I need some opinions on the F150 as a 5th wheel puller. I am looking to upgrade my TV. I have a 03 Duramax. {I don't think I can afford to go diesel again. Looking at the F150 as a tow and be our main vehicle. What are the opinions on F150 as a puller? Thanks

If you are talking about a 2018 EcoBoost, I don't think there would be a huge difference in the power. But I do think you will miss the stability of the bigger truck.I don't consider myself the weight police (I am sure they will be here shortly), but I think a 5er is better suited to a 250/2500. A gasser in that flavor would be a better towing platform.

After you trade off your 2500 for a F150 and you don't like the lack of torque how are you going the afford another diesel? You should just keep your 2500.

you're going to have a hard time finding a F150 with enough payload for a 5th wheel's pin weight.generally, only the lightest and shortest 5th wheels are within specs.

FYI, The maximum pin weight you will find on a 2017-2018 F150 is 1755 lbs. Ford doesn’t come right out and list max pin weight but it is 15% of the TWR of the truck regardless of available payload. So even if you have 2300 lbs of payload Ford says you can’t use that for pin or hitch weight, only truck payload. I contacted them directly and this is Ford’s explanation of how it works not mine.

F150 asa TV for 5th wheel | Good Sam Community

51 Replies

Merrykalia
Explorer II
Nov 17, 2017
OK, here's some REAL LIFE experience towing a fifth wheel with our 2012 F-150 EcoBoost, 4WD, Crew Cab.

I special ordered a brand spanking new F-150 EB with the MAX TOW package, PLUS the HD Package. We towed a 2007 Wildcat 32QBBS which has a dry weight of 8900 lbs, but loaded, we weighed right at 10,000 lbs.
It was 35'10" long.

The truck handled it perfectly. We put almost 50,000 miles on the truck towing and for a daily driver (6 miles round trip per day)

When we, actually I, decided to upgrade our fifth wheel, I talked DH into upgrading the truck. We now have an F-250 6.7L.

So, yes, an F-150 will safely tow a fifth wheel, but it will need to have the correct setup to match the fifth wheel.
troubledwaters
Nomad
Nov 17, 2017
oops
troubledwaters
Nomad
Nov 17, 2017
demiles wrote:
FYI, The maximum pin weight you will find on a 2017-2018 F150 is 1755 lbs...
You making things up as you go? I have never seen any such thing as a "Maximum Pin Weight" spec.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Nov 17, 2017
The key question is, WHAT fifth wheel?

Even the lightest "1/2 ton towable" fifth wheels push the limits of most F-150 trucks, and require some suspension helpers.

If you're talking about the fifth wheel in your signature, you better travel light. Empty it's 8800lbs and has a 1200lb pin weight. That's going to be pushing things both in power and payload capacity, and you may not like how it drives, even after you add LT rated tires, airbags, etc. to the truck.

I'm not particularly concerned about safety, because you will know if it's not safe long before you get into trouble.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 17, 2017
Get an F150 with both max towing AND max payload. May take a bit of effort in the preowned market.
Then get a trailer that meets the towing and payload specs.
BenK
Explorer
Nov 17, 2017
Blanch wrote:
I need some opinions on the F150 as a 5th wheel puller. I am looking to upgrade my TV. I have a 03 Duramax.

If needing justification for a new TV...check your budget for the tens of thousands of bucks this will cost vs sunk cost of what you have

Refreshing stuff will be...should be less money and again if just wanting to justify a new vehicle...that is each individuals choice

{I don't think I can afford to go diesel again. Looking at the F150 as a tow and be our main vehicle.

Suggest you do the simple math on both your current TV and any proposed TV.

First, decide if you believe in the OEM ratings system or not.

If yes, then suggest looking mainly at the RGAWR for comparison. Typical half ton RGAWR ranges from +4K GAWR to just below 5K GAWR...whereas your current TV should have an approx 7K RGAWR....that will be the most limiting rating between the approx 14 different half ton F150's vs any of the higher class TV's and their +6K RGAWR's

What are the opinions on F150 as a puller?

My opinions above and note that I keep my vehicles till the wheels fall off and some will say older, so lower ratings...yup...the metrics for comparison of today's half ton vs higher class still apply...just that they are all rated higher today because of more mature science/technology and design...
Thanks
spud1957
Explorer
Nov 17, 2017
carringb wrote:
ScottG wrote:
You will miss the torque.

Will he? The 2018 EcoBoost is only 30 ft-lbs shy of a 2003 Duramax. Or what a 2003 made new. Surely it's lost more than that by now. All in a much lighter truck.

Also add in the 10 speed transmission. The 30 lbs will disappear.
APT
Explorer
Nov 17, 2017
Most half tons run out of payload/rear axle ratings when considering f5y wheel RVs. IF you start at 1200 pounds dry pin weight, that will likely grow by 25%, then a 200 pound receiver in the bed, and people and cargo. So add 1000 pounds to dry pin weight and make sure the as equipped paylaod is at least that much.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Nov 17, 2017
Family of five and a 10,000# GVWR 5er, is likely not a good combo with even the. Largest F150. You are likely close to the DMax GVWR, but still safe.
jamesu
Explorer
Nov 17, 2017
You’ve got a great TV already so why switch to an expensive 1/2 ton new one that may not do the job as well for you? After towing 2 years with my Duramax (which I bought used for a fraction of the cost of an expensive new one) I could never go back to towing with a half ton again. My advice: shine your Silverado, do whatever maintenance is needed, and keep using it if it is still in good condition.

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F150 asa TV for 5th wheel

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