Who's Towing a 5th with a half ton?

broncobill1964 wrote:
Right now I own a 2011 Ram Quad Cab 4x4 with the Hemi and tow package. When I bouth this truck in 2011, Chrysler was selling life time warranties with a $100 deductible per visit. As long as I own the truck, it's covered. I bought it. I've read that there a quite a few 5th wheels being made to be pulled by 1/2 tons. I've read that the hitch weight is the key. We have a TT now and want to get a 5th, but I do not want to get rid of my truck. Have not settled on a 5th yet.

Over 15 yrs, I pulled 3 different fifth wheels with two different 1/2 ton trucks. What you understand it right, you will run out of payload before anything else. So, get your fully loaded truck weighed, subtract that from the truck's GVWR and that is what is left over for loaded pin weight. Or you can just focus on not exceeding tire capacity since almost 100% of the pin weight sits on the rear axle. In that case, subtract the loaded axle weight from the rear GAWR and that is your limit for loaded pin weight.

Your next problem is determining what the loaded pin weight will be for a trailer you haven't purchased. Many people use 20-25% of the trailer's GVWR and for smaller units that is pretty good. But if the fiver in question has a large CCC, like over 2000 lbs, then you have to consider if you will carry that much gear. On the other hand, since all fivers have more cargo space in front of their axles, it is ez for say 1000 lbs of cargo to have 30-40% of that weight end up as pin weight.

Finally, if the truck has P tires then changing them to LTs would be a good move.