fifth wheel for 1/2 ton pickups

Check out the new Grand Design Reflections. They just came out with two models specifically designed for heavy 1/2 ton tow vehicles.

I just picked up a Reflection 323BHS model last week, and it's a 2K/12K dry weight model designed where a 3/4 ton can handle it. My 2003 F250 diesel crew cab with rear air bags handled it like a champ.

I ordered my quad slider bunkhouse model with a 12' SuperSofa--dual recliner loveseat flanked by two wall hugger recliners. It's simply the most comfortable seating I've ever sat/laid in.

Grand Design is a new company selling just fifth wheels, and they're well over 2000 units in their first 18 months in business. They're customer driven, and are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the retail market.

My Cougar is "Half Ton" rated. Got the sticker by the door and everything. Has a GVWR of 10,050 lbs. My 3/4 ton truck handles it really well. :)

A properly equipped 1/2 ton could handle it, and since you already own a truck outright, I am certain you can make it work. And in a few years when you've worn out that Tundra, your next truck can be bigger.

You'll find that the "1/2 ton" jargon will mostly refer to the weight of the 5'er. Most are in the 6500-8000lb dry brochure weight, which falls within most 1/2 ton truck tow ratings. What they don't tell you is that, the 6500-8000lbs will be 7500-9000lbs+ when loaded. That makes the pin @20% around 1500-1800lbs. Then add 200+lbs for the 5th hitch as most need a slider and your at 1700-2000lbs on the rear axle. Over all but the highest rated 1/2 tons. They aren't really lying but just stretching the truth a bit since some 1/2 tons can tow them.

It can tow one with it - but you may not be comfortable towing with it in the mountains east or west.

Remember advertized pin weight is much less than the actual.

I bought into the 1/2 ton towable, and while my 1500 Ram did ok locally, as soon as I went into the Smokies, I decided to upgrade to a 2500 mostly for the brakes as I warped a new set of high end front rotors, even down shifting and gradually pumping the brakes to keep my speed in check.
I camped next to a guy that had a 29' Cougar with bunks and a Tundra and was happy to see him leave before me.
If your just camping near by, and no steep grades to have to slow down for you might be ok short term.

late bloomer wrote:
I know that purchasing a fifth wheel usually requires a heavy duty TV. Currently I have a 08 Tundra 5.7. I really like this truck (and it's paid for so that's a bonus), and I have been noticing that some 5th wheels are being targeted as 1/2 ton compatible. Has anyone purchased one of these? I would like some opinions.

If you had one of the three American (actually one of those is Italian) 1/2 ton pickups then there might be a few new 5th wheels (Evergreen makes that claim) that you could tow. Plus there are lighter very old fivers. Tho I'd be really careful to check weights before I believed a salesman.

But Toyota pickups are very deficient in carry weight and that is the prime number that tells you what fiver you can tow. Remember that the hitch along can weigh 200 pounds for a fiver.

When I see posts like this I wonder where people plan to travel.

I live in the West where 6% grades are common, and steeper grades are not unusual. I just spent two months in Sequoia National Park. In order to get an RV into the park you need to negotiate CA 180. There is an 18 mile stretch of 6% before the Park Entrance station. It takes you from about 2000' to 6000'.

Not only do you need to make it up that grade on the way in, but of course you also go down it on the way out. With my F350 Dually I run it in 2nd gear in both directions to minimize brake wear. I'd hate to think what that might do to the tranny and brakes on a 1/2T pulling an overweight load.

Forest River makes a nice light-weight fiver click that I saw in my resort in Florida last winter that I thought was a nicely built fiver for the price and the guy was hauling it with a Tundra, he said he had to beef-up the rear end using Timberens but all in all no problems but he did say he just does week-end warrior trips and wouldn't think of any serious travelling with the truck. I do cringe every time I see someone hauling too much trailer with too little truck and with what they are asking for the bigger pick-up's these days I can understand why someone would want to try using a more inexpensive tow vehicle but it's important to consider that these big trucks have bigger brakes, drive trains and carrying capacity that really equates to safety on the road, the road we all share!

Red Green;
Remember, If it moves and it shouldn't, duck-tape,
if doesn't move and it should,WD40!!