Heavy half pickup

CKNSLS wrote:
To the OP-

You will never have anyone on this forum OK a half-ton for ANY TOWING NEEDS.

File it under "it's not gonna happen!"

I would pull ANY 10,000 GVWR 5th with an 8200 GVWR F150.

CKNSLS wrote:
To the OP-

You will never have anyone on this forum OK a half-ton for ANY TOWING NEEDS.

File it under "it's not gonna happen!"

I towed my boat with one. Zero problems.

I hearby ok a half ton for your towing needs.

No really. Get the right tool for the job. Sounds like 3/4 or better would suit you fine.

jus2shy wrote:
It's seldom the engine that's the problem with towing now a days

It certainly is the problem when talking about 1/2 ton trucks and a 10,000 lb fifth wheel.

The F150 does offer a 6.2L gasser thats certainly strong but it's a $3500 add on to an already upper end expensive 1/2 ton truck. Might as well opt for a 3/4 ton diesel and be done.

Dodge offers the 5.7L Hemi. Way to weak for such a 5th.

GM offers the 5.3L, again way to weak.

To the OP-

You will never have anyone on this forum OK a half-ton for ANY TOWING NEEDS.

File it under "it's not gonna happen!"

If you plan on any travel with grades you need a 3/4...I have been there with a 1/2 and a fiver lighter then you are planning and in mountain areas it does NOT DO THE JOB... and upgraded as soon as I could

It's seldom the engine that's the problem with towing now a days, it's really more about payload and braking power. The heavy halfs from Ford can handle quite a bit of payload, I think they have a GVWR of around 8200 lbs or so, which is roughly 2300 lbs of payload. You will be close with a heavy half and your average 10k fiver. 3/4 will buy you some payload breathing room and typically have most of the same hardware as the 1 ton trucks. But if you're concerned about physical TV size, my 1-ton RAM 3500 pickup is actually a few inches shorter and narrower than my 2010 F-150 was with similar configuration (Crew Cab Short Bed 4x4.

# of posts doesn't determine the 1/2 ton truck specs on how much weight it can carry and how much it can pull.
There are 1/2 ton trucks out here that can tow a 10k 5th wheel trailer. Their going to be slow on the road pulling 10k so you may not like the hassle.

The new or used F150 HD regular cab 2wd Ecoboost or 5.0 engine has a 8200 GVWR with 4800 lb RAWR E tires and wheels and has a 10k tow rating. If you want a crew cab or super cab your payload and tow rating and ability gets smaller.

The new GM and Rams 1/2 tons simply don't have the rear axle capacity to carry 1800-2000 lbs of pin weight from a 10k trailer. However....

The used '00-'06 1500HD GM 6.0 engione 4l80E tranny and has a 8600 GVWR with 6084 RAWR E tires and wheels with a 3000+ payload and over a 10k tow rating.

And the used 1500 Mega Cab Dodge trucks have a 8510 GVWR with 6000 RAWR Hemi 3.92 gears E tires and wheels. This truck sits on the 2500 frame and has the same brake system.

I don't think you will enjoy pulling performance a 10k trailer with a smallblock gas engine in a 1/2 ton truck especially in the hills or high wind parts of the country.

Personally I would be looking for a 3/4 ton truck.
If used look at the 8.1 GM gas engine or Fords V10 engine in the used trucks as they don't make those towing beasts gas hogs anymore OR...
A new or used diesel. If used beware Fords 6.0 diesel engine.

spell check Jim

I'll chime in and also recommend a 3\4 ton or larger with a V8 or diesel motor and automatic transmission.

Thing is:
Everyone grows into their RVing lifestyle\preference.
Our fiver weighs in at 10300# (est) dry.
Couldn't imagine pulling it with anything less that what we own now.

Try not to cheat yourselves for future needs.

mileshuff wrote:
Even if the trucks suspension, frame, axles etc. can all handle 10,000lbs I don't feel any of the 1/2 tons have a large enough engine to do so without a major struggle.

I guess you have NOT kept up on ½t truck engines. My Chevrolet has 400+HP and 415+ torque. It is rated to tow 10.5K trailers and we tow a 10K trailer out here in the mountains of the west with NO problems...NO, you do NOT need a F550 to tow a 10K trailer.