ACTUAL Max Tow on a 13,200 lb rated F150
09-30-2018, 03:57 PM
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Ouch. Please stop giving me real world answers. I want to live in a fantasy that I can tow a 13,200 lb TT.
JK
Hearing all of your excellent answers does have me bummed out though.
So, I am probably hijacking my own thread here but - if I go ahead and assuage my hesitation to make this truck able to pull a 5th wheel, what do I gain?
I have been coming across newer TT's and 5th Wheels that advertise as "1/2 Ton models". >> https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-tr...ugar-half-ton/ << specifically the 29BHSWE TRAVEL TRAILER https://www.keystonerv.com/build-my-rv/product-builder-steps/?p=3262&l=3679#view-1 which advertises itself at
Shipping Weight 6800 lbs
Carrying Capacity 2000 lbs
Hitch 640 lbs
JK
Hearing all of your excellent answers does have me bummed out though.
So, I am probably hijacking my own thread here but - if I go ahead and assuage my hesitation to make this truck able to pull a 5th wheel, what do I gain?
I have been coming across newer TT's and 5th Wheels that advertise as "1/2 Ton models". >> https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-tr...ugar-half-ton/ << specifically the 29BHSWE TRAVEL TRAILER https://www.keystonerv.com/build-my-rv/product-builder-steps/?p=3262&l=3679#view-1 which advertises itself at
Shipping Weight 6800 lbs
Carrying Capacity 2000 lbs
Hitch 640 lbs
Last edited by LawOfMD; 09-30-2018 at 04:10 PM.
09-30-2018, 05:48 PM
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
09-30-2018, 06:43 PM
#15
09-30-2018, 07:09 PM
#16
Senior Member
Ouch. Please stop giving me real world answers. I want to live in a fantasy that I can tow a 13,200 lb TT.
JK
Hearing all of your excellent answers does have me bummed out though.
So, I am probably hijacking my own thread here but - if I go ahead and assuage my hesitation to make this truck able to pull a 5th wheel, what do I gain?
I have been coming across newer TT's and 5th Wheels that advertise as "1/2 Ton models". >> https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-tr...ugar-half-ton/ << specifically the 29BHSWE TRAVEL TRAILER https://www.keystonerv.com/build-my-rv/product-builder-steps/?p=3262&l=3679#view-1 which advertises itself at
Shipping Weight 6800 lbs
Carrying Capacity 2000 lbs
Hitch 640 lbs
JK
Hearing all of your excellent answers does have me bummed out though.
So, I am probably hijacking my own thread here but - if I go ahead and assuage my hesitation to make this truck able to pull a 5th wheel, what do I gain?
I have been coming across newer TT's and 5th Wheels that advertise as "1/2 Ton models". >> https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-tr...ugar-half-ton/ << specifically the 29BHSWE TRAVEL TRAILER https://www.keystonerv.com/build-my-rv/product-builder-steps/?p=3262&l=3679#view-1 which advertises itself at
Shipping Weight 6800 lbs
Carrying Capacity 2000 lbs
Hitch 640 lbs
The hitch weight above is dreamland. If it is a tow behind, use the figure 13% of trailer weight, figure somewhere between the shipping weight and the weight if you add the carrying capacity. Say 7,800 pounds. Do the math from there.
You will find you don't have the payload to pull it.
RV advertisers say a trailer can be pulled by a 1/2 ton truck. First they are using a max payload truck, which yours clearly is not, and one with very few options. Max payload F150 without many options (and not 4WD either) is around 3,200 pound payload. That rivals what 3/4 ton trucks get if not more. But those trucks are few and far between. Ford uses three different thicknesses of frames depending on the payload rating. Lots of other stuff is different too.
If you want to tow a larger trailer, as you have stated, then the truck you have picked is not the one you need.
IMHO, start with making a choice of trailer first. Then get the real weight of the trailer, not a dry weight, and figure out how much payload capacity you will need along with towing capacity. Then get a truck with some margin to spare.
Think what people expect from a half ton pickup anymore, needs to tow 6 1/2 tons, and handle the payload too.
Last edited by thrifty biil; 09-30-2018 at 07:25 PM.
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Ricktwuhk (10-01-2018)
09-30-2018, 07:45 PM
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
You gain nothing as your truck does not have the payload capacity to handle a decent sized fifth wheel. You will need a 3/4 ton, or at least a maximum payload F150 truck which is much more meaningful than max tow rating.
The hitch weight above is dreamland. If it is a tow behind, use the figure 13% of trailer weight, figure somewhere between the shipping weight and the weight if you add the carrying capacity. Say 7,800 pounds. Do the math from there.
You will find you don't have the payload to pull it.
RV advertisers say a trailer can be pulled by a 1/2 ton truck. First they are using a max payload truck, which yours clearly is not, and one with very few options. Max payload F150 without many options (and not 4WD either) is around 3,200 pound payload. That rivals what 3/4 ton trucks get if not more. But those trucks are few and far between. Ford uses three different thicknesses of frames depending on the payload rating. Lots of other stuff is different too.
If you want to tow a larger trailer, as you have stated, then the truck you have picked is not the one you need.
IMHO, start with making a choice of trailer first. Then get the real weight of the trailer, not a dry weight, and figure out how much payload capacity you will need along with towing capacity. Then get a truck with some margin to spare.
Think what people expect from a half ton pickup anymore, needs to tow 6 1/2 tons, and handle the payload too.
The hitch weight above is dreamland. If it is a tow behind, use the figure 13% of trailer weight, figure somewhere between the shipping weight and the weight if you add the carrying capacity. Say 7,800 pounds. Do the math from there.
You will find you don't have the payload to pull it.
RV advertisers say a trailer can be pulled by a 1/2 ton truck. First they are using a max payload truck, which yours clearly is not, and one with very few options. Max payload F150 without many options (and not 4WD either) is around 3,200 pound payload. That rivals what 3/4 ton trucks get if not more. But those trucks are few and far between. Ford uses three different thicknesses of frames depending on the payload rating. Lots of other stuff is different too.
If you want to tow a larger trailer, as you have stated, then the truck you have picked is not the one you need.
IMHO, start with making a choice of trailer first. Then get the real weight of the trailer, not a dry weight, and figure out how much payload capacity you will need along with towing capacity. Then get a truck with some margin to spare.
Think what people expect from a half ton pickup anymore, needs to tow 6 1/2 tons, and handle the payload too.
Yes If we went with an F350 we could get a bigger rv but have to sacrifice other things, namely the more comfortable ride of the half ton, and the fact that a full ton truck is just “too big” for my wife to also drive (her words). I would imagine increased cost would also be a factor but I haven’t researched that aspect. Naturally we could go used and eliminate that metric. Yes I got a pretty expensive lariat due to all the upgrades that woild, I imagine, our us in a less appointed full ton at the same net cost - but I wanted something really enjoyable to drive as a daily driver - and not just a camping hauler.
While I am settled on this F150 truck our compromise will have to be in getting a smaller/lighter RV. I’m now looking at a Flagstaff 25BHS which comes in at around 5k# but still has bunks for the kids and a neat convertible Murphy bed/sofa combo. Decent price point too. Ask me again after three months in one of things with three kids and I may wish we had gone bigger. Lol.
So now that I see there’s no difference in how much we can pull between a TT and 5ver - what are the other advantages of getting a 5ver. There HAS to be some else they wouldn’t exist. Right? Do they ride and handle better? Easier to negotiate forwards and back? One disadvantage another response pointed out is the loss of truck bed space while towing. I need to research this. Total NEWB on these points.
Thanks again for your input.
09-30-2018, 07:57 PM
#18
Senior Member
Everyone has an opinion, I found the fifth wheel to tow better, it just seemed so stable (maybe its just mental with me, but it felt great), and for the same length they have a lot more room, and the overall length of TV plus trailer is shorter (part of the fifth wheel overlaps the bed of the truck). I also like that a fifth wheel naturally creates a two room concept. Bed area is off on one end, and pretty private, while kitchen and living area is on the opposite end.
A 25 foot fifth wheel will have 25 feet of living space, while a 25 foot tow behind is going to have about 20 feet of living space. In the world of trailers, that difference is huge!
But all this comes at a cost. First, the pin weight of a fifth wheel is higher, so you really need a bigger truck than a 1/2 ton. Secondly, you lose the storage in the bed of the truck.
BTW, optioned up Lariat F150 = sucky payload capacity. My next truck will be an XLT with fewer wiz bang options. Love my Lariat, hate my low payload capacity.
A 25 foot fifth wheel will have 25 feet of living space, while a 25 foot tow behind is going to have about 20 feet of living space. In the world of trailers, that difference is huge!
But all this comes at a cost. First, the pin weight of a fifth wheel is higher, so you really need a bigger truck than a 1/2 ton. Secondly, you lose the storage in the bed of the truck.
BTW, optioned up Lariat F150 = sucky payload capacity. My next truck will be an XLT with fewer wiz bang options. Love my Lariat, hate my low payload capacity.
09-30-2018, 08:20 PM
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Everyone has an opinion, I found the fifth wheel to tow better, it just seemed so stable (maybe its just mental with me, but it felt great), and for the same length they have a lot more room, and the overall length of TV plus trailer is shorter (part of the fifth wheel overlaps the bed of the truck). I also like that a fifth wheel naturally creates a two room concept. Bed area is off on one end, and pretty private, while kitchen and living area is on the opposite end.
A 25 foot fifth wheel will have 25 feet of living space, while a 25 foot tow behind is going to have about 20 feet of living space. In the world of trailers, that difference is huge!
But all this comes at a cost. First, the pin weight of a fifth wheel is higher, so you really need a bigger truck than a 1/2 ton. Secondly, you lose the storage in the bed of the truck.
BTW, optioned up Lariat F150 = sucky payload capacity. My next truck will be an XLT with fewer wiz bang options. Love my Lariat, hate my low payload capacity.
A 25 foot fifth wheel will have 25 feet of living space, while a 25 foot tow behind is going to have about 20 feet of living space. In the world of trailers, that difference is huge!
But all this comes at a cost. First, the pin weight of a fifth wheel is higher, so you really need a bigger truck than a 1/2 ton. Secondly, you lose the storage in the bed of the truck.
BTW, optioned up Lariat F150 = sucky payload capacity. My next truck will be an XLT with fewer wiz bang options. Love my Lariat, hate my low payload capacity.
So I now understand the 13% of trailer weight = tongue weight subtracting from your payload allowance - what’s the formula for computing pin weight against the payload allowance. Sounds like it’s more.
With that info I am going to at least look at what sort of ultra light 5th wheel bunk house campers are out there
that I could pull with my bells and whistles plagued half Ton.
...And since I’m considering it...
Here I go changing the subject again: Is my warranty in any sort of jeopardy if I had a 3rd party install an under mount 5th wheel hitch? (I can’t stand the thought of two rails sticking out on my bed for ever - so undermount is the only thing that seems an option for me). I watched a video of an install and it seemed rather invasive. I can’t imagime that it would be so long as it’s a reputable installation company but it seems worth asking. Do Ford dealerships install them?