This 5er with an F150?

[Mtelkman]

If the truck has the right tires I think I would try it with the addition of some Superstrings or airbags. It looks to be within a few hundred pounds of payload and that is very close. And if this is the 5er that has all the options and floorpan you love, then you can always upgrade the truck in the future if it doesn't pull as well as you like. If it is just a matter of it is the lightest 5er that may work but I don't really love it, I suggest buy a bigger truck and get the 5er you want. Don't "settle" for less 5er than what you want because you likely will just end up upgrading both truck and RV in the near future anyway.

In general, I am not a huge fan of half tons pulling 5ers but I readily admit I have no experience with the new Ecoboost HD half tons. There is a big difference between a half ton and a 3/4 or 1 ton SRW. Where you can easily upgrade many 3/4 ton trucks to 1 ton SRW specs, the same cannot be done with half ton trucks. Lots of differences.

[The Big Toe]

Yeah, we pulled my new XLR 29HFS back from Durnell's to his place in Michigan with his 7.3l Diesel. Dually. Stout truck. VERY stout.

I've been tempted many times to buy one -- Just to have it. I like them that much.

Power ain't the problem. Your excellent engine makes 250HP and 505 lb-ft of torque.

Torque is how much work is being done and HP is how fast it's being done.

The Eco-Boost has 365HP and 420 lb-ft of torque. Not shabby. And it makes its torque down low. Like a diesel.... Sort of

The suspension is what matters. And the brakes. And the tires. And the frame.

A 1/2 ton will never match what a Super Duty can do but if prepped judiciously, a 1/2 ton can surprise you.

The new ones are pretty amazing.

I'd still like to have a 7.3 I might do it someday and let it sit up North. Have to catch the DW in the right mood

[another_newfie]

Not enough payload.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by The Big Toe

I think he's already got E load range tires, right?

Springs? No biggie. Just add air bags or a superspring (look out for that 5th wheel hitch). Two capabilities of superspring for the F-150. One stouter than the other.

I, being of the 'more is better' crowd, have the heavier ones and don't notice a bit of difference in ride. Neither does the DW.

Put them on myself. I could do it again in about ten minutes. All you need is a socket and 6" C-clamp. Initially, read the directions, pay attention to spacing.

Axles? It's a Ford. It's got a 9-3/4" rear end. The axles on that thing are already strong as grandma's breath. Stout. Compare favorably to the Dana 60..... Some say even better

Yeah, one model has 6-lug wheels and another has 7-lug wheels. Not sure if that's for the axles or for the wheels. If he's already got the 7 lug wheels, I'm not aware a bigger axle than a 7-lug. But....... There's a lot of things I'm not aware of. And the 6-lug is stout.

Look guys, with the utmost respect...... It requires no brains at all to tell someone to run out and buy a $65,000 Truck to pull a $30k Trailer. None. And I can't speak for the OP, but I don't have that kind of money. Those of you that do? Good on you.

To the OP: Why not consider a pull behind? You can easily go up to a 30' box and a 10,000lb GVW Trailer with that beast you've got to pull with.

Gotta remember, most 1/2 tons are specced from the factory to put ride quality over towing/hauling. But with some judicious upgrades, they can, IMHO, become very good tow vehicles.

Just my $.02

Ford has determined that standard truck frame isn't up to the task of HD Payloads and uses a heavy duty upgraded frame in the HD Payload trucks. Ford has used the excess in 2015 the lack of heavy duty frames is why the only produced a couple of HD payloads F150s in 2015. What about the frame payload limitations on the standard frame?

[The Big Toe]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

Ford has determined that standard truck frame isn't up to the task of HD Payloads and uses a heavy duty upgraded frame in the HD Payload trucks. Ford has used the excess in 2015 the lack of heavy duty frames is why the only produced a couple of HD payloads F150s in 2015. What about the frame payload limitations on the standard frame?

Link?

[B and B]

Hello OP Mr Acadian Bob,

You will have rear axle weight available, not a issue really. The payload is what your issue issue.

I towed 1900 lbs pin weight with my F 150. I was over on payload. The truck handled it just fine. I am not one to say do or don't. It is up to what you feel comfortable with. I never travelled with a full tank of gas to shave 150 lbs off payload and deleted as much stuff as possible to get it under the 1900 lbs. I did nothing to the truck but LT tires one size bigger to boot. I have a Super Duty now, good deal and definitely no issues.
I have seen many successful posts people towing Fifth Wheels with a F 150 Eco Boost, never seen a bad one.
It is up to you and what you are comfortable with.

B

[MilCop4523]

we have an 09 Sundance bunk house 315 XLT 8320 lbs dry weight.
2013 Supercrew Ecoboost. 6.6 box
Reese 16K slider 5th wheel hitch

Added Firestone Rite Ride Airbags - although this does not increase towing capacity it does stabilize the load carrying.
changed P rated to LT tires - same thing for stability.

Just the wife and i travel - families meet us there - wherever there is...

we don't haul water either new or used.

trailer hauls better than our tag along at 6300 lbs

Dealership took truck specs and trailer specs, pin weight and figured we were well within towing ability.

Add driver and passenger total under 300lbs
Bedding dishes and pots/pans, limited food (generally buy items once arrived on site) and a TV, couple lawn chairs and sewer stuff and small odds and ends and still under weight.

we have hauled through hill country on the east coast this past summer and still blew Chevs and Dodges off on the hills - and yes - going up them.

no issues with the transmission overheating or dropping excessively into lower gears.

[The Big Toe]

Here's what I found..... It seems to me that your frame rail thickness depends on which wheel base you bought --

SUSPENSION:
Frame — Type Ladder Type with Fully Boxed Side Rails and Hydroformed Front Section,
7 Crossmembers, 36,000 psi Steel with 156.5" WB SuperCrew/
163.0" WB SuperCab
49,300 psi Steel with 126.0", 144.5" WB Regular Cab, 144.5" WB
SuperCab/144.5" WB SuperCrew

It goes on to mention a thicker frame rail but it looks to me like it STILL depends on which WB you bought....And it doesn't appear to be 'option specific'. IOW, you can't get the HD package in the lesser Wheel Base models...... To do otherwise would be putting the cart in front of the horse, IMO

8200-lb. GVWR is included with the optional Heavy-Duty Payload Package and requires either the 5.0L 4V V8 or 3.5L 4V V6 engine. In
addition to the equipment listed above, this package also includes Super Engine Cooling, 9-channel oil-to-air auxiliary transmission oil cooler,
frame upgrade (.150 rail thickness).

Page 86 https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckBBAS...12_F150_SB.pdf

[The Big Toe]

This is interesting --

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...rv&tt_f150.pdf

(2) Vehicles equipped with 5.5' box will accept a 5th-wheel hitch, but current 5th-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with these models (133" wb. SuperCab and 145" wb. Crew Cab).

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by The Big Toe

This is interesting --

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...rv&tt_f150.pdf

(2) Vehicles equipped with 5.5' box will accept a 5th-wheel hitch, but current 5th-wheel trailer designs are not compatible with these models (133" wb. SuperCab and 145" wb. Crew Cab).

I just read the same article... WTH?

[The Big Toe]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

I just read the same article... WTH?

Great Minds

[The Big Toe]

bob, unless I'm reading this wrong and I have you with the wrong truck -- Both of which are entirely possible, I see a 'MAX' rating which I have to assume is for the Max Tow Package and a Max Payload of 2080 or 2000,depending on whether you have 4WD or not.

Page 84 https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckBBAS...12_F150_SB.pdf

My apologies if I'm wrong

[Rvdixie]

Just returned from a 3000 mile trip with the same truck only I had the HD package in addition to the HD Tow package. My fifth wheel as you can see below is somewhat larger and heavier. I can report that I had no problems whatsoever, (that thing will tow a house) and at 60 MPH I averaged 11.3 miles per gallon unless confronted with a strong head wind. I ordered the truck and 5th wheel at the same time and I am completely satisfied with both. No need to have more truck than you need as you will pay for it in comfort (ride). We use the truck as a primary vehicle and didn't want a kidney buster.
Ok now the weight control police can come out of the woodwork.

[Jdb95650]

I agree with Glenz.

[Springerdad]

I just love these threads.

[Harkerr]

Not fun being on the max limit.

[Ken K.]

F150 pulling a 5er? NO Problem.



A Man's got to know his limitations.

[itat]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

I just read the same article... WTH?

That's because there isn't adequate distance between the rear axle and the back of the cab. You can't even use a slider hitch in the 5.5' bed. That's a shortcoming I have with my 145" WB Crew Cab. If I ever want to go to a 5er, I'll have to upgrade my truck, too, and I'll definitely go with at least a 3/4 ton if that happens.

Personally, I wouldn't tow a 5er that's much longer than 26' with a 1/2 ton. I just wouldn't be comfortable with that. It's not the length, but the pin weight. However, there are lots of members here who seem to successfully tow 28' and 29' 5ers with a 1/2 ton. IMO, an upgraded suspension and LT tires would be mandatory for doing so for most 1/2 tons.

[GSlone]

I don't have a fifth wheel but by TT is just as heavy and my F-150 tows just fine. You do get blown around by semi's but I think you have to live with that if you settle on a 1/2 ton pickup.

[ColoradoKampers]

Hi Bob,
I can totally relate to your question - I had all the same about 3 years ago. I ended up with a 2012 F-150, EB pulling a Wildcat 241RLX 5er that spec'd at 7000# dry with about 1000# on the pin. The F-150 had no problems towing this trailer, even considering it spends about 50% of it's time in the Rockies west of Denver. (I live at 9000')

I've just recently traded for a 2015 F-150, EB and am now in the market for a Rockwood 8289WS 5er, about 8550# dry with #1350 on the pin. With the extra payload I get in the new aluminum body, I have no doubt this combination will work just fine.

Here's more on the current Wildcat: https://smallhomebigyard.wordpress.c...cat-5th-wheel/
And, the 2012 F-150 considerations: https://smallhomebigyard.wordpress.c...0/hitch_notes/

One last item. Those spec sheets you linked to from FR are notoriously out of date and in some cases just plain wrong. Go check out the yellow stickers on an actual unit to make sure you are dealing with "right" numbers.
Randy