Hey guys,I have a co-worker that I have talked to till I am blue in the face. I normally don't consider myself to be one of the weight police but this is just crazy.He just purchased a 2013 Sprinter 333FWFLS. It's a beautiful 5er. Some of the specs. Empty weight is 9598. Gross weight is 12750. Empty pin is 2045. Length is 37'5".Again it's a beautiful 5er. Now here is the kicker. His tow vehicle is a 2011 F150, standard cab, 8 foot bed, 5.0L V8 with a 3.55 rear end. How can I convince him that he doesn't have enough truck. Dealer of course said it would be fine. He hasn't picked it up yet but I told him he will be truck shopping soon if he tries to tow it with the F150. I have told him about this site and encouraged him to check things out here so maybe he will read and listen to some opinions other than mine. Thanks, John

Some people you can't convince. He will convince himself the first time he tows it.

since you have adequately warned him and in spite of that has purchased this combination, you have done your part. Just don't ride with him anywhere.bumpy

It will probably bottom the truck out on the springs as soon as he hooks it up. Just let him find out himself.

The first time he hooks up, and sits in his truck looking up in the sky he will know you were right

Take him, his truck and his 5th wheel to the top of a 6% grade (at least 10 miles long) and have him go down it. By the time he reaches the bottom he will know he has too little truck. The smoking brakes will be a dead give a way.

Opinions wanted. | Good Sam Community

laknox
Nomad
May 10, 2013
Trackrig wrote:
To the OP,

Ask your friend to have the dealer sign a statement that it's safe and legal to tow the new trailer with his existing truck. I'll bet $10 the dealer won't sign it.

Bill

Exactly my first thought, too, Bill.

Lyle
silvercorvette
Explorer
May 10, 2013
He has more truck than he needs, just ask the guy in the picture
Hamops
Explorer
May 10, 2013
OH48Lt wrote:
No problem on the frame,

I'm not so sure about that. When we were in Lubbock TX last month, a Ford F150, pulling about a 28 foot Cougar 5vr, passed me on the interstate. It was bouncing pretty badly and as it passed, I noticed that the frame was flexing enough that the top of the truck box was moving about an inch or more to and from the truck cab. The lady who was driving, was totally oblivious of the situation as she drove down the interstate at more than 70mph.
sue_t
Explorer
May 09, 2013
The OP likes the fifth wheel ... might be able to buy it soon at a good price!

We purchased our 25' fifth wheel with a GVWR of 7,000 lbs from a family that bought it new, used it a couple of times, and then sold it. When I asked why they were selling, the fellow told me he had scared the pants off himself a few times pulling it with their half-ton. So he wanted something smaller. So we got a nearly new, hardly used fifth wheel for half the price of new.

We tow it with our F-250 7.3L PSD 4x4 ... perfect match most of the time. But if we load the truck up with the kayaks and trials bike, the truck is about 300 lbs over its GVWR. Hasn't presented an issue though.

Although there was the time we were descending 7-11% grades over 14 km (9 miles) in B.C.'s mountains ...the trailer brakes overheated & failed. We were glad the truck had disk brakes all around. Truck brakes were also smoking near the end but the truck managed the last 5 km leg of 15% grade downhill as we crept down and around the hairpin turns while holding our breath.
deleted-2
Explorer
May 09, 2013
Kind of neat-o set-up being a front living room.
The Keystone site states "at it's weight easily towable with a 3\4 ton truck"

At 37 feet IMO the half ton regular cab will be a safety challenge.
The F-150 is definitely undersized for this trailer.

Maybe the guy is pulling a fast one on the spouse to force a new truck into the picture :)
Slownsy
Explorer
May 09, 2013
The problem is that som people hawe not figured out that ther are no 1/2 ton trucks ETC. Ther are 150 250 and 350. My F250 extrecab 4+4 8' bed has over 3000lb payload.
2008Wildcat
Explorer
May 08, 2013
michaelman501 wrote:
This guy must be crazy! That fifth wheel is 1 ton dually territory!

No, it is not.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
May 08, 2013
Tell him to get the Salesman to put it in writing that the combo will be okay. When the salesman won't do it there is your answer!
sele
Explorer
May 08, 2013
Waitin2Retire wrote:
So as someone that may want a 5er in the future where do I go to find what truck can tow what size 5er? Are going full time or part time? Will therebe just you and dw or an entire family. DEcide some of these issues then go to specs page on any vechile website. Allthese issues have do due with payload and just the begining of your research good luc

Greg
Slownsy
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Greg go to manufactures site or wisit dealers and look at yellow door sticker for payload and in hand book for how much it is allowed to tow trailer or FW.