Re: Fith wheel and shortbed truck delimna
I don't know what size trailer you have, but if it is the average 5th wheel, I can tell you this.
In my years of doing business, I have had lots of dually's. Now I have 2 GMC's, a 2500HD and a 3500. I do not have a dually and I can tow anything that comes on my lot. The 2500HD will tow a 15,400lb. 5th wheel, the 3500 will go to 16,600lb. I can tell you that you do not need a dually if your trailer is under those weights. Don't look at GVWR, see what the actual weight is.
Diesel or Gas? Good question. Both of mine are diesels, but am not driving them enough to justify it. Several schools of thought here. MOST people will agree that you have to drive a Diesel a certain amount of miles a year before you can justify the added cost. 20 years ago I was told that figure was 50,000 a year. I would say that if your towing time would be once or twice a month and just going to your local campground, buy Gas. If you want to go across country or are going to take extended trips and tow a lot, get the Diesel. Of course, what you do with the truck the rest of the time, will also determine whether you go with Gas or Diesel.
Long or Short bed. The better tow vehicle is the longer vehicle. I refuse to buy short beds because I hook up to so many trailers and I am not fooling with the slider hitch. That is my choice and better for my business. If I were going to tow twice a month and local, I would have the short bed because of regular driving, but the LONGER vehicle is the better tow vehicle. (I repeated that on purpose)
If you go with a short bed, you will need a slider hitch so you will have cab clearance in tight turns. Because the non slider hitch is less expensive, the longer truck will probably cost about the same after you buy the short bed and a slider hitch. YES, get a truck that has at least 6' in the bed. I would also get at least a 3/4 ton.
