A 1/2 ton truck, that could tow a 5er.

[keeprr]

Chevy and GMC 3/4 ton come with the 4.10 rear end with the 6.0 gas engine. I believe the max 5th wheel weight is 14,000. With the diesel you get the 3.73 rear end and 17,100 gvwr. The 3500 with single axle has the exact same ratings.

[rovinglion]

Bigger is definitely better where safety is concerned. Take a look at getting a certified used vehicle from a dealer. These usually come with a reasonable warranty from the manufacturer. I got a great deal on an F350, super duty, crew cab. Very happy so far.

[camping baba]

We have a Rockwood 8280 Ultra lite . It weights in at 8900 fully loaded . This series fw was made to be towed with a 1/2 ton pickup . It's 32 ft long . We tow it with a 2013 Silverdo 4x4 extended cab with no problem .

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by B and B

The HD Payload on F150 might come close to handling the weight but test one before you buy because I did and the ride is rougher then my F350.


Hmmmm. My F 250 which can tow and haul the same as F 350 has the same ride. The F 150 has a much smoother ride compared to Super Duty.

For many people a F 150. 1500 or Eco Diesel Ram fits the need for a ultralight Fifth Wheel. For a weekend warrior camping 4 weekends a year, or a week at the lake a F 150 suits just fine. If you are going across the Rockies you need more, that's why I changed it up to a Super Duty Diesel.

If you think that HD Payload rides as good HD Tow you rode in different trucks than I did. The HD Tow rides better than my F350 but the HD Payload is whole different animal. The one I rode in was my neighbors 2014 and even he agrees with me.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by keeprr

Chevy and GMC 3/4 ton come with the 4.10 rear end with the 6.0 gas engine. I believe the max 5th wheel weight is 14,000. With the diesel you get the 3.73 rear end and 17,100 gvwr. The 3500 with single axle has the exact same ratings.

Except my Chevy 2500HD diesel had cargo capacity of 2475 and on the scales it had 1900 cargo capacity ready to tow.

My F350 has a cargo capacity of 3744 and on the scales ready to tow has just 3400 cargo capacity.

Pin weight of 17,100 5er at 20% would be 3420 lbs which exceeds CC of a 250/2500 and that not counting people, cargo and hitch weight.

[cotton65]

Make sure to upgrade the trans cooler to accommodate for the higher trans temp and always even with a diesel let the truck idle down for 5min or so before turning off after pulling. This lets all of the high temps of the fluids cool down to prevent seals leaking

[Aca651]

I have a flagstaff 8528BHWS about 31 feet long. It's the ultra light and weighs just shy of 8000 empty. I tow it with a 2013 ram 1500 with the 5.7. It tows this camper by far much better than my expedition towed my jayco 28bhs I get better mileage with the dodge set up at about 8 if I'm on it to 9 or sometimes 10 if I'm cruising along with no hills. The ford got 6.2 when we towed the tt to Florida.
The camper came with the Reese revolution which eliminated the need for s slider and I've found this to be a great set up. I've passed tractor trailers on inclines with ease. I'm happy with my set up but honestly think I want to go back to a tt I hated loosing the bed of my truck for storage and I've found the height of this camper is so hi I really have to watch branches wires and bridges.
That's my story.

[OldCoot]

These folks seem to think you need a 1t dually to pull a popup and a Peterbilt 389 to pull a 31' ultralight 5er.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by B and B

You can not do it. I never saw you back into Goshen with your half ton and fifth wheel. Also the TWOTA was not there either.

You're right, never did it twice.

[dbarr]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

They tell me I can't pull a 31' 5er with my 05 Silverado 1500, so I haven't pulled it for 3 + yrs over 40k miles.

I like your style.
When I was growing up the tow vehicle was whatever the family sedan was with an welded up to fit receiver hitch from the local RV parts supplier.
The only requirement was a 350ci V8 or bigger.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

These folks seem to think you need a 1t dually to pull a popup and a Peterbilt 389 to pull a 31' ultralight 5er.

Some people think they can pull 20,000 5er with 5,000 pin weight with 1/2 ton truck - Just added air bags and couple 4X4s to keep the wheels from hitting the fender wells and stop the bumper from dragging on the road. .....

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Markwie

Diesels are a pain with DEF and their increased maintenance but will always get better mileage when loaded.

common incorrect info from the gas truck owners. My truck holds just over 5 gallons of DEF at 2.79 a gallon. Lasts 4-5000 miles. Sure not a pain, not even an issue. Since I'm saving over 25 cents per mile in fuel costs vs gas, I'll take it.

[DDC]

What was the original question again????????????

[RSchleder]

You can buy the Ram 1500 with 3:92's. I have this gear in my 2015 Laramie Hemi, 8 speed, with factory 4 corner air suspension.

[fvstringpicker]

Originally Posted by davel1971

common incorrect info from the gas truck owners. My truck holds just over 5 gallons of DEF at 2.79 a gallon. Lasts 4-5000 miles. Sure not a pain, not even an issue. Since I'm saving over 25 cents per mile in fuel costs vs gas, I'll take it.

I think what you're hearing is similar to guys talking about the fellow with the younger, beautiful wife as her being "too high maintenance" for them.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by dbarr

I like your style.
When I was growing up the tow vehicle was whatever the family sedan was with an welded up to fit receiver hitch from the local RV parts supplier.
The only requirement was a 350ci V8 or bigger.

In my case a 351 but i did it with a 9 yr old Econoline Club Wagon, put a earlier Holley on it and deleted the emissions.


Back again to the original post.

Many opinions, real life accounts etc. A few Things that matter. Weight of the trailer, best equipped 1/2 ton you can afford for the job, personal safety is measured and taken into account what and where you go. Non mountainous travel should not be an issue and finally Go Camping!

[oldtool2]

Originally Posted by camping baba

We have a Rockwood 8280 Ultra lite . It weights in at 8900 fully loaded . This series fw was made to be towed with a 1/2 ton pickup . It's 32 ft long . We tow it with a 2013 Silverdo 4x4 extended cab with no problem .

It must have two slides. The last year they made the 8280SS (single slide) was 08 which I have and its GVWR is 8089 pounds. Its CCC is only 529 pounds, or 878 pounds if I don't use the FW tank which I don't. For the dog and I, or two people and a dog that is fine.


Light weigh 5er's are out there if you look for them.

I had a 05 29" signature ultra lite that actually weighed more than this one.

Jim

[phillyg]

Originally Posted by dicky1243

none they don't have the braking power or suspension!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, I was going to let your comment pass but I can't. Today's 1/2t trucks are not what our grandfather's drove. My F150 dropped 2" when I hooked up my 30' FW. Actually made the truck level and no airbags were needed. The rig stopped as well as my signature rig. I'd never state that all 1/2t trucks can pull any FW, but many can and do.

[JustB_Rad]

Originally Posted by Reformed_Stockbroker

I noticed the Big 3, do not put a 3.92 or 4.10
rear axle in their 1/2 ton PUs.

I have a 3.92 in my 2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman from the factory....

[BamaBob]

We have had no problems towing our 5er - the trick is you need to order the truck new from the factory with the "everything that is related to towing" packages and the Ecoboost.

Having said that, keep in mind that the ultralight 5er is ALL the truck will pull. So if you are eyeing a Cedar Creek as a possible upgrade "in a few years" just get the larger truck now.