Towing a RW 3821RL

Rdelling · 07-21-2018, 04:01 PM

I am contemplating a new RW 3821RL. I have a 2017 Ford F-350 (4x4) the dealer is telling me my truck will pull it no problem which I am sure it will. However, how safe is it to be pulling a 15k trailer behind a SRW F350. I just bought this truck 10 months ago and don’t feel like trading it in for a DRW. Are the Redwoods to much trailer for a SRW 350.

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

Highcountrybarry · 07-21-2018, 04:14 PM

Based on comments I have heard over the years, 70% to 80% of Redwood owners tow with DRW. Many of them have towed SRW and say they were never comfortable and that the DRW is far more stable and much more relaxing to tow. I did the research and went DRW and have not regretted it for a moment. The only negative is parking and maneuvering when not towing and that’s not too bad.

Those that tow SRW say they are fine and it works for them. But on the other hand, I never heard anyone say that they towed DRW and went back to SRW.

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travelin' texans · 07-21-2018, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdelling

I am contemplating a new RW 3821RL. I have a 2017 Ford F-350 (4x4) the dealer is telling me my truck will pull it no problem which I am sure it will. However, how safe is it to be pulling a 15k trailer behind a SRW F350. I just bought this truck 10 months ago and don’t feel like trading it in for a DRW. Are the Redwoods to much trailer for a SRW 350.

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

To be honest not sure where the 15k weight is from, maybe empty weight, but you'll most likely NEVER be at 15k except on the tow home. Once loaded you'll be 16k+, depending on if you're part-time users or fulltime, with 25%+ of that as pin weight. Are your rear tires rated for that much? What payload does the SRW have? You'll need air bags, which DO NOT add payload, to level the truck. Be sure you have good LT 10 ply tires on the truck! Yes, you can tow it & lots of people do, the safety issue, for you & us, is your responsibility, so it's your decision!
The good part is you're not asking about a new F250 or wanting to use the new F150 3.6 EcoBoost that's the new tow beast! At least it's a 1 ton truck!!

Ford truck guy · 07-21-2018, 11:31 PM

I tow my “ 16” 38RL with my “15” F-350 SRW with no issues. I have the Morryde IS, disc’s and 17.5’s all on the Redwood. I am a bit over my GCVWR weights, but just under the tire and axle ratings...

I tow with NO fluids on board..

I have never felt that I was in any jeopardy while towing, no white knuckle driving...

At this stage, with us mostly staying within 4-5 hours of our house, and having more empty cabinets then full (not retired ). We will stay with the SRW..

**piper guy** · 07-23-2018, 06:05 AM

I have towed our 36RL with both a F350 CC SB SRW and also with a F350 CC DRW with the Max Tow package. I traded an 8 month old SRW F350 that I loved and have never regretted it. The differ nice in towing feel and stability is night and day. If your only planning occasional use and fairly close to home like Joe and will commit to being very lightly loaded then you'll probably be ok.
If your planning on serious towing and a lot of miles and seeing the country - do a Dually hands down.

Ford truck guy · 07-23-2018, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piper guy

I have towed our 36RL with both a F350 CC SB SRW and also with a F350 CC DRW with the Max Tow package. I traded an 8 month old SRW F350 that I loved and have never regretted it. The differ nice in towing feel and stability is night and day. If your only planning occasional use and fairly close to home like Joe and will commit to being very lightly loaded then you'll probably be ok.
If your planning on serious towing and a lot of miles and seeing the country - do a Dually hands down.

I am excited to get to the point that I NEED/WANT a DRW.. that would mean that I am done work and seeing the country , and NOT my office ! !! !

Rdelling · 07-23-2018, 02:15 PM

I am in the same situation you are. A few more years till I retire then a DRW would work fore me.

Do you find that a 40 footer is to big for travelingva few tones a year to Rv Parks for week long get aways?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford truck guy

I am excited to get to the point that I NEED/WANT a DRW.. that would mean that I am done work and seeing the country , and NOT my office ! !! !

Ford truck guy · 07-23-2018, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdelling

I am in the same situation you are. A few more years till I retire then a DRW would work fore me.

Do you find that a 40 footer is to big for travelingva few tones a year to Rv Parks for week long get aways?

Absolutely NOT . . I think we may be at 25 nights so far this year, taking it for long weekends and such.. IF you want to spend your time in national Parks, that may become an issue, but for us, we mainly stay in RV resorts/Campgrounds. There is a campground about 3 hours from us that is a State Park, it has Water-Sewer-50amp, paved LONG sites, and is right on the water... That is the only state park we stay at.

It will all depend on your camping needs/wants.. I have probably have 10-15 or so years left before I retire... I am at the ripe old age of 54

RWJSIM2003 · 07-23-2018, 03:11 PM

We stared out with a 2008 F450 and recently switched to a 2018 F350 SRW. We are not full timers and travel light with the Trailer. I added air bags and heavy duty sway bars to the back of the new truck. So far I have not noticed any difference from the DRW the ride has been fine. If I was full timing I would go with the DRW but I also wanted a daily driver.

Rdelling · 07-23-2018, 03:18 PM

We are now looking at the RW 3991 WB. We mostly stay at RV resorts and we do Dry Camp at one place on the coast but that is it. I just want to make sure that if my wife and I want to go on a multi state adventure for a few weeks of vacation we can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford truck guy

Absolutely NOT . . I think we may be at 25 nights so far this year, taking it for long weekends and such.. IF you want to spend your time in national Parks, that may become an issue, but for us, we mainly stay in RV resorts/Campgrounds. There is a campground about 3 hours from us that is a State Park, it has Water-Sewer-50amp, paved LONG sites, and is right on the water... That is the only state park we stay at.

It will all depend on your camping needs/wants.. I have probably have 10-15 or so years left before I retire... I am at the ripe old age of 54

travelin' texans · 07-23-2018, 06:50 PM

With RW, or any 5th of that size, you will find very limited state/national parks to stay in due to the size, but as for rv resorts they are numerous & you'll have no problems.
I wish I had the SRW, but we've been fulltime & the dually has been great.

XCMARK · 07-23-2018, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdelling

I am contemplating a new RW 3821RL. I have a 2017 Ford F-350 (4x4) the dealer is telling me my truck will pull it no problem which I am sure it will. However, how safe is it to be pulling a 15k trailer behind a SRW F350. I just bought this truck 10 months ago and don’t feel like trading it in for a DRW. Are the Redwoods to much trailer for a SRW 350.

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

I tow our 2015 RL38 with a single wheel GMC 3500 crew cab 4x4 short bed. My unit is a slide in slide bedroom, washer , drier, dishwasher. On the scales I found I was just under max combine rateing for the truck 24600lbs but over weight by 400 ~500 lbs on the rear axel. This rateing is a combo of tires and wheels not rated for more load. I did a 19.5 tire upgrade to the truck to prevent a blow out, I know I am not Ok with a DOT stop . The turck has 3.73 ratio and pulls it very well even in the hills. if you don't have 3.73 or 4.10 gear ration you may want to rethink your truck. 3.55 I would not do it.

EDIT: I feel air bags are a must and I have fox aftermarket shocks to control the bridge bounce . The roads here in MASS are terrible , we just got back from Maine and the roads up there even with frost heave cracks is much smoother then the B.S. roads I drive on daily. Loaded with camping gear , 100 gallons of fresh water put me 500 lbs over on the rear . I set the bags at 40~45 psi and it rides the same height as empty (just off the helper springs). I never check what the weight add the rear axle was , sorry I don't know the pin weight. I know the trailer axel are 13000lbs combine, not leaving much room for overload. My trailer has goodyear 614 tires and soon to get a 17.5 tire upgrade. The good year tires are rated at 3750 per tire, the 17.5 tires will handle 4500lbs each tire.

5th_Time · 07-25-2018, 12:01 AM

If you upgraded from 17 “ w/3.73 to 19.5 “ wheels, you do have 3.55 now. Just sayin...

XCMARK · 07-25-2018, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5th_Time

If you upgraded from 17 “ w/3.73 to 19.5 “ wheels, you do have 3.55 now. Just sayin...

There are 3 sizes of 19.5 tires 225 , 245, and 265 tires that fit my truck . honestly the 245 tire is as big of tire you can run in a unlifted GM truck
It's about 1.5" taller the the stock 265/18 that came on the truck. Net change was 3mph at 75. The speed o is dead matches GPS now it, it dropped about 75 rpm at 70 mph.
No big deal .

Rdelling · 07-26-2018, 12:45 AM

Well I am committed now because I just bought a 2018 3901wb!!!

Highcountrybarry · 07-26-2018, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdelling

Well I am committed now because I just bought a 2018 3901wb!!!

Congratulations! I have a 2018 3901 MB. Be patient, it may take some time to shake it out. Just understand that it’s a house rolling down bumpy roads at 70MPH. It’s well worth the effort. It will provide experiences and sights that you just can’t imagine!

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XCMARK · 07-26-2018, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdelling

Well I am committed now because I just bought a 2018 3901wb!!!

Welcome to the club
I am sure you will enjoy it! Many happy miles and smiles!

seriously look at a air bag set up for the truck , 42' or trailer on bad roads is a lot of weight getting put in the bed of the truck.

My wife and I really enjoy going on adventures with ours.

Ford truck guy · 07-26-2018, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdelling

Well I am committed now because I just bought a 2018 3901wb!!!

Congratulations on the new Redwood ! ! I hope you love it at least 1/2 as much as we love ours !! !

Like stated above, these are rolling down out wonderful roads at 65+ mph.. there will be issues, deal with them as they happen and you will be just fine !

Joe

RWJSIM2003 · 07-26-2018, 06:34 PM

Congratulations, and welcome to the club. wishing you many safe travels

Rdelling · 07-27-2018, 03:49 AM

This is not my first 5th wheel but it is my first Redwood. Any suggestions on upgrades needed, or is the trailer pretty stout as it sits. I have read a few threads about axle, tire, suspension, and brake upgrades. I hope they are not needed due to the price and reputation of the coach.

I am just looking for suggestions or options of things for our new coach. I will be installing airbags this weekend before I pick up the coach on the 7th.

Thanks and looking forward to our new adventures!!

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