Sanity Check on 5th Wheel Purchase

[AZDANZ06]

My Wife and I signed our paperwork yesterday on a 2015 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8244WS, the 5th Wheel has the following specs:

Length: 27 Ft
Dry Weight: 6592
Hitch Weight: 1181

My truck is a 2013 Toyota Tundra Double Cab, Regular Bed, 4x4, TRD Rock Warrior Edition with the 5.7L V-8 & has the Factory Tow Package with 4.30 Rear Axle Ratio, Tow/Haul Mode, Trans Temp Gauge, Engine Oil Cooler, Transmission Cooler, etc. I do have a Tekonsha Prodigy Brake Controller.

Per Toyota's Specifications my truck is setup to tow 9800 Lb's, I have a GVWR of 7100 and the truck weighs 5460, giving me a capacity of 1640 Lb's. The Payload capacity is shown as 1380 Lb's.

I am not concerned that the truck can tow the trailer, I tow a Kubota Tractor on a 20 Ft Bumper Pull Equipment Trailer that combined weighs over 7000 Lb's. I am used to towing bumper pull travel trailers, boats, jet ski's, quads, etc.

When I add the weight of the hitch mounted in the bed and the hitch weight of the 5th Wheel, it puts me pretty close to the max payload. Obviously I would not load any extra things in the bed of the truck or inside the truck to keep the weight down, I would put things inside the 5th Wheel where any weight would be towards the axles.

Should I be concerned with this combination? I do plan on installing air bags in the event there is too much squat.

[OldCoot]

According to the weight police, I can't tow the Flagstaff equivalent to your Rockwood, but with air bags, I have no problems. My truck drops 1"-1-1/2" without the bags and I just pump them up to 40#-45# and go on.

[ChrisPlus3]

Water, passengers, etc will also add to the payload weight. I have a Tundra as well but pull a trailer so can't speak from experience with with a 5th wheel; however, I have passed several Tundra's on the higway pulling a 5th wheel, probably not as light as your new trailer. So I know it's been done

[taken]

You are going to get a lot of answers going both ways on this. I agree with OldCoot that you will be perfectly fine but he and I are in the minority.

[AZDANZ06]

We will not be dry camping, so the tanks will never be filled, staying in RV Parks only. Only weight we will be adding will be inside the 5th Wheel, such as food, bottled water, clothes, pots, pans, plates, etc.

[asquared]

Just remember those are dry weights. Your loaded trailer weight will likely be around 7500-8000 lbs. Loaded pin weight is typically 20-25% of loaded trailer weight. You are probably going to have a pin weight of around 1500-2000 lbs depending on where your weights actually fall. This is before you add in the weights of hitch, passengers etc. I would say you will be over on payload. I don't know your axle ratings to say whether you will be over or under there.

[goduc]

1184lbs for pin. Guesstimate.
175lbs for 5th hitch.
100lbs for propane and battery
200lbs for misc stuff in the basement storage
320lbs for passengers. Guesstimate.
1979lbs total.


1979lbs cargo+pin
1380lbs for payload
599lbs.


599lbs, that's how much you'll be over the trucks GVW.
And that's assuming the dry pin is 1184lbs.


Problem with .5 ton trucks is once you hit the GVW or RAWR you hit the other. Can't be over just one. JMO but I'd make sure my tires are up to the extra weight. If not throw some D-E rated ones on.

[garbonz]

My 1100 lb pin weight came in at 2200 lbs loaded. Anything you put in the camper in front of the axles will work against you. Everything is loaded in front of the axles in a fifth typically cause that where the storage is. Plus they routinely underestimate the pin weight. They DO give a actual overall weight.

You would be well advised to get an actual pin weight.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[AZDANZ06]

Originally Posted by goduc

1184lbs for pin. Guesstimate.
175lbs for 5th hitch.
100lbs for propane and battery
200lbs for misc stuff in the basement storage
320lbs for passengers. Guesstimate.
1979lbs total.


1979lbs cargo+pin
1380lbs for payload
599lbs.


599lbs, that's how much you'll be over the trucks GVW.
And that's assuming the dry pin is 1184lbs.


Problem with .5 ton trucks is once you hit the GVW or RAWR you hit the other. Can't be over just one. JMO but I'd make sure my tires are up to the extra weight. If not throw some D-E rated ones on.

I have E Rated BFG All Terrain Tires.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by taken

You are going to get a lot of answers going both ways on this. I agree with OldCoot that you will be perfectly fine but he and I are in the minority.

But remember, we're the ones actually doing it with the actual trailer the OP has and the others are just guesstimating based on their trailers.

We're like the humming bird, "Theoretically a humming bird can't fly, but he does know the theory, so he just keeps flying."

[B and B]

I tow a similar setup and tow just fine. My pin is heavier than advertised exactly how much it is depends on each trip. Water in my fresh water tank takes weight off the pin.

[hbillsmith]

If you change to an Andersen Ultimate Aluminum Fifth wheel hitch you can save about 100# payload and with your tolerances it might be a good idea. The Andersen is 32# plus the weight of the inbed Gooseball. If you have rails, you can use the rail version.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

If you change to an Andersen Ultimate Aluminum Fifth wheel hitch you can save about 100# payload and with your tolerances it might be a good idea. The Andersen is 32# plus the weight of the inbed Gooseball. If you have rails, you can use the rail version.

But it is not compatible with the factory furnished Reese Revolution Sidewinder pin box.

[johnruff]

In 1993 I towed a 1993 Forest River 27 ft fifth wheel (no slides) with a 1993 GMC 1500. Almost burned up the transmission. Went to a F250 very quickly.. The fact that you need air bags, etc says it is not enough IMO. Especially if you like to go to the mountains. The 1/2 ton may not have all the tow pkg to handle it - extra cooling, etc.

[taken]

Originally Posted by johnruff

In 1993 I towed a 1993 Forest River 27 ft fifth wheel (no slides) with a 1993 GMC 1500. Almost burned up the transmission. Went to a F250 very quickly.. The fact that you need air bags, etc says it is not enough IMO. Especially if you like to go to the mountains.

1993 was a completely different world in tow vehicles. Ford's current ecoboost V6 has more power than the diesels of the time and a current half ton HD has more payload than 25/35 series trucks of the time. As to airbags, many on the Ford forums I frequent add them to 350 and 450 DRW trucks. Has nothing to do with capability and everything to do with ride leveling and ride quality while towing.

[AZDANZ06]

We decided to cancel purchasing the 5th wheel and am buying a 29 Foot Rockwood Ultra Lite 2604WS Travel Trailer instead, it weighs 5579 Lb's Dry Weight and has a Tongue Weight of 714 Lb's, so I figure once I add a battery for the power tongue jack and have two full propane tanks I should be around 800 Lb's Tongue Weight. I am buying a Weight Distribution Hitch with a Sway Control. Although I would have preferred the 5th Wheel, this is a great alternative and actually has more room.

[taken]

As long as you're happy with what you choose, that's all that matters... Congratulations on the new rig and enjoy!

[47chevy]

my question is , to all who are using a 1/2 ton , maxing or exceeding the weight limits.
What about your stopping power ? I do understand that the trailer has brakes , just seems like at or over weight it could be a problem.

[taken]

You answered your own question. The trailer stops the trailer. Trailer brakes when adjusted too high will pull back on the tv.

[AZDANZ06]

Originally Posted by taken

As long as you're happy with what you choose, that's all that matters... Congratulations on the new rig and enjoy!

I feel it's a better and safer choice with having a 1/2 ton truck, plus this has a bit more room than the 5th Wheel and it was about $ 5000.00 less in the end.