Towing Fiver with 1/2 ton truck

[rcla2014]

I'm sure this is a thread elsewhere but unable to find it. I have a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 V8 and a 3.42 rear end with rear airbags. Specs say towing capacity is 9600#. I have found three Fivers that are WELL under the towing capacity of 9600#. I don't intend to pull through the mountains. I have been told that I should put regular bias ply tires on the rear (10 - 12 ply). and I should be ok. Can't remember what the hitch weight was on the fivers I was looking at but, it was well below the 1/2 ton capacity. Has anyone towed a Fiver with a 1500 like mine?

[youroo]

There are "Hundreds" of posts/threads in regards to "1/2 Ton Towing" keep looking! Youroo!!

[BandJCarm]

Lots of people tow almost everything.

Biggest issue IMHO is carrying capacity, or Payload. To my way of thinking, that spec has to be met as a minimum, first...and only after it is met can you discuss towing specs.

Others disagree. It's a Tastes Great/Less Filling type of argument.

[Flybob]

What is the load carrying capacity on the drivers door sticker? What is the pin weight of the 5er?

[Justice12t]

One of the top 5 contested topics on this forum. Keep searching and you will find almost any answer you are looking for.

I am not sure what 5'ers you are looking to tow but I had that almost identical truck and certainly think you will run out of payload before anything else (Airbags don't increase payload).
Has it been done sure and safely depending on who you ask.

I currently tow with a 1/2 that I factory ordered with the heaviest package I could get. Does a great job but in 2018 once my lease is up...I won't be looking back.

Best wishes ...and good luck in whatever you decide to do.

[bikendan]

You need to post your truck's Payload capacity from the door's yellow sticker.
Very few 1/2 tons can handle the pin weights of 5th wheels.
Only a few of them have light enough pin weights for 1/2 tons.

[SidecarFlip]

You can pulll just about anything with just about any truck, problem is, can you stop it in an emergency situation or handle an evasive maneuver without the trailer towing you??

Things to consider along with your longevity in an emergency situation.

[asquared]

Here are some towing calculators so you can make your own determinations. Remember you will never tow an empty or dry trailer. On average most campers tend to add approximately 1500 lbs of stuff (tools, clothes, food, chairs etc) to their trailer. Add that to your dry weight and take 20-23% of that weight for your loaded pin weight. Use these numbers in the towing calculators. Also remember anything you put in or on a truck (including passengers, hitch and pinweight) will detract from your payload. Most hitches weigh approx 150 lbs. As others have said even with a lightweight fiver you will likely run out of payload. Having been under trucked before, I will never be there again.

Towing planner

changing gears towing calculator.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by asquared

Here are some towing calculators so you can make your own determinations. Remember you will never tow an empty or dry trailer. On average most campers tend to add approximately 1500 lbs of stuff (tools, clothes, food, chairs etc) to their trailer.

Towing planner

changing gears towing calculator.

I always wondered about this, and not to hijack the thread but when we camp, we take a few boxes of food, our bedding, some board games, and each of us (there's 4) pack a bag of essentials, and 4 camp chairs. I'm guessing "maybe" 350 pounds for a family of 4 for a week? we are pretty much minimalist however so maybe that plays into it, I don't know.

[asquared]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

I always wondered about this, and not to hijack the thread but when we camp, we take a few boxes of food, our bedding, some board games, and each of us (there's 4) pack a bag of essentials, and 4 camp chairs. I'm guessing "maybe" 350 pounds for a family of 4 for a week? we are pretty much minimalist however so maybe that plays into it, I don't know.

Add in dishes, cookware, toiletries, chairs, tools, firewood, etc. it adds up way faster than you think. Our family of 3 adds 1500 lbs of stuff to our fiver.

[timfromma]

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Either get a TT or upgrade at least to a 3/4 ton.

[spock123]

Tow what you like, it's your camper and truck. If you take your time you will be fine. DOT is not going to weigh you. People on here will by and large say no but if you take your time and not speed you will be okay. Have fun camping. Take some pictures of your camper

[itat]

I agree with the others that your payload will be the first spec that will be compromised with a 1/2 ton. Been there myself.

The only way to know exactly what capacity you really have is to go to a scale and weigh your 1/2 ton with a full tank of fuel and everyone on board and everything you plan to pack in it for camping, in the truck. Don't forget that a 5th wheel hitch can add significant weight to the truck but that can be minimized by going with an Andersen Ultimate 2 aluminum hitch and a gooseneck ball mount.

If your truck has a short bed (less than 8') you'll need to consider that as well in deciding what hitch setup you need.

As for lighter 5ers, I think that rear kitchen models may have the lightest pin weights. The shortest models are in the 24' to 26' range but they'll be the typical rear livingroom floorplans meaning more weight closer to the pin.

There are lots of folks here that are happy to tow their <32' 5ers with a 1/2 ton. With a HD payload package on the truck you can be within specs but most will be over their rated payload and be comfortable anyway. It's your truck, your money and your choice.

[WFD]

Originally Posted by ronheater70

I always wondered about this, and not to hijack the thread but when we camp, we take a few boxes of food, our bedding, some board games, and each of us (there's 4) pack a bag of essentials, and 4 camp chairs. I'm guessing "maybe" 350 pounds for a family of 4 for a week? we are pretty much minimalist however so maybe that plays into it, I don't know.

Plus keep in mind the dry weight of the camper doesn't include your propane tanks, the battery, any water at all and so on and so on, so the weight does add up quicker than one thinks.
So many of us, myself included, crunched numbers once upon a time trying to convince ourselves our current tow vehicle would be up to task, then went ahead and after a few trips realised we were just pushing it too much.

[jtesta1]

Check your weight limits, loaded truck ,loaded trailer, people, fifth wheel hitch. Gather all weights together and if you are under weight limits then you can tow it if you are over the limits then dont. If you are close on the limits i would think twice. You will be carrying your most precious cargo, your family. Don't take chances.

[keeprr]

I know it's an SOB but look at the Open Range Light Fifth Wheels. No need for a slider hitch and the extra weight, good build quality and factory support and a design to be light weight for properly equipped 1/2 ton trucks.

[NMWildcat]

We towed light fivers for years with a half ton. No real problems, just terrible mileage and working the engine real hard in hills or on windy days.

It wasn't until we moved up to larger fivers and a 2500 diesel that we realized how pleasant and effortless towing could be. If I had to do it again I would of moved to a larger truck when first going to fifth wheels.

Our son just moved from a small TT to a small toy hauler and I advised him to sell his half ton and get a 3/4 ton. He did, and is now saying he should of started with the larger truck

Good luck and have fun.

[NED AND SHARON HOLCOMB]

X2 nmwildcat can be done but not as much fun torque and hp to have a ball

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by rcla2014

I'm sure this is a thread elsewhere but unable to find it. I have a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 V8 and a 3.42 rear end with rear airbags. Specs say towing capacity is 9600#. I have found three Fivers that are WELL under the towing capacity of 9600#. I don't intend to pull through the mountains. I have been told that I should put regular bias ply tires on the rear (10 - 12 ply). and I should be ok. Can't remember what the hitch weight was on the fivers I was looking at but, it was well below the 1/2 ton capacity. Has anyone towed a Fiver with a 1500 like mine?

-- You didn't say if your truck is a crew cab. IF it is, you have a 5'8" or so bed. That "baby" bed is one limiting factor to your towing a 5th wheel.
-- It has been my experience that 3.42:1 rear ends are put on 4 wheel drive trucks in most cases. You didn't say, but a 4 wheel drive will usually have reduced payload compared to a comparable 2 wheel drive.
-- You wrote "Can't remember what the hitch weight was on the fivers I was looking at but, it was well below the 1/2 ton capacity." As stated above, pin weight may be the most important make/break factor to your main question. AND as has been said, "dry pin weight" figures as specified in brochures/website are little more than smoke and mirrors numbers. Add your battery(ies), propane, shoes, clothes, chairs, satellite antenna, etc., etc., that you haven't considered and you exceed whatever payload number printed in your specific truck's weight sticker.

I never say "there is no 1/2 ton made than can tow any 5th wheel" as some do, but the shopping for the 5th wheel and the hitch must be done carefully and painstakingly.

[BusyRetirees]

Originally Posted by rcla2014

I'm sure this is a thread elsewhere but unable to find it. I have a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 5.3 V8 and a 3.42 rear end with rear airbags. Specs say towing capacity is 9600#. I have found three Fivers that are WELL under the towing capacity of 9600#. I don't intend to pull through the mountains. I have been told that I should put regular bias ply tires on the rear (10 - 12 ply). and I should be ok. Can't remember what the hitch weight was on the fivers I was looking at but, it was well below the 1/2 ton capacity. Has anyone towed a Fiver with a 1500 like mine?

We have a 2015 F150 Ecoboost towing a 7900# 5th wheel. Pin weight is 1170# and carrying capacity is 2150#. That being said, not all 1/2 tons can tow a 5th wheel. While you say your towing capacity is 9600#, what is your 5th wheel towing capacity? Both are different. Mine states 11900# towing (bumper) but only 10500# for 5th wheel towing. You may want to check all your specs again before deciding on the 5th wheel you want.