Tow Vehicle

[Hacksaw]

Have a 41' Goose neck trailer that I expect to weigh 15000 lbs loaded. Prefer not to buy/use a dually truck. Can I get away with single wheels? What do I need in a truck? Thanks

[Lew Silverman]

You're going to have a hard time finding a SRW truck that will safely tow that much weight. You need to have at least 10% of the total trailer weight, at a minimum, as tongue-weight, in order for the trailer to track properly, so you'll be looking at 1500 lbs minimum on the hitch. You could possibly mount that goose-neck hitch in the bed to carry that weight, but you're still faced with a Gross Combined Weight (GCW) of at least 21,000 lbs. which will be overloading most SRW-trucks.

Try "googling" Truck tow ratings or visit the Trailer Life Magazine website for more information on what each model can safely haul. I personally think you'll be safer and happier with a 1-ton dually, at least.

[jmcarter]

Lew is right...don't let all the SRW pickups pulling big fifth wheels fool you...it's not safe and even less fun. Pulled 15K around with my Dodge dually and it was night and day compared to previous pulls with a single wheel axle.

BTW, best go diesel. You won't regret that either.

[Hacksaw]

Thanks guys. Totally understand the benefits of using the dually, just don't want to drive it everyday. Is it the tongue weight on a SWD truck that is the biggest issue?

[Marc]

Subscribing.

I just picked up a 2012 F-250 6.2 gas that I was hoping could handle a small LQ GN (32 to 34ft) and my 2300 lb car.

[Sean Marconette]

Its the load distribution on the rear tires. The only way to compare an apples to apples SRW to a DRW is if they are both 1 ton. The brakes being sized for the towing capacity is also a key part of getting the right vehicle.

There is no doubt driving a 1 ton with no load is not a pleasant daily driver. Unless you carry enough weight in the bed to soften the ride.

A LQ trailer with all of the extra weight is all up front, extra batteries, propane tanks, water, and generator. All of this is in front of the rear axles so it may put more tongue weight on the truck, if not counterbalanced with what's in the trailer.

Sean

[Run to Rund]

My 2013 Ram 3500 SRW diesel is rated to tow 17,000 and has a 7000 lb rated rear axle, about 4000 lb. load capacity.

[Mike Pearson]

a 1 ton singe wheel truck will pull your trailer if it has heavy enough suspension. The limiting factor will be the amount of load the tires will handle. I have a 40 ft gooseneck trailer and when I had my rig weighed I had 8K on the rear axle. To be able to haul my trailer with a single rear tire truck the tires would have to be rated for about 5000 lbs each. to have a little safety factor. I am not aware of any tire for a pick up that has that high of a rating.

[FED 387]

Aside from the tire overload-brakes overload-the suspension overload -the frame overload I see no problems --years back we had the rear axle housing actually crack where the tubes go into the cast iron center while towing with a SRW 1 ton GMC pick up---we attributed this to overloading ---this was with a 40 ft 5th wheel---shortly after we found a F450 crew cab chassis and converted it to be able to tow a 5th wheel trailer--- never had any problems again---for your own safety and the safety of the general motoring public get a dually---you are just asking for trouble ---yes it can tow it will it do it safely ? good question---FED 387

[Hacksaw]

Thanks racers for your input. Looking at a Dodge 3500 5.9 turbo diesel dually.