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SymphonyOfDreams
ohio
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Joined: 08/21/2023
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I need to buy "all the things!" I have little 4 cylinder minivan and CRV, so will be selling my minivan to purchase some type of truck.
I have dreams of taking mountain bikes, kayaks, and ATVs, and just living a nomad life for several months a year. Job is 100% remote, but requires a large-ish desk (2 large monitors), and will need to get a good internet provider (likely satellite).
But for a 5th wheel/toy hauler, I have NO concept of the type of truck I will need. When I look at new Ford Superduties, the price has me gnashing my teeth.
1) What are your recommendations for a reliable used truck for hauling a 5th wheel/toy hauler over mountain passes, through death valley, etc. Last thing I want is to over heat/break down/lose breaks, etc. I am not very mechanically inclined, but willing to learn.
2) Are there any brands of 5th wheels/toy haulers I should avoid due to quality issues, or finding mechanics and/or parts issues?
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QCMan
Independent Republic of Horry
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Welcome to the forum! Before you decide on a truck, you need to decide on a fifth wheel. Their weights are all over the place so you need to figure out your needs and shop for a unit that has what you need. Then you can shop for a truck to pull it.
A guess on cost would be something approaching 200k if you buy new. That will not include toys, just trailer and truck. No good hobby has a low entry cost.
2020 Keystone Cougar 22RBS, Ram 1500, two Jacks and plenty of time to roam!
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. A.E.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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The driving factor behind trucks for 5th wheels, is pin weight and payload.
Typically, the pin weight is 20-25% of the trailer weight (vs 12-15% for bumper pull). Ignore the empty weight and use the GVWR of the trailer as no one tows empty and full timing, you are more likely to be taking a lot of stuff.
Payload vs Pin Weight: Just because you have a truck with a 2500lb payload, doesn't mean you have sufficient capacity to a 2500lb pin weight. Payload includes, people, gear and any bolt on accessories. So if you have a 1000lb of people and gear in a truck with a 2000lb payload, you can only handle a 1000lb pin weight (around 4-5k lb trailer)
- 1/2 Ton Trucks: The payload can vary wildly. It's not uncommon to have payloads below 1000lbs (totally useless for even a tiny 5er). There are rare models with up o 2500lb of payload. At the higher end, these can handle a small 5er...say 6-7k lbs GVWR. As the cost to move up to a 3/4 or 1 ton is negligible, usually better to skip the 1/2 ton trucks.
- 3/4 Ton Trucks: These start at around 2500lb of payload and can get up around 3500lb. For small to medium size 5ers, they can be quite suitable but once over around 10-12k lbs, you will be pushing the payload. They typically have the same engines and brakes as a 1 ton just weaker suspensions.
- 1 Ton SRW (Single Rear Wheel): These will give you a bump up in payload but it depends on the model year. A minor upgrade over a 3/4 ton.
- 1 Ton Dually: Above around 14k lb, this is really what you want. But even here big 5ers can exceed the payload limits (particularly with older trucks where the payload is lower).
You can get away with a lesser truck but it will be less comfortable to drive and you will be prone to more maintenance as you stress the parts. If buying, it's silly to buy a marginal truck.
When you get above 12-14k lb, upgrading to a diesel starts making sense.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
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Tyler0215
Iowa
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All toy haulers will require a 3/4 Ton pickup.
Don't let an RV salesman tell you differently.
Why new? Good used RV's are available. Used pickups: not so much.
If you want to live the life, you have to spend the money.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Tyler0215 wrote:All toy haulers will require a 3/4 Ton pickup.
Don't let an RV salesman tell you differently.
Why new? Good used RV's are available. Used pickups: not so much.
If you want to live the life, you have to spend the money.
Most….not all. However the OP does appear to want a BIG TH since he mentions 5vers more than once.
OP, figure out what size of trailer you want first.
And whether you want a 5ver or bumper pull.
Only then can you decide what chassis is suitable. Or just get a dually and it’ll handle 99.9% of the toyhaulers out there, bp or 5ver.
As far as trucks go, can’t even start to make a recommendation without a budget.
But for your presumed use and presumed intended size of trailer, you want a diesel. A gasser, even the best ones will be suckin wind pretty hard with a trailer the size you appear to be contemplating.
The bigger consideration is how much room you want or need for toys vs how much office space you need. THs are great because they have that “space” that conventional TTs and 5ver campers don’t. BUT, if it’s filled with toys, you don’t have office space and if it’s filled with office space you don’t have room for toys. (You did say the plural of bikes, atvs and kayaks). So think about, do you unload half that stuff to set up the office or how you handle that. Seems easy until you’re loading and unloading chit 3x a week to make it work for you.
This is where a bumper pull will offer more flexibility because that leaves the truck bed open to haul toys, either in the bed or on a rack. Opening up space in the garage for your office.
Again, in this order, decide what size and configuration trailer you’re getting (approximately), then decide your truck budget and only then can anyone really help you with the specifics.
I’ll also add, you sound like a person who has no experience with big trailers. Make sure that’s in your wheelhouse so you’re not “that guy.”
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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And the assumption that you need a “new” truck, or “new” camper is really quite flawed.
Although hard for me to not recommend going new to someone I’m not friends with, because someone needs to pay them high prices and sell em a couple years later in order for us saps who don’t like spending that much, to have good used stuff to choose from.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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New? Out of reach unless you have mega bucks. Almost all RV's have problems that come from the factory.
Used? Saves mega bucks and the "start up" issues have all been dealt with.
Don't buy anything that has water damage.
Consider a small class A or a Class C and tow your toys.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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ferndaleflyer
everywhere
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Thats what I would do. I have a 36 ft Monaco DP and tow a 32 ft enclosed trailer behind it. You don't really need either to be that big. But I haul my Smart car and my race car in there without a problem. You can drive the Smart everywhere and leave the rest hooked up. You can't drive a golf cart or ATV to town in most places. And buy EVERYTHING used from down below the rust belt.
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