Towing Capacity Needed for 13K lb 5'er

[djkrs2]

My wife and I have decided that our 27RL is just to small. After camping for a while we'd like a large 5th wheel. Some of the Montana's that we're looking for are almost 13,000 lbs shipping weight. What would a safe towing capacity be for a trailer this heavy? When I first bought my Cougar a number of people told me the rule of thumb was to "put a thousand pounds in the bank" meaning after you've loaded the trailer you should keep a thousand pound margin of safety. It seems like with full water and at least a weeks worth of supplies, plus a thousand pounds, I'm going to need some kind of truck. Is the typical F-250 or F-350 going to do this with either the gas or diesel engine. I'm assuming that the truck would need to at least have 4:10 gears if not more.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Rabbit Sheriff]

If you want extra capacity get a DRW one ton of some sort. Most of them are around 25,000 lb GVWR now days.

[Bob Landry]

A F250 with the proper engine/rear end combination will probably get you there on towing capacity, but I like to se a little wiggle room. You also need to look at the rear axle ratings. I think that with the pin weight on the Montana, you are definitely in dually territory and most likely a diesel. Ford's website has a great table that lays out all of the combinations.

[labs4life]

Since you do not have this truck yet, I would do as Bob recommended and go to he ford towing tables. It also has payload with all the different configurations.

For instance, I have a 2012 250 with the 10k gvwr package. My truck weighs more than the stated dry curb weight which brings payload from 3k to 2k. Big deal when hooking up to a 5'er with a pin weight north of 2500 lbs.
all that said, IF THIS WERE ME, I would buy me a drw truck with 4.10 rears and 4x4 and a Diesel engine. I would hook up to this camper and pull it wherever I wanted. Jm2c

Good luck and let us know what you decide and enjoy the decision making process. It can be fun!!

[djkrs2]

Thanks for the great advice. I'm probably going to have to look for something a little bit older just because as much as I'd like a brand new truck I'd rather put the money toward the 5'er.

Thanks to these forums I even know what to look for in each of the different Ford diesel engines. I'm glad you guys are willing to share your expertise, or experience, whichever you have. :)

[fla-gypsy]

13k dry can easily equate to 16k loaded. That is 1 ton DRW territory due to payload requirements needed to carry the pin weight.

[crash]

Our raptor dry weight is around 14,459 give or take and has a tongue weight of 3,400lbs give or take and when we have it loaded with the 2 harleys ,golf cart and what ever else its about 17,500 we pull it with a 2008 super duty 6.4 power stroke dually without any problems.Just my 2 cents:D

[rhagfo]

Just because you own a Ford now doesn't mean you need to replace it with a Ford. If you plan on going diesel, my I strongly recommend either a GM Duramax, or a Ram Cummins, I personally switched from Ford to Dodge, as I didn't want a Ford/IH 6.* diesel. Have not regretted the move, I pull an 11,000# 5er at a GCVW of 18,500 to 19,200# with a 5.9 Cummins, running 3.55 gears.

[jsmith948]

Here we go!!!:rolleyes:

[mhs4771]

Just go with a Diesel Dually, your choice of brand, and you won't be sorry. Go with anything else and you'll always be questioning your decision. As been mentioned, 13K dry will very easily become 15K to 16K loaded, stuff adds up quickly.

[sagebel]

I'm a Ford man but agree that any of the three duallies will work. Just don't fall into the salesman's pitch of " oh you'll be fine". I had a salesman tell me I would be fine pulling an 18k gvwr toyhaulers with my F250. Another thing is don't get wrapped up in rear end ratios. Most 350/3500 s only come in one and the newer trucks have a higher gear because the transmission gearing in lower.

[fred1609]

I agree that you should consider a DRW. Stay away from the ford 6 litre super duty. I have such an animal and am on my 3rd turbo.......thankful for my extended warranty. I am talkin to DW about replacing the Ford with a Ram Cummins.....the down side to the DRW is they are monsters to take where a smaller SRW can get into. My two cents for what its worth.

[rhagfo]

13k dry can easily equate to 16k loaded. That is 1 ton DRW territory due to payload requirements needed to carry the pin weight.

Fla-gypsy is spot on 13K dry is an east 15K wet and could easily be 16K, pushing the limits of SRW, good time also to step up to a diesel also.