How many of us towing 5W with 1/2 Ton?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by pwrstroke2012

BouBou, alot of difference of what is safer and what is safe. As I said, it is what you are comfortable with.

Please explain what the difference is.

[transamz9]

Most people would say that a F450 pulling a 8,000# fiver would be safe, but you are always going to some more experienced person that is going to say it would be safer to pull it with a Peterbilt 379.

I say run the numbers and if you are with-in them and as long as YOU feel comfortable pulling it then it's safe. A problem can happen with any TV large or small.

[bob7794]

I was ready to upgrade to a 3/4 ton until I tried the Tundra 5.7. Best towing vehicle I've ever driven.

[transamz9]

Most people would say that a F450 pulling a 8,000# fiver would be safe, but you are always going to some more experienced person that is going to say it would be safer to pull it with a Peterbilt 379.

I say run the numbers and if you are with-in them and as long as YOU feel comfortable pulling it then it's safe. A problem can happen with any TV large or small.

[JFM-jr]

On the Dodge Ram the difference between a 1500 and 2500 chassis is significant. First off the frames are completly different have a look at a frame rail on a 1500 then a 2500 and you tell me wich looks stronger. The rear axle is much larger not to mention there is no solid front axle in a 1500 it's an aluminum housing with half shafts and torsion bars. The brakes are not even in the same league calipers on a 2500 are gigantic. The motors (if gas is the choice in the 2500) are the shared component and as stated power is rarley the limiting factor.

[pwrstroke2012]

Originally Posted by transamz9

Most people would say that a F450 pulling a 8,000# fiver would be safe, but you are always going to some more experienced person that is going to say it would be safer to pull it with a Peterbilt 379.

I say run the numbers and if you are with-in them and as long as YOU feel comfortable pulling it then it's safe. A problem can happen with any TV large or small.

Thank you Transamz, that is all I was trying to say.

[dretired]

This post began as" whos towing a 5ver with a 1/2 ton truck" Most everyone would agree a 3/4 or 1 ton would be better..load capacity... towing capability..future upgrade in weight of a 5ver could be possible... with a 2500 or 3500 truck...but....this post was about those of us that have 1/2 tons ..NOT the others

[Len & Cheri]

A lot of people tow more than their 1/2 capacities say they should, but their are a lot of 3/4 tons that exceed their capacities as well. I would hazard a guess that 75% of people who tow RV's don't have a clue what their weights really are.

[boubou]

Originally Posted by Len & Cheri

A lot of people tow more than their 1/2 capacities say they should, but their are a lot of 3/4 tons that exceed their capacities as well. I would hazard a guess that 75% of people who tow RV's don't have a clue what their weights really are.

Agreed! I am convinced that most people just go out and and purchase a TT or 5W with just the TV's manufacturer specs and the TT or 5W dry or If they are really keen about it, the yellow sticker. Most probably don't even think about weighing their rigs. So, yes, I'll bet there are a lot more 3/4 ton over the limits than half ton but they on the other hand don't get questioned, some people just assume that because they own a 3/4 ton truck they can tow anything.

[boubou]

Originally Posted by dretired

This post began as" whos towing a 5ver with a 1/2 ton truck" Most everyone would agree a 3/4 or 1 ton would be better..load capacity... towing capability..future upgrade in weight of a 5ver could be possible... with a 2500 or 3500 truck...but....this post was about those of us that have 1/2 tons ..NOT the others

Yep! I was looking for people's feedbacks based on their personal experience on towing 5W with half ton. Great tread and lots of info

[1Texan]

As some have pointed out, 1/2 ton is such a mis-used statement anymore. It is now "series" or "class". And within the series, you have to run the numbers with the truck AND the trailer. I bought a new truck (GMC 1500) and trailer within months of each other because I did my homework. My 1500 is loaded with 6.2 engine, heavy duty tow package, disk brakes, integrated brake controller, etc. I'm pulling a 29' Sabre light weight 5th wheel, well within the truck limits. My experience has been extremely satisfactory. I might add, this 5er pulls and handles better than the 18' bumper pull I pulled with my '99 GMC. Tow vehicle and trailer need to work together. There are several combinations that will work. But, towing on the edge of capabilities (I'll add driver and equipment capabilities) is asking for trouble.

[OldCoot]

You also have to remember that once you buy the tv and 5er, there is not much you can do to remedy the wt problem. You may be able to shift some of the load, but basically you are stuck with it, so keep both vehicles in top mechanical condition and enjoy your purchases.
With that being said, everyone that says "so and so" is unsafe never explain just what is unsafe. It is just what they personally think. What I consider unsafe may be std. oper. procedure to someone else. So those that say something is unsafe, please explain yourself. Just my opinion.

[Papicamper]

This is the thread I've been waiting for! I especially like "DRETIRED" input. Here's my spin on the issue: I have an F-150 w/tow pkg, etc. It's a 12 FX2. Looking at 5Ws in the 1400 to 1700 pin weight range. If the Ford owner's guide numbers run out at me having (somewhat conservatively) 1200# available what's chances of using this for a couple years, short trips, level to rolling terrain and never in a hurry. I'm somewhat happy to see ACTUAL information about these so-called 1/2 ton rigs. Thanks for any factual histories!
Bill

[dretired]

Originally Posted by Bill Howard

This is the thread I've been waiting for! I especially like "DRETIRED" input. Here's my spin on the issue: I have an F-150 w/tow pkg, etc. It's a 12 FX2. Looking at 5Ws in the 1400 to 1700 pin weight range. If the Ford owner's guide numbers run out at me having (somewhat conservatively) 1200# available what's chances of using this for a couple years, short trips, level to rolling terrain and never in a hurry. I'm somewhat happy to see ACTUAL information about these so-called 1/2 ton rigs. Thanks for any factual histories!
Bill

Bill .. I added 2 leaf springs to my F 150...cost..$231(installed) at Northern Spring..Macomb,Mi..that helped with keeping the truck level...if..i would had a clue that i would have sold a 26ft TT and bought a 33 ft 5th wheel (in 1 year ).. My choice would be..A 2012 F150 ..Super Crew 3.5 ECOBOOST... 4x2 (yes 4x2).. 6 1/2 foot box.. 3.73 limited slip rear axel..HEAVY DUTY PAYLOAD PACKAGE..and MAX TOWING PACKAGE...theses are 2 seperate ..very important options..XLT or Lariat trim level...11,300 lbs towing in either TT or 5th wheel...and 2,600 lbs payload..

[flyguy]

WE pull a 2003 Wildcat 27RL with a 2008 Toyota Tundra and have no problems either going or stopping or climbing mountains or going down mountains. It works for me.

[SCOC]

[rant on]
I cringe every time I see the words "short trips", like that all of a sudden makes a tow vehicle capable of pulling and stopping a larger trailer. If this is true, I guess I could tow a 12K lb 5th wheel with a honda civic to my neighbors house, it could do it I'm sure. Sure, only a short trip infrequenctly might put less wear on the TV, but it does nothing to make it safer, or less likely of getting into a traffic situation where hard breaking or swerving may be required.

Most traffic accidents happen close to home, so that makes long trips safer. no I'm not serious.

Anyways, bottom line is if you don't think your rig can tow for a long distance, why can it tow for a short distance anytime you feel like it?
[/rant off]

Agreed: 150 ECOBOOST with HEAVY DUTY PAYLOAD PACKAGE and MAX TOWING PACKAGE is NOT a "1/2" ton, so if you pull a 5th with this truck, start a new thread.

[wfmdfm]

I enjoy pulling our 8528RKWS with my 2009 Tundra. I know I am over the payload once I load up. I do my best to limit the weight in the truck and basement. We do what we can to load behind the axle but the basement is a magnet for my stuff. I will need to replace the Tundra in the next few years do to the high mileage I put on it daily. As of today the replacement will be another Tundra.
Wally

[dretired]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

I am towing a 12 Flagstaff 8528 with an 05 Silverado Ext. Cab 1500 short bed with airbags & onboard compressor. Supposedly I am grossly over weight, but have towed it over 1500 miles so far and have no problems whatsoever either pulling it or stopping it. Have added shocks to the trailer and have not experienced the chucking or dophining/porpoising. The trailer follows the contour of the road and neither exaggerates or continues the action after crossing that section of wavy road. We are very pleased with the whole rig. It may wear the truck out prematurely, but at our age, we will either rebuild it or hang it up permanently and sell what's left.

which shocks for the trailer ??

[Rugged Brown]

Towing a 7900lb UVW with a Ram 1500 QC 4x4. Works well for me. I did add Timbrens for levelling purposes.

[2thesea]

Just join the forum few days ago. We have a 2011 Silverado 1500 5.3L with 3.42 axle and HD cooling. Our 5th wheel is a Rockwood Ultra lite 8280WS. Pin weight of 1150 and loaded 8439 including the pin weight (I had It weight). We have gone on a few trips to the beach with no real issue. I watch the trans temperature which has climbed to 250 – 275 on a grade and drop to 225 or less during normal towing. Outside temperature was 95-100. I was thinking of switching to synthetic transmission fluid like Amsoil or something similar. I am also looking into a K&N cold air induction kit and maybe a cat back exhaust.
Just wondering what the group’s thoughts are and what experience someone may have had…. Thanks