We are looking for a lightweight 5th wheel that can truly be towed by a 1/2 ton truck. I would buy a 3/4 ton if I could find one, however they seem to be hard to come by these days, unless you want one that has been well used, or was a Fleet/Rental truck.A number of the lightweight trailers (we like the Rockwood Ultralight) are pushing the limits of 1/2 ton trucks and require "max trailering" packages, which most trucks don't have.The trailer will be for two - no pets. I would love some ideas on trailers from this experienced group!Time is of the essence, as we would like to get one before summer.TIA

It really depends on your 1/2 ton trucks GVWR and RAWR....engine size (hp/torque) and rear axle ratio. We have 1/2 ton trucks out here with 8600 gvwr and 6000 rawr 6.0 engines 4.10 gears or at the low end is a 6200 gvwr tiny 3200 rawr small hp/torque v6 engines and 3.08 rear axle ratio....so whatcha' got.

Might also ask here, Ford F150 group Real world not guesstimates and Tow police answers.

Unless you have a “Max tow” and/or “Heavy Duty Payload” 1/2 ton I’d forget about a 5th wheel. I do it with my F150 with a Heavy Duty Payload Package (HDPP) of 2565lbs and RAWR of 4800lbs. I’ve got about 350lbs of cushion on payload and RAWR with both Max Tow and HDPP package on a 157” WB 6.5’ box Screw with just me and DW in the truck. (1800lbs pin weight fully loaded) It’s a considerably rare truck. Some would call it a Unicorn.

With all the trucks and campers listed in your byline, are your really asking this? You for one probably know better then me! I will say this , and dont take it wrong, when i see people ask these questions its usally becuase they have an idea in there mind , that may not be a great one , and want someone else to back them up so they can do it.

Do you have an F150? Or still looking? Plenty of F250s listed on cars.com

Truly towable with 1/2 ton? | Good Sam Community

Lantley
Nomad
Mar 13, 2021
JIMNLIN wrote:
Well..... I looked at your coming back thread so you say you don't have a truck now.
The last 10 years or so the only 1/2 ton truck that has enough GVWR/RAWR to pull a 10k lb actual scaled gross weight 5th wheel trailer is Fords properly equipped F150HDPP like the one mooky stinks talks about.

Ford markets several F150 GVWR and RAWR packages all with a "Max tow" options. Don't bit into what many have done and choose the F150 with a 6800 gvwr and small 3800 rawr with the max tow option. This truck is good for around 1300-1500 lb load on that small 3800 rawr. Then they find out they chose the wrong F150....then claim a 1/2 ton trucks can't pull a 5th wheel trailer or only a tiny 5th wheel trailer.

It's not a claim it's the truth. For the most part it is true 99% of 1/2 ton trucks are not rated to tow 5th wheel trailers. One will not find that rare Ford truck that is capable on any dealer's lot and will most likely need to special order it.
Curly2001
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2021
Even some 3/4 ton trucks pulling a "1/2" rated 5th wheel have their hands full in certain situations with that trailer. It may pull it on a flat road with a cooler ambient temperature but when you hit the mountains, the whole situation changes. The real world and the salesperson's/manufacturer world is certainly different. You may have the power for a while to pull a 5th wheel but I would say on long grades in the summer, the world changes as well as trying to stop the trailer going down a long grade. Be very cautious when you pull the trigger on both units. Been there, done that.
Curly
12thgenusa
Explorer
Mar 13, 2021
Don't tell my truck. 32K+ towing miles. In mountains. To Alaska. Would go again if I could find a way across Canada.
Sjm9911
Explorer
Mar 13, 2021
Another thing to consider is a fully loaded to tow 1/2 ton may be more costly then a 3/4. Granted it will not be loaded and worse on fuel ,but it will tow more.
vermilye
Explorer
Mar 13, 2021
MarkTwain wrote:
dieseldan723 wrote:
We are looking for a lightweight 5th wheel that can truly be towed by a 1/2 ton truck. I would buy a 3/4 ton if I could find one, however they seem to be hard to come by these days, unless you want one that has been well used, or was a Fleet/Rental truck.

A number of the lightweight trailers (we like the Rockwood Ultralight) are pushing the limits of 1/2 ton trucks and require "max trailering" packages, which most trucks don't have.

The trailer will be for two - no pets. I would love some ideas on trailers from this experienced group!

Time is of the essence, as we would like to get one before summer.

TIA

Look for a Casita 5th. wheel. Small and light for your 1/2 truck.

There is no such thing as a Casita 5th wheel. The Scamp 19 is a very light one, and Escape Trailer Industries makes a larger, but lightweight 5th wheel. Either can easily be towed by a 1/2 ton truck with the proper payload specs. Both have wet baths, which may be a problem for some, although I'm fine with my Escape 21 tow behind.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Mar 13, 2021
It's not a claim it's the truth. For the most part it is true 99% of 1/2 ton trucks are not rated to tow 5th wheel trailers. wrote:

This comes under internet myth. And it doesn't have to be what you call a rare F150.
Ford F150 7550 gvwr and 4550 rawr 3.5 EB or 5.0 v8 is just under the F150HDPP in load carrying performance with 2100-2200 lb in the bed payloads.

And of course GM 1500 twins with the NHT option has a 7600 gvwr and 4300 rawr 6.2 or 5.3 engine 10 speed tranny.

We have small 5th wheel trailers out for any size 1/2 ton truck like these ....1/2 ton towable.
Every one of these can be pulled by a 1/2 ton truck with the proper specs and a couple can be pulled with even a std duty 1/2 ton truck.
dieseldan723
Explorer
Mar 13, 2021
Thanks all! I have found a couple 5th wheels that we really like as far as floorplan, etc. They SAY that it can be towed by a 1/2 ton, which are by far easier to come by right now. That's why I was asking the question. I think this thread has knocked some sense back in to me and I will be patient while I look for the right truck (thank you @sjm9911) :).

I am prepared to fly to get the right truck and have been searching the country!

Thank you all for your gentle patience with me. I learned from my previous 3 trucks that I don't want to be "out trailered" with my next rig!
TravelinDog
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2021
Curly2001 wrote:
Even some 3/4 ton trucks pulling a "1/2" rated 5th wheel have their hands full in certain situations with that trailer. It may pull it on a flat road with a cooler ambient temperature but when you hit the mountains, the whole situation changes. The real world and the salesperson's/manufacturer world is certainly different. You may have the power for a while to pull a 5th wheel but I would say on long grades in the summer, the world changes as well as trying to stop the trailer going down a long grade. Be very cautious when you pull the trigger on both units. Been there, done that.
Curly

Really? Do 5th wheels no longer have brakes? When properly set up there should be no difference in stopping with or without the trailer.
dieseldan723
Explorer
Mar 17, 2021
Well thanks all for your input. I am seriously looking at a Dodge 3500 with the Cummins HO and the AISIN tranny. It is a short box but had two previous trucks with sliding hitches so I don't mind that. This truck "should" pull anything I am able to purchase! :)
Lantley
Nomad
Mar 17, 2021
JIMNLIN wrote:
It's not a claim it's the truth. For the most part it is true 99% of 1/2 ton trucks are not rated to tow 5th wheel trailers. wrote:

This comes under internet myth. And it doesn't have to be what you call a rare F150.
Ford F150 7550 gvwr and 4550 rawr 3.5 EB or 5.0 v8 is just under the F150HDPP in load carrying performance with 2100-2200 lb in the bed payloads.

And of course GM 1500 twins with the NHT option has a 7600 gvwr and 4300 rawr 6.2 or 5.3 engine 10 speed tranny.

We have small 5th wheel trailers out for any size 1/2 ton truck like these ....1/2 ton towable.
Every one of these can be pulled by a 1/2 ton truck with the proper specs and a couple can be pulled with even a std duty 1/2 ton truck.

You don't have to convince me. I'm not looking to tow with a 1/2 ton. But maybe you can convince the OP and others in this thread .
On paper there lots of options but when one actually sets out to find these options they are scarce.

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