Ford 150 ??

Yes buy a 250/2500 for 5th wheel

Most have enough engine to "tow" it but more importantly you need the payload rating and axles to "carry" it. You need enough payload to handle the loaded pin weight, hitch weight, gear and all passengers added to the truck. You will likely need the rare max tow, max payload package F150 to do it within the numbers.

Usually better off going straight to an F250.

find the trailer you want first, then buy the truck. Most likely once you start looking youll find something that might require a 1 ton truck for the cargo capacity.

Follow 1jeep's recommendation....buy or select the camper first. Then you can properly size the TV.

The average F150 will be severely limited to handle the 5th wheel pin weight.
If you're serious about towing a small 5th wheel look for lightly loaded models like an XL or XLT Super Cab with the 6.5" bed.
Try and find one with at least 1800lbs for payload cargo rating. A 25' 5th wheel will be hard to find. JMO but if you already own or are adamantly set on an F150 I'd look for a travel trailer near that length.

Back to the OP. They do make smaller lightweight 5th wheels you just need to find one that works for you. Keystone has one called the Couger Half-Ton that will work depending on your truck.


Most people here will tell you to get a new truck. That's fine if you are able to but if you want to keep your truck, you need to know what your trucks towing capacities are and then look for a trailer that will fit that. Since you didn't post anything about your truck there is no way of knowing what you can handle.

Another thing to be aware of is your bed length. If you have a short bed you will get close to the cab with the front cap of the camper when you turn tight.

Good luck.

supercub wrote:
I'm just looking into possibly buying a small 5th trailer, under 25' in length. I know weight is a major consideration. Will a Ford 150 tow a small 5th wheel? if so, any recommendation on engine size (gas). Thanks
Brian

OP, looking at your current profile, you don't currently own the F150, so that is a plus.

There are several advertised 1/2 ton 5er's out there, that can't be carried by all 1/2 tons, but can be carried by some.

If you first shop for the 5er and find one with a GVWR less than 10,000# and a dry weight in the 7,500# range, you could fit within the numbers of a Max/Max F150 with EcoBoost engine.

The sad part is due to the size and empty weight of F250, that they don't have a whole bunch more payload than the Max/Max F150.

Most that I have seen look quite stable and the 5er they were carrying was a reasonable size.

Carrying/pull a 5er with an F150, is better then pulling a long TT, as the tail can't wag the dog as easily.

If your sticking with a F150/1500 pickup, you can tow a bigger TT than 5th wheel with any given truck.

My '17 F150 ecoboost in Lariat trim has an 1800 lb payload. I have max tow, as well as airbags.
There are many small fivers around but some have high pin weights:

Grand Design 29rs which is what I have. UVW 8515 lbs, pin weight 1498 lbs
Grand Design has a new 230rl 1/2 ton towable, UVW is 6895 lbs, hitch is 1195 lbs,
Northwood Manufacturing Fox Mountain 235rls UVW 5860 lbs, pin weight 1375 lbs
Jayco Eagle HT 24.5ckts UVW is 7400lbs, pin is 1285 lbs
Rockwood 2440WS UVW is 6741 lbs, pin is 1134 lbs
Keystone Cougar XLite 25res UVW is 7035 lbs, pin is 1405 lbs
Cougar XLite 26rls is very similar as is 27rks.
Also look at the Cougar Half tons, 268rlswe, 279rkswe, 264rlswe

troubledwaters wrote:
If your sticking with a F150/1500 pickup, you can tow a bigger TT than 5th wheel with any given truck.

True, but a 5er will be a NATURALLY more stable tow, and will tow shorter for the same size.