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Old 11-15-2014, 09:27 AM   #1
buzzcop63
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So Called half-ton-towable fifth-wheels

On the subject of "So-called half-ton towable fifth wheels" see Trailer Life, December 2014, page 38 for discussion of much debated subject. Read the article and compare with all the input from our knowledgably members. The last sentence for the article seems to sum up what the Forum has been saying, "Dial in a margin of safety because you're likely to be heavier than you think". What do you think?
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Old 11-15-2014, 10:19 AM   #2
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I've towed with both (same TT) and IMO the 3/4 ton truck is far superior even if weight limits aren't exceeded.

Current 5th wheel could be towed with some properly equipped 1/2 ton but I won't ever do that.
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Old 11-15-2014, 10:32 AM   #3
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I think the article does a disservice to novice Rvers and potential RVers. The entire article seems to vindicate pulling a 5th wheel with a "properly" equipped 1/2 ton all the while saying that they are at or exceed the maximum loads for the vehicle. Their assumption of "payload" in the truck for a family is 2 150lb people...period. What about pup? What about the grandkids and their paraphanalia? Their loading and the trailer, and thus the pin weight, was less than minimal; it included zero supplies or owner "stuff".

As has been seen on this forum, the plethora of various weight limits, their interaction with each other etc. is very confusing to some. This article plays on that seems to me. It all boils down to what has been said on here many, many times; KNOW your weights and don't exceed them. DO add a good safety margin so that you can comfortably load and take what you need. They discuss pulling a 9,000lb trailer with a GM 5.3L. They also discuss that the Ford F-150 EcoBoost can pull 12k+ lbs. Who would do that? Who would want to do that? The article definitely sounded like it was written by someone who hasn't had do what he is encouraging others to do.
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Old 11-16-2014, 03:58 AM   #4
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Buzzcop63, you beat me to a thread on the Trailer Life article.

Being a 1/2 ton owner who gets around nicely with my particular rig (acknowledged, with limitations, this rig won't see Wolf Creek, Slumgullian or Trail Ridge Road in Colorado ...), I dove straight into that article.

My impression, is they picked and chose their words rather carefully. There was no sugar-coating as tends to be the case in many of their articles cleverly disguised as advertising. The article described well the leg-work needed to confirm whether an owner's 1/2 ton truck can safety pull (and stop) a given trailer. The article wasn't greasing the rails to convince 1/2 ton owners that they can pull anything marketed as "1/2 ton towable" by the RV manufacturers.

But this doesn't just apply to 1/2 ton trucks, I'm doing the same exercise as I consider my next truck (3/4 ton or 1 ton) as I try to envision what our next trailer might be and whether (or how much) I might go north of 10,000 pounds.
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Old 11-16-2014, 06:42 AM   #5
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We loaded my bro-in-law's Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 shortbed with firewood level to the rails. It was very easy to induce sway, plus, it was a power-challenged stone at 5,000'. Can't imagine hitching a 5er to that truck.
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Old 11-16-2014, 06:17 PM   #6
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This is a half ton towable 5er


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Old 11-17-2014, 03:49 AM   #7
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Looking at your photo above of the Scamp, we spent two months traveling (RVing) to Alaska this last summer and it is surprising how many of these are to be seen in campgrounds along the way. Somebody must like 'em.
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Old 11-17-2014, 05:32 AM   #8
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Just to make a point ... The Scamp is ½t towable but with all the gear loaded in that truck and a possible four passengers you still have to question PAYLOAD. (It does look like a nice combo) JM2¢, Hank
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Old 11-17-2014, 06:05 AM   #9
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Also towed our old 31' TT with both 1/2 & 3/4 tons and our new 1/2 ton is far superior than our old 04 F-250 6.0. Now we're luggin around a 1/2 ton towable 5er.
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Old 11-17-2014, 08:29 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yak View Post
This is a half ton towable 5er


There's always an exception...but I bet my truck would tow it more effectively in the mountains.
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Old 11-17-2014, 12:26 PM   #11
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I will throw in my 2 cent's worth, I have a Laredo 285BH that the sticker say's it's under 7K, well it's more like over 8k when I took it too the scale. So I always get a laugh when someone post's "Is this enough truck" topic, here is another perfect example of the general public thinking they can go around towing 11K trailer with their F-150. I have a F-250 SD diesel and I would never tow 11K with a F-150 not saying it won't pull it, but not sure about the handling and stopping ability of the truck.
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Old 11-17-2014, 12:49 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hansel View Post
I will throw in my 2 cent's worth, I have a Laredo 285BH that the sticker say's it's under 7K, well it's more like over 8k when I took it too the scale. So I always get a laugh when someone post's "Is this enough truck" topic, here is another perfect example of the general public thinking they can go around towing 11K trailer with their F-150. I have a F-250 SD diesel and I would never tow 11K with a F-150 not saying it won't pull it, but not sure about the handling and stopping ability of the truck.
WOW!..Really .... who's towing a 11K RV with a F-150?
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Old 11-17-2014, 01:53 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by theasphaltrv'er View Post
WOW!..Really .... who's towing a 11K RV with a F-150?
Well the Ford web site state's 12,200lb when properly equipped

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/
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Old 11-17-2014, 02:31 PM   #14
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Once again we can say that all " 1/2 ton " trucks are not the same. A F150 with trailer package and max tow can carry and tow more then the plain F250 3/4 ton. The new 2015 F150 is 750 lbs lighter yet will the same suspension . The 2015 will be even more capable. YOU HAVE TO READ THE SPECIFICATIONS .
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Old 11-17-2014, 02:47 PM   #15
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Look at it a different way; do you want a 11k-12k lb trailer pushing your 5300lb pickup truck around or would you rather have a 7-8k lb truck? Simple physics.
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Old 11-17-2014, 02:55 PM   #16
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Not to mention bigger brakes. I read some where it's not just the pulling but stopping too. Been there done that, I will stick with my F250.
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Old 11-17-2014, 03:41 PM   #17
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BOY!!! This topic always brings about the same rage. I don't understand it. If you want to buy a semi to pull a fifth wheel, have at it. Or you can buy a variety of pickups that will also pull it. Will my 1/2 ton hemi truck pull it as well as your HD diesel? NO. But your 3/4 - 1 ton won't pull it as well as a Freightliner either. But my truck does pull it, and it pulls it well in my opinion. I just don't understand why it bothers everybody so much...
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Old 11-17-2014, 04:13 PM   #18
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Ncgrl1 - No rage here. Just common sense. I'm a 1/2 ton guy myself and don't particularly like 3/4 - 1 ton trucks, but, they have a place just like a 1/2 ton. That's why I went and bought a new 3/4 ton. My Ram 1500 hemi (with 14,000 miles) pulled my trailer just fine and would have until I hit the 1st OH NO moment and found that the light suspension on a 1/2 ton (just look at the springs on a 1/2 ton Ram vs the 3/4-1ton) combined with the light weight of the truck itself would not handle a 10k+ trailer in getaway mode. It would just twist the truck up - I saw that happen to a half ton on the freeway at Clyde, TX. Thankfully they all just went flipping down an embankment and not into the other traffic. It's a safety issue, not a pulling issue - pure physics.
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Old 11-17-2014, 04:26 PM   #19
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Sourdough...and then there are exhaust brakes and bigger brakes. 4-8% grades can extend stopping distance, particularly with 1/2 ton brakes and brake fluid the color of Merlot. How many here haven't changed their brake fluid during the last 18-24 months?
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Old 11-17-2014, 05:55 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ncgrl1 View Post
BOY!!! This topic always brings about the same rage. I don't understand it. If you want to buy a semi to pull a fifth wheel, have at it. Or you can buy a variety of pickups that will also pull it. Will my 1/2 ton hemi truck pull it as well as your HD diesel? NO. But your 3/4 - 1 ton won't pull it as well as a Freightliner either. But my truck does pull it, and it pulls it well in my opinion. I just don't understand why it bothers everybody so much...
To be blunt about it.... we don't want to be on the same road at the same time, when that moment sneaks up and bites you in the butt... Other than that it ain't my problem..

I once pulled a 28ft Terry from Waco to Austin (95 miles) with a CJ5 Jeep... Now I had a 400hp Chevy V8, 4:88 gears and a 4" pipe with 1/4" walls bumper with a hitch welded to the frame.

I had absolutely no problem towing it as far as power.. The tongue weight didn't drop the Rancho springs even 2" and I didn't need no weight bars, or any sway bars...

But every time I got over 45 mph as a truck passed me I was all over the road, finally ended up using the access road anytime I could..

I made it, and I'd do it again if I had to, but I'd sure never tell anyone that it was safe or a good idea.. Too many things could have gone wrong and luckily didn't..
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