Hi all. Been lurking for a couple of years and researching 5vers and TTs. Probably looking to buy sometime this year. This will be my first towing experience and my girlfriend and I will use it primarily for extended weekend type trips.I'm looking for suggestions for light 5vers. My tow vehicle is a 2015 F250 6.7L Diesel. Payload will be a limiting factor since it is SRW. I weighed the truck with a full tank and 2 passengers, came in at 8,350. At GVWR of 10,000, that leaves me about 1650 left for kingpin weight and hitch. The truck came with the fifth wheel prep package.I've been looking at Jayco Eagle HT and Keystone Cougar XLites. Have seen some with hitch weights in the 1200lb dry range, and there are dealers close by which is nice. Any thoughts on these or others that I should consider?Thanks all!

Another option is the Open Range Lite series. We have a OR Roamer and really like the fit and finish.

That is a very capable truck. The heavy diesel engine is using up a lot of payload, if you stay under your GVWR. I would not buy a FW, that is too small, just to stay under 10,000 lbs. GVWR.With much of the truck weight up front, I'd be looking at staying under the RAWR, and tire max rating.You don't want a 40' FW, but you can easily handle most midsize FWs IMO.Jerry

I will definitely check out the Open Range, thanks.I was wondering about the RAWR. Sticker shows 6100 max. The scales put it at 3420 total with two pax and full tank of diesel....

MFL wrote:That is a very capable truck. The heavy diesel engine is using up a lot of payload, if you stay under your GVWR. I would not buy a FW, that is too small, just to stay under 10,000 lbs. GVWR.With much of the truck weight up front, I'd be looking at staying under the RAWR, and tire max rating.You don't want a 40' FW, but you can easily handle most midsize FWs IMO.JerryAfter reading the OP and scrolling to think about how to phrase my post this is pretty much it. You should always stay within the manufacturer's numbers. If you were ever to get right up to or go a little over on them this would be the truck to do it with. A 2500 with a diesel has plenty of power so that's no issue at all. With most brands beefing up the rear suspension essentially makes the truck a 3500. Assuming the standard issue 2500 series tires you won't be anywhere near the axle maximum.

We just bought a 23' model 219 RKS Idle Time that was built for us by Allen Camper Mfg in Allen OK. The spec sheet is found here. Scroll down to the 5th wheel specs and click to enlarge. Here are pictures.We leave for our first long trip Monday.

Light 5th Wheels | Good Sam Community

48 Replies

laknox
Nomad
Jul 21, 2015
ToneDog wrote:
Hi all. Been lurking for a couple of years and researching 5vers and TTs. Probably looking to buy sometime this year. This will be my first towing experience and my girlfriend and I will use it primarily for extended weekend type trips.

I'm looking for suggestions for light 5vers. My tow vehicle is a 2015 F250 6.7L Diesel. Payload will be a limiting factor since it is SRW. I weighed the truck with a full tank and 2 passengers, came in at 8,350. At GVWR of 10,000, that leaves me about 1650 left for kingpin weight and hitch. The truck came with the fifth wheel prep package.

I've been looking at Jayco Eagle HT and Keystone Cougar XLites. Have seen some with hitch weights in the 1200lb dry range, and there are dealers close by which is nice. Any thoughts on these or others that I should consider?

Thanks all!

Another FW to consider, if you want to spend a bit more, is the KZ Durango 1500 line.

Lyle
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2015
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Find a FW with a GVWR of 12K or less that you like....

Enjoy the future camping trips!!

X2 !
Maybe just a bit over 12,000# GVWR, ours is 12,360# and our 15 year old 284,000 mile Ram/cummins does great!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jul 21, 2015
Find a FW with a GVWR of 12K or less that you like....

Enjoy the future camping trips!!
magic43
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
We just bought a 23' model 219 RKS Idle Time that was built for us by Allen Camper Mfg in Allen OK. The spec sheet is found here. Scroll down to the 5th wheel specs and click to enlarge. Here are pictures.

We leave for our first long trip Monday.
mtofell1
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
MFL wrote:
That is a very capable truck. The heavy diesel engine is using up a lot of payload, if you stay under your GVWR.

I would not buy a FW, that is too small, just to stay under 10,000 lbs. GVWR.
With much of the truck weight up front, I'd be looking at staying under the RAWR, and tire max rating.

You don't want a 40' FW, but you can easily handle most midsize FWs IMO.

Jerry

After reading the OP and scrolling to think about how to phrase my post this is pretty much it. You should always stay within the manufacturer's numbers. If you were ever to get right up to or go a little over on them this would be the truck to do it with. A 2500 with a diesel has plenty of power so that's no issue at all. With most brands beefing up the rear suspension essentially makes the truck a 3500. Assuming the standard issue 2500 series tires you won't be anywhere near the axle maximum.
ToneDog
Explorer
Jul 21, 2015
I will definitely check out the Open Range, thanks.

I was wondering about the RAWR. Sticker shows 6100 max. The scales put it at 3420 total with two pax and full tank of diesel....
MFL
Nomad II
Jul 21, 2015
That is a very capable truck. The heavy diesel engine is using up a lot of payload, if you stay under your GVWR.

I would not buy a FW, that is too small, just to stay under 10,000 lbs. GVWR.
With much of the truck weight up front, I'd be looking at staying under the RAWR, and tire max rating.

You don't want a 40' FW, but you can easily handle most midsize FWs IMO.

Jerry
4huskers
Explorer
Jul 20, 2015
Another option is the Open Range Lite series. We have a OR Roamer and really like the fit and finish.

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