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

[MikeInRaleigh]

I would argue with your definition of "a few hundred pounds more" . My Silverado 1500 extended cab tow vehicle weighed in at 5500 lbs with a GVWR of 7000. I traded up to an F350 diesel crew cab SRW standard bed weighing 8100 lbs with GVWR of 13500. So that is close to 50% heavier tow vehicle, and you really can feel it on the road.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Against my better judgment, PAYLOAD is on the suspension! With the 100# of tires, it would reduce the GVWR by 100#.

Assume original sticker GVWR is 8,000# and payload is 2,000#, the new tires add 100# to the wt of the truck. SO, the new GVWR with the extra 100# of tires is now 7,900#, but the payload is still 2,000#. IF, you added a 150# hitch, the available payload is now 1850# and the GVWR is still 7,900# with the new tires. Now, I'm outa here.

I know you said you're out- but I'll respond anyway. My understanding is that a truck with a GVWR of 8,000 and a payload of 2,000 MUST weigh 6,000 unloaded. If that's not your understanding, then it is now clear to me where this is getting mixed up.

[dannyabear]

But, but, but, it can pull the space shuttle and everyone know that the 'ego boost' is as good as a diesel, thats why they're standard in f250 & 350s

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by dannyabear

But, but, but, it can pull the space shuttle and everyone know that the 'ego boost' is as good as a diesel, thats why they're standard in f250 & 350s

Uhhhhhhh. Toyota is the one with the ad pulling the space shuttle. And I don't think anyone has ever said it is as good as a diesel at pulling, but it pulls much better than any naturally aspirated gas engine- like it or not.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

I know you said you're out- but I'll respond anyway. My understanding is that a truck with a GVWR of 8,000 and a payload of 2,000 MUST weigh 6,000 unloaded. If that's not your understanding, then it is now clear to me where this is getting mixed up.

No, it must NOT weight over 6000# without exceeding the posted sticker weight.

[Mtelkman]

After reading all this arguing over the different sides of the same coin I have decided it is time for a cocktail.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by FireFighter Rich

New to the camping world. We love the floor plan of the Sv 304 qb. We have two girls 5 and 3, and they love the bunks w/ the dinette. I would like some feed back on Forest River and the Surveyor line. Anything good or bad is welcome.
Thanks Rich

Make it a double!

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

[TURBS]

Or more

TURBS
Sabre owners united!

[dannyabear]

And I thoought everyone knew that 1/2 ton pickups are the 'soccer moms mini van of the 21st century"

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by dannyabear

And I thoought everyone knew that 1/2 ton pickups are the 'soccer moms mini van of the 21st century"

Naw, some of us po' folk actually use 'em to try to pull 5er's rather than buy BIG trucks and go into debt.

[B and B]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Naw, some of us po' folk actually use 'em to try to pull 5er's rather than buy BIG trucks and go into debt.

I have no problem towing my 8289 and conversing with another member here on the form with the same setup he has no problems at all. Ecoboost has the ability to pull and with proper tires and hitch do a fine job of such.

B

[campingwilliamsons]

Originally Posted by campingwilliamsons

Assuming the tires will be heavier, they will infact change "legal" payload. Payload = GVWR - Curb Weight. Right or wrong, it is the "legal" use of the term by the auto manufacturers.

So to put it to bed... GVWR will not change/increase/etc. Therefore, adding bigger/badder/heavier/more capable tires does nothing to increase that total capacity of the truck. Payload may not increase or decrease, but the amount of payload capacity available for use hauling stuff will decrease, effectively changing how much additional weight can be carried by the truck.

My HD F150:
GVWR = 8200 lbs
Payload = 2428lbs
Wet Curb Weight = 5772
GVWR - curb weight = 2428 lbs = total amount of stuff that can be added to the rolling vehicle as it left the factory floor assuming a full tank of fuel.

If I add step bars (75 lbs), bigger tires (100 lbs), 3 family members (225) lbs), their crap (50 lbs), me (200lbs), my crap (15 lbs), fifth wheel hitch and rails (194+50) then my payload capactiy = 2428 lbs, but the remaining GVWR is reduced from 2428lbs to 1619 lbs (2428lbs - 809 lbs).

Did the payload rating change, NO, but did adding all that stuff decrease my carry capacity, YES.

FYI, the HD payload package adds LT E rated tires, so I have no need to replace my tires, so my AVAILABLE payload is 1719 lbs.

Hairs officially split, I am out!

[V-Dub]

I'm a lurker that has been gaining a vast amount of knowledge from this forum in making my decision on what to buy that matches the capacity of my TV. That said, I'm of the limited opinion that getting load rated tires is vastly more important than worrying about the weight increase they introduce.

Based on what I've learned from you gurus...I'm going to ensure I'm capturing available payload and doing what I can to make my TV as capable as possible. If I'm a few pounds one way or the other, I'm comfortable with that.

I think this discussion turned to splitting hairs. Great points either way. I just see it as moot for the application of putting more capable tires on a given TV. I'll shut up now and go back to lurking.

V-Dub

[KMANUEL]

I have read all 22 pages of this forum, and i hope my next unit will be a 5th wheel.

It seems as the forum started it went of the direction of why one should have a 3/4 or 1T. Then it shifted in the direction of people using 1/2 tons to tow (the original question i think).

However it seems all if not most of the 1500 towers, knew when buying their TV to buy the beefed up units of their 1500. Meaning most had MAX Tow package and better rear axel setups. I have none of that as you can see.

I have reviewed all the comments on safety and weight, and I'm still wondering if there are any options for me in a fifth with my specs. Id rather not pull a "mini me" fifth wheel. Ive owned an RPOD and now have a camplite 21'. I like rear bunks for the little ones.

my stats
F150, Ecoboost, 3.31, 4x2, towing package, Non HD towing. Just don't know if buying a F250 or F350 is in my near plans. i mean i could, just didnt plan on it. Plus it seems I'm a bit confused on if an F250 for example is adequate if i were to upgrade.

Im not looking to buy the heaviest 5th out there, but i do lean towards that 9-10k weight range it seems.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. And by the way you guys have no idea how much knowledge there is in these conversations, yes some are opposing, but what I've learned is priceless.

Keith

[036.6turbo]

I have an 03 GMC 4x4 Dmax Ally short bed crew cab. If I listened to some of the "experts", I would never tow much more than a lawn and garden trailer!

In my humble opinion, a modern 2500 truck should handle up to a mid sized 5ver, with no problem at all.

Can you go get a 40' tri axle and haul it through the Rocky Mountains? No, but with in reason a 2500 will handle a lot of RV.

[PhoneDude 8289]

Been pulling a 9k# 5r for several years now with around 25k miles of towing up hills, mountains and flatlands. So far my 1/2 ton Tundra has been doing a great job. I'll run it till it won't run anymore then decide what to buy next. The Tundra is and has been paid for, don't like being tied to payments or forking over $50K or more so for now a 3/4 or 1T is not in the picture, we are happy with our setup.

[036.6turbo]

Originally Posted by presley01

Been pulling a 9k# 5r for several years now with around 25k miles of towing up hills, mountains and flatlands. So far my 1/2 ton Tundra has been doing a great job. I'll run it till it won't run anymore then decide what to buy next. The Tundra is and has been paid for, don't like being tied to payments or forking over $50K or more so for now a 3/4 or 1T is not in the picture, we are happy with our setup.

Exactly! My truck has over 300,000 miles on it, towing all sorts if things. It has no resale, and upgrading 50K for a new truck is just not a paper I'm willing to sign!

More power to all the folks that do switch trucks often! I'm jealous!

[pwb01]

With a 5th wheel in the 9 to 10k. Range even the eco beast with max tow package is not enough with an 11300 capacity. Good rule: total towing weight shouldn't exceed 75% tow capacity. You'll probably carry an additional 1500# on top of trailer at min. My 30' Rockwood is ultra light at 7300# empty.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forest River Forums mobile app

[OldCoot]

As posted several times before, I pull a 2012 Flagstaff 8528RKWS with an 05 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L and a 3.23 rear end and air bags. I do have GY Wrangler LR E tires. We've towed all over the east from Concord, NC to FL to Goshen, IN to Moline, IL down to Little Rock, AR and back with no problems. Pull in the 55-65 mph range and sometimes down to 35-40 in the mountains east of the Mississippi. Would I go into the Rocky's, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

[campingwilliamsons]

Originally Posted by KMANUEL

I have read all 22 pages of this forum, and i hope my next unit will be a 5th wheel.

It seems as the forum started it went of the direction of why one should have a 3/4 or 1T. Then it shifted in the direction of people using 1/2 tons to tow (the original question i think).

However it seems all if not most of the 1500 towers, knew when buying their TV to buy the beefed up units of their 1500. Meaning most had MAX Tow package and better rear axel setups. I have none of that as you can see.

I have reviewed all the comments on safety and weight, and I'm still wondering if there are any options for me in a fifth with my specs. Id rather not pull a "mini me" fifth wheel. Ive owned an RPOD and now have a camplite 21'. I like rear bunks for the little ones.

my stats
F150, Ecoboost, 3.31, 4x2, towing package, Non HD towing. Just don't know if buying a F250 or F350 is in my near plans. i mean i could, just didnt plan on it. Plus it seems I'm a bit confused on if an F250 for example is adequate if i were to upgrade.

Im not looking to buy the heaviest 5th out there, but i do lean towards that 9-10k weight range it seems.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated. And by the way you guys have no idea how much knowledge there is in these conversations, yes some are opposing, but what I've learned is priceless.

Keith

So, up until Friday, I was a proud card carrying member of the "1/2 ton club". But, I had an HD Payload F150 CrewCab Ecoboost 2wd that had 2428lbs of available payload according to the door sticker; I certianly did not have a "typical" 1/2 ton (I even had to special order it). I am towing a 5th wheel with an advertised weight of 7980 lbs (1018lbs Pin Weight), and a delivered weight of 9150lbs (~1300lbs Pin weight). With my people, gear and loaded, I had about 150 lbs of remaining payload. I was happy with how the combo towed down the road, knowing that the Rockies would test this combo, but I had no intent of heading that way in the short term.

What changed is my desire/"need" to have 4wd. For me, I wanted a truck with at least 2500 lbs of payload capacity, 4wd Short Bed, Crew Cab. EVERY 3/4 ton Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel I looked at had a payload of ~2000lbs (+/- 100lbs), ~400 lbs LESS than my 1/2 ton. Now true, a gas model 3/4ton could be had with close of 2500 lbs payload, but the fuel economy, power, resale, longevity, payload buffer with my trailer, etc. did not make sense on a 3/4 ton gasser truck. Anyway, it was whopping ~$400.00 difference to go to a 1 ton truck and get 3500 lbs of payload and the diesel engine I wanted. Certainly overkill for my needs, but I doubt I will care.

What helped me through this process was knowing and understanding the weights. EVERY dealer told me the 3/4 ton would do the job safely, and they were certain was more capable than my 1/2 ton. It was not until I pointed out the payload numbers that they understood where I was coming from. It actually scared one dealer manager, as he started questioning the liability of the numerous 3/4 ton trucks they have sold for my exact purpose with similar numbers or more than mine!

Final thoughts, as long as you understand and accept the limits of 1/2 ton towing, many of them can and will do the job. Certainly most HD payload 1/2 ton F150s have as much payload and capability as a 3/4 ton truck, though the 3/4 ton would probably be an easier vehicle to tow with (from a pure power standpoint) and MUCH easier to find. At the end of the day though, most Fifth Wheels have pin weight that are in excess of 1500 lbs. If you are hauling your family and drive a crew cab, you are going to run out of payload pretty quick with either of 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton.