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Old 01-20-2012, 06:53 AM   #1
kphutch
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Truck Search-Questions

I am new to RV'ing and have purchased a Freedom Elite 39. I now want to purchase the truck best suited to this RV. I'm thinking a GM 1 ton, long bed, duley with the diesel and Allison. Is the duley thinking overkill or a good idea? Is a 1 ton needed or will a 2500 have the capacity and safety margin for safe travels? We plan on living full time and moving every 20-30 days. Any advice from you seasoned vets is much appreciated. Thanks, Hutch
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Old 01-20-2012, 07:18 AM   #2
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In my quick scan of Elites for sale, I can’t find any weight information. How much does it weigh? And, since I’m not a 5’er, maybe the sticker mentions pin weight as well.
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Old 01-20-2012, 07:21 AM   #3
Festus2
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Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new purchase. If you are going to be moving around frequently and doing a fair amount of traveling over various terrain, I would opt for 1T duelly for both safety and peace-of-mind. It doesn't really matter however how far or over what terrain you will be pulling - as long as the truck can safely handle the load. Personally, I like your choice of tow vehicle and others will chime in with their recommendations of a Ford or Dodge. Any one of these 3 would make a good choice.
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Old 01-20-2012, 07:30 AM   #4
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In my opinion you can never have to much truck! I can tell you the Duramax/Allision is an awsome combination.
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Old 01-20-2012, 07:53 AM   #5
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Hutch,
I agree with the other poster on this thread also. A couple of things to remember when looking for a truck regardless of make are:
1. Axle ratios; I would not buy any truck with less than a 3:73 to 1 gear ratio. In fact the heavier pullers have 4:10 to 1 or higher number rating.
2. Tires: insure the tires are rated to tow the load that you are planning on pulling. They should be at least a LT tires and rated at an E rating or higher letter.

I would have an extra capacity fuel tank added in the sale of the truck; this could be external or an integral tank. This may not be required but you can save on diesel fuel cost as you travel. Some states and areas have lower prices than others and you could save some money. Also you will need to carry a supply of DEF (Urea) with you as you travel just in case none is available right away. This is required with the GMC/Chevy, Ford and the Ram Cab & Chassis model trucks for their diesel engines.

Jim W.
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Old 01-20-2012, 07:56 AM   #6
SteveC7010
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I'm with Hank on this one! Your inclination to a 1 ton duallie is good thinking.

Ford, Dodge, or Chevy/GMC really does not matter so much. What does is the options and body styles that affect towing and payload. Those you need to pay close attention to when spec'ing a truck.

Good luck!
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Old 01-20-2012, 08:00 AM   #7
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Welcome to the forum Hutch,

The Freedom Series isn't listed on the Keystone site, so we don't have a direct source for
the specs on that 5th wheel. Do you know the GVWR on the trailer??

Simply from looking at the following ads, I'm going to suggest a 1 ton dually - nothing less!!

A 39 ft long (minimum), high profile, 5th wheel with 4 slide-out's is a beast (a very nice beast
I might add) and your going to need the DRW for stability in towing.

http://www.campingworldofportland.co...m-elite/176819

http://www.rvtraderonline.com/listin...MK39-101093379

http://www.rvtraderonline.com/listin...Elite-98645795


For comparison, this Alpine 5th wheel is probably similar in size/weight...
http://www.keystone-alpine.com/index...=&model=3700RE

Congrats on your new 5th wheel, and happy trails to you & yours -

Terri, the Chevy co-pilot
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Old 01-20-2012, 08:49 AM   #8
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Truck

Agree with the dually... that's a bunch of trailer you have there!
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Old 01-20-2012, 04:47 PM   #9
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Look at it this way. With a 1 ton Dually you can tow just about anything out there, yea there are a few real monsters out there that require something bigger, but unless you really go crazy the 1 ton Dually will fit the bill. On our second Dually and wouldn't consider towing anything with any thing less, unless we went back to a Pop-Up (When Pigs Fly)
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Old 01-23-2012, 09:16 AM   #10
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HI THERE THERE IS A SAYING BIGGER BETTER FASTER MORE. BETTER TO HAVE MORE TRUCK THEN WORRING ABOUT THAT NEXT HILL. HAVE A BALL WITH YOUR NEW CAMPER AND WELCOME. PS SOMEDAY YOUR DW WILL WANT A BIGGER UNIT AND AT LEAST YOU WILL HAVE THE TRUCK
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Old 12-02-2012, 09:43 AM   #11
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Thanks for all the advice and here is an update

We ended up with the 1 ton Silverado dual wheel, diesel etc. What a beautiful machine. Just finished our first big trip of 9000 miles. The turbo diesel had no problems pulling in the Rockies. The only issue I had was two flats, both inner tires on the truck. FYI this was caused by putting valve stem extenders on the rubber valve stems. The constant movement wore out the original valve stems.
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Old 12-02-2012, 09:47 AM   #12
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happy to hear y'all are enjoying the dually and trailer..
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Old 12-02-2012, 10:15 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kphutch View Post
We ended up with the 1 ton Silverado dual wheel, diesel etc. What a beautiful machine. Just finished our first big trip of 9000 miles. The turbo diesel had no problems pulling in the Rockies. The only issue I had was two flats, both inner tires on the truck. FYI this was caused by putting valve stem extenders on the rubber valve stems. The constant movement wore out the original valve stems.
It sure is nice when doing your homework pays off. Nice combo, good luck and travel safely, Hank
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Old 12-02-2012, 01:42 PM   #14
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I agree on the one ton dually diesel. 4.10's are a real good option. With the length of that trailer, I would think about a crew cab with an eight foot body for the extra wheelbase.


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Old 12-02-2012, 02:04 PM   #15
Festus2
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David -
Judging by kphutch's above post, it appears as though he has already purchased a truck ....."We ended up with a 1T Silverado dually....". He doesn't say whether it is a crew cab with a long box but if it isn't, then it is probably too late for him to think about that option. Good suggestion tho.
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Old 12-02-2012, 02:19 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mhs4771 View Post
Look at it this way. With a 1 ton Dually you can tow just about anything out there, yea there are a few real monsters out there that require something bigger, but unless you really go crazy the 1 ton Dually will fit the bill. On our second Dually and wouldn't consider towing anything with any thing less, unless we went back to a Pop-Up (When Pigs Fly)

Saw a pig fly at the last Rogers Waters concert I was at!
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Old 12-02-2012, 02:53 PM   #17
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Festus,
I gathered that after I posted. Sorry.


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Old 12-02-2012, 05:45 PM   #18
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Well sorry about the flats and sorry I didn't see your post before I could convince you to get a Cummins wrapped in a Dodge! Eh, I like all diesels. just partial to my in line 6.

And you have confirmed for me that extenders are not worth it.

Happy travels
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Old 12-03-2012, 08:32 AM   #19
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congradulations on the new truck. bet it tows real well! enjoy the adventures and any flat i have had with mine was on the inside wheel too... flarp!
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Old 12-03-2012, 09:58 AM   #20
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With a trailer that size you are in one ton dually territory. Be careful to not go to light on the tow vehicle as you would regret it. there is more to towing than a diesel engine.
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