Towing with a Half Ton

[limit4]

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 and would love to go to a Half Ton, We pull a 2013 Cougar xlite 26sab. Looks light loaded weight will be around 8200. Thanks for your thoughts.

[therink]

If it were me, I would stick with a 3/4 ton truck. The tongue weight alone would be my deciding factor. If you do choose 1/2 ton, I would make sure it is equipped with 10 ply E rated tires, and payload rating of at least 1700 lbs and then take to scale.
Steve

[JRTJH]

We have one member who tows a Cougar 26SAB with his F250 and was surprised to find that he was "nearly over his GVW". If you're looking to downsize your truck, make sure you do some "real world" weights on the 26SAB pin weight. Don't go by the factory pin weight, it's the empty weight, no propane, no battery, no water and it's a "lowest weight" spec. Loaded pin weight is closer to 1800 lbs and puts most half ton trucks out of consideration (even if you leave the DW at home).

[therink]

Oops, in my previous post I didn't realize the SAB was a fifth wheel. I definitely do not recommend 1/2 ton truck for this set up as pin weight will use most if not all payload on most 1/2 ton trucks.

[Ken / Claudia]

Go from a truck that says I can, to a truck that says I hope I can, pull it.
Be real careful of that the 1/2 ton you want is able to do pull it and carry the weight. It will ride softer and get better fuel mileage EMPTY but, loaded. What truck are you looking at and why do you want it may get better answers to the questions, is the engine,axles,tires,wheels,max.payload wt. GVWRs, CGVWRs ok to have that trailer in tow. Take the trailer to a scale and get the real weight of the pin and axles first.

[f6bits]

Bah, I'd never pull a fifth wheel with a half-ton. JRTJH did it, but it was way more hassle than I'd be willing to go through to keep it within ratings.

If you don't like your 2500, start shopping around for a newer ¾ ton that feels more like a half-ton.

[theeyres]

I sure understand where you are coming from. I'd love to go back to my ol' 1/2 ton, soft sprung Chevy that rode like a car. But I suspect you will be way over your tongue weight and even if you are OK you may get real tired of creeping up hills and/or mountains because of lack of power.

[airforceret]

And for those running overweight you best hope you never get scaled and ultimately fined!!! It's NOT cheap or fun!!!

It's not often you will get scaled, but it does happen. I've traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, and was called into the scales twice this year. I was fortunate that my bro reminded me to replace my 7k tags with 11k tags when I got the new fiver or I'd have surely been overweight on the truck.

[limit4]

I can't say I am surprised at the replys. I thought I might be doing some wishful thinking about a half ton. we are not unhappy with our truck except for the 8 mpg but I am starting to add antifreeze often, I only have 70000 on the truck. Anyway we will start looking after the first of the year. Thanks to everyone.

[Yak]

I highly doubt you will better your MPG with any truck.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Yak

I highly doubt you will better your MPG with any truck.

We towed a 28 ft Springdale 242 with a F150 5.4L 4x4 and got about 9.5-10.5 depending on winds/speed, etc.

We now tow a 31' Cougar 27RKS with a F250 6.2L 4x4 and get about 9.5 to 10.5 depending on winds/speed, etc.

As you said, we don't get any better MPG, but we have a bigger RV and a heavier, more capable truck, so given that we're towing a lot more weight and square footage, I'd say we "bought up to better mileage" per ton of towed weight.

I'm not disputing your statement, you're right, the MPG is about the same, but what we're towing is quite a bit bigger. I'd suppose that if we were towing the Springdale with this truck, we'd probably see some improvement in MPG, but I've no idea how to even start to guess how much better it might be.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by airforceret

And for those running overweight you best hope you never get scaled and ultimately fined!!! It's NOT cheap or fun!!!

It's not often you will get scaled, but it does happen. I've traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, and was called into the scales twice this year. I was fortunate that my bro reminded me to replace my 7k tags with 11k tags when I got the new fiver or I'd have surely been overweight on the truck.

Less about "overweight"... More important to not be "under taxed"!

[JeffS]

We towed a 2011 26SAB for a couple years with our 2003 F150 7700. We travel light and only experienced significant slow downs (35 mph) when in the mountains.
Our average MPG while towing was 10.2

I am not saying you should do this just relating our experience.

HOWEVER the 7700 is the old 250LD - here are the trucks specs.

2003 F150 7700 5.4L Triton V8 SuperCab (this is the old 250LD)
Wheel Base 138.5”
Base Curb Weight 5,030# (includes full tank of fuel)
GVWR 7,700#
GCWR 13,500# (assumes mandatory options, no cargo, 150# driver)
GAWR front 4,150#
GAWR rear 4,800#
Payload 2,670#
Max Trailer/5th Weight 8,200#/8,300#

Trans 4R100 (Heavy Duty)
Differential 10.25” Sterling 3.73 Limited Slip Semi-Floating
Cooling - Radiator 1.42” core thickness (Upgraded Radiator)
Cooling - Transmission 14-plate Auxiliary Transmission Cooler
Brake Rotors 12.13” front / 13.2” rear
Wheels/Tires LT245/75R16E 7 bolt, Load Range E

[JRTJH]

Your 2003 F250LD (or F150HD) is what currently is being marketed as the Heavy Duty Payload Package. It is not available on all models of the F150, rather only available on certain wheelbase lengths and then only when combined with certain engines. The Heavy Duty Towing Package incorporates the 7700 lb GVW on most models, but is not to be confused with the Heavy Duty Payload Package. They are two separate and distinct "animals" and are available "together" only in a couple of models.

Of note is that the only way to get the Heavy Duty Towing Package (11,000+) is with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The 5.0L maxes out at 9800 lbs with the Heavy Duty Towing Package in 4x2 configuration and lower capacities with bigger cabs and 4x4 configurations. The 6.2L is available in select model configurations and has a "standard towing capacity of 9800 with the 3.55 axle and 11300 with the 3.73 axle ratio.

The Heavy Duty Payload Package includes increased spring rates, larger axle capacity, 7 lug 17" wheels, E series LT tires and supposedly a stronger frame.

[Western Traveler]

Here is my recent experience with my upgraded F150 5.4 Triton

http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=14953

[maxx1963]

Airforceret, what do you mean when you say replaced your tags?

[x96mnn]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Your 2003 F250LD (or F150HD) is what currently is being marketed as the Heavy Duty Payload Package. It is not available on all models of the F150, rather only available on certain wheelbase lengths and then only when combined with certain engines. The Heavy Duty Towing Package incorporates the 7700 lb GVW on most models, but is not to be confused with the Heavy Duty Payload Package. They are two separate and distinct "animals" and are available "together" only in a couple of models.

Of note is that the only way to get the Heavy Duty Towing Package (11,000+) is with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The 5.0L maxes out at 9800 lbs with the Heavy Duty Towing Package in 4x2 configuration and lower capacities with bigger cabs and 4x4 configurations. The 6.2L is available in select model configurations and has a "standard towing capacity of 9800 with the 3.55 axle and 11300 with the 3.73 axle ratio.

The Heavy Duty Payload Package includes increased spring rates, larger axle capacity, 7 lug 17" wheels, E series LT tires and supposedly a stronger frame.

+2 on this that there is a configuration in the f150 Eco boost as well, I am not sure on this and have not looked, but my neighbour stated chev has a half ton with a high tow rating this year as well.

If you use your 2500 as a daily driver I understand you want to switch, there may be some options.

[SAD]

Originally Posted by maxx1963

Airforceret, what do you mean when you say replaced your tags?

In many states, you can "uprate" your tags/registration... Essentially, you can load your truck up to whatever you pay for.

I.E.... 7000 GVWR (manufacturer rated), you could potentially buy tags for 9000 GVWR.

[maxx1963]

Do you have to prove you upgraded suspension? Seems like a real easy way out of a ticket!!

[theasphaltrv'er]

Originally Posted by limit4

I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 2500 V10 and would love to go to a Half Ton, We pull a 2013 Cougar xlite 26sab. Looks light loaded weight will be around 8200. Thanks for your thoughts.

Limit 4... we have a 13' XLT HD Ecoboost and are looking at the 26SAB also. I posted a similar question over in the lite weight trailer section and got basically the same replies from the same people. What you need to do is read thru all the threads in this section, the tow vehicle section, the 5th wheel threads and the Lite weight threads and find the ones actually towing 5er's with a 1/2 ton. That's what I did. I've been in contact with about a dozen actual 1/2 ton towers. Also go to the different F-150 forums and talk to those people with 5er's. You will get the true facts of their setups, not just someones opinion. Good luck.

Milo