What does your door plaque say for GVWR, GAWR (front and rear)?

What are the weights of the 5er that you are considering? (axel, dry, GVW, and most importantly, what is the pin weight)

S

 

Old thread but wanted to add my stats and get some answers. Of course the TT salesman said everything was good but wanted to check.

I drive a 2010 FX4 SCrew with Max Tow Package. Here are my readings:
GAWR Front and back: 4050
GVWR: 7700
Cargo rating ?: 1422
Tire ratings: 2600

Am thinking of a bumper pull. Saw alot of TT between 6K-9K. Thanks guys.

 

Im getting 5thwheel when i get the cash. Much better in my opinion, there was a thread about a guy with a 5.5 bed towing one, but he had to have a hitch that slid back so he could turn corners. I guess that thread is in post 3 of this one. What exactly is your question? how heavy of a trailer you can tow?

 

Were it me, I'd just use a receiver hitch as opposed to a fifth wheel/gooseneck. It can be done, as a number of people have shown. Mainly because if I goof something up with a receiver hitch, I can likely get the dealer to get it fixed, as opposed to the repair guy saying that I completely trashed any semblance of a warranty with a fifth wheel.

The other reservation I have is that most fifth wheels usually weigh more wet than what a F-150 is made to handle. If on that borderline, and can afford it, I'd rather go with a SD with a PSD so I have tow capacity to spare as opposed to trying to tow a five digit payload on a vehicle near its limits.

 

5th wheels pull far better than receivers, there are plenty of light 5ths wheels out there, just gonna know what you are buying. Whats to goof up in a 5thwheel that you wouldnt in a receiver hitch? Besides your tailgate if you forget about it, haha!

 

I've seen guys smash the top of the bed rails with the trailer; not to difficult to do either, all it takes is turning uphill with the trailer still on level ground. Obviously it's not real common but I've seen guys do it pulling their 5th wheel campers out of camp sites.

5th wheels are great for towing, nice to have the weight centered in the middle of your box rather than behind you, but of course as soon as you over load it all convenience goes out the window. If it's sized right it will be a towing breeze, although most things we tow with our half tons are pretty easy anyway. I've pushed my limits with towing capacity pulling skid steers and equipment, and it's not fun. I don't mind it for short distances A-B but for running down the highway a guy really needs to do things right for the speeds you'll be towing at.

Good luck.

 

Yea I agree, Ive also pulled many things far more heavy than they shouldve been for the vehicle pulling it, lol. However I plan on making the right trailer choice as I wanna safely travel long distance with it and i think 5thwheel is the clear best choice for me at least. But I might get an older smaller cheaper receiver hitch one this year as I know I wont have the money to get the 5thwheel i want for a couple years.

 

I tow a Cougar X-lite 5th wheel. Its about 1050 pounds on the pin. The hitch that I have is a Pullrite 12K, auto slider, since I have the 5'5" box. As stated above, with a box less than 6.5', when the truck or trailer is about 60 degrees off center, the corners of the traielr can hit the back of the cab. There are newer 5'ers that have indents on the trailer corners to allow for tighter turning and so that it does not hit the truck.

Sliding hitches can be manual and electric, which still require you to stop, set the brake, move the hitch, then reverse. The Pullrite slides back and forth automatically. You can also install a pin extender to basically push the trailer back a bit and keep the contact point right over the truck's rear axel.

In my experience, pulling tent trailers and the 5er, the 5er pulls much nicer in the straight aways, but add a cross or head wind, and its a white knuckler!

With a 5er, yes, you can kill your tailgate, and some have experienced a bad pin set, pulled off and the trailer falls off the hitch, the kingpin punctures the box. Alwayes do a test-pull when you hook up and this should never be an issue. Has not been with me yet!

Another disadvantage with a 5er over a TT is tree branch overhang, down side streets and especially at camp sites! You also have to closely watch the roofs- most are rubber membranes that can scratch open, and leak. Something that you typically do not see untill you get up there. With pop-ups, well, the roof is eye level when the TT is down.

We love our 5er. Pull in, level, unhitch and pull away, tip out, and we are camping.

 

My question is would a 8K trailer be too much to handle comfortably? My truck weighs about 8k fully loaded (if i am reading the label correctly) and will get it weighed next time we are packed and ready for a trip. That gives me a 1:1 ratio in vehicle and trailer. I believe i mentioned that it has the max tow package. I would think the anti-sway and OEM brake controller would help. And of course the tranny cooler, etc. Also the FX4 with 4 rear leafs if I have been reading correctly (should help with sag). Is my payload 1800-1900 (I have seen this weight listed a lot on forums) or the 1400 listed as passenger weight. Makes a difference between 700 pound tonge weight and 11-1200lbs. Would be using a WD hitch. Thanks guys.

 

I've been following this thread for I have similiar questions with the possibility of towing a travel trailer or 5th wheel camper. With that, I have a noob question... my window sticker under optional equipment lists "7350# GVWR Package" This means I have .... ?? I know the tow rating for my truck is 11300lbs. Thanks