dually. So let's say you went with a 2015 Ford F-350 long bed with prep package and the gross trailer weight is 21,000 pounds. I recommend Curt hitch # C16545-16017 rated for 24,000 pounds. It features a cushioned head as well that will provide a better ride.

For the same set up only on a Ram the hitch would be # C16545-16021. The same head but a different base since the Ram OEM prep package has a wider stance.

expert reply by: Michael H