1/2 ton towable

Very few half tons mix well with toy haulers. Not enough payload or receiver strength. And your truck is also lacking in power/gearing.

Toy haulers are a somewhat unique breed, especially as related to towing with a lighter duty truck (150/1500). Since they are designed to carry 'toys' in the back, they are rather tongue-heavy empty and become better balanced when loaded. So, even if you keep the loads down you still have a very tongue-heavy trailer, and it will be very difficult to set up your combination satisfactorily. If you were me I'd bite the bullet and step up to a 2500/3500 series truck.

Seeing more and more half ton (150/1500 or the Japanese equiv)towing fifth wheels on the road...since most (all?) of these trucks I have seen have been short bed...less than six foot bed...I wonder where they had their hitches installed, since my understanding is that fifth wheel hitches are not supposed to be installed on such a short bed???

I pull 9100 lbs with my 2015 5.3 but I also have the max tow package so it has the cooler and 3.73 gearing to help. I think you will be overweight with your rig, mine has a payload of 1985 and we run at 97% GVWR loaded for a week with 207 lbs to spare. Based on your 1180 lbs left your going to be over your GVWR. At 9100 our hitch weight is 1056 and those hitches are rated to 1200 lbs, which you will also be flirting with

Depending on what you're hauling in your other vehicle you could pull it off. A 3/4 will always tow better than a 1/2, and a 1 ton dually better than a srw. But you'll have to be light and actively manage your load, which you should be doing anyway with a toy hauler.

Not sure what your max rating is, and the 5.3 and your rear end isn't ideal, but it will tow safely.

A toy hauler will be easy to load to any tongue weight you want. Aim for 12-13 and you'll tow fine. But get a tongue scale and weigh it every time.

I have no idea what non full timers are hauling around, but I just hit the CAT scales again this last week loaded ready to camp except for food. 480 lbs is what I recall. That's battery, propane, firewood, charcoal, folding chairs, spices, all kitchen stuff (paper and plastic plates for us), blankets, tools, games, clothes etc. added case of drinks, case of water and 3 bags of groceries for the 3 day weekend the next day.

Just checked, 480 lbs it was, not counting food. So max would of been about 600 lbs over the published (and verified when new) trailer weight. Again, that 600 is including about 40lbs of propane and 48 lb battery.

No matter what you're towing with it will never be safe to just "load and go" without fully knowing your weights. Even more so with a toy hauler. Take actual weights, know your loads, and stay within your limits. Keep it slow and you'll have a safe towing experience. You'll have to tow 9000 at 12.5% tongue weight....it should tow fine, but no guarantee. Don't mask sway, eliminate it by proper loading, and save the anti sway devices for emergencies.

The 5.3 and the 3.42 gears are enough for me to say...can you? Yes but your gonna hate it. The 5.3 is good but not that good...trans might take it but gonna need extra cooling at very least. Now can truck take it....again it can but should it????.... I would personally wait on trailer until you can trade in truck to pull the trailer you want not what you are gonna settle for. Even getting a smaller trailer with both quads is gonna really work truck hard....possibly too much

Already got convinced about that trailer. Last post was more about if a 23 ft toy hauler could be reasonable. Back down a little on size to the ones advertising 1/2 ton towable. Like a 9990 gvwr trailer. Or do u think I need to back down farther.

I personally would expect your tongue weight to be in the 1300-1500 lb range.. there is NO WAY you are going to stay at 9,000 lbs. Not with 2 quads, 2 bikes, Fuel, and camping equipment

6300 lbs dry as you say...

Add propane, your gear for regular camping, clothes, dishes, food, coolers, weight distribution hitch snap up brackets, flashlights, spare bulbs, card games,fire sticks, etc etc etc... an you are quickly at 1000 to 1500 lbs more... that comes to close to 8000 lbs. Then add 850-900 lbs for your quads.. then 400 lbs for your two bikes... well, that puts you at 9,200 lbs.. don't forget your tools and spare parts.. now you are 9,500 lbs.. wait we forgot fuel... 9,600-9,700 lbs...don't forget the grill! or the charcoal!

This is just the process that usually happens.. weight creeps up on these things...

The problem isn't with your proposed trailer.. its with the tow vehicle... there is more than enough tow rating... but not enough receiver rating...not enough payload...not enough rear axle rating.

I'm not trying to be hard on you, but the reality is that your are squarely in 3/4-1 ton range.

Will your current truck blow up and the wheels fall off if you go for it?...no...not immediately.. but eventually... you will wear it out faster... plus when Mr. Murphy pokes his head up coming down that mountain, or at 65mph when a tire blows out... it will not be the time to go get the proper TV.

Thanks and good luck!

Jeremiah

I was thinking if I could stay about 9000 for trailer and 1000-1200 tongue weight I would be good. Is that unreasonable? Obviously I was planning on weight distribution and sway control.

Per your truck information, it looks like your payload is 1,320 lbs. You will easily have 1,000 lbs. or more of tongue weight. You will be way overloaded with that set-up.