New guy looking for knowledge on truck size for Copper Canyon

[Back Country]

Hi all I am new to this forum but a long time camper. I have camped for many years and I am at the point we are ready to buy a trailer and truck and just want to do it right. Sorry don’t trust sales man!

I am the kind of guy that likes to do his research before buying anything major. We have been told to pick the trailer then buy the truck and that’s what we are looking at doing? I want to make sure that the truck I purchase will safe to haul my family and the trailer I am looking at.

We have narrowed down our search to the Keystone Sprinter Copper Canyon this is what I have found for specs:
Name:Sprinter Copper Canyon
Model:324FWBHS
Bunk rooms:yes
Bunk Room Door Type:door
Number of slides:3
Outdoor Kitchen:yes
Sleeps:10
Sofa in Bunk area:Air Bed
Dry Hitch Weight:1896
Unloaded Vehicle Weight:10869
GVWR:na
Cargo Carrying Capacity:3291
Exterior Length:38' 6"
Exterior Height:12' 8"
Exterior Width:na
Fresh Water Capacity:49 gal.
Gray Water Capacity :32 gal.
Black Water Capacity:96 gal.
Awning Size:na

Since I am still learning I wanted to get some advice from the forum!
Would I be ok with a Ford F250 SRW 4X2 Crew Cab:
6.2L Gas V8
Axle Ratio @ 3.73
GCWR 19000
Max Loaded Trailer Weight Rating is 12500
I am open to Diesel also but not sure how much more a F250 Diesel would run me?

Oh it will be and my four girls with my two dogs German Short Hair and German Shepard camping....

Thanks in advance for any advice or input.
We all have to learn somehow…..

(Moderator's Note: This post moved from Fifth Wheel category to here since poster looking for info on tow vehicle)

[muddynoll]

If it were me I would be looking at a F350 or 3500 Dually for the heavier axel and better stability.JMHO

[fla-gypsy]

That trailer is 1 ton DRW territory IMO

[Javi]

dually country...

Diesel is 7K to 8K extra and worth every penny if that trailer ain't gonna be a driveway queen...IMO

[timd3200]

We have a copper canyon 298 fw bunk house. Empty weight is around 8500. I pull it with a 2008 F 250 crew cab 4X4 with a 5.4 and 4.10 rear end. It pulls it fine. I got a tuner that locks it out of over drive. I can run 65 all day. If I had the choice I would get a Dually diesel if money wasn't an object. If nothing else I would get a 350 and 4.10 rear end ratio.

[f6bits]

From the numbers you posted, the GVWR of the trailer would be 14000 (dry + cargo).

With 20% on the pin, that'd be 2800 lbs in the bed of your truck plus another couple hundred for the hitch and another 800 for you and the six kids.

You're gonna need a mighty big truck. 3500 lbs cargo capacity or so.

[Jim W]

Here is a free PDF Booklet that can be down loaded from the internet it is called Turbo Diesel Buying Guide from Turbo Diesel Register.Com. Although the booklet is geared towards the Ram and Cummins truck the information will help in looking at used diesel trucks and also maybe a new one.

The other link will provide information on towing weights and axle weights for trucks depending on options that are on the truck or tow vehicle.

http://www.turbodieselregister.com/m...ersguide.phtml

http://www.trailerlife.com/trailer-towing-guides/

Jim W.

[x96mnn]

Based on the towing Guide for all the trucks Manufactured in 2013 by the big 3

Silverado/Sierra 2500 Ext Cab with the 4.10 2wd, 6.0L has a max tow of 14,400
Same Config above in CC is 14,300
Diesel in the same as above jumps you over 16,000
3500 have similar options that only give you what the 2500 is rated for but again options as high as 22,600 with the right configuration

Dodge has a 2500 CC 5.7L 2WD with a 6 speed Auto and 4.10 rear that max out at 14,000
Quad Cab same config as above is 13,900
Diesel again in the same configs jumps you into the 15,500 area
Same to be aid for the 3500 Dodge, you could buy one and end up with less towing as the 2500 but configurations as high as 20,950

The biggest F250 with Crew Cab with gas V8 comes in at 12,500 max tow.
If Ford is your choice they make a 350 2wd V8 with 15000pds max tow may be the one to go with. You can config with Dually and Diesel in ford up to 23,500pds

My choice would be anyone of the options that gave me at least 14,000. The chances of you reaching the max is slim but again comes down to what you will be doing and how much gear.

My Guide does not tell me max payload but 13% of your total puts you around 1800pds and with that I would want between 2500 and 3000pds payload. If your in the 2500 range and would be sitting around 1800 on the pin I would add airbags. It will not increase your max payload but will help with squat of the truck and be a better tow. I believe most of these truck offer a heavy duty payload package that would look after this concern.

[Comptech]

Get the biggest TV you can afford, then you never have to worry about the 5er being too heavy. But really sounds like your need a 350 dully diesel, long-bed....

[mhs4771]

I bet you come closer to the gross weight than you think. With 6 kids (two and four legged) and all the stuff they'll bring with them it will add up in a hurry. Since I don't see mention of your type of camping I can only suggest same as others, get as much TV as you can afford. When we first thought about a 5er I started looking at 250/2500 series but couldn't find anything with extended cab, long bed, and towing package. Local dealer offered a new 3500 dually for less than ordering a 2500, sure glad we went with the 3500 dually as our first 5er was a Montana that would have been at or over the limits of the 2500.

[hankpage]

Forget max tow capacity .... PAYLOAD, PAYLOAD, PAYLOAD. Between pin weight and passengers and gear you will be overloaded with any 3/4 ton. 1 ton srw minimum but drw recommended. JM2¢, Hank

[Back Country]

Thanks for all the info at least now I know what direction to go in.

[michael]

The scare crow on the wizard of ozz said ,,,, GO THIS WAY

[Digby]

Back Country,
Congratulations on your 5er choice. We just took delivery of the same unit last Saturday. I am pulling with an 04 Ram 3500 SRW with 3.73 rears and I know I am pushing my GVW.If I have trouble pulling the hills of the north east I may bump to the 4.10 rears. My wife has been loading it up over the last week and I am going to run it to the CAT scale up the road. Talking to the dealer the 5er was over 11,000 leaving the lot because we added the 3 slide toppers and it had full propane tanks. Also, remember when figuring GVW of the TV, I Believe that the manufacturers only calculate one occupant at 160LBS. Good luck in your search and Happy camping.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by hankpage

Forget max tow capacity .... PAYLOAD, PAYLOAD, PAYLOAD. Between pin weight and passengers and gear you will be overloaded with any 3/4 ton. 1 ton srw minimum but drw recommended. JM2¢, Hank

X2

With that GVWR you are looking at minimum 1 ton SRW (newer) otherwise a dually. It can be pulled with a gas engine, but the experance with be a lot better with a diesel as long as you stay away from a Ford 6.0.

[Cougarfamily]

Originally Posted by rhagfo

X2

With that GVWR you are looking at minimum 1 ton SRW (newer) otherwise a dually. It can be pulled with a gas engine, but the experance with be a lot better with a diesel as long as you stay away from a Ford 6.0.

I believe he will also want to steer clear of '08-'11 or '12 Dodge w/Cummins.

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by hankpage

Forget max tow capacity .... PAYLOAD, PAYLOAD, PAYLOAD. Between pin weight and passengers and gear you will be overloaded with any 3/4 ton. 1 ton srw minimum but drw recommended. JM2¢, Hank

Hank according to the Ram Body Builders.COM web site and I quote "Payload and maximum trailer weight are mutually exclusive"
To me this means as I have stated in the past payload is for the material you carry in the bed such as bricks, sand and dirt. The trailer towing does not fall under the payload requirements.

Jim W.

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by Cougarfamily

I believe he will also want to steer clear of '08-'11 or '12 Dodge w/Cummins.

WHY???
Jim W.

[Cougarfamily]

Originally Posted by Jim W

WHY???
Jim W.

Blowing head gaskets. Have been refered by some in diesel mags as the new "6.0".

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Jim W

Hank according to the Ram Body Builders.COM web site and I quote "Payload and maximum trailer weight are mutually exclusive"
To me this means as I have stated in the past payload is for the material you carry in the bed such as bricks, sand and dirt. The trailer towing does not fall under the payload requirements.

Jim W.

So from your point of view the trailer's pin or tongue weight has no effect on the payload... HUmmmmmm