Rockwood ultra lite with 1/2 ton tow vehicle

[Terry104410]

Looking to get an 8288 or alternate able to be towed with half ton truck. Dealers says all are half ton towable. What have you got and towing with? How does it tow on long trips? I'm new to 5ers so help would be great. We also got a couple golden retrievers that will need some open room.

Terry104410

[uhduh camping]

That would depend on what you are towing it with. Could you give some details of TV like payload, GAWR, and GCWR for starters. I think you will find 1\2 ton is not enough.

[itat]

Never believe salesmen on this topic.

The FR website claims a pin weight of 1581# which says to me it'll be closer to 1700# in reality. Then add in the typical 700-1000# of cargo, batteries and propane and the pin weight could easily creep up over 2000#.

Take your 1/2 ton truck to a set of scales to find out what it weighs without the camper but with a full tank and all passengers, and compare that to the door sticker numbers. Unless you have a heavy duty payload package you'll likely be well over the rated payload capacity when you hitch up.

[bikendan]

NEVER believe the dealer or salesman. #1 newbie mistake.

Most 1/2 tons aren't spec'd for most 5th wheels.
Check your truck's payload capacity on the yellow driver's door sticker and start from their.
Most 1/2 tons don't have the payloads capacity for 5th wheel pin weights.

[ov845]

We have a '12 Ram 1500 with max tow pkg. from factory, 10,000 lbs. Payload is only 1200 lbs.
Be careful with your numbers, someone might have to stay home. Just kidding. I wouldn't feel comfortable with that setup.

[Klbrown53]

My two cents worth......

I avoided a 5th wheel not because of the trailer weight but because of the pin weight. The pin weight would have been border line for my pickup and I was just not willing to push it to that point or to add spring support. I also was not ready to replace my pickup. Also remember that you have to include people and cargo as part of your weight figures. I could have snuck by with just my wife and I but add a couple of bikes and a couple of grandkids and I would be over and I personally did not want to max out my tow vehicle. I always want to have extra margin. Yes, the salesman will always tell you it will work because they want to sell the unit.

This being said, there are those out there that are pulling 5ers with a half ton. I believe they usually beef up the suspension but they are doing it.

Good advice above. Look at the capacity for your tow vehicle and compare to the weight of the trailer. Add a couple hundred pounds extra for the pin weight because it is never correct and also make sure you have enough gross capacity with your pickup with your trailer loaded. My gross on ours is well within limits however, factory tongue weight on our pull behind is 960 but it actually weights in excess of 1100 pounds.

Now, the new lighter pickups are rated to carry more so it will be interesting what happens with them in relation to heavier trailers.


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[Terry104410]

I don't have the tv yet. Now Im fine 2500hd 8.1 gas Allison transmission. I wanted to down size to a light weight f150. Being here in the rust belt and it being my main vehicle. Pin weight is the main concern. Anybody towing with the new light weight truck?

RE: 2650

Yes all Rockwood products fall under half-ton towable.



Sales Representative
Chad Sterkenburg
616-432-8644
chad@terrytownrv.com

So as you can see this 2650 has three slides and is half ton towable. Come on really?

[ov845]

Originally Posted by Terry104410

I don't have the tv yet. Now Im fine 2500hd 8.1 gas Allison transmission. I wanted to down size to a light weight f150. Being here in the rust belt and it being my main vehicle. Pin weight is the main concern. Anybody towing with the new light weight truck?

RE: 2650

Yes all Rockwood products fall under half-ton towable.



Sales Representative
Chad Sterkenburg
616-432-8644
chad@terrytownrv.com

So as you can see this 2650 has three slides and is half ton towable. Come on really?

Hitch weight 1300 lbs
Dry weight 7300 lbs

Leave the wife, kids, dogs and gear at home. A 3/4 ton would be better but I like that additional capacity (wife likes to shop) so I would go SRW 1 ton. Just sayin'.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Terry104410

Yes all Rockwood products fall under half-ton towable.

They all say that but it's based only on UVW weight and doesn't account for pin weight. Everyone agrees that with a 1/2 ton pickup, the weakest point is payload capacity.

The new Ford F-150 with aluminum body may have better payload numbers but to be safe you'd really want to get their heavy duty payload option.

[itat]

BTW, if you're looking at the Rockwood 2650WS now, think about how much usable space you want under the awning. On that model with a rear slide on the campground side and a wardrobe slide at the front, IMO it will limit usable space under the awning.

[robertew]

After reading other's replies, I generally pass. I don't disagree with what's been said. I tow a 8289 with a 2013 Eco Boost. I did add air bags to level the trailer, it handles the weight, easily. I do have the Max trailer tow packages. I was surprised when I weighed, at the pin weight, so, took out a bunch of the unnecessary and put necessary heavier stuff, in the back, before snowbirding.

[pontiacdan45]

I have a 8289 with a 3/4 ton GMC gas. My weights are fine. I never considered a 1/2 ton because i wanted the security of a bigger truck. It's usual for people to keep adding stuff to the gear they take. But water and waste are heavy and my concern is not just the numbers on the scale but the max weight rating on the axles and the tires. When people have tire trouble they can be over the ratings for the axels or the tires, or exceeding the max speed posted on the tires. Also you will have the weight of the hitch on the rear axle. As others have said, do the math. Get the actual numbers on both the trailer and the TV and decide.

[Richbald]

Check this site out for your towing capacity.
2016 Ford F-150 Full Size Pickup Truck | Towing Specifications | Ford.com
You can select or order a 1/2-ton truck to pull up to 11,700 pounds.
For example, my 2015 Ford F-150 SuperCab 3.5L EcoBoost V6 4x4 has a 157" wheel base and a 3.55 Axle ratio, max trailer tow package has a GVWR of 7050 pounds, max towing capacity of 11,700 pounds and GCWR of 17,100 pounds.

I believe that the 2016 Ford F-150 has a reinforced bed that is ready for a 5th wheel mount, but since I tow a TT, I'm not the best one to advise you on a 5er. My suggestion is to buy more truck than you need, if you can afford it, but don't overlook the opportunity to order just the truck you need, tailored to your towing load.

[robsshots]

How many times does this have to be asked???

YES, with the right config you can tow an ultralight fiver with the F150 ecoboost.

You must have the heavy duty tow package (larger rad, tranny oil cooler, sway bar, etc), you must have the 3.73 differential (that boosts your towing capacity to 12,000 lbs on the 2016 models. We've been towing our 8280 32' 7800 dry weight fiver going on two years. We've driven the truck 46,000 miles, towed the fiver over 7,000 miles. No hiccups. Up 5% and 6% grades and passing motorhomes. Handled 8% downhill grade as well (7 miles of that craziness.) Still have 70% of my disc pads. Oil clean. Tires fine. Only addition is some Timbren pads under the rear suspension (opted not to put the whole system in as we mainly drive without towing) and that only cost $28 to install by a pro.

You'll hear all kinds of reasons "why not." We are doing it, love our truck, love our fiver. Average towing mpg is 10.5 avg without towing is high teens, average high mpg is 22.5 - 23.0 We have a super crew cab with the 6.5' bed and extended towing mirrors. We've towed it from Ohio to WV to Tennessee to Colorado to Grand Canyon to AZ up the CA coast (including Yosemite) along the Oregon coast, to the Olympic Peninsula, on to Mount Rainier, Glacier, back to Colorado, over to Ohio, then down to Florida for the winter. This summer we are pulling it north to the Great Smokies, PA, upper NY state, Maine, and the Canadian Maritimes.

[James Briar]

Don't ever trust the dealer. If you are going to invest in a camper whether it is a TT or 5er take the time to educate yourself about capacities. Don't ask me how I know. Very hard and expensive lesson.

[bikendan]

Sure some of the newer 1/2 tons can so the ultralight 5th wheels.
BUT it comes down to truck's payload and trailer's pin weight.
That's where most 1/2 trucks fail.

[Blaster 84]

Three year ago we were new to RVing. We purchased an F150 w/Ecoboost and Max Tow Package then purchased a used 8285ws. No problem with weights or power. My weakest point is the axle specifications.
But now we want to upgrade our fiver and our truck will not handle anything that we consider.
Should have gotten a 250. Isn't hind sight wonderful?

[Jeff from Burlington Ont]

I have a F150 pickup with a 3.5 litre ecoboost engine, I ordered the max towing package with the integrated brake controller when I had a jayco hybrid. I added an air bag option to the rear for $500 (installed) from my local truck parts store when I bought a 35ft jayco Eagle 5th wheel with a weight of 9800 lbs. the air bags took my towing capacity from 11500 to 13500 lbs. I as not aware that my tires were only 4 ply for 2 years. When I found out I upgraded the tires to 10 ply michilins. I have towed the trailer for over 30,000 km from Burlington to Florida 3 times, and all around the eastern US with no problems or concerns at all. We have traded in the Jayco and are waiting for a FR Heritage Wildwood 42 ft with a weight of 10,600 lbs to be built and delivered.. We are going to pull the new trailer around Ontario and Quebec in 2016 to see how it goes.

The air bags made a great deal of difference in taking the bounce out of the back of the truck. I pump the 10 ply tires up to 70 lbs when I am towing and that eliminates the tire roll .. With the right small enhancements a 150 should be fine.

[ov845]

Originally Posted by robsshots

How many times does this have to be asked???



YES, with the right config you can tow an ultralight fiver with the F150 ecoboost.



You must have the heavy duty tow package (larger rad, tranny oil cooler, sway bar, etc), you must have the 3.73 differential (that boosts your towing capacity to 12,000 lbs on the 2016 models. We've been towing our 8280 32' 7800 dry weight fiver going on two years. We've driven the truck 46,000 miles, towed the fiver over 7,000 miles. No hiccups. Up 5% and 6% grades and passing motorhomes. Handled 8% downhill grade as well (7 miles of that craziness.) Still have 70% of my disc pads. Oil clean. Tires fine. Only addition is some Timbren pads under the rear suspension (opted not to put the whole system in as we mainly drive without towing) and that only cost $28 to install by a pro.



You'll hear all kinds of reasons "why not." We are doing it, love our truck, love our fiver. Average towing mpg is 10.5 avg without towing is high teens, average high mpg is 22.5 - 23.0 We have a super crew cab with the 6.5' bed and extended towing mirrors. We've towed it from Ohio to WV to Tennessee to Colorado to Grand Canyon to AZ up the CA coast (including Yosemite) along the Oregon coast, to the Olympic Peninsula, on to Mount Rainier, Glacier, back to Colorado, over to Ohio, then down to Florida for the winter. This summer we are pulling it north to the Great Smokies, PA, upper NY state, Maine, and the Canadian Maritimes.

According to the ford towing chart, I'm guessing you're borderline. Payload is approx. 2000 lbs half of which is an empty 5ver. Now add family, food and drinks, all camping gear(chairs,pots and pans, clothes etc.). Still under towing capacity, but at or over on payload.

[ov845]

Originally Posted by Jeff from Burlington Ont

I have a F150 pickup with a 3.5 litre ecoboost engine, I ordered the max towing package with the integrated brake controller when I had a jayco hybrid. I added an air bag option to the rear for $500 (installed) from my local truck parts store when I bought a 35ft jayco Eagle 5th wheel with a weight of 9800 lbs. the air bags took my towing capacity from 11500 to 13500 lbs. I as not aware that my tires were only 4 ply for 2 years. When I found out I upgraded the tires to 10 ply michilins. I have towed the trailer for over 30,000 km from Burlington to Florida 3 times, and all around the eastern US with no problems or concerns at all. We have traded in the Jayco and are waiting for a FR Heritage Wildwood 42 ft with a weight of 10,600 lbs to be built and delivered.. We are going to pull the new trailer around Ontario and Quebec in 2016 to see how it goes.



The air bags made a great deal of difference in taking the bounce out of the back of the truck. I pump the 10 ply tires up to 70 lbs when I am towing and that eliminates the tire roll .. With the right small enhancements a 150 should be fine.

AIR BAGS DO NOT INCREASE TOWING CAPACITY! The manufacturer of the bags will state it will handle up to "x" amount of pounds and doesn't increase capacity. The bags are designed to level and stabilize the tow vehicle while under load or towing. Axles, bearings, frame etc. have tolerances set forth by the manufacturer. Going above suggested tow/haul for the specified vehicle may cause premature wear and/or void any warranty.