My wife (Herself) and I are finally retired and able to plan our escape to serious RVing. We are in the early planning stages and not in a rush. We would like to use our 2001 F150 4X4, but only if we can find a comfortable RV that it can pull safely. It seemed wise to start with the numbers supplied by Ford.GVWR 6500Curb Weight 5500GCWR 13000Max Trailer Weight 8000By subtracting the GVWR from the GCWR you get 6500.Eighty percent of 6500 is 5200.Would it be safe to tow a trailer or a small 5th wheel if its maximum weight was 5200 lbs or less?Or, is my approach entirely wrong?Much thanksDanGood Stuff!!Thanks for the education.If it matters, our truck is a 2001 Silver XLT 4x4 Super Crew 5.4L 3.55LS with tow package.I figured the Payload by first subtracting a 5000 lb curb weight from the 6500 lb GVWR, for 1500 lbs. Assuming a passenger & cargo load of 600 lbs leaves me with 900 lbs for tounge or pin weight.We are attracted to the Escape company's 19' 5th wheel because it is advertised for light trucks. It has a GVWR of 4400 lbs, giving it a max pin weight between 800 (20%) and 1100 (25%) lbs.Like you said, it seems we would be pushing the truck too hard in the mountains.I guess we should change trucks or go with a TT.Dan

Ford actually posts different ratings for 5th wheels and conventional towing. A lot also depends on other options on your truck. Check the 2001 Towing Guide for more detailed info.

I wrote this What Can I Tow? page specifically for my father-in-law who was asking the same question.Basically, you have to ignore GCWR as you'll likely never hit it with a F150. Your biggest limiting factor is how much the F150 can carry (you, your wife, your stuff, your hitch and pin or tongue weight).Once you find your actual available payload, you can then do the math to find the trailers that you can safely handle. Typically, you can have a larger travel trailer than fifth wheel because TT's have 10%-15% tongue weight where as fifth wheels have 15%-25% pin weight.

ependydad wrote:I wrote this What Can I Tow? page specifically for my father-in-law who was asking the same question.Basically, you have to ignore GCWR as you'll likely never hit it with a F150. Your biggest limiting factor is how much the F150 can carry (you, your wife, your stuff, your hitch and pin or tongue weight).Once you find your actual available payload, you can then do the math to find the trailers that you can safely handle. Typically, you can have a larger travel trailer than fifth wheel because TT's have 10%-15% tongue weight where as fifth wheels have 15%-25% pin weight.^^X2 Dan.Fifth wheel is out of the question with that truck. I have basicily the same truck. For longer trips, and in the mountains, high altitudes etc. Your truck will struggle, and if you encounter high winds also. If you plan on venturing far I would recomend getting a newer half, or better yet a 3/4, or 1 ton truck. I'm going to be doing that myself soon. I'm sure you'l have a much better experience towing if you do. The added benifit is you can shop for your trailer without as much worry as to weights.On edit: Kudos to you for "doing your homework", and asking. It's much better to plan it out first.

I do not think you would enjoy rving using that as a tow veh. Get you one that you have no doubts about.

Doing My Homework First | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

bikendan
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
wanderingbob wrote:
Me thinks many in opposition to your choice do not know what an Escape Fiver is . If you can live in one, your truck should pull it !

i agree, have you been in one yet? we couldn't live in one and there's only two of us.
i wouldn't classify it as "comfortable", but that's me.
and i used to camp in the back of my Datsun p/u under an aluminum shell and in two popups after that.
wanderingbob
Explorer II
Jun 02, 2013
Me thinks many in opposition to your choice do not know what an Escape Fiver is . If you can live in one, your truck should pull it !
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
As far as resale goes, you might not want to even look at that. The value diminishes greatly.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jun 01, 2013
Welcome to the forum!

Good solid truck you've got, but you'll be limited to smaller trailers.
therewego
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
I agree entirely with focusing on comfort first. I can't think of a better way to waste money than to buy something we won't like using. Since money will always be an issue, the bangs for bucks aspect has to be part of the equation.

Keeping the TV we have means more $$ available for a TT. Because Herself and I will be the only occupants, and we won't be full timing soon, if ever, we can define "comfort" in terms of what is acceptable for a few weeks exploring.

Our "bang for bucks" aspect relates then to reliability and resale. The RV Consumer database allows us to search on many variables including customer satisfaction and value. Two of the brands that seem promising are Bigfoot and Escape, both made in Canada, though I'm sure there are many more. We just found a third, made right here in Indiana, that might work. The Gulfstream Visa answers the short term comfort factor well enough for us, but we still have to research the value aspect.

Since we probably won't be buying a FW anytime soon, I thank you folks for all your encouragement and help and won't clutter the FW forum with inappropriate posts.

Continuing our education indefinitely,

Dan and Diane
wbwood
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Man there's a lot of doomsday posters up above. There's no need to have to go out and buy a different tow vehicle. There are campers that you can tow, although they will be on the smaller side. First of all, I would rule out a 5th wheel, unless you are talking about one of those tiny ones that are about 30 yrs old or older.

While doing your homework, you and your wife need to decide what you in want in a camper. The amenities, the size and etc. then see if ere is a camper out there that meets those needs that can be towed with your truck. Then you will need to decide whether or not you are willing to change your tow vehicle if you can't find a trailer that you can pull right now.

There are trailers out there that you can pull, you will just be limited to what you can pull. Given the numbers you gave, I would definitely stick to a camper with a gwr (wet weight) of less than 5200lbs. You don't have to get one that heavy. You can always go smaller.
drae0814
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Hello OP dont be like so many of us. Get what you can really pull glad to see your doing your home work goodluck and you and the DW have fun
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013
Based on info you supplied;
"GVWR 6500
Curb Weight 5500"

you only have a payload of 1k. You will need a better TV based on that to pull something big enough to be comfortable in.
Olde_Volks_Plac
Explorer
May 31, 2013
M GO BLUE wrote:
What size engine?

given the vehicle info that the OP posted about his TV does the engine size really matter, and if so how come ?

I thought that what mattered was the TV info on the door or manual/s
thus making it apparent that the said TV was capable of the posted weight/s to tow safely.
rockportrocket
Explorer
May 31, 2013
I do not think you would enjoy rving using that as a tow veh. Get you one that you have no doubts about.