Hello:We are about to make a purchase for a fifth wheel that we can pull with our pick up.Here are the stats on our pickup: 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 with max trailering package which includes vortec 6.2L-V8 SFI engine, 6 speed auto trans., heavy duty trailering axle. Towing capacity 10,000 lbs and payload capacity 1787 lbs. We are looking at two Cougar X-Lite fifth wheels:1. Cougar 28SGS7561 Dry Weight2439 Carrying Capacity1410 Hitch weight2. Cougar 29 RET7825 Dry Weight2175 Carrying Capacity1275 Hitch WeightIs our tow vehicle adequate for these two units.Look forward to your comments and suggestions.Larry

Not thinking that either one of these will work. Problem is your 1780 truck payload.With hitch installed and with a trip loaded trailer you will most likely be over that payload rating.Sorry. I know this is not what you wanted to hear. Hopefully others will give you a more positive answer.

#1 is likely going to have a real-world hitch weight of 1,867 poundsEstimated pin weight for Cougar 28SGS#2 is likely going to have a real-world hitch weight of 1,800 poundsEstimated pin weight for Cougar 29RETWith your truck's payload capacity 1787 lbs., that doesn't include anything in the truck other than full fluids. You have to deduct the weight of the driver, all passenger(s), the fifth wheel hitch, anything in/on the truck (rolltop cover, nerf bars, firewood, cooler, EZ up, etc.) or any travel comforts in the cab (GPS, laptop, activities, food/snacks, drinks, etc.). Use this calculator for estimating the amount of actual payload that you have.People do it, but it's not for me. I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I'm exceeding my payload with pin alone.

LarryDel wrote:Hello:We are about to make a purchase for a fifth wheel that we can pull with our pick up.Here are the stats on our pickup: 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 with max trailering package which includes vortec 6.2L-V8 SFI engine, 6 speed auto trans., heavy duty trailering axle. Towing capacity 10,000 lbs and payload capacity 1787 lbs. We are looking at two Cougar X-Lite fifth wheels:1. Cougar 28SGS7561 Dry Weight2439 Carrying Capacity1410 Hitch weight2. Cougar 29 RET7825 Dry Weight2175 Carrying Capacity1275 Hitch WeightIs our tow vehicle adequate for these two units.Look forward to your comments and suggestions.Larry1,787 - 1,275 = 512# starting remaining payload, WITHOUT, hitch, DW, (Kids?), food, cloths, pots pans,battery, and propane etc. Sorry you will be over your GVWR, not a good plan with a 1500!

When I bought my 5th, which is 1/2 ton towable, I had an '07 RAM 1500 with the complete tow package. It was similar in numbers and on paper I had just enough capacity. I weighted and found I was #600 over on the rear axle.I traded up to a 2500 because I wanted the ability to carry more in the bed, plus bigger and better brakes. I was feeling the weight coming down Rt 81 and across Rt 40 in Tennessee. If you're just running along the east coast, it'll work, but if you want to head west, you'll probably find it lacking in stopping power.

Not likely. Even the 29 RET is going to have about 1700 on the pin when it's fully loaded. Then you have to add to that the weight of passengers & other stuff that you carry in the truck which will put you over the payload rating.There are definitely are 5th wheels out there that you can pull with your truck

Is half-ton truck big enough for a lite weight fifth wheel?

72 Replies

ependydad
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
#1 is likely going to have a real-world hitch weight of 1,867 pounds
Estimated pin weight for Cougar 28SGS

#2 is likely going to have a real-world hitch weight of 1,800 pounds
Estimated pin weight for Cougar 29RET

With your truck's payload capacity 1787 lbs., that doesn't include anything in the truck other than full fluids. You have to deduct the weight of the driver, all passenger(s), the fifth wheel hitch, anything in/on the truck (rolltop cover, nerf bars, firewood, cooler, EZ up, etc.) or any travel comforts in the cab (GPS, laptop, activities, food/snacks, drinks, etc.). Use this calculator for estimating the amount of actual payload that you have.

People do it, but it's not for me. I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I'm exceeding my payload with pin alone.
downtheroad
Explorer
Mar 18, 2014
Not thinking that either one of these will work. Problem is your 1780 truck payload.

With hitch installed and with a trip loaded trailer you will most likely be over that payload rating.

Sorry. I know this is not what you wanted to hear. Hopefully others will give you a more positive answer.

Forum Discussion

Is half-ton truck big enough for a lite weight fifth wheel?

72 Replies

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Half ton towing

Half ton towing

Pulling with half ton!

5th wheel & Half-ton TV Thoughts

Half-ton toad