Martinsi

How do you guys feel about towing right at max capacity? I'm thinking about trading my travel trailer for a 1/2 ton towable fifth wheel. I have an 09 f150 4x4 max tow package, 3.55 rear end; 9600 lbs max tow. The fifth wheel I'm considering is 7500, Plus about 1000 cargo in the camper and the trailer is under the max, but if I have the whole family in the truck and a little truck cargo, I'll be right at the GCWR. Want to take a trip to Glacier NP in Montana from New Orleans, so three straight long days of driving at the max there and three back.

Should I be concerned about this? I'd really rather not buy a new truck...

tcp2

5th wheels have a lot of pin weight. Unless you have the HD payload option (7lug wheels, etc) you will be way over on GVWR. What does the yellow sticker in the driver's door say for cargo weight capacity? Passengers, tools, firewood...basically anything loaded in the truck and the loaded pin weight of the fiver all count toward the GVWR capacity.

Just to give you some numbers:

average pin weight on a fiver is about 25% = (7500lbs + 1000lbs cargo) x 25% = 2125lbs.

Add a couple of adults and kids (conservatively) = 400lbs
plus some firewood and camping supplies in the bed = 100lbs

you are now at 2625lbs of weight on your truck. I bet your sticker is 50-60% of that.

The 9600 lbs tow capacity might work for towing a boat with a 7-10% tongue weight and good aerodynamics.

brulaz

The tow ratings are pretty meaningless for travel trailers, and especially so for fifth wheels.

You need to be concerned about your truck's available payload (based on GVWR) and rear GAWR after you load it up with people, gear and hitch. Compare whats left to the LOADED trailer's pin weight.

Most F150s are over loaded (rGAWR or GVWR) with fifth wheels. Some folks here are running 500# over. So some are willing to do it. I would rather not.

It's your choice.

5.0GN tow

It all depends on the trailer. Some of the newer ones designed and targeted to 1/2 tons are lighter on the pin. Also depends on the truck my 13 STX has a pretty high payload of just under 1800. I tow a goosneck horse trailer and it has a pin of under 1k loaded. I am good to go with a 32 foot 3 horse trailer. We keep the horses in the back two stalls and hay in the front one with fred and saddles in the rear tack. Ours is a dressing room with ac and a good amount of stowed tack up front but as far to the rear of the room as possible. We keep the bunk pretty much empty. We have no sway issues and no porpising like some folks have mentioned with tts. All in all the stx 5.0 has proven more than up to the task.

I would think the 5.4 will be gasping for air even more than the 5.0 at altitude.

atwowheelguy

Mine has a 1607 lb. payload. With a 6700 lb. loaded travel trailer toy hauler and two people in the truck, the rear axle is loaded to 98% of rear axle GAWR but is only loaded to 84.4% of the GCVWR. I would think that it would be unusual to be at GCVWR and not be over the rear axle GAWR.

meaz93

I think as long as your truck isn't struggling; overheating, sagging, rearend wagging, or pogoing down the road....you can pull whatever you like....within reason (weight limitations).You'll find out real quick what is too much for your truck. Sway bars, airbags, and WDH(TT) make pulling at 60mph pretty drama free.

Martinsi

Thanks for the helpful replies. I have a better understanding of the entire set up now.