Questions about pulling a fifth-wheel with a half ton TV

[LeBout]

I know from getting Trailer Life Magazine that there are half-ton towable 5th Wheels being made, but what I don't know is if they are practical. And I have a short bed F-150 (Supercrew) and although I've heard that some hitches with work with a short bed I've never talked to someone who actually does it. Is there anyone here who has that kind of experience who can answer my questions?

[Jayco-noslide]

I think that "80% rule" exist to provide some room for error. For example, most people don't actually weigh their trailer loaded so they may think that it's withing the tow rating when it actually isn't. Or, maybe the truck is aging and parts are worn. Do I really want to tow 100% of the rating? Not sure. If I want to keep it forever, maybe it will last a little longer with a liter load. The 80% isn't written in stone.Just to suggest liter better than heavier.

[WVcampground]

Michelle.S wrote:
D. Steiner, I agree. Watched some folks pull out from the CG we're at with a Cadillac Escalade EXT Pickup. Fairly large TT, no Equalizer Bars or Sway Control, rear bumper of TV almost dragging the ground and headlights pointed at the stars. Would not want to be anywhere near that on the highway.

Then best stay off the highways on Fridays and Sundays, because what you describe is typical of the vast majority of the RV towing public. They don't read or join RV boards. All they know is it gets them to and from the campground a few times a year. I see a hundred plus every weekend. They all seem to survive without killing themselves or anyone else.

[RobertRyan]

Terryallan wrote:

Edd505 wrote:
Pull that with the 1/2 ton and find a buddy has a 3/4 of 1 ton and tow it. You won't want to go back to the 1/2 ton city truck.

Pull that with a 3/4 or 1 ton, and find a buddy with a F650, or MTD, you will never go back to the 3/4 ton city truck.

Depends on the size of the 5th Wheel here.

Although if you want to pull a smallish 30ft, properly you can have a six wheeler conversion

[Hammerboy]

Terryallan wrote:

Edd505 wrote:
Pull that with the 1/2 ton and find a buddy has a 3/4 of 1 ton and tow it. You won't want to go back to the 1/2 ton city truck.

Pull that with a 3/4 or 1 ton, and find a buddy with a F650, or MTD, you will never go back to the 3/4 ton city truck.

Except that 1/2 tons and 3/4-1 tons srw are similar size when it comes to driving and parking. The big boys are a different story and I would have no interest in driving those around unhitched in a parking lot.

Dan

[Michelle_S]

D. Steiner, I agree. Watched some folks pull out from the CG we're at with a Cadillac Escalade EXT Pickup. Fairly large TT, no Equalizer Bars or Sway Control, rear bumper of TV almost dragging the ground and headlights pointed at the stars. Would not want to be anywhere near that on the highway.

[DSteiner51]

keymastr wrote:
You can tow a much larger, heavier travel trailer than 5th wheel. If just towing with a half ton it makes no sense to get a 5th wheel.

This is the kind of advice I don’t understand.
1. Hitch weight is extremely ft aft of factory Recommended CG for ANY truck, 1/2, 3/4, or a ton making it inherently unstable but load it down, hook it up then bandaid it with WDH.

2. Being it is unstable add another type bandaid, an anti sway bar although some are built into the WDH.

I would MUCH more be slightly over Trucks GVWR and have an inherently STABLE rig, not relying on bandaids which I don’t have to ‘dial it in’ to make it tow safely. Some of the travel trailer setups I’ve seen on the road are ridiculous and no way I’d tow. I love my half ton 5th wheel behind my half ton and enjoy the tow. Towing is, and should be, half the fun of going camping.

[Terryallan]

I had one. only it was a Cabover, CLT 9000 double wide air ride. Back in the day weren't many Conventional trucks

[Edd505]

Terryallan wrote:

Edd505 wrote:
Pull that with the 1/2 ton and find a buddy has a 3/4 of 1 ton and tow it. You won't want to go back to the 1/2 ton city truck.

Pull that with a 3/4 or 1 ton, and find a buddy with a F650, or MTD, you will never go back to the 3/4 ton city truck.

Baby trucks,

Yep my names on the side.

MTD too small
😉

[goducks10]

keymastr wrote:
You can tow a much larger, heavier travel trailer than 5th wheel. If just towing with a half ton it makes no sense to get a 5th wheel.

Pin weight vs Tongue weight yes.A TT will not overload a 1/2 as bad.
For me I would rather be maxed out with a 1/2 to towing a 5th wheel than be under payload while towing a bigger longer TT.
A 5th wheel is going to handle so much better. No sway to worry about.

[keymastr]

You can tow a much larger, heavier travel trailer than 5th wheel. If just towing with a half ton it makes no sense to get a 5th wheel.

[wing_zealot]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The option list for towing on the F150 is long and complicated. Maximum towing can only be achieved with the right combination. Because you have a Supercrew you need to know your LOADED vehicle weight and rear axle ratio.

Refer to page 15 of the Ford 2013 Towing Guide

complicated? All you have to say is you want the " heavy duty payload package". And while your at it, get the towing mirrors also.

[time2roll]

https://www.pullrite.com/3100_HIW

[sayoung]

MFL wrote:
Your short 5.5 bed truck may work with the right fifth wheel trailer, and a sidewinder type pinbox. I think some of the 1/2 ton towables come with this pinbox. Your sig page mentions max tow pkg on truck, which adds payload, and a bit more RAWR.

Jerry

A friend pulls a Grand Design for a 1/2t & uses a Ford with the 5 1/2 ft box. The 5er came with pinbox like this that pivots at the rv & not the pin. He has a wedge thing that bolts on the pinbox & this keeps the pin from turning.

[Terryallan]

Edd505 wrote:
Pull that with the 1/2 ton and find a buddy has a 3/4 of 1 ton and tow it. You won't want to go back to the 1/2 ton city truck.

Pull that with a 3/4 or 1 ton, and find a buddy with a F650, or MTD, you will never go back to the 3/4 ton city truck.