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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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

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