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DwnSth's avatar
DwnSth
Explorer
Feb 14, 2014

Wife fell in love with 5th wheel...I have an F150

Have been looking for a bit larger TT, something with a rear living or rear entertainment, also, desperately need an 80" bed!

Ruled out Outback TT's even though we really liked those, hitch weights push 900lbs dry F150 hitch maxes out at 1150.

Looking at TT's yesterday and we saw an Open Range light 5th wheel. Wife almost adamant about looking seriously at these. Even touting the better towing and less length behind truck! (we split driving) Open Range even allows goose neck so I can have a flip down ball in bed.

So we have truck in sig. Payload is 2090 so I know there isn't much leeway (Even though Ford accounts for 150lb driver and full tank). The Open Ranges we looked at were between 1100 and 1250 on the pin. 5th wheels are very new to us so unlike a TT I don't know all the ins and outs of pin weights, loads etc. Could write a book on TT weights and load though.

Probably not going to give up truck and go to something larger. It's extremely nice as a daily driver and tows like a dream. Is it within reason to tow a light 5th wheel with my truck?
  • All I can say is this: the beauty of an RV is the ability to take anything you want, along with you. I think Ed and I travel "light" - the only "heavy" thing we add to the 5er is my #38 inflatable kayak and his tool box probably weighs that much, too. So I was flabbergasted, when we drove over a CAT scale and realized our 7640 lb trailer now weighed 10,000 fully-loaded (it's rated for 11-something, so we're way underweight). We calculated the tongue weight to be about 20% higher, too - right around 2000 lbs.

    Granted, we're pulling it with a F-350, so no worries - just marveling at the fact that we could have added 2300 lbs to the weight of the trailer!
  • Just do a search in this forum. There are quite a few members here that are towing fifth wheels with F150's. Good luck, John
  • You gotta have a dually to pull a 5er don't you know. It will be overloaded and highly unstable if you don't. :E

    Actually, yes, with the increased payload/tow ratings of the new F150/1500 trucks and the new lighter weight 5ers it is certainly within reason to do so. Just check your numbers carefully to make sure you are within ratings.
  • Yes there are lite 5th wheels your 150 can tow. You will just have to be very careful in choosing one in you weight limits. It ain't gonna be big.

    With 2090 lbs of payload. The pin weight of 1290lb leaves you 800lb of payload for you, and DW. However, I'm bettin that is dry, so after you load the 5er. Your pin weight would be more. You need to know the loaded weight, and that is all but impossible to find with out loading it. You just have to figure if you are going to put another 500lbs on the pin.