[mtlakejim]

Originally Posted by Goodrich3600

First off the first thing you should do is pick the RV that you want to pull. Not the truck first. Sorry but that then allows you to have the trailer weight plus around 1,500 lbs or so that you will add. If you put in a generator or plan to haul extra water or other items you have to figure that all in. Once you know your trailer weight then you can determine the truck size to purchase. Don’t let anyone fool you, the truck manufacturer will give you maximum allowable towing weight . Ex: ford 350 diesel srw will only allow 23,500 total. Take the truck weight , add in passenger weight, any extra fuel or load items and weight of the fifth wheel hitch and get your truck weight. If the truck weighs in around 10,000lbs you only safely have 13,500 for your RV. As for pin weight that is more for having a balanced load, you want about 20-25 percent on pin to balance the towing so ex: if trailer weighs 13,500 your pin weight will be around 2600 - 3000 lbs. salesman will sell you what you want and most don’t even understand DOT standards. Also in talking to numerous 5th wheelers they are overloaded and don’t understand the problem they expose themselves to. Bottom line for the novice is buy a dually and you will be better equipped to haul anything over 36’ , just keep in mind the majority I see on the road have dented fenders because the drivers forget the extra width (just look at them and you will chuckle how many you see).

Better dented than dead.