A true 1/2 ton fith wheel?

easycamper wrote:

gbopp wrote:
You never see someone complaining because they have too much truck.

You usually don't see people towing fifth wheels with half-tons complaining either.

I tow a fifth wheel with a half ton. Yes there are many fifth wheels that will work with many 1/2 tons, especially the aluminum F-150s. Mine has 2019 pounds of payload. The GM trucks are also good if they have the max trailering package. For some of the big half-ton towables you'd want a F-150 with heavy duty payload package (4800 RAWR).

Modifications don't actually increase your payload rating of course.

I've been towing a fifth wheel with a half ton for 17 years. My father in law did it for many years before that. There used to be a lot more small fifth wheels that worked with the half tons of the day.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the half ton truck towing a 5th wheel. Even with the Aluminum body F150 with 2,019 of payload. Most 1/2 tons have several hundred fewer pounds of available payload because of the steel body. So, using 2,019 pounds of payload as an example, subtract 200 pounds for the hitch, that leaves 1,819. Now subtract your weight and a spouses weight. Lets say that's 350 pounds. Now you're down to 1,469. Now subtract 60 pounds for 25 gallons of gas and you're at 1,409. Now subtract the weight of propane tanks, batteries and camping stuff in the 5th wheel. Most people guestimate they put 700-1,000 pounds in their campers. Lets say the Propane, batteries and gear adds 400 pounds to the pin weight. That leaves 1,009 pounds to work with. Now maybe you have a spray in bed liner or a fold up tonneau cover or a dog and you throw a few camping chairs in the back seat or a few other things. Lets say that all adds up to 150 pounds. Now you're at 859 pounds left before going over available payload. How many 5th wheel campers being sold today have a 859 pound or less dry pin weight? There might be a few very small 5th wheels but the vast majority aren't anywhere near a dry pin weight of 859 pounds. Now imagine it's not a F150 with aluminum body and the available payload is 1,590 pounds like it was when I owned a 2015 F150 with Ecoboost. No way I could tow a 5th wheel and be within specs. I have a sticker on my new Salem Hemisphere that has all the buzz words and stickers. Half ton towable, Ultralight, etc. I tow it with a one ton Ram with 3,900 pounds of available payload. Yes it's more truck than I need but I don't worry about whether I can throw a camp chair in the back seat either.