1st time 5er buyer needs advice

I recently retired (early, unplanned).. and we decided we want to travel around the country, but can't leave our dog behind. So 5th wheel it is. I had 2012 F250 diesel.
after looking at the trailers, all the ones we would be happy spending a couple months in will put the 250 right at its carrying capacity. (Sure wish I had bought the 350 last year instead..)

but a dually would be better. we had a dually before, and really (really!) liked how stable it was towing... (we tow an enclosed car hauler with my custom 1955 f100 in it, 7000lb loaded).

so, as luck would have it, I found a 2012 f350 dually for a couple grand more than my 250 was worth and it had less miles than the 250,
and less age. so I extended my warranty too!..

now I don't have to think about weight.

Gotta agree ... if you're thinking fifth wheel, then think 3/4 ton at a minimum.

We started with a 1/2 ton, towing a 17.5 foot long fifth wheel. Within a year we upgraded to a 3/4 ton. It took another three years before we upgraded to a 25' fifth wheel.

Just the two of us, too.

With the 25 footer, the truck is just a few hundred pounds under its GVWR when carrying the fifth wheel. That is with two dogs, two humans, fifth wheel hitch, firewood in the truck box, and tools in the extended cab. When we add the two kayaks on the truck's roof and the trials bike in the box, the truck is a bit over its GVWR but this hasn't been a problem.

I think back to when we had the half-ton ... DH was humbled when he realized his truck wasn't all he thought it was. But he was more than happy to get a bigger truck ... :B

Thanks to all for your advice, it gives me a lot to think about. Acei, those are very helpful links - I'd never visited that site before. I don't currently own the F150 that I mentioned earlier, it's just what I've been looking at. I might have to rethink that though. I tow my hybrid with a Toyota 4Runner (tow capacity of 7,000 lbs). Thanks again.

There are some 5W that can be towed without going the limits of 1/2t trucks. There aren't many, but they clearly do exist.

Check the following link: (19 models)

http://campcentral.net/advisor/traileradvisor.php?tv=15&weight_people=260&weight_cargo=90&trailer_weight_cargo=550&weight_hitch=100&trailer_type_pref=5th+Wheel&tv_max_tow_capacity=100&tv_max_payload_capacity=100&lighter_trailer=7&longer_trailer=0&fresh_water_tank=20&grey_water_tank=20&black_water_tank=20&propane_capacity=10&winterized=50&slideouts=7&bunks=-10&bed_isle=10&bedroom_closet=10&dining_d=-3&outside_kitchen=3&desk=3&washer=50&tvs=3&sep_bed_seat=10&sep_sofa_dining=7&sep_sofa_sofa=0&fridge_capacity=7

Most of these are well under 10k GVWR and their hitch weights are also doable on the 1/2ts. And this is based on the regular (non-HD payload) version of F150. If you are willing to go with the HD Payload, there's even more options.

5th wheel and half ton don't go together in my book. I guess it is possible for short flat distances.

My son bought a trailer with GVWR of 10k. His truck was rated to pull it. He drove about 5 miles on the freeway and told me his truck was for sale. A week later he is driving a 3/4 ton diesel.

I don't care to turn tight when backing as I really can't see my rig in my mirrors and have to rely on a spotter. I don't trust her. lol

Try playing around with the following tool:

http://campcentral.net/trailer-advisor/

You will get a pretty good idea what each truck is capable of pulling. I believe both HD Payload and non-HD versions of F150 are available to select in the tool.

But to put long story short, in a truck like this, you will hit into payload limitation well before the tow limits. This tool takes that into account.

I've always liked the Keystone Laredo or Cougar line.
Laredo link

Two important facts:

All truck salesmen lie about towing capacity.

All trailer salesmen lie about loaded weight.

Always true.

Depends how big you want to go, I bought a used 21foot prowler a few months ago and love it. It's my first and like you we are only two people. I have an F150 as well but not the Ecoboost and my truck pulls the trailer fully loaded with no issues.

Hi. The only recommendation I have is make sure you stay within the payload rating of the F150. If you have maxtow package. I believe your trucks payload (amount you can safely load on axles) is around 2000 lbs (maybe less). That 2000 lbs includes pin weight, hitch, anything inbed, anything iin cab including passengers, dog, etc. This will limit your choices to an fifth wheel with a (loaded not dry) pin weight of around 1,200 lbs. Please keep in mind that the actual pin weight in fifth wheel rvs is about 20% of the loaded weight of the trailer. This means that the gvwr of the fiver that will be within payload limits will be around 7000 lbs (not dryweight). The term 1/2 towable is used too loosely in the fifth wheel marketing world IMO.
I recommend a 3/4 ton truck minimum for fifth wheel towing.
Steve