[JRTJH]

Let's look at the smallest Cougar Half Ton Fifth Wheel, the 25 RES. Here's how Keystone specs it:

Shipping Weight 7500 lbs.
Carrying Capacity 2500 lbs.
Hitch 1500 lbs.
Length 29' 7"
Height 11' 8"
Fresh Water 60 gal (600 lbs)
Waste Water 30 gal (270 lbs)
Gray Water 60 gal (540 lbs)
LPG 60 lbs

Required sliding hitch: 250 lbs

Most half ton trucks have a payload around 1700 pounds. You can check your yellow sticker to see what your specific truck's payload is.

Let's do some "quick math"
Empty truck, payload 1700 lbs
Pin weight empty trailer 1500
hitch 250
propane 60
batteries (2) 90
fresh water (1/4 tank) 150
spouse 125
dog 20
truck cab cargo (purse, maps, floor mats, etc) 50
tools etc in truck bed 100

Total cargo 295
Empty pin and hitch 1750

As you can see, even before adding propane, batteries, water, camping equipment, clothing, food or entertainment equipment to the trailer, the payload is completely consumed by the trailer, hitch and spouse (with purse)...

Essentially, with a GVW of 10,000 pounds, you can expect roughly a 20% pin weight. Even if you only load to 9000 pounds, that's 1800 pound pin weight plus 250 for the hitch, plus DW/purse/dog, or well over 2400 pounds before you put any cargo in the truck bed.

While there are "half ton trucks" that are properly equipped to tow a light weight fifth wheel, not all "half ton trucks" are properly equipped. Unfortunately, yours likely isn't properly equipped.

Don't take my word for it, do your own math, be realistic with the payload and your truck's capabilities and I feel certain you'll come to the same conclusion as I've posted here.

So, can a half ton truck tow a half ton trailer? Yes, some (very few) are properly equipped, most aren't......