Tips for Choosing the Best Truck to Tow a 5th Wheel Trailer

Question:

Currently, Im researching what type of truck is needed for towing a 5th Wheel. We have settled on a Cedar Creek 36 CKTS, with a hitch weight of 2,389 lbs, dry weight of 12,076 lbs, and GVWR of 16,389 lbs and a length of 39 feet. My wife wants a full size crew cab. Im interested in the minium requirements needed in a truck for this RV, as well as what would be best to tow the RV. I figure I would need a minium of a 3/4 truck, but would a 1 ton be better. Can the big V8 gas engines make due, or is diesal needed as a minimum. I noticed some 5th Wheels advertize a 88 or 90 degree turning radius due to their front end shape. If their claims are true, can a short bed 6.5 ft be used without a slider or sidewinder? Some truck manufacturers offer factory installed 5th Wheel hitches, would that be better than an after market? What size of 5th Wheel hitch would be needed to tow this RV.

asked by: David H

Expert Reply:

Starting with the truck series itself, I would go with a 3/4 ton or 1 ton. Ultimately a 1-ton would be better. Between gas and diesel I would choose a diesel if it were me. They are capable of more power and torque than gas motors. The cab style does not matter all that much but the bed size does.

You will want to avoid a step side bed and a Dodge model that has a Rambox feature because they cannot have a 5th wheel hitch installed. Long beds are the way to go. A short bed can cause issues and extra expense. Even if a trailer is advertised as having a turn-friendly front design it ultimately depends on distance from the back of the truck cab to the center of the hitch jaws. Sliders are going to provide travel to be able to make tighter turns when needed on a short bed. A short bed should not require a Sidewinder unless it is under 6 feet long.

Factory installed hitches add extra expense at the time of purchase of the vehicle. It is more cost effective to go with an aftermarket hitch. But if you find one that has a hitch installed and you like it then it is still a viable option. The new Dodge trucks with factory installed 5th wheel prep package do not currently have a hitch that will fit and you would likely be waiting a while. A Ford with the factory installed prep package would be better. You can buy the hitch from the dealer or from us. I would comparison shop ahead of time. The Fords require a Reese Elite Series hitch.

You will want a hitch that exceeds the gross trailer weight, in this case 16,389 pounds. I like the Curt 20K hitches like # C16140 for a fixed hitch or # C55DR for a slider.

So to recap:
3/4 or 1-ton
Diesel preferred over gas
Cab does not matter
Long bed preferred, no step side or Rambox
Would have to use slider for short bed
Sidewinder required for bed less than 6 feet
18 to 20K capacity
Aftermarket will cost less

I have added a link below to our entire selection of 5th wheel hitches for you as well.