Size of truck

greystonecowboy wrote:
We are ready to purchase our first fifth wheel trailer and are having trouble deciding on the proper truck. Everyone tells us something different. We are looking at a 32 footer. Will an F150 with eco boost motor pull this? It says that it is rated for 11300Lbs..

What you can PULL is only half the story. I'm sure you have realized by now that what you can CARRY (Payload) is a more critical number when it comes to hooking up a fiver, especially with a lighter truck. You will exceed that rating very quickly, even with the F150 HD Max payload (8200# GVWR) version.
Do your homework to avoid an expensive mistake.

I also agree with those who suggest you skip the 3/4 tons. I was looking at a loaded 4WD 2014 GMC 2500HD diesel a couple of weeks ago. 10,000# GVWR but it only had a 2400# payload rating - 400# LESS than my current truck.
So check the numbers carefully before you buy.

Just FWIW I carry 2400# - 2600# total with the fiver in my sig. That is a 27 footer with an 1800# pin.
Going to a 32 footer will probably increase that number significantly.

Just another option OP... I know this is the fiver forum but if you want to pull with a F-150 EcoBoost then there is another option that will work great and tow great. That is a F150 MaxTow/HD payload package and a nicely equipped travel trailer. Add a high end hitch like the Hensley Arrow or a Dual-Cam sway control hitch and you have a solid towing combo in all your ratings.

Fivers are nice but so are TT's, and they can be a very good combos. There are a ton more options in TT's for half tons than fivers.

If your heart is set on a fiver and a F150 it "can" be done safely you just have to properly match the truck and trailer. Something like some of the Couger X-Lite fivers.

Thanks!

If you are moving up in truck skip to 350/3500 srw.
If smaller trailer look at 11,300 max GVWR and keep the loaded pin 600# less than the payload rating as a rough guideline.

greystonecowboy wrote:
I am getting the idea that I need to move up in truck size or down in trailer size. I appreciate all the good insight as we are new and trying to get it right the first time....

Keep reading about pin weight and payload here on this forum and figure pin weight at 25% of GVWR of the trailer. You are quite correct with your current trend toward bigger truck/smaller trailer.

You do NOT need a diesel for that sized 5th wheel. A GAS 6.0L or 6.2L will pull that size trailer all over the country with no problem. But you do need a 250/2500 or preferably a 350/3500. I would recommend going with the 350/3500 for only a few dollars more. That size truck is needed to carry the weight of the 5'r that is carried over the trucks back wheels.

I am getting the idea that I need to move up in truck size or down in trailer size. I appreciate all the good insight as we are new and trying to get it right the first time....

If the OP has neither a 5ver or TV buy the 5ver you WANT first then get the proper TV that will pull it without being on the edge.

Buy a truck My neighbor has an ego-boost on a day with no wind it has the power to pull it.does well going up hills. going down the long steep grades around MT & WY pushes that little truck around,brakes get smoking hot and the driver gets aged ten years. Get in some wind with semi's around you'll want to camp at the next gas station. Dodge with an engine brake is awesome!

Towing a fiver ifs fine with the ecoboost as long as you get the right model. Order the hd version of the truck so you get the big payload needed to handle pin weight. The ecoboost can tow its rating with no problem.

rhagfo wrote:
Well unless theirs is a Max/Max 8,200# GVWR not likely. Were and what do they tow it? The inland valley of CA.
While that 5er has a dry weight on 8,400#, the GVWR is 11,500, with a dry pin of 1,900# that is a big load for a truck only rated for 8,200#.

Far as I know they go to the same spots we go and a few parks North of here.
I can only say what they say to me.
Seen them hooked up and heading out quite a few times, truck and trailer look fine.
No sagging, no apparent struggling.
Maybe they travel light the rig seems to work for them.

They say the truck does fine...dunno what to tell ya other than what an actual owner tells me.