Tow vehicle question

Thats_Ok wrote:

SultanGris wrote:
Ford half tons pull great, they are built to pull and haul. Mine Doesnt even squat! I wouldn't try it with any other make though unless it was really light.

Not to DA here,
Are those wheels tough enough for the weight the truck is handling?

I had an aluminum spoked wheel crack and fail after towing a Bobcat on a steel trailer with a previous Ford pick-up.

, they are actually rated higher than the stock rims. I just got the trailer this year but have pulled it about 500 miles so far with no issues, even hitting potholes. My 5er is only around 7500 pounds I think, forget exactly.

SultanGris wrote:
Ford half tons pull great, they are built to pull and haul. Mine Doesnt even squat! I wouldn't try it with any other make though unless it was really light.

Not to DA here,
Are those wheels tough enough for the weight the truck is handling?

I had an aluminum spoked wheel crack and fail after towing a Bobcat on a steel trailer with a previous Ford pick-up.

Ford half tons pull great, they are built to pull and haul. Mine Doesnt even squat! I wouldn't try it with any other make though unless it was really light.

Buck50HD wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

mark5w wrote:
Picture says it all. nuff said.

That is right lets look at the real picture of your 5er/F150 combination with the landing gear DOWN, heck I could do that with my 2500 and 40' DVR also!!

Well, since he's reluctant to post a pic, here's how my Stock F150HD handles weight in the bed. We have nearly the identical truck.

2000 lbs


~2700 lbs


So, if you ever see an F150HD sitting lower than level, he is severely overloaded! When at or below 8200GVWR/4800RAWR, it handles and looks great. No air bags or helpers. The first pic would be a few hundred under RAWR and right at GVWR with just a driver on my truck.

I have to chuckle when I think back to my 08 GMC sitting level with an 800 lb Sportsman 500 in the back and roll all over. Not all 1/2 tons are created equal.

Here they are:

With landing gear down:


With landing gear up:

I think this is a debate that will be here forever, as long as the weights are good and done safely to each his own. I have been using a f150 ten years and have had no issue as of yet. The only add on was a set of timbrens on the 04 f150. Can we really ever find enough argument to really change another persons mind. I for one am happy with my tv and welcome any questions from anyone that is interested. Will I change my mind no

valhalla360 wrote:

Jim-Linda wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
By the time you upgrade a bunch of stuff, it would be cheaper to sell and buy a 3/4 ton and it will do a better job int he long run compared to a cobbled together system. And don't forget the things that will break sooner because they are being over stressed.

On a side note: I have come across a few 30-35' 5th wheels towed by full semi-tractors, so yes, you can go overkill.

You might want to go to the HDT thread on the Escapee forum and get a little insight on why some prefer to tow with a TRUCK, just saying.

Jim

I'm talking full interstate semi-tractors, not the medium duty trucks. And they weren't pulling monster overbuilt 5ers, just your standard run of the mill variety.



I have no doubt, they tow very well but it's clearly overkill.

So ? overkill illegal? besides its cheaper.

hmknightnc wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:

206 Cowboy wrote:
I am purchasing a new Wildwood fifth wheeler and plan on towing with an F-150 Ford. Please advise as to pros and cons, and also how to outfit the tow rig as to powertrain, suspension (factory and aftermarket)products.

Check the payload capacity of the truck you are looking at and compare it to the LOADED pin weight of the trailer plus occupants of the truck plus weight of the hitch plus any other "stuff" you load in the truck.
Chances are MOST F150s are not going to have the PAYLOAD capacity for anything but the smallest fiver.
As the tongue weight of a TT is a lot lower than the fiver pin weight, you can TOW a lot more TT than you can CARRY a fiver.

x2

I do have a 30ft 5th wheel behind my F150 and I'm still within limit (even on RAWR and GVWR) so it is possible and safe when done properly. Unfortunately, most people don't do it the right way and will hook a 5th wheel with 1600lbs pin wheight in a truck that has 1250lbs payload.

My truck has over 1900lbs payload and my pin is 1250lbs. I get it weighted religiously and frequently.

I use to tow with a 2006 GM 2500HD with a 6.0L and my EB has WAY more power and keep speed a lot easier while getting similar MPG.

Cheers

80R100RT wrote:
Perhaps I am just a worrywart but I would advise a 3/4 ton with a full floating rear axle. This makes me feel much better with a 5th wheel trailer of any weight - perhaps the newer trucks are much sturdier but still have only as single row of bearings to carry the load.

X2

This is my thought also!
I have turned my own wrenches since before I could drive, worked on many semi floating axles. To me the single bearing resting directly on the drive axle itself is a poor design for hauling a load.

I have never owned a 1/2ton (F150/1500) pickup for this reason. I have always bought a F250 or 2500 with a full floating rear axles. this is were the wheel bearings ride on the axles housing and are lubed with the differential oil, the drive axles only spin the wheels. There are two larger bearing on each wheel, not one small one.

Perhaps I am just a worrywart but I would advise a 3/4 ton with a full floating rear axle. This makes me feel much better with a 5th wheel trailer of any weight - perhaps the newer trucks are much sturdier but still have only as single row of bearings to carry the load.

Jim-Linda wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:
By the time you upgrade a bunch of stuff, it would be cheaper to sell and buy a 3/4 ton and it will do a better job int he long run compared to a cobbled together system. And don't forget the things that will break sooner because they are being over stressed.

On a side note: I have come across a few 30-35' 5th wheels towed by full semi-tractors, so yes, you can go overkill.

You might want to go to the HDT thread on the Escapee forum and get a little insight on why some prefer to tow with a TRUCK, just saying.

Jim

I'm talking full interstate semi-tractors, not the medium duty trucks. And they weren't pulling monster overbuilt 5ers, just your standard run of the mill variety.

I have no doubt, they tow very well but it's clearly overkill.