Tow Vehicle

[bamafeaver]

I have a Jayco Eagle HT (Half-Ton Trucks). The length of the fifth wheel is 31'8. The unloaded weight is 7,135. The gross weight is 9,950. The cargo carrying capacity is 2,815. I am wanting to know if a half ton V8 is capable of towing or does anybody recommended a 3/4 ton vehicle.

[rhagfo]

blt2ski wrote:
If one goes with a reg cab 15 series truck, you may be ok. If you go with a crew cab, you might even have issues with a heavily loaded 25 series truck.

This is not a simple 15 or 25 or 35 series truck truck question. Some families like myself would be into a DW35 crew cab if I were to buy this trailer. 2000 lbs of hw, 1200 lbs of family wt, plus some other asst stuff in truck, and I would need some 4000+ lbs of payload. A 15 will not have it.

Marty

Likely the best answer yet!

If it is just a couple no kids packed light, likely could be done with a high GVWR 150/1500.

Big family with kids and all the stuff they bring 350/3500, might need DRW.

[blt2ski]

If one goes with a reg cab 15 series truck, you may be ok. If you go with a crew cab, you might even have issues with a heavily loaded 25 series truck.

This is not a simple 15 or 25 or 35 series truck truck question. Some families like myself would be into a DW35 crew cab if I were to buy this trailer. 2000 lbs of hw, 1200 lbs of family wt, plus some other asst stuff in truck, and I would need some 4000+ lbs of payload. A 15 will not have it.

Marty

[fla-gypsy]

IMO you would be much better served by a new or late model 3/4 ton PU. Only a very select few Ford EB1/2 tons will have the payload and power to handle that load comfortably.

[MFL]

If you already have a 1/2 ton with 1800-2000 lbs of payload, it may work for you. If you are looking to buy a truck anyway, it would be foolish to not get a 25 series TV.

Jerry

[DaveF-250SD]

Your pin weight will go over 2,000 lbs. when that trailer is loaded and ready for a trip. Add to the pin weight the weight of the hitch, and everything else you put in the truck, including passengers. Your truck would need a minimum of 2,700 lbs. of payload capacity to even consider pulling that trailer. You would be far better off looking at a 3/4 or 1 ton SRW truck for that rig. The 1/2 ton will not be within all (or possibly any) of it's ratings.

[Second_Chance]

agesilaus wrote:
1) 1/2 ton trucks are not designed to pull fifth wheels, the payload capacity and brakes are the critical issues.
2) Ultra light means they are making a flimsy trailer IMO. That weight they removed was there to make the structure rigid and to make it long lasting. You cannot cut that without giving up a lot.
3) If you insist on a 1/2 ton get a bumper pull trailer.

^^ X2 - unless you have a half ton with a max payload package (which you can get on the Ford Ecoboost trucks).

Rob

[agesilaus]

1) 1/2 ton trucks are not designed to pull fifth wheels, the payload capacity and brakes are the critical issues.
2) Ultra light means they are making a flimsy trailer IMO. That weight they removed was there to make the structure rigid and to make it long lasting. You cannot cut that without giving up a lot.
3) If you insist on a 1/2 ton get a bumper pull trailer.

[phillyg]

I believe the Ford ecoBoost trucks can pull that trailer. Google the Ford Towing Guide for the year of the truck. I pulled a slightly lighter FW with a 2004 F150, 5.4, 3.73 axle with towing package. It did well on the flats but I never had occasion to try it in the mountains.

[GBuilders]

I have the Jayco Eagle 305 BHS which is a 05 model and it's GVWR is 10,500 I believe. When I bought the 5th I have an 03 Chevy 2500 6.0 gas and it worked ok but after pulling in the Hill country I decided to move to diesel. I would not feel comfortable towing with a 1/2 ton but that's just me. Good Luck.