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

[MikeInRaleigh]

ST, I went through the same analysis last fall and ended up with an F350 pretty much exactly like yours. However, I do think the payload number on the F250 is an artificial limit driven by marketing rather than technical aspects. I understand that anyone using a truck in interstate commerce is subject to commercial driver license and rules if the truck has GVWR of greater than 10,000 lbs., and I'm guessing a large part of Fords target market for F250 is commercial. I've been through all the technical specs for axles, tires, springs, etc. and there is no apparent technical reason for there to be 1500 lbs. difference in the payload rating of F250 Vs. F350. However, to avoid any legal exposures due to "overloading" according to the nameplate, I went ahead and got the F350 as well. This did create a different problem for me, as it is now impossible to level my trailer when towing, because the bed is so high on the truck, and I have torsion axles on my Rockwood. Fortunately I have enough excess capacity on the trailer axles and tires, that even with the extra weight on the rear tires due to the out of level, I am still below the load specs, and it tows just fine. Also, I've checked the tire temperature and pressure rise when travelling and haven't seen any significant difference in front and rear tires.

[OldCoot]

MikeInRaleigh, You can put a riser kit on the trailer. How much does the trailer need to be raised?

Have you considered longer rear shackles on the truck to lower it? I did on my 1/2T because I don't like to see it "running downhill".

[dannyabear]

Cheaper/easier to remove the spacer block between the axle housing and springs on the truck

[mstell2]

I put a riser kit on my Rockwood fifth wheel and that was the best $150 I ever spent. Now camper sits level on my truck.

[Jammer3025]

Last trip to San Diego, we say a Toyota Tacoma with at least a 30 ft fifth wheel. I thought that was crazy. I should have taken a picture.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Jammer3025

Last trip to San Diego, we say a Toyota Tacoma with at least a 30 ft fifth wheel. I thought that was crazy. I should have taken a picture.

Not a Toyota, but still a 1/2T.

[campingwilliamsons]

Thats not that bad. Here is my former rig, and I was within all the ratings. Of course mine was a heavy payload F150...

[donanddona]

Yes 1/2ton with my 5th wheel. Five years now. Drive train serviced every other year, differential and tranny flushed. Still going....

[Salmon Hunter]

looking good OC

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Jammer3025

Last trip to San Diego, we say a Toyota Tacoma with at least a 30 ft fifth wheel. I thought that was crazy. I should have taken a picture.

Tacoma or Tundra? There's a big difference in those 2...

[prof_fate]

Yes you can...but do you want to? WHY do you want to?
You CAN put 9 people in your quad cab - not legally, but physically they will fit. WHY would you want to do that though?
A quick run to the fishing hole perhaps..but every trip you take for the next 5 years?

Same for pushing the limits of your truck. It's not ever gonna be HP that is the limiting factor - trucks 30-40 years ago pulled non-lite TT and had 150hp in their V8s.

Brakes? Suspension? Transmissions?
From what I've seen/read/heard the diff between a 1/2 and 3/4 is more than bigger springs.

some here have commented from experience - moving up to 3/4 after using a 1/2 and it seems every one of them had noticed a big difference and won't go back. those that never have tried 'bigger' don't know how much better (or not) it is.

Add in terrain and distance and frequency...if you tow 30 miles in kansas twice a year you can 'get away with' more than if you make monthly trips from ks to ca. If you maintain your vehicle like you have OCD and drive conservatively that helps too - but some don't do that..working as a tech for years I've seen people driving some pretty poorly maintained vehicles (and this in a state with mandatory annual inspections).

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by prof_fate

Yes you can...but do you want to? WHY do you want to?...

Because I can't see what a bigger, newer truck can do that my little truck is not doing already, PLUS it's paid for! Now, if you want to buy me a big new truck, I would willingly accept it.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by prof_fate

Yes you can...but do you want to? WHY do you want to?
You CAN put 9 people in your quad cab - not legally, but physically they will fit. WHY would you want to do that though?
A quick run to the fishing hole perhaps..but every trip you take for the next 5 years?

Same for pushing the limits of your truck. It's not ever gonna be HP that is the limiting factor - trucks 30-40 years ago pulled non-lite TT and had 150hp in their V8s.

Brakes? Suspension? Transmissions?
From what I've seen/read/heard the diff between a 1/2 and 3/4 is more than bigger springs.

some here have commented from experience - moving up to 3/4 after using a 1/2 and it seems every one of them had noticed a big difference and won't go back. those that never have tried 'bigger' don't know how much better (or not) it is.

Add in terrain and distance and frequency...if you tow 30 miles in kansas twice a year you can 'get away with' more than if you make monthly trips from ks to ca. If you maintain your vehicle like you have OCD and drive conservatively that helps too - but some don't do that..working as a tech for years I've seen people driving some pretty poorly maintained vehicles (and this in a state with mandatory annual inspections).

I just pulled our new 31-RDKS Puma from Ohio to Texas with my F150 SCrew Ecoboost using a ProPride 3P hitch. TT has a sticker weight of 7952 and is 34'5" long. Excellent towing experience. My 2 previous TV's were a 2011 F250 with the 6.7 PSD and a 1997 F250 with 7.3L PSD so I have some experience with bigger TVs. I can honestly say that I believe my 2013 F150 is just as capable as the 97 was- better in many ways (4 wheel ABS disc versus rear drum, for example). I did add airbags and Rancho RS9000XL shocks with XL load range tires- the 1/2 ton suspension is setup for comfort and needs some reinforcement. Factor in the use of the 3P and it's a much better pulling combo than the 97 was with a standard friction sway or Equalizer 4 point (though the EQ 4 point was MUCH better than the standard WDH with sway bar.) The 2011 6.7 PSD had gobs of power and was a great pulling truck. I would say the F150 with the 3P would give it a run for it's money as far as stability, however (I ran the Equalizer 4 point with it.) My point is that the hitch and hitch setup are very important in the capability of a tow vehicle. The vast majority of people I see have inferior hitches and many of them are setup improperly. It therefore takes a LOT more vehicle for them to feel in control of the trailer.

Edit: Clearly hitch setup is somewhat a moot point on a fiver, just pointing out my experience with 1/2 ton versus 3/4 ton trucks.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

...It therefore takes a LOT more vehicle for them to feel in control of the trailer.

Edit: Clearly hitch setup is somewhat a moot point on a fiver, just pointing out my experience with 1/2 ton versus 3/4 ton trucks.

Very well stated, experience is a BIG factor also on both tt and 5er's in determining what size truck is needed. Inexperienced drivers tend to get bigger trucks than are actually needed just to be in their comfort zone and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[prof_fate]

We live in a 'more is better' society...so more TT...why not more TV? LOL
We opted for a 1/2 ton (very carefully optioned) because we'll drive it 15k a year - 500 of that, if that, towing. For probably 13500 miles it will be a car for all intents and purposes.
We are under on all numbers..close on payload, but we have a couple of thousand more pounds of TT payload we can use so we just put more stuff there.

When I got into bigger trailers WB was the issue everyone freaked about. Interesting that I've not seen that spoken of for a long time now. Does our silverado 4door ride better than the expedition (24" diff in wheelbase)? A bit. It was much harder to get the w/d hitch setup on the silverado..prolly should go to the next size up bars..but never felt unsafe or even marginal in either vehicle.

I can say that towing at 55mph vs 65-70 (keeping up with traffic) improves MPG 15-20%.

[dcheatwood]

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

Keith. Take a look at the rockwood 8282ws. Pin weight was a deciding factor for me and my halfton.

Sent from my XT907 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[prof_fate]

I too think our next TT will be a 5vr..but not with the current truck.
BFWR of 7000lbs and on the scales it is 5500 and some change.

If pin weight is 15% of the TT and it's what, 8500lbs that's 1275...Leaving too little left over for the hitch ass'y let alone passengers!

[PhoneDude 8289]

X2 on OC's #232 & #234

[KMANUEL]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

Keith. Take a look at the rockwood 8282ws. Pin weight was a deciding factor for me and my halfton.

Sent from my XT907 using Forest River Forums mobile app

Thanks everybody for chiming in on my specific questions, which I hope will aid in the original poster's question as well. I see there are still mixed views here. I do realize that I can't be looking at a 13k lb Bay Hill 5th wheel, i know i must look at the lightweights.

Im going to assume I'm not the only in the following boat.

An F150 XLT, Ecoboost, SuperCrew, 3.31, 4x2, non HD unit, sway control, brake controller.

Would one think I could "fortify" this truck mixed with a lightweight and be ok?

I don't "plan" to go to the Rockies (only because i couldn't). I live in TN, but will have 400 mile oneway trips from TN to NC (via i40 through mountains) , TN to GA, or TN to FL. And to be honest i do want to go out west.. thats the joy i look forward to.

Nonetheless, It seems I can equip the truck with better shocks, better tires, maybe??

I really don't want to buy another truck 'if" I don't have to. I do understand more of the difference in the series, but I also have learned in my long 7 months of RVing that what you expect from a piece of equipment may not always be the case. Example I have a long history with WD hitches. 2 Rvs in 7 months, 3 different hitches, it still takes time to tweak them. I recently purchased an Andersen Hitch for my F150 and my 4500 lb trailer. I still don't have the perfect ride after 4 -5 weeks. I had a better ride with my reese and sway bar setup.

So i don't want to get too excited over what becomes marginally differences. I do know if I had F250, i probably wouldn't go back, but look at some of these posts here, it does make you wonder.

I did look at my sticker and it says I should not exceed 1572 lbs with cargo and passengers. also Front GAWR says 3450 lbs, Rear GAWR says 3850. i have a tow rating of 9200 for my unit if I'm correct. I guess this means, cargo and the pin weight should not exceed 1572....yes i get it it, it seems low.

[Mike101]

Just upgraded from a 2008 Ram 1500 mega Cab to a 2014 Ram 2500 SLT. with 6.4 engine.
Even though the Mega cab was on a 2500 frame, had the 8 bolt wheels and a 2400 bed capacity, the difference is amazing. I am pulling approx 8500 lbs Rockwook 8280ws. I even have the 20 inch tires. Yes the 1500 mega cab did the job very well but once I pulled with the 2500, I knew the 2500 was the right vehicle for the job. And I even get better gas mileage that the '08.

Mike - Ottawa