What Truck to choose?

[CECarey]

I have a 43' 2016 Fuzion Chrome (5th wheeler / Toy hauler) that has a GVW (Loaded) of 19,000lbs.
I have always been a Dodge guy but, I can not find a cost effective truck that can haul the GVW?
I plan on only using this truck to haul my toy hauler ONLY but, I need advice on something that will not labor in the Mountains and be able to slow in the down hill's of Georgia?
-Please know that I am NEW to RV'ing so please let me know everything! I'd do NOT want to be a camper on the side of the road! Thank you in advance!

[chuckster57]

Any one of the big 3, at least a 1 ton Dual rear wheel and a Diesel engine. That’s simply put “ALOT” of trailer, and it takes a lot of truck to haul it safely.

[ctbruce]

Just to get things rolling you have a big trailer. Big and heavy. At 19k lbs GVW if fully loaded you are looking at almost 5k pin weight. That is dually territory. Mountains, up and down? Comfortably? Diesel for sure will be best choice. Power going up. Exhaust brake coming down.

Good luck in your search. You'll get lots of replies.

Damn, Chuck's fast. Glad we're on the same page! LOL.

[+Ruff Rider]

If I had a toy hauler than I would need a DRW truck. I would also have to have the diesel. I'm a Ford guy and the 6.7 is a beast. The new truck come with 1,000 pound feet of torque. Dodge also has the same. I am just not a fan of Dodges

[Laredo Tugger]

X2 on Chuck's advice.
That is one of the largest fifth wheels available. Iv'e always said 6 wheels in the back should have 6 wheels in the front. Definitely a dually for that trailer,maybe consider a F450 for the task. I know it seems like a huge investment for something that tows the "toy hauler ONLY" but I do not think you are going to find a truck you can use as a comfortable daily commuter (a 150/1500) and then use to hitch up and pull that trailer.
As far as not being a "camper on the side of the road", bearing maintenance and tire pressures will decrease your chances of breakdown. Highly recommend a TPMS (since your new here a Tire Pressure Monitor System)
Good luck.
RMc

[ingram]

https://www.mallofgeorgiachryslerdod...3RRGL1KG673294

[LewisB]

What everyone else has said: all of the big 3 make great DRW (dual rear wheel) diesel trucks. Don't even think gas power - for the towing torque and engine exhaust you want, it will need to be a diesel. We love our Ford F350, but we also loved a previous F450. Your cost can run between (say) 50K and 100K depending on age of the vehicle and optional equipment.

For us, the key spec is torque; most modern (say 2017 & up) diesel dualies will have 900+ lb-feet of torque - I'd recommend that as a minimum for your trailer. The newer modern diesels will pull your big trailer easily and will make your towing experience relaxing and fun. A DRW will be stable and secure. A SRW (single rear wheel) lighter truck will likely be overloaded and be a constant weight and towing headache.

Good luck with your search & purchase!

[Logan X]

Diesel,1ton, dual rear wheel for sure. Like others have said, any of the big 3 manufacturers make excellent trucks.

The diesel has plenty of power going up and the diesel exhaust brake does an excellent job slowing you down when you’re going downhill.

[flybouy]

CECary welcome to the forum. I'm not going to repeat the obvious but this just begs the the question. Why? As a first time rv''er why go so big? Have you ever driven anything that size and weight?

You state the camper is a 2016 so it may have been built in 2015. So, check the manufacturing date on those tires as well as the brand. I suggest researching that as it is a major issue, especially if you do not have a history on the camper. Along those lines of no history, if you don't know the previous owner's use and maintenance then at a bare minimum along with the tires have the bearings inspected and greased (by hand, do not use the grease zerk!) and have the breaks inspected.

That's just the bare safety considerations. There's a lot of other things that need inspecting/maintaining. Good luck and enjoy you're adventure.

[ctbruce]

And to help you get up to speed, start reading everything on the forum you can. It is all pertinent. Don't worry about it being specific to you trailer. Doing this will help you. A LOT.

[Ken / Claudia]

There is no just thing as a cost effective truck to pull/carry that large of trailer. You can save money if buying a lower cost trim package. Not a single 1 will be cheap.

[Northofu1]

Well, as long as he buys the right TV it probably is cheaper in the long run. Cheaper to downsize than up size. I wish I had researched it more thoroughly and skipped all that stress of being undersized.

[chunker]

My opinion a 1 ton dually at a minimum. You might even consider an MDT for that load.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by CECarey

I have a 43' 2016 Fuzion Chrome (5th wheeler / Toy hauler) that has a GVW (Loaded) of 19,000lbs.
I have always been a Dodge guy but, I can not find a cost effective truck that can haul the GVW?
I plan on only using this truck to haul my toy hauler ONLY but, I need advice on something that will not labor in the Mountains and be able to slow in the down hill's of Georgia?
-Please know that I am NEW to RV'ing so please let me know everything! I'd do NOT want to be a camper on the side of the road! Thank you in advance!

So why only to pull the TH, that is a waste of a good vehicle! We full time and our only vehicle is a 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie DRW HO/Aisin with 3.73’s. We go anywhere we want in it sometimes a little hard to park, but not often.
By the way welcome to the forum, you sure like to jump in with both feet!

[notanlines]

With a listed pin weight of 3800 pounds empty, you are in 350/3500 dually territory at a bare minimum when you pull it in the real world. Read what was said before me. These guys didn't come in the morning mail, they have a good handle on the subject.
(Well, maybe some came in the morning mail, but not THIS morning's mail!)

[CECarey]

Why so big? I'm a traveler so, I live in it M thru F and I like space (For me and my toys)
-So GO BIG OR STAY HOME I say! I'll be going slow and yes I'm sure I'll make all the camp site I use are pull thru parking.... LOL

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by CECarey

Why so big? I'm a traveler so, I live in it M thru F and I like space (For me and my toys)
-So GO BIG OR STAY HOME I say! I'll be going slow and yes I'm sure I'll make all the camp site I use are pull thru parking.... LOL

No issue with going big, if you're prepared. Not only will the truck be a consideration but driving it if you are not used to towing, and finding pull thru sites that can accommodate that length of trailer as well as having the access roads to get to it thru the CG. I'd suggest calling ahead to confirm the CG can accommodate.

Hope you find the truck that works for you and enjoy your travels.

[tech740]

Originally Posted by flybouy

No issue with going big, if you're prepared. Not only will the truck be a consideration but driving it if you are not used to towing, and finding pull thru sites that can accommodate that length of trailer as well as having the access roads to get to it thru the CG. I'd suggest calling ahead to confirm the CG can accommodate.

Hope you find the truck that works for you and enjoy your travels.

All this plus room for your ramp to go down. My parents have a 37’ toy hauler. First site they booked was 40’ deep. They learned quickly.

[Roscommon48]

I've finally changed my mind on DRWs. With 19K pounds go with a dually. The one tons will work or go with a F450 or so.

[travelin texans]

That big & heavy any of the big 3 diesel duallies is a must, or bigger if you prefer.
Another FYI, don't reserve any state/national park sites til you've driven into them, most will say they have "big rig" sites that may not be accessible due to tree/boulder lined roadways with YOUR big rig.