337RLS and F250

JM

Jmag249

Guest
Will an F250 four door shortbed with 4x4, single rear wheels, and diesel be enough truck to tow the 337RLS? The specs of the truck seem to indicate it will. But what does real life towing indicate using a slider fifth wheel hitch set-up?
 
Hi Jmag249,

Do you have this truck, or are thinking about getting one ?
If you have the truck, check the label on the door. Many trucks of the configuration you describe do not have enough payload capacity for a 337RLS. If you have yet to get the truck, you will find a lot of advice on this forum about getting an F350 for not much more money.

Rob
 
Can it pull it. Probably. Does the F250 have enough payload? Not with the options you list. The 4x4 and diesel add considerable weight that limits the amount of payload available to you.
 
I have a F250 diesel crewcab 2x4 with AirRides on the back. It pulls my 11K/2K pin weight Reflection 323BHS just fine. Even with the air bags not inflated, it doesn't squat.

When someone goes to the Solitude and Momentum size trailers with single rear wheels, that's when the Weight Police should chime in.

If you've not bought the truck, go for a F350 with dual rear wheels. It's about a $1K difference in price.
 
I have a F250 diesel crewcab 2x4 with AirRides on the back. It pulls my 11K/2K pin weight Reflection 323BHS just fine. Even with the air bags not inflated, it doesn't squat.

Bama...those numbers are your unloaded weights aren't they? I was surprised when I scaled our 337...2800# pin and 12880# total loaded for a 8 week trip. I'm putting it on a diet and trying the shift some of the load to reduce the pin weight.

Dave
 
Grand Design runs all their trailers on a certified scale as they leave the factory, and the weight printout was in my trailer's documentation. My 323BHS weighted just over 11K and the pin weight was just over 2K. The three slide side weighted 700 lbs. more than the door side.

We may tow our trailer from time to time to Florida, Lake Lanier Islands and Stone Mountain Park. But our trailer stays in our NE GA Mountain membership campground where it'll be put on campsites by professional drivers.
 
So if I keep the same options on the truck, but upgrade to an F350, it should be good to go? I don't have room for a DRW truck in my garage. My other option is to go with the 303RLS. I have not purchased either the truck nor the fiver but am doing the research now. I do know that I am going with grand design and like the 337RLS best with the 303RLS a close second. I am a Ford guy, always have been, but currently have an F150. Another question...what is the number after the RV Unitt? Is that the build number? Thanks for the help and time
 
The 337 is heavy, but I believe these Mid-Profile fifth wheels work very good with 3/4 ton Diesel trucks. I have zero issues with mine, my truck does a great job. I would think a F-250 would be a nice match for the 337, but the only true answer is scaled weights.
 
Thanks Rob. I do not have the truck yet. I was looking at an F 350 also. I dont even have the fifth wheel yet! Just gathering info before i purchase. Reading alot on these boards and other sources also. I do know that my choices for fifth wheels are down to the Reflection 303Rls or the 337Rls. Thanks to people like yourself, I am gainig more knowledge to make my decision. I like the 337Rls the most due to the slide in the bedroom, but I want to stay with a SRW tow vehicle with short bed and diesel. I want to still be able to pull the vehicle in to my garage.
 
I have a F250 (see signature) and checked the towing capacities. I'll be on the high limits (10000 GVW, 14000 max 5th weight) I don't load heavy and our camper sits on a seasonal site 90% of the time. When the time comes in a few years, I'll move into a F350. Meantime, my F250 will work ok.
 
I do not have the truck yet. I was looking at an F 350 also

If you're starting with a clean sheet of paper, I'd suggest that you get the F350 SRW for the 1000# extra payload...make sure it's the version with a GVWR of 11500#. They're not much more than a F250 in price. I'll also recommend the 337 though I have a bias!

Dave
 
We are in agreement with Glazier, that a 3/4 ton diesel works well with the 337RLS (see vehicles in signature). Since last May, we have traveled 25,000 miles in our truck, and I know that at least 60% of those have been towing our Reflection through all the Rocky Mountain states and some mountainous terrain in the East. We are close to full-timers. I owned a Chevrolet dualie (gas 8.1) previous to our Dodge, and if we were buying our truck again, knowing of our decision on a fifth wheel, we would have chosen a 1 ton dualie. It would give us more reserve capacity now and other options down the road. I do think that like towing a fifth wheel, adjustments are needed when going to a dualie, but can be made!
 
When I bought my 323BHS, I was actually buying the trailer to go with the F250 I bought new in late 2002. It's got a 13,200 lb. towability with the trailer tow package. What's good about the Reflections is that 3/4 ton trucks can tow them.

But the 337 is a little heavier, and F350 single rear wheel truck should do the job.

And I understand how you feel about dealing with dual rear wheels in the real world. I have a hard enough time parking my crew cab in less than two parking places.
 
Here are my intentions. I plan on purchasing sometime next year. I am set on Grand Design as they offer exactly what I am looking for. I would like to go with the reflection 337RLS but the 303RLS would work if the tow vehicle becomes an issue. I plan on traveling some with the fifth wheel but not being a full-timer. I would like to have the ability to go cross country. I want the tow vehicle to fit into my residential garage (which will fit a 4 door crew cab short bed SRW truck). I started out looking at a F250 and thinking about adding air bags so the truck will sit and ride well. The reason for the F250 with after market air bags is so I can have a smoother ride when not towing the fifth wheel. Is this reasonable, or should I be looking at and F350? I may "bend" and go with a Chevy or GMC as I found they have higher towing capacities. I don't have anything against Chevy, I have just always had Ford truck (F150's). This is my first time posting to any forum and I am open to suggestions. I would like to have a 4X4, Diesel, SRW, 4 door crew cab, with a short bed.

any suggestions??

Thanks for all the help in advance
 
As far as brand, in my opinion all have strong points and areas of weakness. Here are factors I look at:

1) If you are operating from a S & B, do you have a service provider (dealer or independent shop) you have a good relationship with?
2) Diesel engines are all pretty strong so flip a three-sided coin. I know that Chevrolet and Ram have strong and reliable transmissions. I do not know about Ford, but they may be fine. When we are talking about a component that is $3000-$4000 to overhaul, you need to factor this in.
3) I would suggest driving all three brands, 3/4 ton and 1 ton. Like me, your brand loyalty may be from personal experience or friend's experience, but that may be dated or opinionated based on older model years. All brands have improved A LOT in the last four years. I have been in auto and light truck repair for decades, and all brands have frustrated their owners.
4) Trust your gut- but honor your spouse's opinion.

Exciting times! You can't go wrong!
 
I'll throw in my $.02 since I seem to be in the same spot/time frame as you. I have been researching truck and 5er for about 8 months now. I am sold on the Solitude 369rl for my 5er, and will purchase next year. So for the truck... I knew I wanted/needed a Diesel, so I researched all 3. Even took friends out on the test drives for ride and comfort advise. not gonna bad mouth the 2 I didn't choose, cause it was all personal reasons, but I did just order a 2015 Dodge crew cab 6.7 with the Aisin trans and 4.10 rear end, DRW. My reason for the overkill?? Because if you read on here and other forums, you always hear that they had wished they had got a 3500, or diesel, or dually, or bigger rear end, etc.... Now, I will never have to say that and I will be able to haul anything. Good luck with your decision. Glad we could help muddy the waters for you. :)
 
We just purchased a new 3500 GMC. Better to have more truck than you need and not have any worries. Especially if you want to upgrade down the road. Have always had ford and still like them a lot. Especially the new Fords with 440 hp and 860 ft lb's of torque.Their turbo has been improved a lot making them bigger, making the exhaust brake a lot better. One of the many reasons for getting a Chevy was for something different. Steve is right that they are all good now and they each have their good and bad points.
 
We tow with 2013 F 250 crew cab, 6.2 gas V8. 303rls. Added the air bags with remote compressor. Would definitely go with the Diesel engine. Gas engine does not have the torque to pull hills let alone mountains. Air bags make a great ride with and without the 5th wheel. Make sure a F250 will clear your garage in height. Mine only has 1/12" clearance. Chevys are much shorter
 
Three thoughts that come to me on this great discussion

1) In the early 70's, I read a lot of Overdrive magazines (HD trucking). Many had this full-cover ad for Peterbilt on the back cover with the slogan "No man was ever sorry he bought the best there is".

2) Newer BMW motorcycle ad "For one shining moment, stop compromising"

3) Last week a Facebook posting from BGEA stating "I never met a man who was sorry he accepted Jesus"- Billy Graham

Devinh2, good explanation of your thought process and reasoning, and certainly a very cheritable approach to a personal decision.
 

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