Recommended Pickup Truck for Towing Keystone Laredo 13,000-lb 5th Wheel Trailer

Question

Question:

we have a 5th wheel Laredo dry weight of 13000 lbs looking to purchase a new truck to handle this rig , I have heard of the sidewinder hitch to go on the 5th wheel but was told that would damage the warranty. the truck is a dodge Ram 2500 w a 6 1/2 ft be, that I was looking at OR would a Ford 250 be better. is it best to not have a sliding hitch installed need as much info. as you can send me. I was sold a Nissan Titan BUT cannot tow w that............ so looking to trade it off........... thank you.

asked by: Lloyd T

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Expert Reply:

The ideal vehicle for towing a substantial 5th wheel trailer, such as a Keystone Laredo 380MB that is close to 13K dry, is a one-ton long-bed pickup such as a Ford F-350, Silverado 3500 or Sierra 3500.

These trucks will have the power to avoid getting bogged down on hill climbs and will not be overly stressed by the trailer's significant weight. Also, long-bed trucks avoid the turning clearance issues that have to be addressed with either sliding type hitches or Sidewinder replacement pivoting pin boxes that increase turning clearance. A 1-ton long-bed pickup is truly the way to go...no sliding hitch, no Sidewinder and no trailer overhang crashing through your cab window!

You might also consider the truck choice in terms of the factory-installed 5th wheel prep options that are available. These factory set-ups allow you to drop a compatible hitch right in to the factory pucks; this means no above-bed base rails in your way when you have a cargo load.

Let's say you select a GMC Sierra 3500 long bed with factory prep as your tow vehicle. This truck would allow use of the superb B&W Companion hitch # BWRVK3700. This fixed hitch is completely USA-made and features unmatched build quality. B&W has the in-house fabrication capabilities to produce this 20K hitch with features such as beefy 1-inch-thick jaws that grip your king pin with 360-degree contact, a fully-articulating head for easier hitching on uneven ground and 6-inches of front-to-back adjustment. B&W backs it with a limited lifetime warranty.

Once you decide on a specific truck please feel free to bounce us back for more assistance.

expert reply by: Adam R

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Answer 1

A fifth wheel hitch should remain in front of the rear axle, like how your Curt A20 #C16541 sits when not in the rearward position. It is not recommended to tow a fifth wheel trailer while the hitch is slid in the rearward position, as this will…

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Answer 2

It sounds like you are looking for the EZ-LOADER Gray Plastic Fender for 13" Tires, w/Cutout part 5291132 and 5291131. These are made for 13" tires and have a marker light cutout. The closest thing I have is the CE Smith Single Axle…

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Answer 3

I recommend at least 6" of clearance from the top of your bed rails on your 2021 Ram 3500 to the underbelly of your gooseneck or 5th wheel trailer. If using a gooseneck trailer and if you have the factory in bed prep/puck system there are…

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Answer 4

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two…

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Answer 5

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion…

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Answer 6

Choosing the right height setting for your 5th wheel hitch is a combination of a few different variables. First of all you want your towing setup to be as level as possible. With your Montana High Country 340BH level you will want to measure from the…

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Answer 7

Great question, Jeff! When the Rota-Flex first came out it renovated what a pin box could do and be, but at this point in time that technology is a little more dated and the Gen-Y Hitch Shock Absorbing 5th Wheel Pin Box #325-GH-8040 is the "new…

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Answer 8

For sag from towing a trailer the best recommendation I can make is actually a weight distribution system. Suspension enhancement will help level your truck while towing. But the advantage to a weight distribution system is that it levels the vehicle…

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Answer 9

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 10

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 11

Most fifth wheel rails are made to the same industry standard dimensions. They aren't all though. If you measure 22 inches on center between the two rails and they look like the rails of the #RP30035 that you referenced they would be the industry…

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Answer 12

It sounds like the purpose of getting the air helper spring would be to counteract the 1 inch compression you're getting in your rear suspension caused by the pin weight of your 5th wheel. If that's the case, I believe that the AirLift 5000…

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