Thinking of switching from a TT to a 5th wheel, something 30' or smaller. How should a truck be set up ? The weights seem to be alot different then TT towing. How do you figure hitch, pin weights ? How will the ride be ? Waiting for any info please
I've been a lurker here for a few years.I don't own an rv yet,but by watching the forums, the 1st questions will be "What are you towing, and what are you towing with?" There are a lot of good people here that will be more than glad you help you out. Hang in there.
Preach.
Answers $.50, Thoughtful answers $1.00, Correct answers $2.00, DUMB LOOKS are FREE.
2003 Ford XL PSD
1 Good looking wife of 40 yrs.
4 very sweet grand children
The fifth wheel will have much more pin rate, which will translate to cargo weight capacity to your truck. Figure 20 to 25% pin weight of the loaded GVWR rating of the 5'r. This is the limiting factor of towing with a F150.
2006 F350 V10 4X4 SC SB SRW 4.30 22,500 GCWR
Keystone Sprinter 33'9" 12,500 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Super Duty, Super Cab, SuperGlide
SEE RV.net Classified for Vette Description
I have a 24 ft Trail Cruiser 5,000 lbs dry, 7,000 all loaded. I'm pulling with a 06 F150 SCAB 5.4/3.73/6.5 ft bed/towing package/air bags for leveling. Your first concern is the 5.5 ft bed, Ford's towing guide says 5er design is not compatible with this bed. The problem is turning clearance; some have done it, some with a slide hitch, some without. There are now some 5ers with a wedge shaped front end for this problem.
Pin weight will be on the trailer weight label; they seem to be pretty low when people have weighed units. When loading, lots of weight tends to be loaded in the front compartments. Figure 200 lbs for a hitch.
The towing capacity is likely not to be the problem, it's the pin weight. I don't know what your cargo limit is(inside drivers door has tire info and weight limits), but it is going to be pushed with any 5er, and a 30 ft 5er is likely to be pushing it too far. Also look at clearance between 5er and bed rails if you have an 04 or later 150, the bed rails are high. Remember, you have about 3 feet more usable space in a given lenght 5er compared to a TT.
My TT and 5er have been fine, DW and are are totally satisfied with the setup. Tows very nicely; you know there's a load behind. I've been across deserts, and up steep and long mountain passes without trouble. Get about 10 MPG.
One of your problems will be the short bed. Mine is 6.5' and I will probably get a slider one of these days. I would think yours will require a slider and would recommend an automatic one since it will probably be needed a lot (like every time you turn a tight corner).
The second will be pin weight. Figure what your truck carrying capacity is, subtract what you carry in the truck (including fuel) and what is left is what you have to work with. Under 1000lb dry is about what you should shoot for.
There is a lot of talk about 20% on the pin, but, on ours it is less than that, closer to 15%.
30ft is not what you will be able to tow (because of pin weight). When we looked the max was a 24ft with a slide or 25ft without slides. Ours is only 6000lb loaded so is well below tow weight, but, pin weight means we can't load anything heavy in the bed of the truck.
Good luck in your search.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
i would never tow anything close to a 30' fifth wheel with a 1/2 ton truck. either stick with a very small 5ver, or get a bigger truck.
1999 F-250 Extra Cab SD 4X4 V-10
2000 Wildwood 28RKSS2S 31' 5ver
Derrick, Michelle, Michaela, Riona and "Bones" (K-9 companion) We Are Currently Here my website
I have a 30 foot 5th wheel in my sig that the dealer said I should be fine towing with my 1/2 ton. While it did tow it the truck screamed pulling hills and I could never get comfortable with the combination as I always had to anticipate every little hill or stop. After several trips I upgraded to a 3/4 ton and could not be happier. This truck can handle the hills without screaming and the stopping seems better as well.
A 5.5 bed would also be a concern. I have a 6.5 bed and have to watch some of my turns particularly when backing.
Someone with a lot more experience could probably work with my original combination but I just never could be comfortable. It got to the point that I did not want to take the trailer out because I did not look forward to the drive. With the new truck I have no concerns and look for chances to hit the road.
2006 2500HD Chevy 6.0 Gas Ext Cab Short Bed
2004 Flagstaff 28bhss 5th Wheel
Dear Wife, two daughters (21 & 16,) and four dogs
1) Load the truck up just like you would go camping (wife,kids,dogs, fire wood what ever) and go to the scales to get an accurate weight of your truck.
2) add 250 pounds to the scaled weight for a hitch.
3) pick a fifth wheel you are interested in and find the trailers GVWR. From this number you can get a close estimate of the pin weight 20% of trailers GVWR.
4) Add the estimate of pin weight to the weight total from (2) above.
Now, this is the tough part, are you within the trucks GVWR,GCWR,GAWR for your truck?
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