 |
|
12-13-2016, 11:46 AM
|
#1
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Riverton, Utah
Posts: 60
|
5th Wheel With a 5.5' Bed?
We're pulling our 24' Salem Lite with my 1500 Chevy Silverado double cab short bed. We want to look at 5th wheels but my pickup bed is only 5 1/2 feet long. I've heard this can be an issue with tight turns.
1) Can I tow a small 5th wheel?
2) What are the issues and limitations?
3) The cost of the hitch is not a factor if it means I can pull a 5th wheel without much hassle.
Ted
__________________
Ted & Gail
2016 Salem Cruise Lite 201BHXL
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 11:50 AM
|
#2
|
|
Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,136
|
You will need either a Resse revolution/sidewinder pin box and/or a slider hitch with a 5.5' bed. You will be close (but manageable) with your 5.5 box.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:20 PM
|
#3
|
|
Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
|
Having a slider, I'd go with the Revolution/sidewinder......If you're buying new...
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:20 PM
|
#4
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,758
|
Your bigger worry will be finding a 5th wheel with a light enough pin weight for your 1500.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.) 
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:20 PM
|
#5
|
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Burton, MI.
Posts: 4,522
|
Honestly, you need a bigger truck, these smaller 5th wheels might say 1/2 ton towable, but it is real hard on the engine and transmissions
__________________
Scott & Vicki
2018 Silverado 3500HD Dually 6.6L Duramax/Allison
2018 Columbus 366RL 1492 Edition
Camped 2012 19, 2013 110, 2014 129, 2015 97
2016 93, 2017 79, 2018 84, 2019 59, 2020 0,
2021 4 reserved 
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:25 PM
|
#6
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
|
I don't think your bed is your main problem.
Having gone from a similar sized trailer to a 5th wheel, I will strongly predict that you will be selling the 1/2 ton, with or without a new 5th wheel hitch. If there is a 5th wheel trailer small enough for that setup, and there may well be, I've not seen one.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:27 PM
|
#7
|
|
Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
|
Scamp...
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:28 PM
|
#8
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,758
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BandJCarm
If there is a 5th wheel trailer small enough for that setup, and there may well be, I've not seen one.
|
The Escape fiberglass 5th wheels will work with 1/2 tons.
But they are TINY!
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:37 PM
|
#9
|
|
Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
|
Like a teardrop...
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:38 PM
|
#10
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
|
OK, thanks. I learn something daily.
I hear "5th Wheel" and I think Big Honkin'. I will learn.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:54 PM
|
#11
|
|
Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Riverton, Utah
Posts: 60
|
Thanks Everyone,
I guess I need to read up on pin weight. My Chevy has the factory towing package stating 9,000 lbs.
Ted
__________________
Ted & Gail
2016 Salem Cruise Lite 201BHXL
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 12:55 PM
|
#12
|
|
RV Parts Manager
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
|
I recommend buying a pullrite slider hitch. they are the best on the market and made in america. Also be very careful to compare the GVWR to what your trucks max towing weight is.
__________________
Henry Conoly
RV Parts Manager
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:01 PM
|
#13
|
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Midwest
Posts: 12
|
Make sure you're comparing towing capacities correctly, that is your towing package may be 9000#s for a travel trailer and different for a fifth wheel. Lots of numbers and math to be done before you are certain you can pull anything esp a fifth wheel
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:01 PM
|
#14
|
|
Canadian Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Eastern GTA, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,235
|
I was told that you shouldn't put a slider in a 5.5' bed. Don't know if that's 100% true. I'd probably rather have the Reese Revolution/Sidewinder pin box.
I tend to agree with the other posters about the capability of 1/2 tons for pulling 5th wheels. Although lots of FRF members have a 1/2 ton pulling up to 32' 5ers, I wouldn't do it myself. My current 32' TT put my 2009 F-150 CC over its GVWR. I scaled it one time at 600# over the GVWR with all 5 of us onboard and ready to camp, so I opted to upgrade to a gas 3/4 ton. Now I'm well within my limits pulling the TT and it should be fine for a 5er under 10,000# if we choose to upgrade later.
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019 - 2022)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2015 - 2018)
2010 Rockwood Roo 23SS (2012 - 2014)
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:05 PM
|
#15
|
|
Blog: RVroadtripper.com
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Near Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,000
|
Look at the payload value on the door jam sticker. Then subtract 200# to approximately account for the slider hitch weight (sliders are heavy). Next take the payload balance and multiply it by 5, that will be the approx. maximum dry weight 5th for you. My opinion is you will be happier with a light weight travel trailer and a good WDH.
__________________
2016 Wildcat 295RSX - 2015 GMC 2500HD DblCab Duramax/Allison 4x4 Z71 6.6' Bed
Maxxis 235/80/16E; AirBags w/AirLift1; mor/Ryde Rubber Pinbox; Andersen UltimateII Alum. 5erhitch on Reese Flipball w/Curt 4" offset; LCI Ground Control3; King Dishtailgater; Traveling with 10' Portabote;
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:06 PM
|
#16
|
|
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: West Central Ar
Posts: 43
|
5 th wheel w/ 1/2 ton
I had a 7000 lb 5 th wheel pulled it with 1/2 ton ford 4x4 with 5.4 and towing pkg-- no problens ( had a slider) traded up to a 30 ft superlite flagstaff (8010 3 dry wt) 3 slides, still no problems. 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton does not make much difference if you do not have the power for it. a 3/4 ton or 1 ton for that matter is no more powerful than a 1/2 ton with the same engine- diff transmissions will give you more torque. tire load is the other key. you can always add overload spring if squatting becomes an issue.
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:14 PM
|
#17
|
|
RV Parts Manager
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by itat
I was told that you shouldn't put a slider in a 5.5' bed. Don't know if that's 100% true. I'd probably rather have the Reese Revolution/Sidewinder pin box.
I tend to agree with the other posters about the capability of 1/2 tons for pulling 5th wheels. Although lots of FRF members have a 1/2 ton pulling up to 32' 5ers, I wouldn't do it myself. My current 32' TT put my 2009 F-150 CC over its GVWR. I scaled it one time at 600# over the GVWR with all 5 of us onboard and ready to camp, so I opted to upgrade to a gas 3/4 ton. Now I'm well within my limits pulling the TT and it should be fine for a 5er under 10,000# if we choose to upgrade later.
|
The pullrite systems work very well with 5.5' beds
__________________
Henry Conoly
RV Parts Manager
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:17 PM
|
#18
|
|
Left Coast
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: vancouver,washington
Posts: 15,649
|
Brake size is a 'mater'.....if you leave the flatlands...
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:19 PM
|
#19
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 3,275
|
Wait, I have to get more popcorn!
WW
__________________
Hyper Lite was sold
2017 F-250 4x4 6.2L Gas
I can't fix everything, but I can make it so nobody else can
|
|
|
|
|
12-13-2016, 01:21 PM
|
#20
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Zephyrhills, FL
Posts: 176
|
Don't believe this for a minute. I have towed with my package (see signature) for over 12,000 miles without the first problem. And the beauty is when I'm not towing I have a very comfortable vehicle to drive that doesn't feel like I'm driving a truck. This is the worse site in the world to tell anyone you are towing with a 1/2 ton truck. They will always tell you that you don't have enough truck. As to your situation with the 5 1/2 foot bed I would go with the slider and chances are you will rarely need to pull the pin. Enjoy towing whatever you buy.
__________________
Richard Charron
Zephyrhills, FL
2015 Ford F150 Eco Boost
2016 Coachmen Chaparral Lite 29MKS
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Thread Tools |
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
