Do real 1/2 ton 5th wheels exist?

[KeithInUpstateNY]

Unfortunately, true 1/2 ton towable fifth wheel trailers seem to have gone the way of the dinosaur, presumably due to lack of market demand. "Everyone" wants slides in a fifth wheel, and they add weight.

I have a 1989 19' Nomad with a dry weight of only 3200 pounds, I could easily tow it with my Colorado, if I had the six foot box. I also have a 1992 Prowler 265N with a dry weight of of around 5500 pounds. Both are currently parked at my cabin and used as guest houses, but my intention is to trade my Colorado with a five foot box for one with a six foot box so I can tow the Nomad again. It's only 7.5 feet wide so I have the turning clearance. I used to tow it with my S10, and my Siverado with a six foot box, no problem.

I guess my point is, if you are willing to look at an older fifth wheel that may need some restoration they are out there.

[Hafton5er]

It can be done if you have a properly equipped truck. I have a 2010 F-150 Supercrew Max Tow Truck. My payload is rated for 1950 lbs. I bought a new Flagstaff 526RLWS superlite fifth wheel with a weight of 7600 lbs and a pin weight of 1263 dry. I came in under 1500 lbs on the pin and 8700 pounds loaded. Pulled it nearly 4000 miles including through mountains (a couple 8-10% grades). The only modification I did to the truck was upgrading the rear shocks to Monroe load adjusting coil-over shocks. Pulls nearly level with 20 wheels. I feel comfortable in with the way my truck is equipped. The auxiliary oil and transmission coolers and the gearing with the Max Tow package are a must. My next truck will probably be another f-150 but with the 3.5 ecoboost and the 10 speed transmission (Max Tow of course). Going to a 3/4 ton truck almost seems like overkill considering that I will not likely break 9000 lbs.

[Luisde]

Originally Posted by Brendon44

Are there any actual 5th wheels that are realistically 1/2 ton towable? Seems all the smallest ones I can find still have a pin weight of 1200-1500 lbs. Sure this is doable if its one passenger and a poodle traveling but that's not my scenario. My truck's payload is 1946 lbs. Was hoping there are some options out there with 7-800 pin weight.

I have Nissan Titan 2012 with Payload 1900 lbs, 9400 toeing load. I bought a brand new 2014 KZ Sportsmen 235 Fifth wheel with a 5900 dry weight and 860 lb Pin Weight! My Titan pulls this Fiver as though it’s not there! It also has one slide out!

[Tommohr]

Originally Posted by Brendon44

Are there any actual 5th wheels that are realistically 1/2 ton towable? Seems all the smallest ones I can find still have a pin weight of 1200-1500 lbs. Sure this is doable if its one passenger and a poodle traveling but that's not my scenario. My truck's payload is 1946 lbs. Was hoping there are some options out there with 7-800 pin weight.

Take a look at the Rockwood ultralight 2440 with Reese Revolution hitch. We have towed ours over 9,000 miles with Ram 1500 ecodiesel. It has performed very well. We don't feel the need to tow up any hills/grades at speed limit, using our god given common sense has served us well too.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Luisde

I have Nissan Titan 2012 with Payload 1900 lbs, 9400 toeing load. I bought a brand new 2014 KZ Sportsmen 235 Fifth wheel with a 5900 dry weight and 860 lb Pin Weight! My Titan pulls this Fiver as though it’s not there! It also has one slide out!

Was that you I saw 1/2 way up Floyd Hill on I-70 just west of Denver last year with your hood up and steam billowing out from under your hood?

[Palinduff]

Originally Posted by Hafton5er

It can be done if you have a properly equipped truck. I have a 2010 F-150 Supercrew Max Tow Truck. My payload is rated for 1950 lbs. I bought a new Flagstaff 526RLWS superlite fifth wheel with a weight of 7600 lbs and a pin weight of 1263 dry. I came in under 1500 lbs on the pin and 8700 pounds loaded. Pulled it nearly 4000 miles including through mountains (a couple 8-10% grades). The only modification I did to the truck was upgrading the rear shocks to Monroe load adjusting coil-over shocks. Pulls nearly level with 20 wheels. I feel comfortable in with the way my truck is equipped. The auxiliary oil and transmission coolers and the gearing with the Max Tow package are a must. My next truck will probably be another f-150 but with the 3.5 ecoboost and the 10 speed transmission (Max Tow of course). Going to a 3/4 ton truck almost seems like overkill considering that I will not likely break 9000 lbs.

Get the HD Payload Package. It' like a 900.00 option and you can get 600lbs more payload (depending on options), plus a bigger gear set, 3:73 ratio, extra leaf, LT tires, and bigger trans cooler. Worth every penny, you basically get a 3/4 ton with good fuel economy and less expense in maintenance.

[onVacation]

Winnebago is starting to build a new line of 7-wide 5th wheels. Posting a pin weight of 1,060lbs.

https://m.winnebagoind.com/products/...nie/floorplans

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Palinduff

Get the HD Payload Package. It' like a 900.00 option and you can get 600lbs more payload (depending on options), plus a bigger gear set, 3:73 ratio, extra leaf, LT tires, and bigger trans cooler. Worth every penny, you basically get a 3/4 ton with good fuel economy and less expense in maintenance.

I don't buy it...sorry!

Don't like Kool-Aid!

[elchilero53]

Today, there are few if any 5ers that are actually 1/2-ton towable from a payload point of view. Yeah, I suppose the 1/2-ton can pull it but payload will be gone and you are probably grossly overloaded. I guess we have finally come to the point where 1/2 ton pickups are nearing the level of development of a light-duty 3/4-ton pickup. Too bad it tempts people to go to 5ers with their half-ton trucks. There used to be small 5ers years ago; little single axle models for the 1/2-ton trucks of the day. Haven't seen one for about 10 years. I bet they were cozy since they didn't have any slide outs. That Canadian fiberglass unit looked interesting, but I don't believe the listed pin weights on their site. The actual weights won't leave any reserve for a driver and passenger, much less kids, dogs and their garbage.

I've seen Tahoes loaded to the rafters (kids, dogs, junk) pulling a 30 ft trailer with a couple slide outs. No steam coming out from under the hood but I will bet they were close!! Two weeks ago, I saw a Lexus CUV pulling a 30-ft trailer eastbound on I-20 near Eastland TX. I was headed west to Midland for a meeting. They were doing about 50 mph, which is probably all it could do under the circumstances. Both the CUV and trailer looked new. The CUV was level but the trailer was down in the front. My immediate thought was "are they nuts?". They were going to go down Ranger Hill, a long, 6% down grade on I-20 where the High Plains breaks in the Cross Timbers/North Hill Country plus a shorter easier down grade just before that. I bet that had them rethinking their TV options. I didn't see any wreckage on the way home so I guess they made it. Please, let's use a little common sense here folks. Just because you think you can do something doesn't mean that you should do it. Safety first always!!!

[Mike968]

Originally Posted by rp53

i love that 5er and would buy one in a heartbeat if it weren't for the wet bath. towing a 5er is so much safer and easier to back than a bumper pull

Can one of you guys educate me on what a “wet bath” is exactly? Also how does that contrast a “dry bath”?

[KeithInUpstateNY]

Originally Posted by Mike968

Can one of you guys educate me on what a “wet bath” is exactly? Also how does that contrast a “dry bath”?

In a wet bath the entire space functions as the shower. It is usually pretty small, think airplane bathroom. You often have to sit on the toilet to shower. And, if course there is the challenge of keeping the TP dry.

[Mike968]

Originally Posted by KeithInUpstateNY

In a wet bath the entire space functions as the shower. It is usually pretty small, think airplane bathroom. You often have to sit on the toilet to shower. And, if course there is the challenge of keeping the TP dry.

Oh geez, like the bathrooms in a class B. Thanks

[KeithInUpstateNY]

Originally Posted by Mike968

Oh geez, like the bathrooms in a class B. Thanks

Exactly. Or a truck camper. A little bigger, but not much. There's usually just enough room to stand between the shower and the sink. This one is pretty spacious.

[JeffandLori]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

I was just down in Florida and saw a handful of F250's, Ram 2500's and Chevy 2500's towing 35-40ft Cardinals and other higher end heavy 5th wheels that I am guessing have at least have a dry hitch of over 2500 lbs so I'm sure they are overloaded.

Whenever I'm waiting to get my oil changed at the dealer (yes, I CAN do it myself, but for the extra $20, it's not worth it to me) I wander the lot. It's not uncommon to see an F-250 with payload capacities in the 3,200-3,300 range provided they aren't diesel.

[Ejs4029]

Yeah I know the the gas trucks have more payload I had one that almost 1000lbs more then my current diesel. I was referring to overloaded 3/4 ton diesel trucks...I saw it all the time living in Southern CA with huge toyhaulers loaded up headed to glamis.

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I don't buy it...sorry!

Don't like Kool-Aid!

Yep, I agree.

[Wicked Ace]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Even a F150 with the HDPP would be maxed out, loaded for camping.
I believe that the highest payload capacity for the new F150 is around 2400lbs. That would probably be a regular cab model.

I just got an '18 F150 HDPP with the intent of a fifth wheel next year. My payload is 2461# and max tow is rated at 11600#. The truck with me and my dog weighs 5600#.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Wicked Ace

I just got an '18 F150 HDPP with the intent of a fifth wheel next year. My payload is 2461# and max tow is rated at 11600#. The truck with me and my dog weighs 5600#.

Ok. Now, what is the GVWR on the truck? Subtract 5600 from that number and you have your actual payload number. And don't forget to add the hitch weight to the 5600#. Just sayin'.

[Mr Towed]

Originally Posted by Wicked Ace

I just got an '18 F150 HDPP with the intent of a fifth wheel next year. My payload is 2461# and max tow is rated at 11600#. The truck with me and my dog weighs 5600#.

I'd be interested in what cab/bed/drivetrain you've got. I was am looking at the small powerstroke and was disappointed to find that the Heavy Duty Payload option is not available. The only reason I can see for that is that they don't want to cannabalize F-250 sales, even though it is a $60,000 truck because they force you into the high level trims.

[Wicked Ace]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

Ok. Now, what is the GVWR on the truck? Subtract 5600 from that number and you have your actual payload number. And don't forget to add the hitch weight to the 5600#. Just sayin'.

GVWR is 7850# so I still have over 2200# to work with.......Just sayin'.