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Old 06-04-2017, 03:34 PM   #1
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Brand: Keystone
Model: Cougar 30 RLS 5th wheel
State: Colorado
Posts: 288
THOR #2204
Tow with a 3/4 ton diesel?

We are selling our MH and moving over to a 5th wheel. I would prefer
to tow with a 3/4 ton truck so my question is how long of a 5th can a
3/4 ton diesel tow vs having to move up to a one ton truck?

We are looking at Keystone Cougar 5th wheels.

Wife likes the 333MKS but at 37 feet I believe that would require a
one ton diesel truck.

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Old 06-04-2017, 04:39 PM   #2
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THOR #121
Depends on the King pin weight and the load rating of the 2500. I have a 40 foot fifth wheel my load on my truck is 2700lbs king pin weight is 1784 lbs. Not all 2500 are rated the same Note four wheel drive subtracts your load
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Old 06-04-2017, 04:47 PM   #3
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Model: 36FB
State: Arizona
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THOR #3610
It's not so much the length as it is the weights. You'll need the capacities for your truck & the weight of the trailer loaded. You can start by going to a set of scales with your truck loaded with whom ever will be always be in it, full of fuel, & whatever else you will haul in it when towing then subtract that from the trucks GVW & that's what your trailer can weigh regardless of how long it is. Typically 15-20% of a 5th wheel weight will be transferred to the truck as pin weight.
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Old 06-04-2017, 04:50 PM   #4
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Brand: Keystone
Model: Cougar 30 RLS 5th wheel
State: Colorado
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THOR #2204
fhenn,

the 333 MKS is 37 feet long, dry weight is 10,330 Payload is 1760
GVWR is 12090 and hitch weight is 1690 so a total of 13,780.

A dodge 2500 diesel 4x4 has a load capacity of 16140/17210 with
variables.

Also what it comes down to is what is the real difference between a
Dodge 2500 diesel 4x4 and a 3500 4x4 both single rear wheel?

Both trucks in short bed single rear wheel form will fit in my garage
(we get hail here in Colorado).
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Old 06-04-2017, 05:01 PM   #5
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Model: 36FB
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THOR #3610
If you are using weights posted in a brochure or posted inside the rv, they are typically light compared to actual weights. Mine has a sticker initialed by C. Fox that it weighed 13850 when it left the factory, which was several hundred pounds lighter than it actually was when I picked it up, they weigh it totally empty, no water, no propane, nothing in any of the tanks.
Also check the load rating on the truck tires, some of the newer low profile tires have very little load capacity.
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Old 06-04-2017, 06:50 PM   #6
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THOR #5196
Biggest difference between 3/4 and 1 ton is load capacity. Find out what the unit you are lookin at weighs and what the kingpin weight is, that will give you a better idea of what you can tow. I've seen a lot of 3/4 ton trucks pulling some really big fivers, bet a 3/4 ton will di it for you. Best of luck in your shopping!!!
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Old 06-04-2017, 07:37 PM   #7
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THOR #2121
I don't know which is best, but like SuperD, I have also noticed that there are a lot of SRW pickups pulling large 5ers. At a KOA in Wyoming last month 3 out of 4 large 5th wheel trailers near us were being hauled by SRW pickups, including at least one 3/4 ton. My wife thinks I'm nuts for even noticing stuff like that.

Not that long ago 1-ton SRW trucks were limited to around 6,000 pounds on rear axle by the 16" E-rated tires, but now with larger and wider 17- and 18-inch tires some 3/4-ton can have higher load ratings than 1-ton use to have.
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Old 06-04-2017, 10:11 PM   #8
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THOR #1150
With 5er's you really have to be mindful of the tongue weight of the 5er and the GVWR of the pickup.

It probably will have more than enough GCWR to pull it, but does it have enough GVWR for the tongue.
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Old 07-26-2017, 09:59 AM   #9
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Brand: Keystone
Model: 29 RLI 5th Wheel
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THOR #8493
I have a 2007 Chevy 2500 HD with 300K miles. It has pulled 15k GVW many miles. Pin weight is the issue. And stopping power of course. You can pull a lot more than you can stop!!
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Old 08-24-2017, 07:24 AM   #10
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THOR #6831
3/4

go to a one ton,
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Old 04-21-2018, 10:01 PM   #11
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Brand: Keystone
Model: Cougar 30 RLS 5th wheel
State: Colorado
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THOR #2204
Motorhome is in the sale process, deposit and banking are done, just
$$$ transfer to finish.

I've found a 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 4X4 W/diesel, auto & 3:73 gears
with not too high of miles and nicely outfitted. With a tow rate of
16600 lbs so plenty for towing the Cougar 30RLS that my wife wants.

Only worry I have is will I have enough clearance between the 5th wheel
and the truck bed rails? Need to take the tape measure with me.
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Old 04-21-2018, 10:26 PM   #12
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THOR #6831
when i doubt always get the bigger truck, 3/4 ton may look like it can tow more, but one tons are more heavy duty, i stay aways form diesel just to expensive, gas will get you there, your towing a huge load not playing corvette racer
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Old 07-28-2018, 02:20 AM   #13
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THOR #2474
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My Signature Says it All. Several years ago I towed a Jayco designer with a F250 Super Duty and 6.0L Diesel 4WD GCWR 19000 Lbs with no problem. I now have a lighter unit and a gasser.
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Old 01-19-2019, 09:57 PM   #14
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Brand: Keystone
Model: Cougar 30 RLS 5th wheel
State: Colorado
Posts: 288
THOR #2204
We bought the 2012 Dodge Ram 3500 4 door, diesel, 4x4, 6.5 bed
had 46k on the speedo, good car fax report. that was in May 2018.
Now has 57K on it.

In October we bought a new 2019 Keystone Cougar 30 RLS 5th
wheel trailer. Fast trip to Rapid South Dakota from Denver to
inspect and purchase. Ran about 17K less that the same trailer
local to me.

Colorado seems to be a bit more expensive than surrounding areas
for new trucks and RV's.

In November 2018 we took a 3 week trip to SOCAL to visit family.
the truck and trailer tow level and fuel mileage for the 3000 mile
trip averaged 9.5 to 10.5 mpg.

After owning a Class A MH for 3 years that averaged 7 mpg I am
very happy.
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