Answers

Get a handle around what the gross vehicle weight of the trailer is, and the tongue weight (5th wheel weight) that the truck will be pulling and hauling. That will be a good starting point to understand the minimum loads on the tow vehicle.

Don't overlook all of your precious 'stuff', that will be in and on the trailer, including liquids and fuels.

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Sorry "Kiawah," I thought that with the length everybody would have some idea of the weights: approximately 14,500 pounds fully loaded with a pin weight of around 2,200 pounds. More than that, though, I'm interested in diesel types -- i.e., make, model, transmission (manual or automatic, "Allison" or another?), etc. What's been your experience, everyone out there, on your preferences?

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Here's a starting point, to narrow the field.

Source: http://trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Camping-To...

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That previous link didn't work right.

There is a PDF file here, which gives the Gross Vehicle weights for tow vehicles.

http://www.trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Camping-Towing/TowVehicles.htm

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That didn't work either....

Hit the "Tow Ratings" tab at the top of the screen, and then the "Check your vehicle" button

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If you are towing a fifth wheel, you shouldn't use anything less than a truck with an 8-foot bed. And with the high tongue-weight of such a trailer (5th wheel tongue weights run at about 25%, you should look at a dually. Besides the weight itself, it'll tow much nicer. I think you'll need a one-ton, not a 3/4 ton.

A 34-ft trailer is probably a three-axle job that could weigh close to 16,000 lbs if it is a camping trailer that has sliders.

Check out the F-450 story link. The comparision test link is a little older, and the GM truck has changed since it was written, but the new one still has the engine and transmission that was praised so much.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Dri... http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Dri...

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