Chicago RV show- 1/2 tons can tow 8500lb 5th wheels.

goducks10 wrote:

mkirsch wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
Then on the flip side we have 1/2 ton truck owners who did their home work on their 1/2 truck weights and report no problems and a very good tow.

And on the flip-flip side we have 1/2 ton truck owners who did NOT do their homework, and report no problems and a very good tow.

Apparently, it does not matter.

And flipping it more again we have 1/2 ton owners towing 5th wheels that have issues but don't report problems because they don't belong to RV forums.

That, plus most people don't realize they are having problems until they step to a proper truck.

I was one of those that thought my Tundra towed great because of the power and braking capability of the truck. Once I stepped into the 2500 I realized how much my Tundra was lacking. I now pass semi trucks without stressing out and worrying about how to load the trailer perfectly to keep it under control. Hey, as they saying goes, we have all been there at some point.

mkirsch wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
Then on the flip side we have 1/2 ton truck owners who did their home work on their 1/2 truck weights and report no problems and a very good tow.

And on the flip-flip side we have 1/2 ton truck owners who did NOT do their homework, and report no problems and a very good tow.

Apparently, it does not matter.

And flipping it more again we have 1/2 ton owners towing 5th wheels that have issues but don't report problems because they don't belong to RV forums.

JIMNLIN wrote:
Then on the flip side we have 1/2 ton truck owners who did their home work on their 1/2 truck weights and report no problems and a very good tow.

And on the flip-flip side we have 1/2 ton truck owners who did NOT do their homework, and report no problems and a very good tow.

Apparently, it does not matter.

RoyBell wrote:
I visit this show yearly. I hate that it's hard to find anything, but enjoy looking at the campers nonetheless.

Lot of 5th wheels there this year, seemed quite a bit more than previous years. Walked by the General RV section and all their 5th wheels had pictures of half ton trucks with "your truck can tow this" wording, followed by the dry weights of the campers. 7500, 8000, 8500lbs :E

I can only imagine what the pin weight of a 31' 5th wheel ready to camp is. Scary advertising out there.

Not a problem, if the hitch weight( pin weight) is reasonable, but the 3 litre Diesel below going nowhere if it is too heavy.

Again a 3 litre Diesel but hitch weight vastly greater.

I live just off I-40 about 25 miles from the intersection with I-95. I travel I-40 a lot so I get to see many people headed to the beach with their RVs.

Although not extremely popular, 1/2 tons with 5ers is becoming more common. 5ers are getting lighter and 1/2 tons are getting bigger carrying capacities.

The ones I have seen look very nice and stable. No heavy sag or anything. I see no real problem with it.

RoyBell wrote:
Slow around here in winter time. Figured it was time for a good debate.

Weather is great in Florida... my RV has wheels, I rolled it down south for an 18 day vacation!!!

Slow around here in winter time. Figured it was time for a good debate.

This type" look what I saw" tread gets beat to death way too often. :h

Then on the flip side we have 1/2 ton truck owners who did their home work on their 1/2 truck weights and report no problems and a very good tow.

Its the 1/2 ton truck owners responsibility to see that he has the right size 1/2 ton truck to safely do the job. We can't always blame someone else (a dealer or the trailer mfg or the truck mfg) for our mistakes.

Trailer dealers and trailer mfg know 1/2 ton trucks come with all kinds of capacities such as;
GVWR up to 8600 lbs.
RAWR up to 6000 lbs.
3000+ lb payloads.
11k tow ratings..


The OP says ""dry weights of the campers. 7500, 8000, 8500lbs"" and thinks according to pics the trucks were 1/2 tons.

The F150HD with a 8200-7850 GVWR and 4800 lb RAWR has payload up to 3000 lbs and 11k lb tow ratings.

Other 1/2 ton trucks out here;
'00-'06 1500HD GM 6.0 8600 GVWR....6000 RAWR ..3000 lb payloads

1500 Mega Cab Dodge 5.7 hemi with a 8510 GVWR and 6000 lb RAWR.

And the newer 1500 GM with the 5.3 or 6.2 engine 7600 GVWR and 4300 RAWR has 2000-2200 lb payloads.

So yeah there are 1/2 ton truck out here that can safely tow those size 5th wheel trailers.

I am one of those who fell into the 1/2 ton towable traps. I traded a class C motorhome in on a Starcraft Ultrlite FW. I bought not thinking it through. I had a 2013 F150 CC with 6.5 foot fed and the 5.0 motor w3.73 rear ( I think). After the initial tow I installed air bags and upgraded tires. Pulled again and just did not feel comfortable with how the FW pushed the truck around. The 5.0 motor was running with its tongue hanging out. Must mention FW dry weight is 8500 lbs with max load as 10500 lbs. Upon checking payload which was 1800 lbs pin weight was 1650 lbs which put me just 150 lbs short of payload not including fuel and passengers,not good. Also was over by ~1100 lbs on tow capacity. Just too much on the drive train for me not to mention the weight. Long story short i bought a very gently used 2016 F350 CC with 6.7 PSD. This also has 11500 GVW for the new truck.

CKNSLS wrote:
The payloads on some of the half-tons now are at 2,000 (plus) pounds. So yes-they could tow a fifth wheel at 8,000 pounds guys.


It's a new world.......

Sure they can...if you spec a configuration NOBODY orders (2WD regular cab with HD towing package and no option), carry no passengers, and are built like a jockey!