ChuckV1 wrote:
You are correct, truck brakaes stop the truck an trailer brakes stop the trailer, but if you loose the trailer brakes for some reason then you need a larger truck with bigger brakes to slow you down ... If you drive in the mid west there is only rolling hills for the most part, but if you drive in the western United States you would understand you need all the brakes you can get along with an engine brake if possible ...
I will say it point blank, a 1/2 ton pickup no matter what brand will not pull a 5th wheel no matter what the salesman states, it not safe, it will be hard on the truck an you if you go ahead with it...
It's just plan not safe any way you look at it ....
I wish Safe travels but not with a 1/2 pickup trade up to a 3/4 ton
If you loose the trailer brakes, then the only truck that can handle the added braking requirement is one that has a GVWR in excess of the actual loaded weight of truck AND trailer. Not practical, my 11,400 lb GVWR truck could only handle a loaded trailer weight of 3300 lbs. None of us have a truck and trailer combo like you suggest. Which is something much more restrictive that the truck manufacturer's rated GCWR.
While I use a 1 ton now, I have used a 1/2 ton for towing 5th wheels in the past. 14 years, 2 trucks, 3 different 5th wheels and never felt unsafe in any western state. I have certainly towed fifth wheels more miles with a 1/2 ton than I have with a 1 ton.
But having said that, the OP's planned setup is too much IF he will exceed the truck's GCWR or rear GAWR.
