How can I calculate what size 5th wheel I can tow?

Look at Jayco.com and under fifth wheels. They list the trucks that can pull their lightweights. I'm looking at a new 30+ footer that can be pulled by a F150 or ram or chev 1500.Not that I have one but they do make some lighter 5er's that can be pulled by a half ton. I need another bedroom and the lighter one gives me that and maybe more mpg.

Have you looked I your owners manual? I Have an older 250 and the manual is quite explicit on all of the different size trucks, gear ratios, engines, body stiles and kind of trailers 5TH and TT. Listing the maximum weights of each class.

F250........12,000# GVW 5vr not a 13,000# 'dry' weight 5vr

ChiefJBJ wrote:
Can I tow it or not. I am somewhat new at 5th wheel camping. I need help from an unbiased opinion. When you talk to a salesman you get one answer and even the Ford dealers tell me different numbers. Is there a calculation form/sheet that is definative?

TV is a 2012 F250 crew cab,4x4,SWB, Turbo Diesel 6.7, 355 gears,airbags. GVWR 10000#lb,FRT GAWR 5200#lb,Rear GAWR 6100#lb.

5th wheel info, Heartland Keylargo, Dry weight 13014#lb, Cargo not to exceed 3185#lb, GVWR/PNBV 16250#lb, GAWR/PNB (each axle) 7000#lb.

Can someone tell me how to figure what my truck can pull? Ford said I can pull this as well as the dealer. I am not sure.
Please Help.

The quick answer is, well not within ratings!

While my 2001, doesn't have the GVWR you have I tow close to that! My axle ratings are almost the same as yours front 5,200 rear 6,084. My 5er weighs 11,000# WET, so you will be over GVWR, and Likely over rear axles rating, and if so over the tire rating. My truck came stock with 265/75-16R E rated tires 3,415# per tire rating, standard for it was 245/75-16r E rated at 3,042# per tire.

This is a very good site for weight calculations. Fifth Wheel St.

Most of the weight added to that new 5th wheel will be in the basement. That means in front of the axle, which means added to the pin weight. That 6,100 lbs the tires can carry will quickly be exceeded.

The trailer you list is in dually territory.

Trucks GVWR rating from the drivers door post minus your actual ready to camp scaled weight will give you the real world payload without exceeding the manufacturers rating. Again in the real world a typical fifth wheel will have a pin weight between 18 and 25% of it's actual loaded ready to travel weight. Since that number is fluid and subject to change on any given day. Most people base pin weight at 20% of a trailers GVWR. You my never actually see the trailers GVWR on a typical trip, but you will always error on the side of caution. Which is a good thing.

OR, you can do like a lot of folks and go buy what you want, load it to the gunnels and go camping blissfully ignorant until something serious happens like a blown tire which could cause all sorts of problems besides the damage to your trailer.

Your choice!

Just ask. Lots of experts on this forum.

You will not have enough payload. If you add 1,500 pounds to the dry weight. This is easy to do. You will have a 2,902# pin weight at 20%. This does not include the hitch or any passengers or stuff. I would prefer to be able to use all ccc my 5er can give without overloading the TV. This 5er fully loaded at 16,000 pounds is in dually territory for me.

This link should help:

5th Wheel Weight Calculator