Determining Best Truck to Pull 38 Foot 5th Wheel Trailer
Question:
The best truck to pull 38ft fifth wheel
asked by: Christal V
Expert Reply:
There are a few things you will want to look at when looking at a new truck to pull your 38 foot fifth wheel trailer.
You will first want to make sure that whatever truck you choose has the needed towing capacity to pull the weight of your trailer. You will need to first determine the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer, which will give you its maximum loaded weight. I recommend going with at least a 3/4 ton truck (Ram 2500, Ford F-250, Chevy/GMC 2500). These trucks (along with the 1-ton models) will have a higher towing capacities and a stronger suspension.
I recommend talking with your local dealers to verify the capacities of the trucks you are looking at. Even within the same models and years, the towing capacities of a particular truck can vary greatly depending on what all was installed at the factory. The dealer will have the best and most accurate knowledge on this, as well as access to the vehicle's owner's manual.
Next, regardless of the truck's rating, I recommend going with a long bed truck (8 feet). This will allow you to avoid having to spend extra money on a sliding fifth wheel hitch or a non-standard pin box for clearance when turning.
Many truck models now, such as the 2017 Ram or Ford, now come with an option for a factory fifth wheel prep package. These are very nice, as they feature built-in receiver pucks in the truck bed that allow a direct fit with certain fifth wheel trailer hitches. With the prep package and a specially designed fifth wheel hitch, you will not need to purchase and install additional base rails and hardware.
For example, the Curt Q25 # C16069 is designed specifically for the Chevy/GMC Towing Prep Package and will mount directly into the factory puck receivers in the truck bed.
