What kind of truck to pull 3931FB

[Mikendebbie]

If I was in your shoes, and the truck was only going to be used during hurricane evacuation - I would be looking at trucks like this. I think it will be a tough search to find one that has been taken care of well enough to give you confidence that the thing will make it 200 miles inland and not leave you stranded.

How much do you want to spend on this truck? You could find a decent older diesel 1 ton for $10k or so...or if money is not an issue you can find a much newer ford or GM gasser 1 ton.

[jeffba]

going to stay out of teh 3/4 1T waters. Will point out newer Ford superduties LBs have a 48 gallon fuel tank standard. The would be helpful in an evacuation.

[greenportbeach]

Nope....normal driving for us here at the beach with the F250 Super Duty...only towing in an evacuation for a hurricane.

[Slow Hand]

If I was you and a hurricane was coming I would just load up the truck with all my personal items and hit the road. I would take some photos of the trailer and leave it behind. Get some hurricane insurance so the RV can be replaced. Way better to travel light than to tow a 5th wheel.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by greenportbeach

Nope....normal driving for us here at the beach with the F250 Super Duty...only towing in an evacuation for a hurricane.

F250 gasser will do you just fine...

[greenportbeach]

Thanks everyone !!

[rollingdownthehighway]

Even though you're looking for something to tow with in emergencies, well, that's when accidents happen. Bumper to bumper traffic, people not paying attention and BOOM!! There you are in a wreck with a 1/2 Ton truck towing a trailer that is well over that trucks limits, what do you do? You lose it all because the person you hit has a good lawyer and does some research and realizes the trailer is over the trucks limits. The people you hit, the insurance company, possible medical bills don't care that you only move the rig once in a while.

If it were me, I'd either find a buddy with a 1 ton, or buy a used one on the cheap and use it when I needed to move the fiver. The risk is too high, especially if you only want to move it during emergencies.

[richfaa]

Call your insurance agent and ask the question on coverage in the case of an accident of any kind Mine said I would be covered as MLH posted .I do not have allstate.


The agent will be the expert not facebook .

[steiny93]

Originally Posted by greenportbeach

But we are not traveling at all....will only be towing if a hurricane hits Myrtle Beach. Don't need to diesel to just sit around and is much more expensive than a gas. Thanks for the info though on the weight

Sounds like the only purpose of this vehicle is to pull the 5th in an evacuation situation. I'd vote for a mid 2000's GMC 3/4 ton or 1 ton with the 6.0 or 8.1 gas engine. They are super reliable and very cost effective.

They aren't anywhere near the capacities of the other options; but it isn't really going to matter for the single use scenario. I've personally used a 3/4 ton crew cab with the 6.0 to move one of the large tri-axle Cyclone toyhaulers between two of our locations (~80 miles). It didn't like interstate speeds but it wasn't scary or unsafe in my opinion; I wouldn't recommend it for normal travel use however.

If you go with an under sized pickup; be sure to get a long box; it will let the hitch get in front of the rear axle a bit more to help with the pin weight.

[greenportbeach]

Thank you. My agent said the same thing.

[laverdur]

The OP is from someone in Florida. Florida is one state that will pull over a rig if it appears to be overloaded and check the weights. While a 3/4 ton might be able to move the 5er, how far will the suspension squat? Will it appear to be overloaded? Could be an invitation to a weight check. Sure, during a hurricane evacuation, the police may be too busy to worry about weight checks but when the hurricane risk is over, you have to go back.

[BiggarView]

Can you rent a truck that is capable? Then all you need is the hitch. find a rentable newer truck (with the puck system in it) buy the hitch leave it with the RV(or hand to get at) then when situation arises, go rent the truck, attach the hitch to the rental, drive the rig to safety and then remove the hitch and return the truck. Total cost including the hitch likely under 2 grand. Way cheaper than buying a truck to use for something you may never need it for. Just food for thought.

Option b.... hire somebody to move it for you, 2-3 dollars per mile.

[DaveK]

A gasser will work for your purposes. I just finished towing a Montana High Country 15,000 miles, averaged 9.5 MPG with a 6.2, 4:30 differential.

If you're not using a 4dr crew cab (not Lariat or luxury, just supercab or regular cab), your payload will be higher. You MIGHT get by a F-250, need to read the door sticker. F-350 would be no problem.

So for this person's use, he doesn't need a diesel. Yes, a diesel is wonderful, but not absolutely necessary.

[grass man]

I tow that exact rig from Delaware to Myrtle Beach every year with a f350 supercab XL with a 6.2 gasser. 8 to 9 mpg at 60 to 65 mph. Fairly flat run.

[cotter key]

In regards to BiggarView: I'm sure if it is an hurricane situation every rental truck or for hire mover service is going to be already so busy you will be put the wait list.

Also in that situation i'm sure with people being as we are the cost of moving rvs just tripled or better

[Fireman Will]

Over insure you 5er with huracan insurance. Buy a compact car and save $ on gas, maintenance and insurance to pay for the 5er insurance. If a huracan is coming get in you compact car and get out of town!

[Fireman Will]

Originally Posted by greenportbeach

I am looking at gas pickups to tow my 5th wheel...but only towing if we have to evacuate the campground because of a hurricane. Both retired and not traveling anymore.
I was looking at a SuperDuty 250 Ford XL but then some friends were saying I probably needed the SuperDuty 350.
I know the hitch weight and load capacity of the truck would probably determine what I need, but how do I find the pin weight of my camper to know what to get?
I have the sticker weight of the camper, but didn't know if that was the same as the pin weight?
So new to 5th wheel living....have always owned motorhomes....lol.

Let me give you another option. Over insure you 5er with huracan insurance and full replacement. Buy a compact car and save $$$ on gas, maintenance and repair to pay for the 5er insurance costs. If a huracan is coming get in you compact car and get out of town. If the huracan comes get a new 5er and all is good!

[spyle791]

A hurricane isn’t the time to learn to pull a fifth-wheel. Skip the truck altogether and keep good insurance on the camper. Replace if needed, it would be cheaper in the long run.

[Pat2002]

I pull that same fifth wheel with my 2500 hd duramax. With no issues . You are only gain 400 lbs on a single tire one ton and 800 lbs with a dually. My pickup is 400 lbs under gross with it stocked up and full of water.. no air bags either.

[RVbuying]

Go with gas work truck model which is the cheapest. Gas will tow you 250 miles inland from myrtle beach before mountains are involved.