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Captn_trvl's avatar
Captn_trvl
Explorer
Jan 13, 2019

5th wheels on pismo

We are looking to purchase a 5th wheel with 15k max load weight. We’ve always taken out travel trailer to pismo and now I’m worried we might not be able to bring the 5th wheel if it’s too heavy for sand.We tow with an F250. Any thoughts
  • We just looked at our truck details and total tow capacity is 27,500
    Payload for single rear wheel is 3480. It’s a 2018

    Does that indicate anything more? Thanks for the info too. I’m learning as we go
  • Captn_trvl wrote:
    Perhaps I didnt give the right info - my husband knows all that technical stuff so keep that in mind. I’m just asking to get an idea. just looked at the specs of what we want and am trying to foresee if we’ll need to give up one of our favorite vacations if I want to upgrade to a luxury unit. Why wouldn’t a diesel f250 be able to tow this?

    12,362 lbs.
    GVWR
    14,495 lbs.
    Hitch Weight
    2,496 lbs.


    Towing a fifth wheel is NEVER the issue. Load carrying capacity is.
    If you bought that fiver, and if it once loaded with stuff weighs 14,000 then you will have at minimum 2800 pounds of hitch weight. Depending on your trucks year you could have a true load carrying capacity close to 2000 pounds. In other words your truck could be overloaded around a thousand pounds before you fill the fuel tank, load your personal stuff, or add anything above and beyond a 150 pound driver. That means you get to go, but hubby would have to stay home.

    Never look at dry or brochure weight and think you have things covered. No one will ever travel with a dry trailer. You always want to consider worst case. Do you have enough truck to handle worst case?
  • Perhaps I didnt give the right info - my husband knows all that technical stuff so keep that in mind. I’m just asking to get an idea. just looked at the specs of what we want and am trying to foresee if we’ll need to give up one of our favorite vacations if I want to upgrade to a luxury unit. Why wouldn’t a diesel f250 be able to tow this?

    12,362 lbs.
    GVWR
    14,495 lbs.
    Hitch Weight
    2,496 lbs.
  • donn0128 wrote:
    You have a F250 and want,to tow a 15K fiver? I think you have way more to worry about that trying to get it on the sand.


    Took the words right out of my mouth!!! But hey a set of bags n 19.5's will get er dun.
  • X2 on Don’s comment, and some days yes and some days no. Depends on the sand, depth of the creek and the driver.
  • You have a F250 and want,to tow a 15K fiver? I think you have way more to worry about that trying to get it on the sand.
  • A FW will carry 20-25 percent of it's weight on the truck, compared to a TT that has 10-13 percent on the truck. How heavy is your TT, and how is that working for you in the sand?

    Jerry