How can I calculate what size 5th wheel I can tow?

[ChiefJBJ]

Can I tow it or not. I am somewhat new at 5th wheel camping. I need help from an unbiased opinion. When you talk to a salesman you get one answer and even the Ford dealers tell me different numbers. Is there a calculation form/sheet that is definative?

TV is a 2012 F250 crew cab,4x4,SWB, Turbo Diesel 6.7, 355 gears,airbags. GVWR 10000#lb,FRT GAWR 5200#lb,Rear GAWR 6100#lb.

5th wheel info, Heartland Keylargo, Dry weight 13014#lb, Cargo not to exceed 3185#lb, GVWR/PNBV 16250#lb, GAWR/PNB (each axle) 7000#lb.

Can someone tell me how to figure what my truck can pull? Ford said I can pull this as well as the dealer. I am not sure.
Please Help.

[ependydad]

NMace wrote:
The problem with all of the what can I tow programs I have seen is they assume a pin weight of 20 to 25% of the total 5er. That is often not true with modern units, some are under 15%.

The only way to know for sure is to weigh after loaded ready to camp. But you can guess closer by doing the math on dry weights, and use that percentage, perhaps increased some as much of the added/wet weight tends to be in front of the axels, as that is where most of the storage is.

It will get you a lot closer than using 25% with an actual dry weight factor of 17%. You can always distribute your load, travel with empty tanks, and more importantly don't load it up with junk.

Not mine- for one, I have the user plug-in the dry weights and it determines the dry percentage. I then let the user increase it by a couple of percentage points (since most go up due to the front storage) and finally estimate an actual loaded weight to go by.

[NMace]

Checking the Key Largo has a dry pin to total of about 22%, so the calculator programs will work, it also has some large holding tanks that I would try to leave enpty even with DRW 350/3500.

[NMace]

The problem with all of the what can I tow programs I have seen is they assume a pin weight of 20 to 25% of the total 5er. That is often not true with modern units, some are under 15%.

The only way to know for sure is to weigh after loaded ready to camp. But you can guess closer by doing the math on dry weights, and use that percentage, perhaps increased some as much of the added/wet weight tends to be in front of the axels, as that is where most of the storage is.

It will get you a lot closer than using 25% with an actual dry weight factor of 17%. You can always distribute your load, travel with empty tanks, and more importantly don't load it up with junk.

[wandering1]

If Ford and the dealer told you that you can tow the trailer don't believe them, tell them to show you the towing specs for your truck, not the stuff on the door jamb. They are in business to sell trucks and will tell you whatever it will take to sell you the truck. Maybe you noticed they wouldn't put it in writing.

Current online towing specs:

Ford towing Specs

Tell the dealer or ford to show you the same info for your truck. The 2015 specs have improved over the 2012.

[RedAce]

Either get a dually or scale back the size of your 5er by a considerable amount. Your truck is way too light for that RV.

[Winged_One]

Got to agree, that is just way too much trailer for the truck. Scale back. Just because the trailer ends up being shorter and lighter, doesn't mean it won't be something you love.

Maybe you can get much more interior space with a TT versus a 5th, that would be carried more by the trailer than your truck.

[ependydad]

Here you go- 2 ways to skin the cat:
Towing Planner Calculators

[laknox]

ChiefJBJ wrote:
Can I tow it or not. I am somewhat new at 5th wheel camping. I need help from an unbiased opinion. When you talk to a salesman you get one answer and even the Ford dealers tell me different numbers. Is there a calculation form/sheet that is definative?

TV is a 2012 F250 crew cab,4x4,SWB, Turbo Diesel 6.7, 355 gears,airbags. GVWR 10000#lb,FRT GAWR 5200#lb,Rear GAWR 6100#lb.

5th wheel info, Heartland Keylargo, Dry weight 13014#lb, Cargo not to exceed 3185#lb, GVWR/PNBV 16250#lb, GAWR/PNB (each axle) 7000#lb.

Can someone tell me how to figure what my truck can pull? Ford said I can pull this as well as the dealer. I am not sure.
Please Help.

It's not what you can TOW; it's what you can CARRY. That's the big lie that they all tell...unless you run into the 2 or 3 honest sales people out there.

Lyle

[rhagfo]

aruba5er wrote:
Look at Jayco.com and under fifth wheels. They list the trucks that can pull their lightweights. I'm looking at a new 30+ footer that can be pulled by a F150 or ram or chev 1500.Not that I have one but they do make some lighter 5er's that can be pulled by a half ton. I need another bedroom and the lighter one gives me that and maybe more mpg.

Pulled yes, by a stripper and carried maybe by a stripper. Most that have got a 150/1500 to carry a 5er were max/max Ford F150's

[Ric_Flair]

Get a doolie, tow anything.

[aruba5er]

Look at Jayco.com and under fifth wheels. They list the trucks that can pull their lightweights. I'm looking at a new 30+ footer that can be pulled by a F150 or ram or chev 1500.Not that I have one but they do make some lighter 5er's that can be pulled by a half ton. I need another bedroom and the lighter one gives me that and maybe more mpg.

[Dr_Quick]

Have you looked I your owners manual? I Have an older 250 and the manual is quite explicit on all of the different size trucks, gear ratios, engines, body stiles and kind of trailers 5TH and TT. Listing the maximum weights of each class.

[Old-Biscuit]

F250........12,000# GVW 5vr not a 13,000# 'dry' weight 5vr

[rhagfo]

ChiefJBJ wrote:
Can I tow it or not. I am somewhat new at 5th wheel camping. I need help from an unbiased opinion. When you talk to a salesman you get one answer and even the Ford dealers tell me different numbers. Is there a calculation form/sheet that is definative?

TV is a 2012 F250 crew cab,4x4,SWB, Turbo Diesel 6.7, 355 gears,airbags. GVWR 10000#lb,FRT GAWR 5200#lb,Rear GAWR 6100#lb.

5th wheel info, Heartland Keylargo, Dry weight 13014#lb, Cargo not to exceed 3185#lb, GVWR/PNBV 16250#lb, GAWR/PNB (each axle) 7000#lb.

Can someone tell me how to figure what my truck can pull? Ford said I can pull this as well as the dealer. I am not sure.
Please Help.

The quick answer is, well not within ratings!

While my 2001, doesn't have the GVWR you have I tow close to that! My axle ratings are almost the same as yours front 5,200 rear 6,084. My 5er weighs 11,000# WET, so you will be over GVWR, and Likely over rear axles rating, and if so over the tire rating. My truck came stock with 265/75-16R E rated tires 3,415# per tire rating, standard for it was 245/75-16r E rated at 3,042# per tire.