Tow vehicle

[Cajun Po-Boy]

This is not directed to the OP...seems that for so long the RV industry has drilled in our heads displaying so many fifth wheels that are "1/2 ton towable" that many are trying to get the larger 5'vers and tow with 1/2 ton trucks!
Thanks to educated shoppers (like the OP) and helpful forums like this one that assist buyers with no BS information so they don't regret their purchase

[aiscpl6]

Well said Po-Boy. The auto industry is just as guilty with this perception. While some 5ers can certainly be towed by the new generation of "1\2" tons that have as much or more payload than older 3\4 tons both the RV and auto industry are too quick to make blanket statements regarding capacity or ability. Each case needs to be weighed on its own merits by the respective buyers. How can it be said that something is "1\2 ton towable" when payloads range from approximately 1000 to 3100 lbs?
When I am buying something I count on the salesperson to do the paperwork and not to provide information about specifications, I research and know what I want before I step foot inside of a dealership and I generally know more than the people that work there.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by aiscpl6

That's a good point although with the winters here 4 X 4 is a nice feature to have. As it turns out the HD payload package in the F150 Ecoboost is a rarity here and there are no trucks in Canada with the specs that I listed. We could get one factory ordered but it will take at least 12 weeks to get. We have decided to go with a F250 with a payload of 3100 lbs which gives us room to upgrade the 5er down the road if we chose to.

Hi Tim!

OUCH 12 Weeks? Our factory order was filled in 6 last year.

(Snarky comment follows but all in good fun

4x4s help in snow country...how? (Unless you are off-roading it) I have lived in snow country a lot over the years and, working for the US Army, meet a lot of young macho soldiers with 4x4s who are NEW to snow country and think " Well, I'll just put this sucker in 4x4 and no worries!" Sorry Snuffy, all 4 wheel drive gives you on icy/slick roads is power to 4 wheels to REALLY break traction

A limited slip differential however is another story (yep we got THAT on the F150 as well

[aiscpl6]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Hi Tim!

OUCH 12 Weeks? Our factory order was filled in 6 last year.

(Snarky comment follows but all in good fun

4x4s help in snow country...how? (Unless you are off-roading it) I have lived in snow country a lot over the years and, working for the US Army, meet a lot of young macho soldiers with 4x4s who are NEW to snow country and think " Well, I'll just put this sucker in 4x4 and no worries!" Sorry Snuffy, all 4 wheel drive gives you on icy/slick roads is power to 4 wheels to REALLY break traction

A limited slip differential however is another story (yep we got THAT on the F150 as well

Greetings,

Snarky comment heard and felt...lol...

We have those drivers here as well who seem to think that 4X4 will somehow make up for icy road conditions although there are those who drive non 4X4 that do not drive to conditions either.
The problem here is not so much driving on icy roads (highways) as it is getting around in town. I used to live in Ottawa and the snowplows would be out while it was snowing and the streets would be clear within hours of a heavy snowfall and they used salt. In Alberta the mentality is to let the snow storm end, wait a few days and then try and plow. This winter we had a lot of snow and the streets were terrible, cars getting stuck because they got hung up, I pushed a few out. There were people literally stranded at home because they could not drive on the streets for a week or more. And by the time that they do plow the snow is packed down and doesn't get removed and turns to ice that stays until spring.

Is 4X4 a absolutely required? No. Does it help you stop faster? Nope. But it sure does help when you are trying to go uphill from a stop on ice\snow. :-). My current truck does not have limited slip..:-(...next one will and there were a number of times that I would have not been able to move without 4X4.

[Lefty59]

Originally Posted by ibjon

I was looking at the wildcat 312 BHX OK

Sent from my XT1080 using Forest River Forums mobile app

We just took delivery of a Wildcat 312QBX (pretty much the same as the 312BHX OK) and prior to ordering it I figured our F250 SD was more than capable of pulling this trailer...and frankly so did everyone else we talked to.

After we placed our order, I did a lot more research and decided that the F250 had insufficient payload capacity (1,616 lbs) to carry the approximate hitch weight of the trailer (~1,700 lbs dry up to 2,400 lbs depending on cargo) and the rest of our gear and people (another 500-800 pounds) plus the 5'ver hitch itself (~245 lbs). So, we upgraded to an F350 with a payload capacity of 3,130 lbs.

Best advice I can give is to check the B-Pillar (driver's side door frame) for info on your GVWR, max payload, max combined GVWR and Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWRs). I would find it hard to believe that a 1/2 ton would have the necessary payload capacity to safely carry the hitch weight, gear and people you'll want to take along...but many might tell you that it does.

Best wishes,

Bob...

[davel1971]

the "5th wheel with a 1/2 ton discussion is always the hottest topic on here. Not all 1/2 tons are created equal, so lots of figuring needs to be done. Even with the most well equipped 1/2 tons, still don't believe that lots of the ones labeled 1/2 ton towable really are a good idea. The load in the vehicle and the trailer aren't figured in the manufacturers math. Throw some good hills in, and you got problems.

[Wildcat Chris]

I generally avoid this discussion since it always seems to get so heated (and I don't build trucks or hold an engineering degree), but here's where the discussion typically breaks down: not all "½ ton" trucks are created equally.

For example, look at Ford's towing specs here for their F-150 series:
2014 Ford F-150 | View Towing Specifications | Ford.com
MIN: 6,100 lbs. -----> MAX: 11,300 lbs.!
A 5,200 LBS. DIFFERENCE!

Now, look at the F-150 payload capacity specs here:
2014 Ford F-150 | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com
MIN: 980 lbs. -----> MAX: 3,120 lbs.!
A 2,140 LBS. DIFFERENCE!

The real question is, what is a "half-ton?" Start there before anything else. And then remember that you always want MORE TRUCK THAN TRAILER.

[davel1971]

there lies most of the problem Wildcat Chris. Most people see that shiny new camper with the big "1/2 ton towable" sticker on it and go OOOHHHH, we can tow that. They don't take the time to educate themselves on what they really have for a tow vehicle.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by davel1971

there lies most of the problem Wildcat Chris. Most people see that shiny new camper with the big "1/2 ton towable" sticker on it and go OOOHHHH, we can tow that. They don't take the time to educate themselves on what they really have for a tow vehicle.

X2...Since most people (RV sales & truck Owners) don't know/understand what is "1/2 ton towable", I'd rather see it removed from RV sales literature rather than use it as a catch to get an average buyer into a camper.
Not many folks out there are driving the max tow package F150 (11,300lbs) to handle the advertised 1/2 ton towable camper.

[AquaMan]

The other misconception is in 3/4 ton trucks. As Lefty stated, his F250 only had a payload of 1616lbs. My '11 2500 Chevy had a 2600lb payload (4x4 CC LB), and you could get capacities up to 3700lbs (std cab/bed, 2wd). That's more than 2x Lefty's truck, still in a "3/4" class. Regardless of truck "class", the build is what's important.

[Wildcat Chris]

My suggestion to potential buyers is to always consult the spec sheets from specific tow vehicle manufacturers. Whether "½ ton" or "¾ ton," there's always more to it than simply the class.

Here's a nice collection of the data from Trailer Life magazine:
Trailer Towing Guides | Trailer Life Magazine

[PhoneDude 8289]

Pulled my 2008 Cougar 291RLS 10.3K GVW for two years and now my Rockwood 8289WS 9.3K GVW with my 2008 Tundra. The Tundra does a great job.

[prime81]

I have towed both a 2014 282rkx and recently traded for a 2014 295rsx.

Tow Vehicle = 2013 F150 Ecoboost, Supercrew 6.5ft bed, 3.73 elec locker, Max Tow Pkg, Door jam payload rating is 1535lbs, GVWR is 7700lbs.

I am definitely over the payload capacities of my truck from a legal standpoint, but I am under my GCWR of 17,100lbs and I am also under my tow rating of 11,200lbs. Through research I found that the only difference between a max tow and HD payload truck is the rear leaf springs and 7 lug wheel assemblies. The axles/shocks are identical to a max tow truck. Many people don't read the fine print in the technical specifications. I have added load range E tires, and upgraded to the HD payload rear leaf springs.

MAKE no mistake the 5.5ft bed max tow truck is NOT the same and does not have the same axles or upgraded frame strength.

I also test extensively how the truck stops, accelerates, handles wind(very windy west texas here). I travel at 60 mph regardless of where I'm going.

We decided to go with a trailer we will keep for years, and will likely upgrade to a 3/4 ton when the time comes.

Here are two videos and a picture of the 282rkx on stock springs, I'll get some posted later of the 295rsx.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7KuCQvNn44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxDA2lkQlgE

[prime81]

Here is my Wildcat 295rsx standing still, and also video of towing as well. Winds during the video was a crosswind of 30 mph. Yes you can tow safely with a half ton truck, but it depends entirely on the truck and driver. As always safety is my highest concern and I do multiple test drives to make sure the truck can handle the weight before I purchase any trailer. All I can say is, do in depth research on the truck.

Here is a good link to show in depth ratings for everything on the F150 trucks.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/TRUCKBBAS...0Raptor_SB.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CnQ...ature=youtu.be

[cornfed78]

Originally Posted by prime81

I have towed both a 2014 282rkx and recently traded for a 2014 295rsx.

Out of curiosity, and if you don't mind me asking, what made you trade so soon after getting the 282RKX?

[prime81]

The 282rkx is a great camper, we had no issues with it at all. After camping in it several times we decided the living area was a bit cozy, and opted for the dual slides on the living/kitchen area that the 295 rsx has. Ironically the 295 has more counter space than the 282rkx, and was only 900lbs heavier.

The dealer we have treated us well, and we also got back more than we owed on our 282rkx.

[jchild]

How do you like your new 295 trailer?

[prime81]

Originally Posted by jchild

How do you like your new 295 trailer?

So far we love it, haven't had it but a week now so haven't camped in it yet. Bedroom/bathroom is identical to the 282 with the exception of the bedroom slide being slightly bigger. Living area and kitchen wise we love it already just due to the roominess of it.

[the.wilsons]

But say something happens when you are on a trip, even if it wasn't your fault and a good lawyer finds out that you are over loaded on any of the weight ratings. It could be east to sway a jury in their favor.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by the.wilsons

But say something happens when you are on a trip, even if it wasn't your fault and a good lawyer finds out that you are over loaded on any of the weight ratings. It could be east to sway a jury in their favor.

Pretty hard to prove you were overloaded especially if your trailer was destroyed.