F150 and small 5th wheel

[carlsbad]

I am looking at 2018 F150 3.5L with the 157”WB. Max payload options.

Ford claims payload of 2620# and GVWR of 7850#.

Camper would have a dry weight of 8300# and pin weight of 1600# with two batteries.

Only passengers are two adults - 300#. Add another 300# for the hitch and misc. cargo and I’m still within capacity. I’m under on payload and combined totals.

My first F250 had less payload if I remember that far back!

Help me understand what I’m missing. I like the idea of the new 10 speed transmission and better mileage when I’m not towing. I would rather not buy another Super Duty if I can help it.

[donniedu]

OK, your missing the loaded ready to travel weight, loaded pin weight, trucks actual ready to trwvel capacity.
Plus your missing full floating axles, heavy duty LT tires, stronger frame, springs, wheels, brakes, and power to name a few.
That 8300 dry trailer could likely wind up close to 10,000 pounds ready to travel. Translate that to 2000 pounds pin weight adding hitch passangers and stuff any you could very likely be over the trucks published GVWR. How much is anybodies guess. Suffice it to say it could be way more than I would like.

[carlsbad]

LT tires are easy swap. The frame and brakes on my 2016 F150 exceed my last Super Duty with the 6.0. The wheelbase is almost identical to a short bed F250.

I guess I’m wondering if all the increases in technology have got us to the point that a properly equipped “heavy duty” F150 isn’t any different than our old HD trucks.

A 2018 4x2 F150 with the V8 option claims 3100# of payload. That’s more than some F250 configurations.

[spock123]

I have seen people pull fifth wheels with F150 but I wouldn’t do it. But hey it’s your truck and camper

[spydunks]

We pull am 8524 RLBS with our F150. Only mods to the running gear is Timbrens.
Several trips under our belt, all without any issues from the truck.

[rat4spd]

Don't underestimate the pin weight. My "dry" weight is about 7400#/1300#. In reality, not even fully loaded to camp, I'm at 9000# and 2100# pin weight.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by spydunks

We pull am 8524 RLBS with our F150. Only mods to the running gear is Timbrens.
Several trips under our belt, all without any issues from the truck.

Just because you do it doesn't make it right.

Originally Posted by spock123

I have seen people pull fifth wheels with F150 but I wouldn’t do it. But hey it’s your truck and camper

And anyone's life that may happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[Kimber45]

you just opened the flood gates for the weight police that feel you need a dually diesel to tow a pop up. I towed an 8k pound 5th wheel with a ram 1500 no problem. If you're good on payload and good on tow rating. Make your own decision and don't listen to the rest.

[BandJCarm]

I continue to scratch my head as to these countless similar questions......as to exactly what the OP's are asking for, and why they are asking.

[Charles Firth]

popcorn anyone

[rat4spd]

I suspect all will be fine. It has more payload capacity than my 2500. The ride may be a bit spongy with the softer suspension and tires. That with the lighter weight of the vehicle may make it more susceptible to being blown around, and with about 40% (IIRC) less brake area, you don't want to mess around with short stopping.

Todays 1500's are light years ahead of older 2500's. Tow it and see how you like it.

[carlsbad]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

I continue to scratch my head as to these countless similar questions......as to exactly what the OP's are asking for, and why they are asking.

We have a whole line of small 5th wheels specifically named and targeted to half tons.

We have some half tons with more payload than HD trucks had a few generations back.

Better brakes. Traction control. Stability control. Modern engineering.

If I get on the scale and I’m within the ratings, I guess I don’t understand why all the concern.

I’m looking for some real data.

[ManlyMan]

Oh yeah!

[BandJCarm]

IMO, the real data will lead you away from a 1/2 ton pulling a 5th wheel. They are better, but its not light years. But anecdotal comments say it's done all the time. So are many things. I can understand wanting justification for spending money on a big trailer and not wanting to double it on a big truck too. I was there myself.

I wasn't addressing that to you specifically. It just seems to me that this is asked almost daily here, and when data is given, folks say "Oh, ignore that, I do it and it works fine".......and maybe it does. But that leads me to wonder what the reason for asking this is......for MOST folks.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

you just opened the flood gates for the weight police that feel you need a dually diesel to tow a pop up. I towed an 8k pound 5th wheel with a ram 1500 no problem. If you're good on payload and good on tow rating. Make your own decision and don't listen to the rest.

I have a Chevy 2500HD SWR gasser with the 4.10 rear end, which pulls AND STOPS my 9900-pound 5th-wheel just fine, however, it is within the tow rating of my truck.

There is NO F150/1500 on the face of this earth that is capable of towing my 5'ver.

I really don't care what the 'I'll do what I want' police say.

That being said, if anyone is in an accident with an F150/1500 pulling a trailer above the weight rating, be prepared to start a new life...in the poor house!

[BandJCarm]

Yes. And adding to what I said.....if folks truly ASK for comments........why do many folks get all bent out of shape if we give what we believe is the data behind our thoughts? Why does what YOU (or anyone) choose to do obviate the actual data??? I've seen a Toyota pull the space shuttle. So what?

I'm NOT arguing. My suggestion is "Buy it, pull it, then decide".

I'm just idly asking what most of the folks' motivation is for asking........especially if they have already decided. Justification, maybe?

[rat4spd]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

They are better, but its not light years.

I'm willing to concede light months. Maybe light days, but not just plain years. I think they are better than that.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by rat4spd

I'm willing to concede light months. Maybe light days, but not just plain years. I think they are better than that.

hahahaha.

That's a great answer.

[carlsbad]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Yes. And adding to what I said.....if folks truly ASK for comments........why do many folks get all bent out of shape if we give what we believe is the data behind our thoughts? Why does what YOU (or anyone) choose to do obviate the actual data??? I've seen a Toyota pull the space shuttle. So what?

I'm NOT arguing. My suggestion is "Buy it, pull it, then decide".

I'm just idly asking what most of the folks' motivation is for asking........especially if they have already decided. Justification, maybe?

There isn’t much cost difference between an HD and a loaded F150. In fact, I could order a Super Duty 6.2 for less than the F150.

What I can’t make the 6.2 do is get low 20’s on the highway.

I haven’t decided. What I haven’t seen is real data explaining why a half ton truck and trailer within specs as verified on a scale is somehow worse than it’s HD counterpart.

[BandJCarm]

I'll let others explain the data. They are better at it.

But here's some of MY anecdotal evidence............I own both kinds of trucks. I own a 1500 gasser with 350. I own a Diesel dually.......and traded a diesel 2500 to get it.

My diesel now, AND the last one, get 2X the fuel mileage of the gas truck. Less maintenance, regardless of what most folks say.

The 2500 I bought new and it was about $850 more than the also-loaded 1500 sitting next to it. It rode like an absolute dream, too. I miss that one bad.

I traded the 2500 in for my 3500 two years later, and my payments went down.

And if I were to get out of the trailer pulling business tomorrow, I'd still own a diesel HD truck, almost assuredly a 2500.