1/2 ton series

[kardar2]

Hello,
The wife and I have a 88 automate 5th wheel 27 foot. We really like it But! We like to kayak and we have to take 2 vehicles. So we are thinking of getting a TT a smaller one with pop outs (thinking not giving up the space of our 27') the only thing I am not sure about is head clearance like showering. I am only 5'9" and have bwnd over to shower. We seen these 1/2 ton series that you can haul with a 1/2 pickup. Are those cheaply made cause they are light weight? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR 2 CENTS 🙂

[myredracer]

The "1/2 ton towable" label is just a marketing ploy. Be very careful. Yes, lite-weight/ultra-lite means less substantial construction. Quality and durability suffer.

Just because a manufacturer sticks a "1/2 ton towable" label on it does NOT mean ANY 1/2 ton can tow it. What you need to be concerned about with any trailer is the ACTUAL payload capacity of your truck. Can only be determined by going to a scale and subtracting the weight from the GVWR on your door jamb sticker. Only then should you be narrowing down to what make/model you can tow. That is though, unless you don't care about max. payload and weight capacities stated by the vehicle manufacturer. I don't think one should ever exceed these ratings but many do and take their chances thinking nothing will ever happen.

And you also have to be VERY careful about dry weights stated by the manufacturer. They will always be higher, and sometimes WAY higher. When shopping, use the trailer's GVWR to play it safe. Then use 20% as a guide for pin weight or 15% for tongue wt. Typically a 5th wheel will force you into a larger truck, min. 3/4 ton and up to 1 1/2 tons unless the trailer is a small one.

I know of one manufacturer that has a "1500" line of fifth wheels that are 1/2 ton towable. Their biggest 5-er is 10,800 lbs GVWR making the pin weight around 2100 lbs. After you allow for the weight of passengers, pets, groceries, and cargo, you can be approaching 3,000 lbs of total payload. I don't think many (any?) 1/2 ton trucks can handle that. Our 3/4 ton couldn't. But not to worry, the manufacturer has this little qualifier on their site: "It is important for your safety and enjoyment that your tow vehicle be adequately sized and equipped to tow and handle the GVWR of the RV you select. Review weights and rating of your tow vehicle and consult a competent advisor for questions or advice."

[boosTT]

I would get something similar to the port-a-bote system.

[brulaz]

nolra wrote:
May not be the perfect solution but we got an inflatable kayak when we had our 5th wheel. We got the Aire Super Lynx (a tandem) since we are usually togather. AIRE makes several inflatables that are pretty serious kayaks. It's not a pool toy... Just another option that worked well for us. The Super Lynx paddles easily enough and carries a weekends worth of gear when we need it to. I used mine for fishing and photography on flat water more than anything else.

We've tried this too. Were considering 5th wheels so got an Aire 2 person inflatable kayak. But it really is a lot slower, wetter!, and more trouble setting up and taking down than a regular hard-shell. It is very stable though and fine in warm water with bathing suits. We still use it occasionally when we don't have the truck, but much prefer the hard shells. And we're no longer considering 5th wheels.

[nolra]

May not be the perfect solution but we got an inflatable kayak when we had our 5th wheel. We got the Aire Super Lynx (a tandem) since we are usually togather. AIRE makes several inflatables that are pretty serious kayaks. It's not a pool toy... Just another option that worked well for us. The Super Lynx paddles easily enough and carries a weekends worth of gear when we need it to. I used mine for fishing and photography on flat water more than anything else.

[kardar2]

We went to camping world today. Looked at some trailers we liked the coleman trailers a lot more shopping ahead

[DutchmenSport]

Check out the Keystone Outbacks. They have the curved roof. The middle of mine is 83 inches and the shower is 77 inches. Shower also has the skylight which gives even more head room if anyone is over 77 inches tall!

[kardar2]

djsamuel wrote:
Check out the LivinLite campers. We have the 21BHS which has a dry weight of 3500lbs, sleeps 5, and has a stand up shower (I'm 6'1"). Just click HERE for all of their models. They are all made of aluminum and composites, no wood; aluminum roof. We easily tow it with our Ram 1500 (4.7L engine).

We like these but no dealer around us carry these. Have to take a trip I guess

[kardar2]

Dtaylor wrote:
Have you thought about having someone design/build a rack so you can carry your kayaks on the rear? I am not sure of the length or weight but a little thought might produce a alternative

Yep but our kayaks are 16' long. And even making a rack over the cab of truck.they are to long.

[kardar2]

Dtaylor wrote:
Have you thought about having someone design/build a rack so you can carry your kayaks on the rear? I am not sure of the length or weight but a little thought might produce a alternative

Yep but our kayaks are 16' long. And even making a rack over the cab of truck.they are to long.

[kardar2]

wmoses wrote:

kardar2 wrote:
Hello,
The wife and I have a 88 automate 5th wheel 27 foot. We really like it But! We like to kayak and we have to take 2 vehicles. So we are thinking of getting a TT a smaller one with pop outs (thinking not giving up the space of our 27') the only thing I am not sure about is head clearance like showering. I am only 5'9" and have bwnd over to shower. We seen these 1/2 ton series that you can haul with a 1/2 pickup. Are those cheaply made cause they are light weight? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR 2 CENTS 🙂

Karl,

What 1/2 ton are you looking to pull the potential TT with? Why does it have to be smaller than 27'?

My trailer is no cheaper made than any others on the market. I am 5'-8" and there is room for a much taller person than me to have a shower standing straight up.

The wife thinks maybe we could go smaller and easier to get into places. No we aint looking to get a 1/2 ton truck. I was just wondering with the 1/2 series trailers are a good quality being so light.thanks

[skipnchar]

Kind of like asking if all houses are blue. There is a wide variety of light weight trailers made and they are not cookie cutters. Each manufacture has their own method and end up with different results.

[Dtaylor]

Have you thought about having someone design/build a rack so you can carry your kayaks on the rear? I am not sure of the length or weight but a little thought might produce a alternative

[tomkaren13]

Our 30' Prowler weights 5500 (unloaded weight) and is pulled by our 2002 GMC 1/2 ton. Light bigger TT are out there. The shower is no problem fou 6' me.

[wmoses]

kardar2 wrote:
Hello,
The wife and I have a 88 automate 5th wheel 27 foot. We really like it But! We like to kayak and we have to take 2 vehicles. So we are thinking of getting a TT a smaller one with pop outs (thinking not giving up the space of our 27') the only thing I am not sure about is head clearance like showering. I am only 5'9" and have bwnd over to shower. We seen these 1/2 ton series that you can haul with a 1/2 pickup. Are those cheaply made cause they are light weight? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR 2 CENTS 🙂

Karl,

What 1/2 ton are you looking to pull the potential TT with? Why does it have to be smaller than 27'?

My trailer is no cheaper made than any others on the market. I am 5'-8" and there is room for a much taller person than me to have a shower standing straight up.