1/2 Ton 5th Wheel

[JeanMarie]

Hi Everyone!

I was at an RV dealership today, and I was told by the salesman that my 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi, would have no problem pulling a Keystone Cougar Half-ton 5th wheel trailer. My husband doesn't think it would be a good idea, and that it would ruin his truck. I loved the RV, and I want to buy it.

Any advise on this? Do you think it's a good idea to pull this trailer with my truck? Or is it just a sales gimick?

Thanks!!

[Shadow_Grey]

SkiSmuggs wrote:

avvidclif1 wrote:
Look closely at the differences in hauling capacity and price between an F250 and a F350 SRW. It might surprise you what a few bucks can buy.

Absolutely! I plan to just skip right over the F250 as it is only rated for just a little more than the F150 HD payload.

That is our plan also when the retirement date gets closer. F350/3500 and larger 5er for near full timing it.

[SkiSmuggs]

avvidclif1 wrote:
Look closely at the differences in hauling capacity and price between an F250 and a F350 SRW. It might surprise you what a few bucks can buy.

Absolutely! I plan to just skip right over the F250 as it is only rated for just a little more than the F150 HD payload.

[avvidclif1]

Look closely at the differences in hauling capacity and price between an F250 and a F350 SRW. It might surprise you what a few bucks can buy.

[JeanMarie]

Thanks SkiSmuggs. We've talked about a bigger truck before. A couple of years ago I did a ton of research on the comparison between Dodge 2500, FordF250, and the Chevy HD2500. Didn't like the Chevy at all. The dodge 2500 was nice, but the F250 had a better cab size, and the overall ratings were better. We are a Dodge family, but you can't beat the F250. It's just a great truck.

Our truck right now is over 10 years old. It's more for hauling lumber, hauling motorcycles, and hauling ass, but not a heavy trailer. We have pulled things with it before, including an Airstream, but nothing heavier.

We are going to be moving to Texas in a couple of years, and we will be towing my husbands 71 Dodge Challenger, my Harley, and his GSXR 750. I'm just worried that along the way the truck is going to break cause it's older and it isn't meant for that type of hauling. We will also have the 5th wheel, so I know it will be better with a bigger truck. So two trips it is with a big diesel truck. Great.

[SkiSmuggs]

SkiSmuggs wrote:

JeanMarie wrote:
Here are the specs. for the 5th wheel that I wanted. It's just me and my husband, no kids, 2 small dogs.

http://www.keystonerv.com/buyers-guide/model-comparison?m0=85474

That dry hitch weight of 1420 will be about 1700 loaded, so you need at least a 1/2 ton with a payload rating of 2400 lbs (it has to carry you and your stuff too) or more. I can only speak of Fords and that means a special order for the HD Payload option. A 3/4 ton truck should be fine.
My next truck will be an F350/3500 class so I don't feel as limited in fiver choices, but I won't have to worry about commuting by then.

And, BTW, do your own homework on the brand truck you want. You would be surprised how little salesmen know about them and they want you to buy something off their lot. It is your problem after that.

[SkiSmuggs]

JeanMarie wrote:
Here are the specs. for the 5th wheel that I wanted. It's just me and my husband, no kids, 2 small dogs.

http://www.keystonerv.com/buyers-guide/model-comparison?m0=85474

That dry hitch weight of 1420 will be about 1700 loaded, so you need at least a 1/2 ton with a payload rating of 2400 lbs (it has to carry you and your stuff too) or more. I can only speak of Fords and that means a special order for the HD Payload option. A 3/4 ton truck should be fine.

[Shadow_Grey]

SkiSmuggs wrote:

Mootpoint wrote:
If you have to do a bunch of work to boost your 1/2 ton it's not 1/2 ton towable.
You can mod out a Volkswagen to tow with if you want but is it safe.
JMHO....There is no such thing as 1/2 ton towable 5th wheel.
They can put you to sleep watching them sway to and fro in light winds down the road.

How about if you only have to check two items on the order form?
I just have Max Tow on mine, added SuperSprings, Bilsteins (about what Ford does for the HD payload package) and have 15K of towing with no sway or close calls up and down mountains of VT, NH, CO and WY. My fiver is 9500 lb loaded and is rated for 11K, so I have no reservations about it. But I still don't think the OP has the truck for it.

I'll second what you said SkiSmuggs, but just like _____'s, everybody has an opinion and he is allowed his just as we are allowed ours. Only difference is we are living the truth and those that oppose just will not understand unless they drive one. I made a believer out of my brother and he has a 3500 CTD.

[SkiSmuggs]

Mootpoint wrote:
If you have to do a bunch of work to boost your 1/2 ton it's not 1/2 ton towable.
You can mod out a Volkswagen to tow with if you want but is it safe.
JMHO....There is no such thing as 1/2 ton towable 5th wheel.
They can put you to sleep watching them sway to and fro in light winds down the road.

How about if you only have to check two items on the order form?
I just have Max Tow on mine, added SuperSprings, Bilsteins (about what Ford does for the HD payload package) and have 15K of towing with no sway or close calls up and down mountains of VT, NH, CO and WY. My fiver is 9500 lb loaded and is rated for 11K, so I have no reservations about it. But I still don't think the OP has the truck for it.

[Allworth]

Good thinking!

[JeanMarie]

Thanks everyone for all the help! We have decided just to get a new truck first. We don't want to break down because we broke something on our Dodge.Its been a great truck, but it's time to upgrade. So first a new F250, then we will decide on the 5th wheel. Thanks again!

[Miles_Away]

Can it pull it? YES! Should it two it? NO! I once saw a half ton Toyota P/U pulling a space shuttle on TV, so it can be done. Just don't try stopping it. Cardinal Rule: A salesman may tell you anything to get your money.

[Mootpoint]

If you have to do a bunch of work to boost your 1/2 ton it's not 1/2 ton towable.
You can mod out a Volkswagen to tow with if you want but is it safe.
JMHO....There is no such thing as 1/2 ton towable 5th wheel.
They can put you to sleep watching them sway to and fro in light winds down the road.

[SkiSmuggs]

The fifth wheel is half-ton towable, just probably not by your truck. The truck has to be configured at the factory for heavy duty work. For an F150, that means the Max Tow and HD Payload packages to be within ratings for that fiver. The 2015 F150 with those options is rated to tow 12,000 lbs and has a payload of about 3000 lbs. The term 1/2 ton doesn't mean what it used to, but you have to be aware of the capacities of your particular truck.

[Jandsa]

I am going to say it straight out, "The salesperson is just trying to make a sale."
We had a GMC truck 5.2 V-8, rated to tow 9,000 lbs and towed a TT with a weight of almost 5,000 lb. Hubby was not a happy camper towing the TT, especially on steeper hills. He traded for a 250 diesel. What a difference that made...the diesel didn't even flinch with 5,000 lbs. behind it.

Anyway, we now tow a 5ver Keystone, similiar to a Cougar. NO WAY will you be able to tow a 5ver any distance...Wait, the dealer sort of is telling the truth....You could tow it to the nearest campground and leave it there.

Better get at least a 2500/250 Chevy, GMC or Ford or a diesel if you are going to do any amount of traveling with the 5ver.