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Old 06-22-2015, 02:45 PM   #1
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Survey: Pulling 5th-Wheel with F150 4x4

I would like to know how many people do or have pulled a 5th wheel with a half ton pickup. I have been looking at upgrading to a small 5th wheel and don't want to buy a new/larger truck yet. Jayco has a line of 5th wheels that are advertised to be pulled with half ton 4x2 pickup. My truck is a 4x4 and curious to know if that makes a difference. Would like to hear from others that have already been down this road.

Thanks for any input.
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Old 06-22-2015, 02:52 PM   #2
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4x4 generally have less cargo capacity because of the exrtra weight associated with transfer cases and larger front axles.
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Old 06-22-2015, 02:57 PM   #3
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4X4s generally do not pull as much as a standard 2-wheel drive. I have a 2008 Tundra, stock 5.7 TRD/SR5 with an 8' bed. It's rated at 10,500. I know some of the newer 1/2 tons pull more, but so do the newer diesels. I have been pulling my 5r for six years and put 60,000 miles on it. My 5r goes in at 9,600, I to would like a F-350 6.7 Dually, but the Tundra keeps on ticking like a watch.....
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Old 06-22-2015, 03:03 PM   #4
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We have a 8280WS Rockwood with the diamond package and pull it with a Silverdo 4x4 1500 extended cab series with a trailer package . Rockwood makes this series so that the can be pulled with a 1/2 ton pickup . This is a great 5r . Plenty of room , out side ref ., fireplace . When you do order a 5r be sure to get a fan in the kitchen with a switch on the wall . Ceiling is very high .
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Old 06-22-2015, 03:10 PM   #5
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I'd say it depends on the distance you want to haul it. A half ton will pull almost any 5th wheel for a short distance. I pull mine with a half ton but my main camping spot is only a mile from the house. If I was going to pull it for any more than 60 miles or do any hilly driving I'd have to use something else.
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Old 06-22-2015, 04:09 PM   #6
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Thanks everyone for quick replies. I need some help understanding all the different weights. Here are the weights for my F150
GVWR = 7350
Occupants & Cargo = 1618
Max Loaded Trailer Weight = 9400 (Ford Towing Guide for my year)
GCWR = 15,100

Is it correct in thinking that I should only be concerned about the 1618 limit and not so much on the GVWR. And that the trailer weight with all of it's cargo should not exceed 9400. But what concerns should I have with a GCWR of 15,100?
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Old 06-22-2015, 04:20 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tent2TT View Post
Thanks everyone for quick replies. I need some help understanding all the different weights. Here are the weights for my F150
GVWR = 7350
Occupants & Cargo = 1618
Max Loaded Trailer Weight = 9400 (Ford Towing Guide for my year)
GCWR = 15,100

Is it correct in thinking that I should only be concerned about the 1618 limit and not so much on the GVWR. And that the trailer weight with all of it's cargo should not exceed 9400. But what concerns should I have with a GCWR of 15,100?
From the 1618# you subtract the weight of passengers, cargo, fuel,hitch, etc. What you have left is the max weight the pin can exert onto the truck.

Also, what most fail to consider is that manufacturers use a flatbed trailer loaded with steel to arrive at their towing capacity. That 8' x 12' tall wall you are trying to pull is a lot different.. Imagine pulling a parachute.
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Old 06-22-2015, 05:15 PM   #8
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Take the GCWR of 15,100 and subtract the actual running weight of the truck, that is your max, legal trailer towing weight. GCWR is gross combined weight of the truck, trailer, and all cargo, gas, etc.

You are correct on being concerned with the 1618 for cargo too. Even a smaller 5th wheel will be a good portion of that.
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Old 06-22-2015, 05:48 PM   #9
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We pull a 32 foot bumper pull with our 4x4 f150. I feel I can pull more trailer this way than a fifth wheel without overloading the truck. As stated earlier in regard to frontage we have less frontage and wind drag than a fifth wheel. All the weight calculation are important but the one of most concern is the weight on the truck and your cargo capacity in the truck. Our trailer has a tongue weight of about 700 lbs. an equivalent 5th whelel would be more like 1500 lbs or more of pin weight.
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Old 06-22-2015, 07:18 PM   #10
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I did for 1 season 2012 F150 4x4 ecoboost , while it pulled ok would not want to pull a long ways with it .So i took the plunge on a 2015 silverado 3500 dually and have not regretted it > that Camper sales said i could pull with no problems and the guys on here explained why they would not , and now i agree
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Old 06-23-2015, 11:37 AM   #11
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Pulling 5th wheel with Ford F150 4x4

I just purchased a Flagstaff Classic Super Lite 5th wheel and I pull it with
a Ford F150 4x4 with 3.5L Ecoboost Engine. It also has the 5 1/2 foot bed.
I just got back from a trip out east and it pulled fine. I did get the slide hitch.
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Old 06-23-2015, 11:41 AM   #12
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We've pulled over 3,500 miles with a 1/2 ton. But be aware that the 1/2 we have was factory built to have a Max tow package. I was told by the dealer you could never expect to buy our build off the lot.
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Old 06-23-2015, 11:49 AM   #13
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Have pulled a 2012 Flagstaff over 40K literally all over the area east of the Mississippi with no problems with my Silverado 1500, 5.3L w/ 3.23 rear end. Going up the mountains, I just get over in the truck lane and go with the flow. Not in any hurry, on flat land, cruise at 60-65.
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Old 06-23-2015, 12:33 PM   #14
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I don't know of many fivers that I would with a one half ton pu, Casita or Scamp. If I was only doing 1 mile like one of the above posters, I would do it. I have tried it, once, you must stop and that is not so easy with a one half ton pu. I also had a fiver that was to be towed with a half ton pu. Not me. Good Luck
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Old 06-23-2015, 03:35 PM   #15
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We had a 2012 RAM 1500 with 5.7 HEMI, 4x2. We towed a 2013 Rockwood 8265ws (29') from Ontario to Arizona and back and a 2014 Rockwood 8282ws (32') from Ontario to Texas and back. Put airbags in coils. Had no problems whatsoever towing it through mountains and hilly countryside. We traded the RAM in for a new 2015 F150 as we now wanted a supercrew and the Ford offered increased towing/carrying capacity. Ford is the only company that actually gives you a towing limit for a 5th wheel, which in the case of my truck is 10,400 lbs. Dry weight of my 8282ws is 7900 lbs. As everyone has already said, look at the weights of the 5th wheels (dry and loaded) and at the capacity of your truck. Leave yourself a safety margin, don't borderline. It's not always what you can tow, but always what you can stop.
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Old 06-23-2015, 03:36 PM   #16
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2010 Ford XLT 4x4 Long Bed HD 5.4 liter

We pull a Prime Time Crusader 270RET just under 8000 lbs. First trip to South Carolina, 2800 miles, second trip to Alaska, 15000 miles, third trip to California, 9800 miles, fourth trip Florida 4,800 miles, no problems except a wheel bearing on the trailer. We ordered the truck from the factory because we wanted the 163 inch wheel base 8 foot bed with heavy duty capability. Cargo load about 2600 lbs with extra leaf spring in rear suspension. Before California trip I added a Helwig rear sway bar which really helped handling.
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Old 06-23-2015, 03:56 PM   #17
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I pull the 8289ws with my F150 SCREW 4x4 and have had no issues the past 3500 miles towing. I did get LT tires and airbags installed on it. I keep the speed limit at 60 - 63 (as recommended with the ST Marathons I have on), and have no issues with hills or stopping. IBC is set at 6.5 and its a comfortable ride. Me and the DW do travel light also. Would I have bought the same F150, probably not, I would have upgraded to the 250 or a diesel just for the extra beef. But over all I am pleased.
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Old 06-23-2015, 04:55 PM   #18
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I wanted to go 5th wheel with my Tundra 5.7 4x4. After exhaustive research I decided against it. The main reason is not so much the amount it will tow, but the axel rating, particularly the rear one. When you attach a hitch and the 5er you're probably exceeding the axel rating. Sure you can do it and I do see it done but it better be a small one so you might be unsafe. As good as the Tundra brakes are as beefy as a 3/4 ton TV.I'm like you, love my Tundra but went with a TT until I see what the new 2016 Tubdra diesel looks like.
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Old 06-23-2015, 05:13 PM   #19
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I had a 2008 dodge 1500 4x4 and pulled a 25 5th with no slides for several years. To LA, FL, PA almost NY and back again to WV where I traded in on the camper I have now. Upgraded to 2500 before buying this camper.


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Old 06-23-2015, 05:28 PM   #20
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I also really wanted a 5r. I have a 1500 GMC with the max tow. Could i have done it yes. After tons of research i decided with a TT. I could go bigger with more of what we wanted. I have a 30ft that weighs in around 7 empty. It pulls it just fine. I get around 11mpg as well.
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