I believe I have already settled on the Fifth Wheel as the most suitable for my needs...what I am confused about is tow capacity. I hear conflicting remarks on what truck should be used with what fifth wheel. I want a fifth wheel I can tow easily with no more than a F350 truck. But, I need a fifth wheel that is suitable for fulltiming and has a desk and lots of cabinet space. I also cannot afford the higher end units and want something maybe a couple years old. Any suggestins for me?

I was thinking maybe a BIG HORN and F350...is this a good combo?

I really love the Carriage units...but , out of my price range I think and too heavy?

A 350 should handle a Bighorn. Looked seriously at a Landmark (same manufacturer as Bighorn) a few years back. I bought something else but I was impressed with what I saw. I'm sure there are Bighorn owners here who can tell you if they're happy.

Judy said it all, it is a buyer's market, talked to a guy the other day that had decided on a Bighorn and the dealer had a Landmark on the lot he sold him for the same price as the Bighorn would of been, Landmark is a higher end than the Bighorn. Back to your question we have a Bighorn 3670rl and pull it with a Dodge 3500, it handles it very well, we have the cummins motor with jake brake,by the way is way cool. Most of your trailers will fit nicely with a ton truck, however with that being said you can find them that will over gross you, just watch for the trailer weights and do some addition then figure another ton or so of stuff you're going to put in the trailer and truck. When you add all this up with the weight of your truck, I'm sure you'll be surprised, but that should answer if your ton truck is big enough. Good luck with your search, it's always the confusing part trying to figure out which one to get.

Hi Breezy, We tow a 16,300# Carriage Cameo with a Ford F350 diesel dually without any problems. Our truck, with the 4:30 rear end is rated at 18,200# tow capacity so there's still plenty of room. You can't just look at the size of the truck, a 350 with gas engine and a 3:73 rear end will probably be rated 3-4,000 # less in tow capacity from the diesel with the higher rear end. All truck manufacturers publish the tow ratings, so they are easy to establish accurately. DON'T listen to salesmens talk. Trailer LIfe Magazine has a site that shows the tow ratings for all makes and models going back about 10 years, if you're thinking of buying a used truck, which BTW, is a good idea with the current economic situation. https://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175 BTW, we think the Carriage is a great full time unit. Good luck,

Yes Judy I know it is a buyer's market...I saw a brand new 2009 Big HOrn on Ebay for $37.000. Too bad I am not ready to purchase, yet.  Oh and I love the Landmark...but, if I went up to a Landmark I would have to go up in truck size wouldn't I? I really don't want anythig more than a F350.

And.luvglass the Carriage is a very nice unit...Thanks for letting me know a F350 can handle it well...now if the price was comparable to the Big Horn LOL

I'm not quite sure why you have eliminated going up to an F450, if the trailer you want requires it. It is the same size as an F350.

Expense and availability mainly is why I want the F350

If you shop around you can find good used, well taken care of F450's for the same cost as a F350.

Niles & Deb
I see in your signature that you have an 07 Dodge.  What are your thoughts on the level of noise the engine generates.  The older Dodges with the Cummins were very noisy, but I recently looked at new ones and they seem much quieter.  Also what kind of mileage are you getting?  It's either going to be a Dodge or Chevy and I'm starting to lean toward the Dodge.

Thanks
Jim

Jim, I traded a 2001 Dodge with a cummins for the 07, the noise is like driving a gasser. We bought it last July of 07 and we still only have 10000 mile on it. The only time it gets out of the barn is when we tow. I avg about 9.5 mpg when towing and I think I'll get better as we put a few more miles on it, we have 4.10 rears. Also I pull a Bighorn 3670RL, which is a 4 slide 38 foot trailer with a trailer behind it with the Goldwing in it. I'm 72 feet long, so I'm a little bit out of the normal trailering. Power wise it's no problem what so ever, the 01 I had, had a box on it this truck doesn't need it, and with the exhaust brake,it's just a fun truck to drive. I do miss the noise of the 01 though, guess us old truckers just like to hear a real truck do it's thing, I even enjoy the fumes it puts out so I guess I'm just not right. Good luck in your search.

-- Edited by Niles and Deb at 22:53, 2008-11-29

Jim,
     I traded an 01 for my 08 and I can tell you the noise level is much quieter.Can't tell you much about fuel milage as I just got my trailer and have not pulled it anywhere yet.In my opinion the Dodge wins out over the Chevy because of the factory exhaust brake and the 6 speed automatic transmission. I drove both and the Dodge just felt better to me.

Thanks for the reply's on the Dodge truck info. All of the "big three" make a really nice truck, but I'm thinking it will be a Dodge. It's amazing to me that you can now get one well optioned in the low 30's. I won't be buying until the spring and I hope they still offer the discounts. Jim

Jim I have the 08 with the Mega Cab and the 300 cummins. I pull about 14,000 lbs now and average 9.6 MPG. I get between 17 and 18 non tow MPG and the noise is sooo much less. We love the Dodge even though I had to Lemon Lay my 07 for a bad computer. Knock on wood my new 08 is doing well. Joe

Thanks Joe Are you 2WD or 4WD? What size rear end do you have? Talking about the truck Joe. Thanks Jim

Jim wrote:

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Thanks for the reply's on the Dodge truck info. All of the "big three" make a really nice truck, but I'm thinking it will be a Dodge. It's amazing to me that you can now get one well optioned in the low 30's. I won't be buying until the spring and I hope they still offer the discounts.

Jim

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I use to be a Ford guy. In 2004 I purchased a Dodge 3500 (moved to a bigger 5'er). My friends gave me the "gears' for buying a Chrysler. I had a ready answer for them. I did not buy a Chrysler; I bought a Cummins! I have not regretted the choice I made. I have a true long stroke diesel engine which out performs both Ford and Chev gasoline conversion engine diesels. Your fuel mileage is far better as well.  

I use to be a Ford guy. In 2004 I purchased a Dodge 3500 (moved to a bigger 5'er). My friends gave me the "gears' for buying a Chrysler. I had a ready answer for them. I did not buy a Chrysler; I bought a Cummins! I have not regretted the choice I made. I have a true long stroke diesel engine which out performs both Ford and Chev gasoline conversion engine diesels. Your fuel mileage is far better as well.  

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The Cummins engine with the engine brake is the one thing that holds my interest in Dodge over Ford and GM.  However, I'm wondering if Chrysler or any of the "Detroit 3" will still be around next year!