Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
The story:
A neighbor bought their first RV, one of those Minni Winnie things. I said nice and kinda small, I think a truck & 5th wheel might have been better.
They had it out two times and decided it was too small, traded it off on a BIG diesel pusher bus. I told them before that the bus' are nice but BIG and when you get onsite you have no transportation. I suggested a truck & 5th wheel.
They had it out 4 times and decided it is too big plus they cant drive it around once they set up camp. Boy am I surprised (!). It has to go. I didnt offer any comment.
Today he calls and says they are looking at a ~30 5th wheel and a HALF TON truck. No comment from me (I learned) so he asks for my advice. He is stuck on FERD.
My advice:
For a ~30' 5th wheel: "Since you decided on FORD, get a 3/4 ton, auto (bad knees) and the gasoline engine" He is curious why I didnt say Diesel...
Continuing: He doesnt need a 1 ton or DRW's, a SRW should be ok depending on pin weight and GVWR of the truck, rear axle ratio etc.
The salesman told him a 1/2 ton is just fine (the dealer happens to have a nice 1/2 ton FERD on the lot :-laf )
I said a heavier tow vehicle than load is really nice.
With a heavier tow vehicle than trailer is like being single with a G/F, you have some fun and can go where YOU want.
A matched tow vehicle to trailer is like being married, you each have a big say in what direction you go. Works nicely.
A (grossly mismatched - like the 1/2 ton and 30' 5th wheel) lighter tow vehicle to trailer is like being a badly henpecked husband. The load more or less tells you where to go and all you can do is hang on and try to steer.
This comes on the heels of news from a friend that my brother, a LOYAL FERD customer had so much trouble with his 6. 0 PSD that FERD gave him another at no charge. Note that my brother didnt have the guts to tell me directly :-laf Atleast FERD knows how to take care of a long time customer... HINT HINT, anyone at DC listening?
Anyway, I told the neighbor that he would have less trouble out of the gasser than the 6. 0 PSD.
A neighbor bought their first RV, one of those Minni Winnie things. I said nice and kinda small, I think a truck & 5th wheel might have been better.
They had it out two times and decided it was too small, traded it off on a BIG diesel pusher bus. I told them before that the bus' are nice but BIG and when you get onsite you have no transportation. I suggested a truck & 5th wheel.
They had it out 4 times and decided it is too big plus they cant drive it around once they set up camp. Boy am I surprised (!). It has to go. I didnt offer any comment.
Today he calls and says they are looking at a ~30 5th wheel and a HALF TON truck. No comment from me (I learned) so he asks for my advice. He is stuck on FERD.
My advice:
For a ~30' 5th wheel: "Since you decided on FORD, get a 3/4 ton, auto (bad knees) and the gasoline engine" He is curious why I didnt say Diesel...
Continuing: He doesnt need a 1 ton or DRW's, a SRW should be ok depending on pin weight and GVWR of the truck, rear axle ratio etc.
The salesman told him a 1/2 ton is just fine (the dealer happens to have a nice 1/2 ton FERD on the lot :-laf )
I said a heavier tow vehicle than load is really nice.
With a heavier tow vehicle than trailer is like being single with a G/F, you have some fun and can go where YOU want.
A matched tow vehicle to trailer is like being married, you each have a big say in what direction you go. Works nicely.
A (grossly mismatched - like the 1/2 ton and 30' 5th wheel) lighter tow vehicle to trailer is like being a badly henpecked husband. The load more or less tells you where to go and all you can do is hang on and try to steer.
This comes on the heels of news from a friend that my brother, a LOYAL FERD customer had so much trouble with his 6. 0 PSD that FERD gave him another at no charge. Note that my brother didnt have the guts to tell me directly :-laf Atleast FERD knows how to take care of a long time customer... HINT HINT, anyone at DC listening?
Anyway, I told the neighbor that he would have less trouble out of the gasser than the 6. 0 PSD.
