How much pin weight are you hauling? I have a 13 supercrew max tow package truck. My payload is around 1750 and my family eats up about 750 of that. I'm thinking about getting a 5th wheel camper and wondering how big I can go, particularly if I add airbags. I'm concerned with real world here, not Ford's quoted numbers. I guess the bottom line is how far over Ford's numbers can I go safely

 

I doubt you will really get too many replies to the question "how far over can I go safely"- because the simple answer is nobody really knows, so assume none. But, to answer your question directly- keeping in mind I am not condoning the practice- I was routinely overloaded by 500-800lbs or more without noticing when our trailer was tied on. It was only after I started crunching numbers seriously that I realized I was over by that much. Is it good practice? Of course not. I had an extra leaf, LT tires, HD shocks, etc that helped carry the weight. That doesn't mean it was the "proper" way to do it, but it had no problems to speak of. Had any issues arose, I honestly can't say that the overweight would have been any more a cause than poor highways.

Since this answer is likely to run afoul of many members here- the safest response is: There is no safety margin built in- use your head and do "half ton" things with it. Don't do "1 ton" things with it.

 

Same as above. My pin weight is 1650 loaded and I am 500 over on the rear axle. Bilstein shocks and Supersprings help with that. 57k on the truck with 12k towing the fiver.

 

I agree with the above also. I am probably over on the rear axle too(maybe not near 500 as we travel very light but ???) and have 54k on the truck with over 10k of it towing the 5er. LT tires, Airbags, and a 5th Airborne Sidewinder pin box sure help it feel good running down the road.

 

My thinking is that if I'm pulling 9 or 10k either Way (travel trailer or 5th wheel) I'd rather have a 5th. I don't have a problem going 5 or 600 over Ford's numbers after adding LT tires and airbags

 

[MENTION=45003]SkiSmuggs[/MENTION] what size 5th are you pulling? Wondering what I could get with that kind of pin weight

 

It is the Cougar High Country 299RKS. It is 34' long. Dry it was 7900 and 1410. Loaded it is 9200/1650 and with full fresh water it is 9500/1650. I just looked at some new High Countrys that are bigger and they are much heavier than mine.

 

Good Afternoon. We're pulling a Cougar 26sab.. dry weights... 1190/7080 & loaded weights 1390 / 8150 with a 9960 GVWR. We only put 5 gallons of water in the tank when we are traveling, enough for us to use the potty in emergencies, but when camping up to 20 gallons. We're pulling it with a 13 XLT, Screw, Ecoboost, HD, 4x4 ... off the lot/loaded 6200/6650 using a 15K 2700 PullRite SuperGlider hitch. Very good combo

 

Looks like someone is going to break out the checkbook and break the piggy bank...My wife started looking at floor plans also , so I'm probably looking at the same thing as you...BIG $$$

 

Nah, the wife is making the payments, it is a 15 year loan, and she loves what we have. However, she was enamored of the front living room model, but I am more traditional. In any case, it was way too heavy for my truck and I am not ready for a PowerStroke.