5th wheel only pictures pulled with 1/2 Ton:

[checkmate99]

Originally Posted by TonyD

So here's the deal:

1. Please post pictures of your 5th wheel only being pulled with a 1/2 ton truck. Never took a pic of it towing my 5th wheel, sorry.

2. Tell us what you like and don't like about it. I liked the fact that my 1/2 ton Ecoboost engine had the power to pull the 7300 lbs (dry) fiver. I didn't like the fact that the pin weight left very little cargo carrying capacity remaining.

3. Tell us whether you have ever driven in mountains or not and how it handled. It handled ok and adding a roadmaster active suspension greatly improved handling and eliminated squat. Going down steep and long Colorado mountain passes required snub braking and very deliberate speed management. My Ecoboost's engine braking was worse than expected.

4. Tell us how it handles on flat roads. Very well and never had a problem with sway.

6. Tell us if you would trade for a larger TV if you could. I traded my F150 for an F350 about a month ago and the difference is incredible. The F350 doesn't even know there is a fifth wheel back there. Fuel economy is better towing and unloaded than my F150 EB (3.73 axle, max tow package, Platinum options, 6.5' bed). The F350's extra mass, stronger suspension, and doubled cargo carrying capacity allows me to tow with much more ease than the F150. Less "tail wagging the dog" with the f350 versus the f150.

The truth will set you free!

[itat]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

Finally. Reality..... Straight from the horses mouth.

Thank you

..... Drops the mic


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

Originally Posted by checkmate99

The truth will set you free!

I don't think anyone on this thread is suggesting a F350 or 3500 isn't a better tow vehicle. That's a no brainer.

[Blackrock]

We are shopping for a Fiver to mate up with our new Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. Have only found on FR product but have a KZ and a Keystone that are looking good. Both have pin weight around 1700 Lbs. And of course we are looking at hitches as well.
Right now my choice is a Curt 16K slider from Etrailer.

[W5CI]

You guys must be pulling the light weight 5er's, you wont be pulling my 12K Cedar Creek with no 1/2 pu safely if at all. Just because you can dont mean you should

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Blackrock

We are shopping for a Fiver to mate up with our new Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. Have only found on FR product but have a KZ and a Keystone that are looking good. Both have pin weight around 1700 Lbs. And of course we are looking at hitches as well.
Right now my choice is a Curt 16K slider from Etrailer.

Here is a good site to figure out what size 5er you can pull with your TV. All you need to know is the weight off of your yellow tag that on your door jam and plug it into the "What Can My Truck Tow"/"Working Backwards Using Available Payload".


Towing Planner - towing capability calculators

[m2kamp]

Originally Posted by Blackrock

We are shopping for a Fiver to mate up with our new Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi. Have only found on FR product but have a KZ and a Keystone that are looking good. Both have pin weight around 1700 Lbs. And of course we are looking at hitches as well.
Right now my choice is a Curt 16K slider from Etrailer.

We are new to camping and we now know we love it. Of course DW wants a 5er. I think the only Ram 1500 that could "comfortably" pull a 5er is a Tradesman 2wd Hemi with a 1900 ish payload capacity. But loaded for camping, you could easily go over it.

That being said, on the 3 trips we've been out camping, on two of those trips we saw two new Ram 1500 and 5er setups. The 5ers were under 30ft long and they were pulled by quad cab Hemi Ram 1500s. Both were running airbags and both owners said no problems.

[Blackrock]

Originally Posted by W5CI

You guys must be pulling the light weight 5er's, you wont be pulling my 12K Cedar Creek with no 1/2 pu safely if at all. Just because you can dont mean you should

There is a whole new breed of Fivers weighing in under 9K that are really catching on.

[Blackrock]

Originally Posted by m2kamp

We are new to camping and we now know we love it. Of course DW wants a 5er. I think the only Ram 1500 that could "comfortably" pull a 5er is a Tradesman 2wd Hemi with a 1900 ish payload capacity. But loaded for camping, you could easily go over it.

That being said, on the 3 trips we've been out camping, on two of those trips we saw two new Ram 1500 and 5er setups. The 5ers were under 30ft long and they were pulled by quad cab Hemi Ram 1500s. Both were running airbags and both owners said no problems.

Yessir, we have the Tradesman 2WD Quad cab with heavy tow package, 5.7 and 8spd trans and I installed air bags. Right now on our last trip with our 25DS bumper pull we grossed out at 10,380. So we are looking at a Fiver under 28ft.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by m2kamp

We are new to camping and we now know we love it. Of course DW wants a 5er. I think the only Ram 1500 that could "comfortably" pull a 5er is a Tradesman 2wd Hemi with a 1900 ish payload capacity. But loaded for camping, you could easily go over it.

Here is what Tow Planner give you with a hitch(250lbs) and driver(175lbs) only with a 1900 lbs payload with nothing else in the truck.

"You're adding approximately 425 lbs. to the truck. You have 1,475 lbs. of payload capacity. Fifth wheels typically have 20% - 25% pin weight which gives you a maximum loaded camper weight of 5,900 - 7,375 lbs."

Remember the above numbers are not the Dry Weight but loaded ready to camp. Most people add between 1000 and 1500lbs to a 5er.

Towing Calculator based on Truck's Payload/CCC - Towing Planner

[Blackrock]

I am figuring in the 1,000# rated air bags plus this truck does have a 10,620# tow rating. Right now my bumper weight is 870# with the present trailer.
The Keystone Laredo has a shipping weight of 7260# and a pin weight of 1760# which is close enough for me.
I am not a newbie to the truck game. Been doing it since I was 10 years old on the ranch hauling grain, hay, cattle and horses. Recently working for a sand and gravel company. If your truck is riding and handling like a car you are doing it all wrong.

[ependydad]

And, another 1/2-ton thread that's completely derailed. Pictures, people- pictures!

[leefl]

Well, I'm now towing with an F250, but I very briefly had an F150 eb supercrew, but realized (thankfully before installing hitch) that the advertised payload capacity, and the payload capacity on the door-jam are very very different.
I'm sure it could have pulled the weight, but I was certainly not comfortable being substantially over payload capacity (my "ultralite" 5er has an 1800lb pin weight), so I returned the F150 within the week, and bought the F250.
(Tho' I'm now wanting one of the 2017 F350's, with all the gadgetry from the 2015/2016 F150s and more )

[Blackrock]

Originally Posted by ependydad

And, another 1/2-ton thread that's completely derailed. Pictures, people- pictures!

We were doing OK until the feller with the full pull F350 started in.

[itat]

If you understand 1/2 tons you'll know that the payload is the weakest spec. The tow rating is rarely the issue. Apparently a 1/2 ton Tundra can pull the space shuttle with no weight on the tongue.

If you have a payload capacity of 1900# and you put a pin wt. of 1700# on it, you'll almost certainly exceed the specs when you and any passengers get into the truck. That doesn't mean it can't handle it, just as long as you are aware of it and comfortable with it.

[checkmate99]

Originally Posted by itat

I don't think anyone on this thread is suggesting a F350 or 3500 isn't a better tow vehicle. That's a no brainer.

I towed my Heritage Glen 282RK (7500# loaded for camping) for two years with a 2010 Ram CC 4X4, 5.7 Hemi with a 3:55 axle. It had a towing capacity of 8400 pounds, (according to Ram) and a payload of 1900 pounds, neither of which I exceeded. However, I was constantly watching the temps. of both engine oil, and transmission oil. I had a hard time keeping both under 200 degrees....especially the trans. It was okay on flat land, but any long grades I had to either slow down (from 60 MPH), or shift to a lower gear to reduce trans temps. I finally got tired of constant worry of breaking something, and purchased a 2015 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 gasser w/4:10 axle. Trans temps never exceed 190 degrees, even pulling the TT thru the Rockies. Sometimes Peace of mind is worth the extra cost. It pulls better, stops better, and handles much better then the 1/2 ton. Just wanted to let everyone know why I upgraded to a bigger TV. Thanks for listening, and happy camping!

[jerky]

Originally Posted by itat

I don't think anyone on this thread is suggesting a F350 or 3500 isn't a better tow vehicle. That's a no brainer.

You said it before I could, those were almost facts weren't they??? Pulls better, better fuel mileage, can't feel it, and on and on


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[kandl]

Originally Posted by checkmate99

I towed my Heritage Glen 282RK (7500# loaded for camping) for two years with a 2010 Ram CC 4X4, 5.7 Hemi with a 3:55 axle. It had a towing capacity of 8400 pounds, (according to Ram) and a payload of 1900 pounds, neither of which I exceeded. However, I was constantly watching the temps. of both engine oil, and transmission oil. I had a hard time keeping both under 200 degrees....especially the trans.

Yep, a little extra gearing (3:92) can go a long way when traversing them pointy hills. We've lugged the 7500 lb Rockwood back and forth across the Rockies on numerous occasions over the past five yrs and the little Ram has consistently performed like that proverbial Little Engine that Could. Seen tranny and engine oil temps well in excess of 200 degrees but thus far she's none the worse for wear. We do ponder about bigger and better TVs but hard to rationalize when the old gal just doesn't want to quit.

[Blackrock]

Welp fellers. I'll be telling you all about it come this weekend. I made a deal this week on a light 5th wheel. Went outside the FR family and got a Keystone Laredo 265SRK. Specs out at 7260 dry weight and 1480 pin weight. Already installed the air bags in the coil springs and going to have slider hitch installed this week and pick the rig up Friday in Tucson.

[Radio]

OK... here's the pic the OP asked for...

Way upgraded tranny cooling capacity
Michelin 245/70 R 17 load range E tires
Timbrens

It works on my budget. The loaded trailer weighs 7800, truck is rated 8600. Pin is about 900. And the tv is paid for.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by ependydad

And, another 1/2-ton thread that's completely derailed. Pictures, people- pictures!

Evidently some folks can't comprehend PICTURES ONLY of 1/2 Tons pulling 5ers.