Recommended Trucks for 5th Wheel Towing

Question:

Im looking to purchase a fifth wheel per catalog it indicates UVW 10570lbs, hitch weight 2090lbs, GVWR 13995lbs. Would a Dodge ram 2500 diesel 2017or 18 6.7 liter cummins 4x4 be able to tow this around comfortably around the U.S.?

asked by: Gary C

Expert Reply:

Ideally for a 5th wheel trailer with the gross weight (GVWR) of about 14,000-lbs you will want a 1-ton truck with a long bed, an 8-footer. A Ram or Chevy 3500 or a Ford F-350 would give you the towing power you need and avoid overly stressing any components.

I suggest you have a look at the linked articles that cover the pros and cons for both 2017 and 2018 model year pickups. These will be your best tool for considering the merits of the heavier-duty trucks. The articles include award and recall data too, which may help you decide which way to go.

Long beds are always preferable since they avoid the need for slider type hitches. I also recommend you select a hitch rated for at least 18K to provide a healthy safety margin and to avoid undue stress on the hitch itself. A higher rated hitch is better still. It will last longer before requiring major maintenance.

For example, for a 2017 Ram 2500 with the factory 5th wheel prep package you could use the outstanding B&W Companion # BWRVK3600 rated for 25K. If there is a better USA-made hitch we have never seen it. B&W is a family-owned company that fabricates their hitches in Kansas. Build quality of their 5th wheels is exceptional.

expert reply by: Adam R