Non-halfton fifth wheel

I could be wrong but from what I have read  the frame issues have mainly been on larger 5th wheels.  We have a 31' 2017 Reflection by Grand Design and at this writing there have been no frame issues.   We have pulled this 5th wheel across the nation into the Rockies 6 times so it has some miles on it.   There have been other issues but considering how the Interstate system   is such poor condition in many states I'm not surprised at what I've seen on ours and read on the Internet about others.

You are going to be looking at older 5ers with a $20K budget.  Consider a Carriage Cameo prior to 2011.  They made their own frames and were pretty stout.  Also, the build construction of the house was above average.  The furniture construction was a weak area, but will have been replaced by now.

Have a look at the Northwood Arctic Fox Grande Ronde 5th wheels. They build their own frames and are well built.

https://northwoodmfg.com/5th-wheels/arctic-fox-grande-ronde-5th-wheels/

In my opinion it doesn't much matter who makes it or when it was made. They are all hit and miss. With a used one you've got a better chance of the owner having identified and dealt with the problems, at least. Don't buy one that "just needs" anything. It NEVER "just needs" what they're telling you. The seller is always hiding other, possibly worse, problems by feigning ignorance.

Why are you so concerned about "1/2 ton" if you have a DRW 1 ton? It's not like you're going to be "fooled" into buying a "1/2 ton towable" fifth wheel in the size range you're looking at. If you want to be sure, count the lug nuts on one wheel. More than five? It's not 1/2 ton towable. Only exception to that rule is if the trailer has three axles.

1/2 ton is all marketing and mostly false anyway (you can almost never stay in ratings with a 1/2 ton truck). I don't believe they actually design the trailer any differently. 

While your truck can certainly handle something heavier, more weight is more stress on the frame, so it could work against you.

Generally speaking, choose a floorplan, manufacture you like. Keep the total loaded weight of trailer under 20,000 lbs. So a 15-16k total empty weight.

Truck will be fine to around 5000 of pin weight.

Choose your poison.

With a budget your listing. I'll assume used. Look at an Artic Fox my first choice. There are heavier versions, well built lighter ones too

Marty