Determining The Correct Size Truck To Haul A 10K Fifth Wheel Trailer

Question:

How big of a truck would you need for a fifth wheel with the dry weight of 10,450 pounds?

asked by: Robyn W

Expert Reply:

At a minimum you would need a 3/4 ton truck to haul your 5th wheel with a dry weight of 10,450lbs. Personally I recommend going with a 1 ton just to reduce wear and tear your truck's suspension, driveshaft, and tires. One thing you will want to keep in mind while looking at trucks is the rear pinion gearing. The higher the number the higher the towing capacity will be. Depending on the brand you go with this information can be looked up on their respective websites.

The next thing to consider is the length of the bed. Since you're pulling a fifth wheel you'll need to have enough space for the nose of trailer while making tight turns. If you choose a truck with an 8' bed you'll have nothing to worry about and can use a fixed hitch. If you get a 6' or 6-1/2' bed you'll need a sliding hitch to make up some extra clearance. If you get a 5' or 5-1/2' bed you'll need a fixed hitch and a rotating pin box on the trailer.

Another thing to consider is an above bed or below-bed hitch. If you're looking for ease of installation and removal of the hitch then the below-bed puck system is the way to go. This gives you full bed access when not in use and a super easy drop in installation for your hitch. If this isn't possible then the next option would be to install an above bed rail and bracket kit. I highly recommend going with a custom-fit kit to prevent having to drill into the frame of your truck. When you do purchase your truck you can send in the year/make/model and I can find the correct kit for your application.

One option I really prefer is a below bed B&W hitch like the # BWGNRK1020-5W. These hitches give you the option to use a B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch # BWRVK3500 as well as a gooseneck or "turnover" ball to tow a gooseneck trailer.

There are a lot of little factors to think of here so let me know what you think and if there are any specific wants or needs that you have and I can find the correct setup for your application.

expert reply by: Kevin C