DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Discuss with others about towing. What is the best tow vehicle, hitches, brake controllers, etc, keeping in mind that everybody has his/her favorite.

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powerstroke1
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:50 pm
Location: Texas Kingsville
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3450rl
Location: Texas Kingsville

DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by powerstroke1 »

I AM NEW HERE SO PLEASE BE GENTLE I currently own a 2004 cedar creek 36rlts and am seriously thinking of upgrading to a new 2013 cardinal 3450 rl or the 3800fl. My question is do I have enough truck. My tow vehicle is a 2011 ford F-350 SRW KR 6.7l diesel. I also have Air ride air bags in the back if needed. Any input would be appreciated. thanks
Kenny & Debbie
2013 3450RL, full body paint
2011 F-350 KR 6.7L long bed CC, SRW
Travelers

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by Travelers »

Stepping up to a DRW would be great if its in the budget. Otherwise you got enough truck. :thumbrt:
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Olbird
Council, Asst. Admin
Posts: 4185
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
Location: Washington Kelso
Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
Location: Washington, LaCenter

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by Olbird »

The new rigs GVWR will only be about 1,000 lbs more then your existing 2004 36 footer.
Your truck will have no problem towing the new unit.
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods

2022 Ford F450 DRW
powerstroke1
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:50 pm
Location: Texas Kingsville
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3450rl
Location: Texas Kingsville

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by powerstroke1 »

Thanks for the feedback, I do realize that a DRW would be great but after dropping $65K on a new fiver I don't think I can talk the boss into another $60 for a new truck. I had a feeling that this truck would be enough as far as power but was not sure about the weight. I used to pull the same trailer with a 2002 ford F-250 SD with a 7.3L diesel and the power on this new truck is a huge boost. After the positive feedback I received from on this forum looks like I will be purchasing a new cardinal real soon. I will continue to read this forum as a temporary member for all of the great information available, and look forward to becoming a full time member and the proud owner of a new cardinal 5er real soon. Thanks
Kenny & Debbie
2013 3450RL, full body paint
2011 F-350 KR 6.7L long bed CC, SRW
Travelers

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by Travelers »

Best of luck with the new purchase.
Remember, without pics it's just a dream. :))
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sew2bhappy
Posts: 2482
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2010 11:07 am
Location: Oklahoma Oklahoma City
Cardinal Owners: 2013 Cardinal 3030 5th wheel
Location: Oklahoma Oklahoma City (base) and wherever the weather is better

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by sew2bhappy »

Since you're in Texas, you might want to check out our Southern Rally here viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7457

And if you're interested we would welcome you as an SOB (that's Some Other Brand :ymdevil: ) if you don't have your new rig by then. You can get to know some of the GREAT members and have LOTS of fun!!! :d
Millie Plato (married to Rplato)
2013 Cardinal 3030RS
1998 Volvo VNL610
2009 SmartCar-Bitsy
Nights out in
2018 - 93
...2015/16/17 - full time
...2011/14 - 719
National Rallies - 6
Regional Rallies - 10
FROG - 4
bfast54

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by bfast54 »

Powerstroke 1 .....Welcome................. :ymhug: :ymhug: ..Look forward to hearing about your new rig, and ......................You do indeed have enough truck............... :thumbrt:

Please feel free to let us know more about your rig when you get it......Oh, and as mentioned ...PICTURES...... :d :d

Hope someday in your travels, you can attend a Mid-West Rally............This spring I am having one in the Quad cities area....(East Moline, Il..Iowa area)..........June 6-9, 2013......if on the road , Please come on out. Info on the Rally page.
powerstroke1
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:50 pm
Location: Texas Kingsville
Cardinal Owners: 2013 3450rl
Location: Texas Kingsville

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by powerstroke1 »

Thanks for all the Southern hospitality and invites. I am unfortunatlly full time employed at this time working shift work @ a refinery for about 4 more years and we only get to go rving 3-4 times a year, mostly in the New Braunfels Canyon lake area of the texas hill country. The wifes sister lives up there and it is good for them to be able to visit. There is a 3450 rl locally but the boss has her mind set on the 3800fl which would have to be ordered. So we could be a week or two from our new cardinal or a couple of months. Once again thanks for the great feedback and hospitality. I will make regular visits to this site to keep up with the rallys and hopefully the work schedule will allow me to attend as a { SOB] some other brand or as a member with the new 5er.
Kenny & Debbie
2013 3450RL, full body paint
2011 F-350 KR 6.7L long bed CC, SRW
bfast54

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by bfast54 »

Hey....................These days ....being Fully employed ..............is a great thing...... ;) ........... Save up your money, for all those future travels.........................see you down the road............... :thumbrt:
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Olbird
Council, Asst. Admin
Posts: 4185
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 9:29 pm
Location: Washington Kelso
Cardinal Owners: 3850 RL
Location: Washington, LaCenter

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by Olbird »

Kit Brother RV on the border of Texas and Louisiana has a 38fl.
http://www.kitebros.com/4847.html

Berryland RV in Louisiana has a few of them in stock.


http://www.berrylandcampers.com/5th-whe ... 99005.html
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods

2022 Ford F450 DRW
watkinsk
Posts: 640
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 8:13 pm
Location: North Carolina, Clayton
Cardinal Owners: 2010 Cardinal 3150RL
Location: North Carolina, Clayton

Re: DO I NEED A BIGGER TRUCK

Post by watkinsk »

I have a 2012 F350 SRW Short bed, 6.7 diesel. I have no problems pulling my 37ft Cardinal model 3150. Last summer I pulled Wolf Creek pass using the jake brake going down and shifting into Manual 3 and 4 pulling up the steep west side. The truck did fine and I had no feeling of sway or push from the 5th wheel. The DRW would be nice but not worth the additional investment given you have an almost new 2011.
r/ Keith & Sher
2021 Alliance 340RL
2010 Cardinal 3150RL
2022 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LTZ, 4x4, SRW, Std Bed
"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT"...Winston Churchill
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