Tow Specs Question

[Way pup]

I have a 2008 F-150 5.4L 4x4, 3.73 rear and 5.5 box and wondering if this vehicle will tow a fifth wheel. 2014/2015 Rockwood signature ultra lite claims a short box will indeed have no trouble. Weight is 7,352 (dry I suppose). I'm new to towing and figuring out all of the different weight specs is a bit daunting. I've found more than one weight spec I could pull and have no idea which is correct. Any guidance would be great.

[OldCoot]

I would make sure the pin wt is no more than 1100# dry wt.

[sail2liv]

My lawnmower will tow a fifth wheel, but doesn t mean that I would use it for that

[asquared]

Which can do you have? I pulled the specs for your truck. I see max tow capacity (before options, passengers, pets, fuel, and gear) of anywhere from 8200-9500 lbs for 5er but it does not list payload. You probably will need to go weigh your truck loaded with passenger, pets and full tank of gas to see how much available pAyload you have for pin weights. Either way, I would say no to a 5er with this truck. If it were the newer eco boost hd with max tow that would be a different story.

[Grateful]

Here is a quality company that makes a unique light weight fifth wheel. We at one time had their travel trailer and it was a pleasure.

Camplite Fifth Wheels| Livin' Lite RV

https://video.search.yahoo.com/video...yfp-t-901&tt=b

Best,
Grateful

[campingwilliamsons]

What is the GVWR and curb weight on the truck? That will give you payload. Once you know that, subtract a minimum of 500 lbs (for you, the hitch and a passenger or some gear). That will give you what pin weight you can carry. Once you know that, multiple any advertised pin/hitch weight you see on a manufacturer/rv dealer site x 1.25 to get a guesstimate of what the real pin weight is (advertised dry weights are notoriously under the real weight with options).

[OldCoot]

Couldn't be happier with our little truck's ability to pull the 5er.
Like the humming bird theoretically can't fly, but they don't know the theory, so they just keep flying.

[Way pup]

A lawn mower is just too uncomfortable for such long trips as planned with my RV. Thanks anyway.

[Way pup]

Thanks to all for your assistance... especially Mr. "Grateful" I will look into the Camplites.

[Dave_Monica]

The Camplites look interesting but unfortunately, they don't specify their pinweights, which will be the limiting factor with your current truck.

Dave

[thebrakeman]

Originally Posted by sail2liv

My lawnmower will tow a fifth wheel, but doesn t mean that I would use it for that

Your lawnmower will not tow a fifth wheel. Pin weight would destroy it before you ever got it started.
...oh, wait, were you joking to make a point....my bad!

[BigBaron]

Don't use a lawnmower. It ain't pretty.

You can try this.


What ever you do, don't end up like this guy! LOL

[thebrakeman]

This brings up a point. Does anybody read each and every sign on a bridge to be sure you have clearance on a road trip? I suppose I've assumed that the Interstate system has a certain minimum height, and the RV industry has a certain maximum height.

But this sort of makes me feel embarrassed that I don't know the actual height to my AC unit, off the top of my head.

That's probably a local underpass, and did that much damage probably not more than 35mph. Can you imagine hitting a bridge at 65-70mph!?!! I'd bet it would rip the camper off of the main frame rails.

[Frank-VA]

Originally Posted by Way pup

I have a 2008 F-150 5.4L 4x4, 3.73 rear and 5.5 box and wondering if this vehicle will tow a fifth wheel. 2014/2015 Rockwood signature ultra lite claims a short box will indeed have no trouble. Weight is 7,352 (dry I suppose). I'm new to towing and figuring out all of the different weight specs is a bit daunting. I've found more than one weight spec I could pull and have no idea which is correct. Any guidance would be great.

http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...TTgdeSep08.pdf

[goduc]

Unless your truck has 17-1900lbs of payload and the 5'ers pin weight is a real (not brochure) weight of 1000-1100lbs, you will be over the CCC, GVW and RAWR for the F150. A 7500lb 5'er will be 8500 loaded. Pin @20% is 1700lbs. Add the 5th hitch 150lbs plus you and mama and you'll be over all ratings. Only weight save is the Andersen Ultimate 5th hitch. Weighs around 60lbs plus rail kits at 30lbs or so. I tried real hard to work the numbers with our 08 F150 that had a 1757lb payload rating. Never could make it work.

Or you could do like most 1/2 ton owners towing 5'ers and that's just do it. Disregard the numbers and just hitch up and go.

A TT will yield more room with a lighter tongue weight. A 30' TT would have a TW in the 800-1000lb range. Plenty of payload left with the 1/2 ton.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by goduc

...Or you could do like most 1/2 ton owners towing 5'ers and that's just do it. Disregard the numbers and just hitch up and go...

I just hitch up and go with no problems.

[goduc]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I just hitch up and go with no problems.

Like I said just disregard the numbers and go. Most people like to tow under their numbers. You're choice. Those that are towing over don't know it or don't care.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by goduc

Like I said just disregard the numbers and go. Most people like to tow under their numbers. You're choice.

I kinda' thought that, but thanks for your permission anyway.

Now, if you would like to buy me a 1T dually, I would be most appreciative.

[rockfordroo]

My lawnmower will tow a fifth wheel, but doesn t mean that I would use it for that

I had my 1988 Coleman Sequoia for 20 years. Parked it in the backyard, which had a chain link fence around it.

Used my John Deere SX-75 (17 hp) to pull it out to the front yard, and put it back in the back yard. It would pull it no sweat. The JD lasted 27 years.

Of course, I wouldn't pull it down the road that way.

(Neither of these pics are my actual toys. They're long gone.)