Hello All. I need some help making a decision. My wife and I are looking to upgrade from out TT to a Fifth wheel. I have a 2016 F250 6.2L gas 3:73 rear end and a cargo capacity of 3000 lbsWe have been looking at the xlite cougars but I really like the Keystone Sprinter 29FWrls. 9600 lbs empty, 2700 lbs carrying capacity. 2140 lbs Hitch weight. Wife=125 lbs Daughter=80 lbs and I 200 lbs. I know we will not come anywhere close to filling it with 2700 lbs of stuff so I am estimating high at 800 lbs making it 10,400 lbs ready to camp. Giving me a hitch weight of 1560. At 1000 lbs of gear making it a total of 10,600 lbs I'm only at 1590 hitch weight if I'm calculating correctly leaving 1400 lbs for us and the truck and hitch. I see a lot of 3/4 ton trucks at the campgrounds hauling big 5vers but most of them are diesel.I think I should be fine but wondering how the truck with the 6.2 will do. I get 8-10 mpg now with the TT. IDK am I delusional?:)

Your truck should be good with that camper.

Headed West wrote:Hello All. I need some help making a decision. My wife and I are looking to upgrade from out TT to a Fifth wheel. I have a 2016 F250 6.2L gas 3:73 rear end and a cargo capacity of 3000 lbsWe have been looking at the xlite cougars but I really like the Keystone Sprinter 29FWrls. 9600 lbs empty, 2700 lbs carrying capacity. 2140 lbs Hitch weight. Wife=125 lbs Daughter=80 lbs and I 200 lbs. I know we will not come anywhere close to filling it with 2700 lbs of stuff so I am estimating high at 800 lbs making it 10,400 lbs ready to camp. Giving me a hitch weight of 1560. At 1000 lbs of gear making it a total of 10,600 lbs I'm only at 1590 hitch weight if I'm calculating correctly leaving 1400 lbs for us and the truck and hitch. I see a lot of 3/4 ton trucks at the campgrounds hauling big 5vers but most of them are diesel.I think I should be fine but wondering how the truck with the 6.2 will do. I get 8-10 mpg now with the TT. IDK am I delusional?:)I think you are off on your hitch weight. The listed 2140lbs is the dry pin weight, not its max pin weight. It will only get higher as you load the trailer. Most fiver pin weights are around 20-25 percent of its loaded weight. You're going to be around 2500lbs on the pin, not 1500. Add the family and the weight of the hitch in the bed and you'll be over your 3k payload rating. This is the case with many 3/4t trucks and fivers. More importantly, ensure you're under the axle and tire ratings.

Not sure how you get from a #2140 pin weight to only #1500 after you load it up??Anyway, if it's the RV you want, get it... Your truck will get it down the road.. Whatever it weighs in the end is what it's gonna weigh.. Once you tow it the first time, you'll know if you like it or not..Good luck!Mitch

Truck will do fine, I have a similar wieght and have no issues with my gas job.

As mentioned you will use 2500 of your 3000 pounds with pin weight. Leaving you 500# for weight of hitch and everything else. For me that is marginally adequate.Since you already own the truck you can give it a try if you are set on buying the 5'er. Keep in mind if you are not satisfied there could be a new truck in your immediate future.

2016 F-250 6.2L | Good Sam Community

22 Replies

Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 19, 2017
Headed West wrote:
Thanks everyone. The feeling I'm getting is the truck will do the job but it will be at the top end if not over the manufactures recommendations. We want to travel East, West and everywhere in between comfortably. I think I am going to go with an x lite 5th wheel like the Laredo 297SRE or something in that weight range. If I don't like the way the heavier trailer pulls, trading in a new truck is easier said than done. Think I'll wait to buy the heavier 5ver when I have the 1 ton diesel.

Again thanks to everyone for their response.

If you're thinking about the chassis and handling, your f250 gives up nothing to its big brother the 350srw other than rear springs. I wouldn't let that alone sway you into a smaller trailer or bigger truck.
Now pulling power is a different story. Maybe I'm spoiled, even though I remember towing around big trailers with small block, 3 speed auto trucks, but if one has the means, IMO it is a much more comfortable drive when the engine isn't working near its upper limits a lot of the time.
But then again, since the butt kicking diesels hit the market about 15 years ago I haven't looked back......because I DO remember towing with under powered rigs for so long.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jan 19, 2017
"As mentioned you will use 2500 of your 3000 pounds with pin weight. Leaving you 500# for weight of hitch and everything else. For me that is marginally adequate."

I agree with Lanpley except it's less than adequate.
Headed_West
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017
Thanks everyone. The feeling I'm getting is the truck will do the job but it will be at the top end if not over the manufactures recommendations. We want to travel East, West and everywhere in between comfortably. I think I am going to go with an x lite 5th wheel like the Laredo 297SRE or something in that weight range. If I don't like the way the heavier trailer pulls, trading in a new truck is easier said than done. Think I'll wait to buy the heavier 5ver when I have the 1 ton diesel.

Again thanks to everyone for their response.
patriotgrunt
Explorer
Jan 18, 2017
OP, I think the truck can do the trick. Plenty of people are towing 5th Wheels of that size with the 6.2 equipped F250. It'll want to rev to get the job done but it was designed for that. Since you already have the truck, I'd recommend trying a few short trips to see how you like it. As you grow more comfortable, you can increase the distances. If you don't like it, then trade it in for a 1 ton. Happy trails and safe travels.
Greene728
Explorer
Jan 18, 2017
jamesroadking wrote:
You could install a set of airbags on the rear suspension for about $6-700.
I put a set of Firestone airbags on, mounted the little compressor under the rear seat and a wireless controller on my F250.
They increase your load carrying capacity, really help leveling the truck, hitching up is a breeze now, and she rides like a Cadillac.

Sorry but wrong!
Bags will "assist" the spring/suspension in carrying the weight and level up the truck only. Does not change the trucks weight ratings at all.

Op. I had a 2012 250 with the 6.2 and 3:73 rear end myself. I towed a smaller and lighter fiver that was around 9500# loaded. It did it and was a dependable engine for sure. But I had to add a custom add a leaf as the truck sat down pretty bad with the fiver attached. The truck had zero take in stock form as I suspect yours does also.

So here's my experienced opinion based off my previous set up mentioned above. With air bags, Timbrens, or another leaf, the truck will do it. It's gonna get somewhere between 7 to maybe 9.5 (on a good day) mpg. Get used to high RPMs and keeping 6th gear locked out! But none of this will hurt the truck none, as the 6.2 is a workhorse of an engine. If your ok with this and don't go out west a lot you'll be fine
spoon059
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2017
The 6.2 is a fine engine for that light of a trailer. It will rev higher than a diesel, but it will make plenty of power to get you down the road. As others have stated, your pin weight will be higher than the 1500# you originally estimated.
Rjdreyer
Explorer
Jan 18, 2017
Looks doable. Pin weight will be closer to 2500+ lbs when 5th is nearing weight capacity. Expect about same performance and MPG as your current trailer. Some add airbags, Timbrens, or leaf springs to level out the vehicle.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Jan 18, 2017
FishOnOne wrote:
Your truck should be good with that camper.

As long as you keep it in Indiana....or Texas where the air is thick and the hills are small.
Pin weight I wouldn't worry about. You'll need to do something anyway as the 250s are soft in the rear unless you have the camper springs. The chassis will handle it fine.

I've had 2 6.2 f250s and I wouldn't want to lug a 5-6ton high profile trailer anywhere but on the flats near sea level. It will do it but mileage will be abysmal and get used to wringing it out in 2nd gear!

Jmo
Learjet
Explorer
Jan 18, 2017
Towing 12,000 lbs total trailer weight with 2400 lbs of that as pin weight with my signature rig. Added Timbrens and it sits level.

9000 miles of happy towing.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2017
Headed West wrote:
camp-n-family wrote:
Headed West wrote:
Hello All. I need some help making a decision. My wife and I are looking to upgrade from out TT to a Fifth wheel. I have a 2016 F250 6.2L gas 3:73 rear end and a cargo capacity of 3000 lbs

We have been looking at the xlite cougars but I really like the Keystone Sprinter 29FWrls. 9600 lbs empty, 2700 lbs carrying capacity. 2140 lbs Hitch weight. Wife=125 lbs Daughter=80 lbs and I 200 lbs. I know we will not come anywhere close to filling it with 2700 lbs of stuff so I am estimating high at 800 lbs making it 10,400 lbs ready to camp. Giving me a hitch weight of 1560. At 1000 lbs of gear making it a total of 10,600 lbs I'm only at 1590 hitch weight if I'm calculating correctly leaving 1400 lbs for us and the truck and hitch. I see a lot of 3/4 ton trucks at the campgrounds hauling big 5vers but most of them are diesel.

I think I should be fine but wondering how the truck with the 6.2 will do. I get 8-10 mpg now with the TT. IDK am I delusional?:)

I think you are off on your hitch weight. The listed 2140lbs is the dry pin weight, not its max pin weight. It will only get higher as you load the trailer. Most fiver pin weights are around 20-25 percent of its loaded weight. You're going to be around 2500lbs on the pin, not 1500. Add the family and the weight of the hitch in the bed and you'll be over your 3k payload rating. This is the case with many 3/4t trucks and fivers. More importantly, ensure you're under the axle and tire ratings.

Ugh!! I thought pin weight was calculated at 15% of gvw... I am way off!!! How can the salesman say it is tow-able with some 1/2 ton trucks???

Were you thinking 15% for a TT. Fifth wheels come in around 20-25%. See my post on RV weights. There is only one model 1/2 ton that can handle a fifth wheel with that kind of weight. It has to be ordered that way. I know Ford has the max tow with HD payload pkg. not sure if any other manuf offer anything similar? With that pkg it would only be 1 driver or a very skinny couple to tow that 5'er!

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2016 F-250 6.2L

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