Need Help With My 5th Wheel/Truck
I have a 2015 Ford F150 2.7 eco boost and we bought a Wildcat Light Fifth Wheel. I ask several times over to make sure that we could pull it and were told yes. We just got off the first trip and eve...
Forum Discussion
TerriASelf wrote:
Camper Dry Weight 8147
Truck shows 8500 from what I see.
That poor little truck is way overloaded.
1/2 ton pickups come with a fairly large variety of weight ratings but the 2.7 engine suggests it's one of the lighter duty versions as the heavier duty ones move up to the 3.5 or a V8 (is ford still doing a V8?)
I'm guessing the "wheely" was just the rear end bottoming out leaving the front end pointing up and it felt like a wheely. Actually wheely or not, you are talking about a dangerous situation.
When considering tow vehicles, you need to look at a few factors and if any fail, you are over loaded:
Tow rating: This is the maximum trailer that could theoretically be pulled. It's mostly about having enough horsepower and braking ability. Other considerations often overrule it
GVWR: This is the total weight the truck is supporting. It includes the truck itself, people and cargo in the truck and the pin weight.
CGVWR: This is the total weight of both truck and trailer and anything in them.
RAWR: Rear Axle Weight Rating. This is the amount that can be supported by the rear axle. This includes the pin weight and any cargo that goes on the rear axle. (Front axle rarely is an issue with a 5th wheel but in principal, it should also be within ratings. The rear axle rating needs to consider the tires you have. If you put light duty tires on a heavy duty axle, you will be limited to the weight ratings of the tires.
Fully loaded you are probably looking a 9500-10000lb trailer and 2000-2500lb pin weight. That pin weight is likely way over what your truck is rated to handle...even worse if you have cargo in the truck bed.
You basically have two options:
- Get a more suitable truck. Given the trailer, you are looking at probably moving up to a 3/4 ton at a minimum.
- Get a smaller trailer.
Before doing anything, go online and google tow ratings and read a few articles. It's not rocket science. Most of it is 3rd grade math. If your husband doesn't want to ask, do the research yourself.
