What truck for my new 16,000 lb 5th wheel?

Hey friends, I'm currently on the hunt for a truck.

I recently won a Bighorn Fifth-Wheel with a gross weight of 16,000 lbs on GED Brokerage website, and it arrived two weeks ago. I was super excited, but then I realized I can't tow it with my CRV (I know, I should have done my research beforehand). We plan to move it infrequently, as we live in it full-time in South Florida.

Now that I need to get a different truck, I'm reaching out for advice. What kind of truck do you all use? SRW? DRW? 4x4? 4x2? 350, 250, 3500?... you name it!

THANKS A MILLION! :)

Oh Boy, here we goooo....lol

Welcome to the forum, RoadTripper88! Congrats on the new rig - that's quite a prize! I remember my first time towing a big fifth wheel, it's quite an experience.

For a 16,000 lb fifth wheel, you're definitely looking at a 350/3500 series truck. The big question is whether you go with a single rear wheel (SRW) or dual rear wheel (DRW). Personally, I prefer DRW for the stability, especially with crosswinds.

Hey there RoadTripper88! Welcome to the community! That's awesome about winning the Bighorn - what a fantastic start to your RV journey!

Only a Ram...I used to have a Chevy and we could not go anywhere:) Just kidding, any of the Big 3 will pull your Big Horn. I prefer a Dually just because its more stable, in my opinion. I had a Chevy 3500, DW wanted a new truck, so she bought a Ram. We are obviously not brand loyal. I am more best price loyal.

Since you're in Florida and mostly staying put, you might be fine with a 4x2 to save some money, unless you plan on hitting some campgrounds with soft ground.

Welcome to the forum, RoadTripper88! That's quite a story - winning an RV! We've been full-timing for 5 years now and love it.

We have towed our BH3575el (GVWR 16K) with combined weight of 24,500 lbs for two years with our 2015 RAM 4x4 SB CC 3500. We load heavy as we lived in it for over a year. It has been to Arizona and back to Washington twice with extended travel along the way. We are quite happy with the setup. We have been in high wind several times, and over lots of mountain passes.

For your situation in Florida, you might not need the 4x4, but I'd still recommend the 3500 series for that weight. The extra capacity gives you peace of mind.

Welcome to the community, RoadTripper88! That's an amazing win - congratulations!

This is a loaded question, for sure! LOL. TruckGuru's comment made me chuckle! :) Are you brand loyal? All the new diesels are towing monsters, and are very very nice trucks. With your Bighorn I'd say most would agree 350/3500, but the opinions on SRW vs DRW are definitely split. We went with a DRW for extra hauling capacity (for an aux fuel tank) and stability.

Since you mentioned budget, you might want to look at 2015-2018 models. The emissions systems have improved a lot since the early days, and you can find some good deals.

Welcome to RV Voyage, RoadTripper88! What an exciting way to get into the RV lifestyle!

The new Ford Platinum is incredible. Simply the most amazing vehicle I've ever owned. You need to drive one.

That said, if you're on a budget, look at the F-350s from 2017-2020. The 6.7L Power Stroke is a fantastic engine, and you can find some well-maintained ones with reasonable mileage. For your 16k fifth wheel, I'd recommend a dually for the stability, especially if you're new to towing something that size.

My thought exactly. Welcome to the forum, RoadTripper88! It's great to have you here.

You really did not ask that question here did you?

Just a hint. Most people have been driving the same make truck since they were 16. Where you sit is where you stand. ;)

I don't have the web site but someone will jump in with it. It gives all of the load and tow information on various makes and models. I suggest that, if you are not brand oriented, you begin with the weights (pin and gross) of the trailer and start plugging those into the formula for the trucks and see if that helps with a decision. Consumer Reports has a yearly report on just about every make and model vehicle ever driven. That search will give you the customer satisfaction/repair history on a much larger scale that you will get here.

Since you're new to towing, I'd also recommend finding a local RV driving course. They're worth every penny!

Hey RoadTripper88, welcome to the forum! Congrats on the new rig - that's quite a prize!

I've been towing with Chevys for 20+ years. My current rig is a 2020 Silverado 3500 HD Duramax, and it tows my 18,000 lb fifth wheel like a dream. The Allison transmission is bulletproof.

For your situation, I'd recommend looking at a 2015 or newer Silverado/Sierra 3500. The Duramax/Allison combo in those years is fantastic. Since you're mostly staying in Florida, you could probably get by with a SRW, but if you think you might travel more in the future, a DRW would be worth the extra investment.

Welcome RoadTripper88! That's an awesome story about winning your RV!

I'm on a budget too, so I understand where you're coming from. I tow my 15,500 lb fifth wheel with a 2012 Ram 3500 SRW. It does the job just fine, though I do sometimes wish I had a dually for the extra stability in crosswinds.

If you're looking to save money, consider a gas engine instead of diesel. The new gas engines are surprisingly capable, and you'll save a bundle on upfront costs and maintenance. For mostly flat Florida driving, a gas 3500 might be all you need.

Welcome to the community, RoadTripper88! What an exciting way to start your RV adventures!

I teach RV towing classes, so I've driven just about everything out there. For a 16,000 lb fifth wheel, you definitely want a 350/3500 series truck. The SRW vs DRW debate is real - SRW is easier to drive and park daily, but DRW gives you much better stability, especially in crosswinds or when passing semis.

Since you're new to towing something this size, I'd lean toward recommending a DRW for the added safety margin. Also, don't forget about proper hitch setup - that's just as important as the truck itself!

Hey RoadTripper88, welcome aboard! Congrats on the new rig - that's quite a win!

I'm on my third Ram 3500 dually, and I wouldn't tow my 18k fifth wheel with anything else. The Cummins engine is a workhorse, and the Aisin transmission in the newer models is fantastic.

For your situation, I'd recommend looking at a 2017-2019 Ram 3500. You can find some good deals, and they're reliable trucks. Since you're in Florida, you might not need 4x4, but it's nice to have if you ever decide to explore other areas.

WOW! I'm absolutely blown away by all the helpful responses! Thank you so much, everyone!

Hahaha you guys are awesome. Yes I know, "Oh boy here we go" LOL.

I am not brand loyal. I've never owned any diesels or truck simply put.

Also I am on a budget, lol, like everyone else - so anything before 2012 is gonna be more what I'll be looking at. Ford people argue 7.3, 6.0, I hear 6.4 is just "trash" and don't even look at it LOL.

I hear great things about Cummins. I'm guessing my biggest question is can a 350 or 3500 single rear wheel get the job done with my 42 foot 16k lb 3875FB Bighorn or if Dual Rear wheel is the only way to go. Thanks everyone!!!

This is fun! LOL

Special thanks to BudgetRVer for the gas engine suggestion - I hadn't really considered that! And TowingCoach, I'll definitely look into a driving course. That's a great idea!

Welcome to the forum, RoadTripper88! What an exciting way to get into RVing!

I just wanted to add that whatever truck you choose, make sure you get the right hitch and have it properly installed. We learned that lesson the hard way on our first trip!

This community is fantastic - don't hesitate to ask more questions as you continue your search. We're all here to help each other enjoy this amazing lifestyle!