For Experienced 1/2 Ton 5'ers

I'm doing what you want:

2013 Jayco 26.5 RLS, 2012 F-150 Ecoboost
Just got done with a 4,100 mi. trip - Minnesota to Worcester, MA to Bar Harbor, ME and back.

You must get the Max Payload package, in addition to the Max Tow package to be able to handle the pin weight. Apparently many dealers don't realize they are seperate. Mine ended up with a second truck to sell because he didn't know. Check and double check. This means you will also have to get the SuperCrew version - Max Payload not available in the shortest versions (or with some option packages!). 6.5 or 8' box are options, depends on how deep your garage is! My 6.5 fits with a couple of inches to spare.

Combo city/highway to work is about 18 mpg summer, 15.5 winter. Pulling the RV in May, we got 11 mpg going out, 10.4 coming back. Likely due to not respecting the speed limit on the return. 4-5% Intersate grades were no issue - we passed everything that was using the climbing lanes, with power to spare.

We did have to get a riser package put on the Jayco to boost it up. Sides of the truck are pretty high, and could not raise the Reese R16K hitch enough. Trailer was at an angle - not real close to hitting the sides of the bed, but closer than I or the dealer were comfortable with. Side benefit is now we have completely adjustable wheel alignments on the trailer. Cost about $700 to have the dealer do.

Truck did not need any mods - airbags, etc. Perfect as the factory delivered it.

We got the factory installed Sidewinder, so we don't need a slider. Did it to save substantial weight in the bed. Also saves substantial cost over a Pull-Rite! Downside is you have to be dead on straight to the pinbox to hook up - can be very frustrating if you are even a few degrees off. I would prefer something else, expecially with hidden rails, but between cost and/or weight, this is what made sense. Note that I was being very, very "anal" about total payload and rear end weight, and this setup fit the bill in every manner.

Actual sticker weight as delivered was 7,407 - so before liquids or "stuff".

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. This seems to be the perfect solution to the need for a commuter vehicle and a tow vehicle. And for 2 of us (plus 2 dogs) the Jayco was just right.

Of course, now that we have taken delivery, we find out the first grandkid is on the way...so probably should have thought about a bunkhouse.....sigh!

I have been using a f150 for better than 10 years with absolutely no issue. Whatever you buy in the way of 1/2 ton make sure you go with either a max tow package or ford has a heavy duty. By having either of these packages you will have the max payload and tow weight plus the correct rear axle in a 1/2 ton. I currently have a eco boost f150 with max tow package and 4x4, I am pleased with the way it preforms. Payload is 1957 and tow weight is 11,300, my real experience has been very good so far. I would consider staying away from the early eco boost f150 they seem to have had issues in the early models.

I didn't know a 3/4 ton couldn't be used 360 days a year.


By the way that trailer is a perfect setup for a 3/4 ton gasser

Get an F150 with 8200 GVWR option. That pin weight will grow. My dry pin is just 880.

We have an '06 F150 XLT Super Cab with 5.4 L / .373 Rear / 2 wheel drive / towing package. We stuck with a 1/2 ton truck and light 5er as truck was also used as second car (I'm retired now, so truck is pretty much used to tow 5er). Truck is rated at 1680 lbs carrying capacity. We have a TC524DS TrailCruiser with unloaded weight of 4980 lbs(by literature), fully loaded its almost 7000(by scale) (you're looking at a little more weight than us). We've pulled the 5er up and down the east coast, and back and forth to the west coast, through the Appalachian, the Rockies, and up into the Canadian Rockies. Truck and 5er work fine together. If you need to run at 70 up an 8 deg grade, not gonna do it; if you can take it nice and easy, this could work for you.

Regards,
Doug

Go with a 3/4 ton Diesel long bed truck for your immediate and future towing needs. You may move up to a larger trailer in the future and the 3/4 will handle it. The long bed will allow you to add an larger auxillary fuel tank to replace the original tank. A 60 gal. fuel tank gives you a range of 600 to 800 miles driving range, allowing you to pick and choose where you buy fuel and get the best price.

I'm not towing with a 1/2 ton now, but I did tow a 2000 Montana 2955 (GVW around 11,000) with a Chevy 350 short bed and later a Chevy 5.4L short bed. Towed to Alaska and lots of other places - no problems. Unloaded weight was around 9000.