Is there really a 1/2 ton towable fifth wheel?

[Hornnumb2]

Just got rid of my bumper pull and would like to do fifth wheel but the weights look over what I would expect.

[kellertx5er]

agesilaus wrote:
To be brief--NO!

So brief as to be misinformed, or totally uninformed. See Sportsmen 231RK (7000 lb. GVWR/840 lb. pin weight).

[troubledwaters]

JIMNLIN wrote:
The problem with most 1/2 ton trucks is those small 3200-4800 rawr. The most in the bed payload even for the F150HDPP with the 4800 rawr is around 2500 lbs.

Now when we look at a 3/4 ton with 6230-6500 rawr their good for around 3000-3400 lb in the bed payload.

Those high 3000+ lb payloads Ford say the F150HDPP can carry is a gvwr based payload which when placed in the bed as hitch weight or a truck camper will overload its small 4800 rawr/wheels or rear spring pack.

Now if the subject is a '00-'06 1500 HD GM it has those big 6000 rawr good for around 3000 lb gvwr payloads or rawr payloads.

The Moral of this story is, make sure you have a driver in the front drivers seat so ALL of the Payload doesn't go on the rear axle. The point being, its not practical to load 100% of the payload on the rear axle.

[JIMNLIN]

The problem with most 1/2 ton trucks is those small 3200-4800 rawr. The most in the bed payload even for the F150HDPP with the 4800 rawr is around 2500 lbs.

Now when we look at a 3/4 ton with 6230-6500 rawr their good for around 3000-3400 lb in the bed payload.

Those high 3000+ lb payloads Ford say the F150HDPP can carry is a gvwr based payload which when placed in the bed as hitch weight or a truck camper will overload its small 4800 rawr/wheels or rear spring pack.

Now if the subject is a '00-'06 1500 HD GM it has those big 6000 rawr good for around 3000 lb gvwr payloads or rawr payloads.

[troubledwaters]

People focus on the badge on the side of the truck - which is meaningless. The only thing that matters is the sticker on the door jam. You can have 2500 that technically can't tow as big a fifth wheel as a 1500.

[Addy15]

Contrary to what some folks seem to believe, the short and simple answer to the question, as asked, is...YES.

It just depends on exactly which half-ton you pair with which trailer. Obviously, you are probably looking at a smaller fifth-wheel and most likely a specially equipped truck.

[irishtom29]

I talked to a fella today pulling a rather small Jayco 5W with an Ecoboost F-150 with a heavy duty payload package. When he bought the truck there were only 2 available in the country and it was shipped to his dealer from a couple of states away. The truck is a rather spartan XLT with an extended cab and 8 foot bed; not a soccer Dad truck. The owner is very satisfied.

As has been mentioned the savvy know you can get an F-150 that has more payload than a 250 diesel. Now 250 gassers have fine payload but the diesels, well they’re kind’a weak kneed.

[DSteiner51]

rhagfo wrote:

I will also state that a 1/2 tom pulling a 30'+ 5er as long as they have enough tire on them, is far safe and far more stable than that same 1/2 ton towing a 30'+ TT, far less tail wagging the dog.
I worry more about those that feel they can carry/pull a 16,000#+ 5er with a 3/4 ton truck, paying no attention to tire capacity.

Finally! One of the most honest posts I’ve seen on this topic in years! I would much rather see a half ton overloaded by 200 lbs pulling a 5th wheel which is inherently stable then the same truck pulling a long travel trailer which requires bandaids to make the numbers work out even if they can fool themselves into thinking they are 500lbs in the clear.

RVer’s are about the only ones who think they can overload a truck by adding WDH and sway control. I have only seen one agricultural/construction trailer using such bandaids in 60 years of towing... mine until I got smart and figured out there was a good reason then I GAVE it way, free.

[mooky_stinks]

JIMNLIN has the best and most accurate info in this thread IMO. Some 1/2 tons can handle a 9-10k 5th. Most can't. That being said, my Max Tow 1500 has just under 2100 lbs payload rating and it was 1 of about a dozen that were available when my dealer did a search .

[Second_Chance]

Not all 1/2-ton trucks are created equal. There are folks out there with the newer F150 EcoBoost trucks with HD Payload and HD Towing packages (they are different option groups on the same truck) towing smaller fifth wheels. I don't think a 1/2-ton with "standard" suspension would be up to handling the pin weight (as mentioned above) of even the fifth wheels labeled as 1/2-ton towable.

Rob

[laknox]

Swell1 wrote:
Durango makes 5'ers with GVWR from 9000 - 10,500 pounds. with that said it really depends on what your 1/2 ton is rated for. For example Fords F150 range anywhere from 6000-12,500 depending on which tow package you buy.

I was going to mention the Durango 1500 and, now, Durango "Half-Ton" models as well as the Jayco Eagle HT models. The Jaycos all grossed around 9.5k lbs, last I looked. Very late model 150/1500s would likely handle them in certain configurations, but I know I wouldn't be happy with the situation for long. I'm sure there are other brands outside the "mini" campers (Escape, Scamp, etc.).

Lyle

[time2roll]

Hornnumb2 wrote:
I still have the 3/4 but wanted to go back to 1/2 ton...

The hard part is finding a used half with the max tow, max payload, max GVWR options. New can always be special ordered.

You are looking for a trailer with dry pin under 1200 pounds. Mine is 880.

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
I still have the 3/4 but wanted to go back to 1/2 ton...

Choose the right new gen 1/2 ton and it will have no problems towing a 5th wheel trailer within its rating. Choose a older gen 1/2 ton truck like some mention and it will struggle as others report.

If you want to stick with a GM then choose a 1500 6.2 engine with the NHT (max tow) package. You get a 7600 gvwr with 4300 rawr and a 8 speed tranny. The 6.2 engine cranks out 420 hp and 460 torque. The NHT package can come with 2000+ lb payloads.

The best bang for the bucks in the 1/2 ton arena is the F150 which comes with several package. The 3.5 ecoboost cranks our 375 hp and a huge 470 torque. The 3.5 gets some good mpg as a daily driver for many folks. Starting at the top is the F150 HDPP.

...7850 gvwr....4800 rawr good for up to around 2500 lbs in the bed.
...7550 gvwr....4550 rawr...................... 2200 lbs in the bed.
...7050 gvwr....4050 rawr...................... 1750 lbs in the bed.
...6800 gvwr....3800 rawr...................... 1500 lbs..........
Actual numbers depends on truck selections and scaled axle weight numbers.
Most F150 owners bit into the small 6800 gvwr/3800 rawr because it came with a max tow package (they all do). Max tow doesn't upgrade gvwr or the rawr so don't bit into it thinking it can give the truck max towing ability.

The 1500 Ram...... Low gvwr and smallish rawr numbers with rear coil springs isn't a the best option for a 5th wheel trailer. The 5.7 hemi with 3.92 gears is a strong performer.

[Hornnumb2]

rhagfo wrote:

Hornnumb2 wrote:
Just got rid of my bumper pull and would like to do fifth wheel but the weights look over what I would expect.
__________________________________
2011 GMC Sierra Crewcab 2500HD 4x4

Well Hornnumb2's profile shows a GMC 2500 4X4. Doesn't state if 6.0 gas or 6.6 Dmax.
Likely could tow a 27' to 29' 1/2 ton 5er within payload. Something in the range of 10,000# to 12,000# GVWR, the lower number would be safer.

I still have the 3/4 but wanted to go back to 1/2 ton...

[GPG52_]

We had a KZ Durango 1500 (30') pulled with a Dodge Ram mega cab, 1500, Hemi 5.7. Short box with a sidewinder hitch. We never had any issue towing from Canada to Florida and eastern seaboard areas.