Beenawhile!..

[cthelite]

Hey members!..been awhile since i've been on. Since my last visit i purchased a 2010 f150 Lariat, I'm going to graduate to a 5w. My truck has a GCVW 11,200. I'm looking in the range 8500-9000(uvw)... sound ok? And why dont the dealers post TRUE UVW on their ##% ads? (I mean)..all they have to do is post the yellow sticker in a picture.

[davel1971]

you didn't state what your truck is rated to tow. Based on what you posted, your truck needs to not weigh more than 1000 pounds. Either way, that's a lot of weight for a half ton to tow. Depending on terrain, you could be pushing it pretty hard.

[kc8lvy]

Keep an eye on the pin weight. There are a few 5w you can pull with a half ton truck but do your research before you buy one.
Good luck and have fun camping!

[davel1971]

just don't rely on what the dealers or manufactures call "half ton towable". Way off in my opinion. I would rather have too much truck to make towing safer and effortless.

[Ford Idaho]

My lite is rated for a 1/2 ton.

Specifications - Chaparral Lite - Coachmen RV

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

My lite is rated for a 1/2 ton.

Specifications - Chaparral Lite - Coachmen RV

yet you have a 3/4 ton. My point exactly. I drive a 1 ton diesel to tow 8000, but a 5th is in our future. Yours in half ton towable. I'm referring to models that are 9000+ empty with GVWR ratings of up to 12k. That's ridiculous.

[cthelite]

OK!..my fault! you're right..GCWR 15,500. According to the FORD trailer tow guide I can tow up to 9500. I'm trying to get a "REAL" opinionated view on these numbers thanks

[bikendan]

the towing capacity is of no use unless you check the payload capacity of your 1/2 ton truck, if you want to tow a 5th wheel.
the payload amount is more critical when considering a 5th wheel, ESPECIALLY if you're trying to tow with a 1/2 ton, because of 5th wheels' pin weights.

very few 5th wheels are truly 1/2 ton towable. generally, only the shortest ultralight ones can be, since they have lower pin weights.

[KMP44]

Originally Posted by cthelite

OK!..my fault! you're right..GCWR 15,500. According to the FORD trailer tow guide I can tow up to 9500. I'm trying to get a "REAL" opinionated view on these numbers thanks

As an earlier post mentioned - its pin weight that will really decide this. On a half ton, you will (virtually) always run out payload before you reach the GCWR or the maximum towing capacity.

If you take the empty (curb) weight of the truck and either get an actual weight or add in an estimate of passengers, fuel and cargo, and the hitch itself that will give you the truck weight before the pin weight. The difference between that loaded truck weight and the GVWR is what your pin can weigh when the trailer is loaded.

In round numbers from memory, my F-150 with fuel, people, gear is about 6300 and the GVWR is 7300 leaving only about 1,000 of available payload for the trailer. With my 6200 lb loaded trailer when I weighed it, the truck was 20# over GVWR, and I was more than 1,000lb under max tow and CGWR. You have higher ratings on your truck, but I would still bet the payload is the first number to max out...

[cthelite]

thanks guys, Im still checking..

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by davel1971

yet you have a 3/4 ton. My point exactly. I drive a 1 ton diesel to tow 8000, but a 5th is in our future. Yours in half ton towable. I'm referring to models that are 9000+ empty with GVWR ratings of up to 12k. That's ridiculous.

I bought the truck new in 2010 the trailer in 2013.
Trailer is the first one we found that met both of our needs.
The 1/2 ton tow rating is debatable as I have not weighed it fully loaded.

Upside to the 3/4 ton, Chances are very good I will not need to upgrade it to handle the next trailer.

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

I bought the truck new in 2010 the trailer in 2013.
Trailer is the first one we found that met both of our needs.
The 1/2 ton tow rating is debatable as I have not weighed it fully loaded.

Upside to the 3/4 ton, Chances are very good I will not need to upgrade it to handle the next trailer.

Just giving you a hard time. I would definitely rather have to much truck for the job. Bought my 1 ton diesel to prepare for the future 5th. Now I am only limited to what will fit where we like to camp and what my wallet allows

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by davel1971

Just giving you a hard time. I would definitely rather have to much truck for the job. Bought my 1 ton diesel to prepare for the future 5th. Now I am only limited to what will fit where we like to camp and what my wallet allows

I did not take it hard, just posting the facts.
I think it was about a year after I bought the truck I had to pass on a deal because the 3/4 was not big enough and I kicked myself down the block and back because I did not buy the one ton.

Live and learn.

[Blaster 84]

The limiting factor on my truck is the rear axle limitations. As mentioned earlier not all fivers marketed as a 1/2 towable will work within the limitations of your truck. Also check check the load limit of your rear tires. There is a lot of good information on towing with a Ford 1/2 ton on f150forom.com.

[dcheatwood]

From a half ton tow guy.
There are plenty fivers with dry weights that'll be fine to pull with a big v8 half ton, but the weight they put on your rear axle and suspension system is where you have to be most concerned. You'll sag and bottom out on bumps unless you have airbags, and of course, while they'll fix the sag problem, they don't increase your weight limits. Be watchful of pin weights.

[davel1971]

you shouldn't have to add air bags to keep your bumper off the ground and be mindful of your pin weight if the trailer is rated as half ton towable. Either it is or it isn't. Just a sales pitch so people look at it and go "oh look honey, we can tow this with our truck"