I literally put the cart before the horse and bought a late 90's 5th wheel trailer before buying a truck to pull it with!I'm not sure if I can get away with a beefy 1/2 ton or should look for something larger. Problem is, it seems harder to come by, and obviously, more expensive to move up to a 3/4 or 1 ton. The unloaded trailer weight is 5400. Max loaded weight is either 7200 or 7900 pounds, I forget. I think it's 7200 though. I've come across a few 1/2 tons with bigger engines (I think I've seen Chevy 1500 or Ford F150 w/ 5.7sor Ram 1500 w/ a 5.9) and "towing packages" (not sure what that means other than lights wiring and maybe brake controller) and am curious to see if that's enough to pull my 5th wheel. The max distance we're pulling the camper is probably less than 100 miles, probably closer to 50-60 and won't be facing any serious hills in our relatively flat section of Ohio, unlike places in WV or PA.I've talked to a few other campers and people seem to really like 1/2 tons for pulling stuff, but I'd rather err on the side of caution and don't want to buy a truck (albeit cheap and used), only to destroy it pulling more than it was meant to. I'd love to load up the camper with normal usage items and weigh it to see what we're actually dealing with, but again, cart before the horse and nothing to move the trailer with!

a few thoughts:1. You have to weigh the differenceIn the cost of the 1/2 ton vs the 3/4 ton in relationship to your ability to tow the 5th wheel with little strain on the truck and stability vs towing at the max capacity of a 1/2 ton. Will you always have the same 5th wheel??

I don't see us getting another camper for at least 10 years, and even then, I don't think we'll go any longer than 26 feet, which will probably keep us in that weight area.

Your 5th wheel is within the range that should be handled by MOST of the big threes half ton lineup. The number most important will be the payload of the new truck and there can be a WIDE difference from brand/,model to another. Need to be sure the payload will cover the PIN weight plus weight of everything else in the truck (don't forget the hitch). My 04 F 150 had a payload of 3,050 lb. and my 11 model extended cab has 2,550 lb. while some brands and models have as little as 1300 lb. which would make them unsuitable for the trailer you describe. so watch the actual numbers closely.Good luck / Skip

Any half ton will works for you, as long as it has a payload around 2,000 pounds and gvwr over 8,000 pounds. Hint: You probably won't find one on the average sales lot, but almost all three quarter tons meet that criteria. That's what I think. One fellow in our park pulled a small fifth wheel from Missouri to Texas last winter with his "Heavy Half". He did NOT tow it home for safety and comfort reasons.

What sort of "safety and comfort" reasons would those be?

5th Wheel w/ 1/2 Ton | Good Sam Community

41 Replies

BarneyS
Explorer III
Oct 27, 2013
Five pages of back and forth comments with the same thing being said over and over again. Since the comments are now starting to become personal in nature it is time to close this one. Besides, I leave on a four day trip tomorrow morning and probably won't have time to keep an eye on it.
Barney
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 27, 2013
TomG2 wrote:
Out of twenty or so fifth wheels here in the park, not one was towed here by a half ton pickup. Probably because they are dumb and inexperienced. Not.
How many of those 5th wheels is under 8000 GVWR?
TomG2
Explorer
Oct 27, 2013
Out of twenty or so fifth wheels here in the park, not one was towed here by a half ton pickup. Probably because they are dumb and inexperienced? Not.
patnchris
Explorer
Oct 27, 2013
I think one has to realize that there are some, if not quite a few, that will post that there isn't any truck made, that can tow a 5'er except a one ton, diesel DRW.
Hybridhunter
Explorer
Oct 27, 2013
rhagfo wrote:
Hybridhunter wrote:
1)The current F150HD has a "stronger / more rigid" frame than your old Dodge.
2) Your truck in fact weighs about 500lbs more than F150 Crew Cab
3) With a lower payload rating than MOST F150 HD's lol
4) 240 horsepower (stay out of the left lane!!)
5) Your Dodge has smaller diameter brakes front and rear
6) Lack of 4 channel ABS and proportioning.....

Those in glass trucks shouldn't throw stones.
But you made my point, the F150 specs out well, or your truck doesn't, take your pick!
And that 245hp chunk of iron under the hood is the cause of the weight disparity. I have driven both, and I can say without a doubt, that era of Dodge Ram is no more tough or capable than the current F150 EB that you detest so much.

And since you mentioned stability.... ABS, stability control, trailer sway control, bigger brakes, shorter stopping, better handling and better steering on the F150 are certainly no second to ANY older 3/4 ton truck.

Well guess you are working slightly uninformed.

Everything I posted is a verifiable FACT. It is you who is uniformed and disillusioned. Everything you replied with is anecdotal. I verified everything I posted with factory numbers. IT IS ALL CORRECT.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but looking at all the specs, the only part of your truck (that you are passing off as superior), is the spring and axle ratings, and some of that serves merely to cover the extra weight of the heavy Cummins.
c3saving
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
We bought the cart before the horse as well. We figured a 1500 Silverado would do the trick with a light weight trailer. We checked the weight limits. Everything seemed to line up. After taking the 5th trip, we knew it wouldn't do. We bumped up to F250. Do yourself a favor, get yourself a truck that will do the job with plenty of room to expand. You will feel more comfortable towing.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 26, 2013
sidewalkdrop wrote:
The unloaded trailer weight is 5400. Max loaded weight is either 7200 or 7900 pounds, I forget. I think it's 7200 though.
OP's 5th is less than 10,000
rhagfo
Explorer III
Oct 26, 2013
Hybridhunter wrote:
1)The current F150HD has a "stronger / more rigid" frame than your old Dodge.
2) Your truck in fact weighs about 500lbs more than F150 Crew Cab
3) With a lower payload rating than MOST F150 HD's lol
4) 240 horsepower (stay out of the left lane!!)
5) Your Dodge has smaller diameter brakes front and rear
6) Lack of 4 channel ABS and proportioning.....

Those in glass trucks shouldn't throw stones.
But you made my point, the F150 specs out well, or your truck doesn't, take your pick!
And that 245hp chunk of iron under the hood is the cause of the weight disparity. I have driven both, and I can say without a doubt, that era of Dodge Ram is no more tough or capable than the current F150 EB that you detest so much.

And since you mentioned stability.... ABS, stability control, trailer sway control, bigger brakes, shorter stopping, better handling and better steering on the F150 are certainly no second to ANY older 3/4 ton truck.

Well guess you are working slightly uninformed.

1)The current F150HD has a "stronger / more rigid" frame than your old Dodge. You might think about that, best a 150 is is 8,200 GVW, mine while rated at 8,800, rides on one ton springs and sway bar. It is a very solid ride.
2) Your truck in fact weighs about 500lbs more than F150 Crew Cab I think with the Cummins and I weigh more than you think.
3) With a lower payload rating than MOST F150 HD's lol I would debate that, I am over GVWR, yet haven engaged stock over loads, no bags. The F150 has about 600# between GVWR and the total combined GAWR, I have a margin of 2,484#
4) 240 horsepower (stay out of the left lane!!) Well I not sure about that, I pull that 11,000# 5er at 55 to 60 up 6% to 7% grades, with a set of 3.55's in the diff. I spend a good deal of time in the left lane. Yes the engine is chipped, but just a bit.
5) Your Dodge has smaller diameter brakes front and rear Well more than enough, almost had a car around the 5er rear bumper in a quick stop on HY 26. That and the Pacbrake they just rest on long grades.
6) Lack of 4 channel ABS and proportioning..... No, but still has ABS at least on the rear.

I don't despise the F150, just feel that many think that they can well handle a 10,000# fiver, just need a set of supper springs or bags! I don't need either, as the rig sits level even while over the listed GVWR.

Steering is precise, 263,000 miles and a little maintenance, no issues with tight precise steering. I drive state highways like these almost evey time I go out, zero room for error!
breeno
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
sidewalkdrop wrote:
I literally put the cart before the horse and bought a late 90's 5th wheel trailer before buying a truck to pull it with!

I'm not sure if I can get away with a beefy 1/2 ton or should look for something larger. Problem is, it seems harder to come by, and obviously, more expensive to move up to a 3/4 or 1 ton.

The unloaded trailer weight is 5400. Max loaded weight is either 7200 or 7900 pounds, I forget. I think it's 7200 though.

I've come across a few 1/2 tons with bigger engines (I think I've seen Chevy 1500 or Ford F150 w/ 5.7sor Ram 1500 w/ a 5.9) and "towing packages" (not sure what that means other than lights wiring and maybe brake controller) and am curious to see if that's enough to pull my 5th wheel. The max distance we're pulling the camper is probably less than 100 miles, probably closer to 50-60 and won't be facing any serious hills in our relatively flat section of Ohio, unlike places in WV or PA.

I've talked to a few other campers and people seem to really like 1/2 tons for pulling stuff, but I'd rather err on the side of caution and don't want to buy a truck (albeit cheap and used), only to destroy it pulling more than it was meant to.

I'd love to load up the camper with normal usage items and weigh it to see what we're actually dealing with, but again, cart before the horse and nothing to move the trailer with!

I'm not an experienced RVer by any stretch but I have done the 1/2 ton dance (already had the truck, then got a TT) and have since upgraded to a HD truck (and a new fiver). The difference is not trivial. Even though I previously worked hard to stay within my ratings, hit the scales, etc -- it was always a struggle. And towing -- although hardly white knuckle -- was always something that was mentally taxing. Not terrible mind you, but now... Well, I feel so much safer and solid with the bigger truck. I have zero dread hitching up. Priceless. (Well, it was expensive, but you know what I mean...)

My 2 cents (heavily discounted for my "newbie-ness") :-)
Hybridhunter
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
But a full float Dana 70/80 makes up for all of that?