Recommended Truck for Pulling 5th Wheel Trailer with Best Comfort and Performance
Published 09/24/2014
Question:
My wife and I are new to the truck market. We are interested in a buying a 5th wheel camper, but need a truck to tow it. I have read amny sites that offer good information on the size and brand of truck to buy, but nothing in regards to comfort. We are now driving a Lincoln Navigator. I know it will be tough to find a truck that rides as comfortable as the Navigator. All the trucks that I have ridden in, ahve always been loud and like riding on a mechanical bull. You just hang on tight and try to enjoy the ride!!! I do know we want leather interior and a diesel and can find that in any truck brand, but where can we find the most comfortable ride? Any thoughts on this matter?
asked by: Cliff
Expert Reply:
While we cannot make recommendations on particular brands of trucks, I can recommend the type of truck you will want to tow a 5th wheel trailer. For towing a heavy 5th wheel trailer you will want a 1 ton pickup with an 8 foot bed. A 6-1/2 or 6 foot bed would require the use of a slider fifth wheel hitch. An 8 foot bed will require less parts and it will be simpler to operate as a fifth wheel truck. You will be glad you have the 8 foot bed when you come to tight towing situations.
If you have a smaller 5th wheel trailer you can get by with a 3/4 ton pickup. This will give you a smoother ride when not pulling the trailer.
Basically the bigger the trailer, the bigger the truck you will need.
Diesels will almost always have a greater towing capacity as they have such large torque outputs and they are built with heavier transmissions.
When shopping for a truck, look at towing capacities. Check the owner's manual, ask the salesman, but make sure you find out what the truck is capable of and make sure that it can handle the weight of the trailer you are planning on buying.
I have included a FAQ article on towing a 5th wheel trailer for you to check out.
