Who's Towing a 5th with a half ton?

Best to get the right tool for the job. Can you cut down a tree with a hand saw? Sure you can. But it's a lot easier and safer to use a chain saw.

Im not the weight police, but I've had a 2011 Silverado 1500 with tow package. Owners manual specifically says NOT capable/acceptable or whatever for 5th wheel. Yet, there's at least two people who posted that clearly have virtually the same vehicle, who, I guess, feel they know better than the manufacturer. That's fine.. their choice.

I upgraded my truck (and since then, my TT). I bought a 2014 Ram 2500 CTD, 4WD. Cargo capacity is 2100lbs. I was considering a 5ver, but anything I wanted would have resulted in probably 2000lbs or more of pin weight (20 percent of 10K or more in GVWR). That, plus my cargo (me, wife etc), would have have obviously exceeded my cargo capacity. Would have still been under my axle rating, but I would rather be within all weight ratings.

I got a super nice TT that is well within my overall capacities, and it has just about as much living space as any 5ver I was looking at. Maybe not as much storage bins, but lots of internal storage.

Point is, even with my 3/4 ton, I did not have the CC for most 5vers. And my previous 1/2 had clear warnings to NOT tow a 5ver.

Again, buy the proper tool to do the job.

Mike

It's loaded well over the rated payload capacity but I still get a kick out of this picture. Most 1/2 tons would be dragging the rear bumper at this point. 2700lb of steel, water and concrete blocks

broncobill1964 wrote:
How many people out there are towing a 5th wheel with a half ton truck, and the weight of your 5th wheel?

2011 Ram 1500 Quad cab Laramie
Payload 1570#
Max Tow 8350#

2010 Puma 245RKS 5th wheel
Dry Hitch wt. 1080#
Dry Wt. 6500#
cargo cap. 1637#
25'7" long

While I admit this is/was pushing the rated limits we pulled out to N.J., Maryland, The Blue Ridge area, Land Between The Lakes, and many shorter Michigan/Wisconsin trips and never had any issues or concerns.

A half ton is probably never the perfect answer but if it makes sense for reasons other than part time towing it can be accomplished right wrong or otherwise.

As a side note I did just trade the truck in with 128,000 miles on it for a 2500 so that we can sell the Puma and move up slightly in size with a new unit. I will miss the comfort of the 1500 on my 75 mile daily round trips.

thomas201 wrote:
My experience with a ½ ton fifth wheel, on a drive to Yellowstone, from New Jersey. The 2011 Silverado was set up with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears, along with the towing package. It is a standard bed and rated for a 9600 pound trailer. Trailer was a new 2011 Wildcat.

Over the Cat scales at Flying J exit 2 in Jersey with a full freshwater tank, and loaded for a long camping trip:

Truck only:
Front 3320
Rear 2360
Gross 5680

Truck & Trailer:
Front 3180
Rear 3740
Trailer 8000
Gross 14920

Calculated:
Truck 6920
Pin 1240
Trailer 9240

So, with the truck rated at 7000, and the combined at 15000 and the trailer at 9600, I ain’t no bricks shy of a full load. This was a little high to me, so for our first journey we decided to not go to Alaska. So we dropped a second spare tire for the truck and the fresh water. Thus we dropped 400 to 450 pounds of gross weight all out of the trailer. The cost to weigh was $10.50, cheap to know as opposed to guessing.

So over the mountains we went. It pulls fine on the flat lands along the Atlantic coast. At 65 mph the transmission saw 180-190. Even with the fairly low pin weight it handled well, no swaying, just a well behaved load. Crossing the eastern continental divide from the town of Seneca Rocks, WV I had my first worry moment. Outside temp was about 80 at the bottom of the mountain. The truck pulled this steep mountain at about 30 to 40 mph, mostly in 2nd gear, with an occasional drop to 1st in the tight turns. The coolant peaked at about 240 or so, and then the temperature dropped to 220. I guess the electric fan has two speeds. Transmission fluid also hit 250 for just a moment, before dropping into the 230 to 240 range. The truck did not give a warning light. Anyone know the temperature to throw a warning and drop into the limp mode?

The tow/haul mode works sweetly going down the mountains, only an occasional use of brakes was necessary. The rest of the mountains pulled with no real drama. Topped most of them in 3rd at 40 to 50 mph. Got about 8.4 mpg on this leg from Jersey to Elkins WV.

Continuing on across the plains all was fine until the long constant pull against a strong headwind in South Dakota. With an outside temp of 105 the truck began to heat up on any extended grade. Four times the temp of the coolant climbed to 240 or so, and the transmission fluid also climbed to 221. Each time this happened, I shut down the A/C for 15 minutes and cooled everything down. The truck spent most of its time in 3rd gear under these conditions, at about 55 to 60 mph. The big headwind (maybe 40 mph) killed my mileage down to 8 even. A bigger truck would be needed to keep up with traffic. The strong headwind limited me to 4th and about 65mph on the downgrades. It would not stay in 5th, unless dropping into a river valley.

Easier pulling from Rapid City, SD to Gardiner, MT with no real headwinds. With temps in the mid 90’s the tranny held 190 to 205. Got about 9.2 mpg. Truck made it West, but I will be shopping for ¾ ton in either gas or diesel for more performance in the mountains.

On the trip East, I normally had a tailwind and cooler temperatures. Across North Dakota and through the Michigan UP, and on down to WV, mileage was in the middle nines with one whole day at 10.1. Plenty of truck for this driving.


After this trip I upgraded to a 2012 F250 with the 6.7 diesel. In 15,000 miles of towing in 13 and 14 no drama at all. The bigger brakes only were needed after the loss of trailer braking between Durango and Silverton Colorado. Ford replaced the trailer brake controller under warranty in Steamboat Springs. I like the F250 with a 10k door sticker since it gives me the towing limits I need (I like to de-rate the manufactures about 10%) and it allows me to use the left lanes and some parkways in the Northeast without the camper.

Good post. The Super Duty is quite the upgrade from the F150, you're a sensible guy.

My experience with a ½ ton fifth wheel, on a drive to Yellowstone, from New Jersey. The 2011 Silverado was set up with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears, along with the towing package. It is a standard bed and rated for a 9600 pound trailer. Trailer was a new 2011 Wildcat.

Over the Cat scales at Flying J exit 2 in Jersey with a full freshwater tank, and loaded for a long camping trip:

Truck only:
Front 3320
Rear 2360
Gross 5680

Truck & Trailer:
Front 3180
Rear 3740
Trailer 8000
Gross 14920

Calculated:
Truck 6920
Pin 1240
Trailer 9240

So, with the truck rated at 7000, and the combined at 15000 and the trailer at 9600, I ain’t no bricks shy of a full load. This was a little high to me, so for our first journey we decided to not go to Alaska. So we dropped a second spare tire for the truck and the fresh water. Thus we dropped 400 to 450 pounds of gross weight all out of the trailer. The cost to weigh was $10.50, cheap to know as opposed to guessing.

So over the mountains we went. It pulls fine on the flat lands along the Atlantic coast. At 65 mph the transmission saw 180-190. Even with the fairly low pin weight it handled well, no swaying, just a well behaved load. Crossing the eastern continental divide from the town of Seneca Rocks, WV I had my first worry moment. Outside temp was about 80 at the bottom of the mountain. The truck pulled this steep mountain at about 30 to 40 mph, mostly in 2nd gear, with an occasional drop to 1st in the tight turns. The coolant peaked at about 240 or so, and then the temperature dropped to 220. I guess the electric fan has two speeds. Transmission fluid also hit 250 for just a moment, before dropping into the 230 to 240 range. The truck did not give a warning light. Anyone know the temperature to throw a warning and drop into the limp mode?

The tow/haul mode works sweetly going down the mountains, only an occasional use of brakes was necessary. The rest of the mountains pulled with no real drama. Topped most of them in 3rd at 40 to 50 mph. Got about 8.4 mpg on this leg from Jersey to Elkins WV.

Continuing on across the plains all was fine until the long constant pull against a strong headwind in South Dakota. With an outside temp of 105 the truck began to heat up on any extended grade. Four times the temp of the coolant climbed to 240 or so, and the transmission fluid also climbed to 221. Each time this happened, I shut down the A/C for 15 minutes and cooled everything down. The truck spent most of its time in 3rd gear under these conditions, at about 55 to 60 mph. The big headwind (maybe 40 mph) killed my mileage down to 8 even. A bigger truck would be needed to keep up with traffic. The strong headwind limited me to 4th and about 65mph on the downgrades. It would not stay in 5th, unless dropping into a river valley.

Easier pulling from Rapid City, SD to Gardiner, MT with no real headwinds. With temps in the mid 90’s the tranny held 190 to 205. Got about 9.2 mpg. Truck made it West, but I will be shopping for ¾ ton in either gas or diesel for more performance in the mountains.

On the trip East, I normally had a tailwind and cooler temperatures. Across North Dakota and through the Michigan UP, and on down to WV, mileage was in the middle nines with one whole day at 10.1. Plenty of truck for this driving.


After this trip I upgraded to a 2012 F250 with the 6.7 diesel. In 15,000 miles of towing in 13 and 14 no drama at all. The bigger brakes only were needed after the loss of trailer braking between Durango and Silverton Colorado. Ford replaced the trailer brake controller under warranty in Steamboat Springs. I like the F250 with a 10k door sticker since it gives me the towing limits I need (I like to de-rate the manufactures about 10%) and it allows me to use the left lanes and some parkways in the Northeast without the camper.

Four pages of explanations, examples, and some justifications when the simple question could have been, "Who is hauling/.towing within the capabilities of their tow vehicle?" One can call it a half ton or an airplane as long as it is designed to do the job assigned to it. Personally, if I want to haul 2,000 pounds, I want a pickup capable of hauling that much or more. Put any badge on it you like.

smkettner wrote:
Ten years and running fine. Been over the Rockies, through 115° heat, -10° cold, snow, lots of rain, couple ST flats, up/down plenty of 10%+ grades. Plenty said at the start the gear change would be a waste as I would soon be trading to a one ton. Set the cruise and go have some fun.

I know they were selling your size Springdale in New Zealand. Very towable using a Ford Ranger, Mazda BT 50. New Zealand is mountainous with at times extremely steep climbs
This looks like an earlier Mazda

Also from New Zealand a Keystone Cougar towed by a Ranger

milo wrote:

broncobill1964 wrote:
How many people out there are towing a 5th wheel with a half ton truck, and the weight of your 5th wheel?

ME...ME...ME...ME
DW & I tow a '14 26sab Xlite Cougar 5th wheel with our little '13 F-150 HD Eco 4x4. Awesome combo.

Milo

lawnspecialties wrote:
For what its worth, I was driving down I-40 here in the Raleigh area a few weeks ago. A new white F-150 was beside me with a nice Cougar fifth wheel. I know Cougar makes some lighter versions and I must admit, it was an impressive looking rig.

I imagine the guy had air bags because that truck had no squat whatsoever. It appeared very stable and it just made me sad knowing they were headed somewhere toward the coast and .... :(

Lawnspecialties...that very well could have been us but noooo ...DW & I have never been anywhere near that area. Our little 1/2 ton, suspension wise, is pure stock (no air bags or helper springs) and it sets pertnear level (1/2 inch high in the rear) with the 5er attached. So regardless of what all the so called expert say or think .. a properly equipped 1/2 ton can safely pull & stop a 5er and also be well within weight limits. We is.

Milo

Milo,

I know what kind of truck you have, and yes, it is 'properly equipped'. ;) By properly equipped that means it was ordered to get the 8200 GVWR with a payload of near 2,200 for an optioned crew cab. buckHD also towed a 5th wheel and he was happy with this configuration. He had photos showing 2,000 in the bed (concrete or something similar) and no squat, it just took the rake out of the truck. No need for air bags.

Just waiting for spring, looking forward to the first trip.

Good luck,
Stu

As mentioned '1/2 tons' vary significantly in payload and that will likely be your limiting factor.

What does the yellow door sticker on your truck say for payload and RAWR? How much weight will you have in passengers and gear in the truck? Now deduct another 100 lbs for the 5th wheel hitch. That will give you your remaining payload.

So what do your numbers add up to?

Good luck,
Stu

milo wrote:

broncobill1964 wrote:
How many people out there are towing a 5th wheel with a half ton truck, and the weight of your 5th wheel?

ME...ME...ME...ME
DW & I tow a '14 26sab Xlite Cougar 5th wheel with our little '13 F-150 HD Eco 4x4. Awesome combo.

Milo

lawnspecialties wrote:
For what its worth, I was driving down I-40 here in the Raleigh area a few weeks ago. A new white F-150 was beside me with a nice Cougar fifth wheel. I know Cougar makes some lighter versions and I must admit, it was an impressive looking rig.

I imagine the guy had air bags because that truck had no squat whatsoever. It appeared very stable and it just made me sad knowing they were headed somewhere toward the coast and .... :(

Lawnspecialties...that very well could have been us but noooo ...DW & I have never been anywhere near that area. Our little 1/2 ton, suspension wise, is pure stock (no air bags or helper springs) and it sets pertnear level (1/2 inch high in the rear) with the 5er attached. So regardless of what all the so called expert say or think .. a properly equipped 1/2 ton can safely pull & stop a 5er and also be well within weight limits. We is.

Milo

All of what he said, and less tail wagging the dog with a 5er!!!!