Some half-tons can tow a 5th wheel but generally only the smallest of 5th wheels. by small I don't meant 32 ft with 2 slides but more like 25 to 27 ft. with a small slide. For example, for 8 years we have towed our 25 ft. Jayco all over the country with 2 Chevy half-tons and this works fine. However, the Jayco has no slide-outs and only a 5,200 lb. dry wt. very few manufacturers make 1 this light now, including Jayco. Yet, some of the newer half-tons, including the Tundra, have a towing capacity almost 3,000 lbs. more than my Chevy. If you are not sure of the 5th wheel you will want, a 3/4 ton would give you a lot more flexability.
Read all the posts about people wanting to "Upgrade" their half-ton's towing capabilies. Ever see any where they want to "Downgrade" their three-quarter ton? I like my half ton Chevy but would not think of towing a fifth wheel with it.
geo04 wrote: I plan on buying a truck then a small ( 24 -26 ft )fifth wheel rv. What are the best choices? Is the Tundra out of the question?
Welcome and suggest you use the advanced search function
Most newbies buy the biggest truck they have ever owned and that is
normally a 'half ton' and why so many end up struggling and/or buying
a second truck a few years later
Noting wrong with the Tundra, or any 'half ton', but that is at the
smallest end of trucks (our pickups are light duty trucks). At the high
end of this class are the 1 ton dually's and everything else inbetween
First you need to decide whether you believe in the OEM truck ratings
or not
If not, then do whatever and know that the OEM warranty may not be
honored, as that warranty is based on the OEM specifications for that
truck/SUV
If yes, then learn how the 'ratings' stack up in concert and then go
out and actually weigh your setup axle by axle. If you don't have
either of the TV or trailer (tongued or fiver), then use their GVWRs
as the maximum conditions.
Here are some links to past threads on your question along with a
diagram made from another members sketch showing how the various
component ratings stack up in concert to the bottom line
howmuchcanitow
Notice that these threads are not only to do with half tons, but
with all sizes within the light duty truck class
The Tundra is a 'half ton' and these are all 'half ton' GVWR's, so
which one is some advice referencing for their 'half ton'...
6,200 GVWR is a half ton
7,200 GVWR is a half ton.....think the Tundra is around here
7,600 GVWR is a half ton.....think the Tundra is around here
8,100 GVWR is a half ton
8,500 GVWR is a half ton
And this one posted tongue-n-cheek trying to show how the marketing
badging is confusing and best to use their respective GVWR's....and
guessing some have not read nor heard of Johnathan Swift's book and
what it has become to represent... "A modest proposal"...half ton trucks and SUVs...
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
51 cylinders in household, what's yours?...
To answer the question a F150 EB Max Tow max payload (3,000#) could do the job!
That said to get thoses ratings, they are at 95 percent of axle max rating.
While at GVWR of 3/4 and 1 ton are in the low 80 percent. That and the differance in design, semi floating 1/2 ton and full floating 3/4 and 1 ton!
Russ & Paula
The Beagles Hedwig and Precious.
Portland, OR.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS
2001 Dodge 2500 4X4, 5.9 Cummins 5 speed, 3.55 gears, Pacbrake, Power Puck, 258K
Although a 5th was never in my thoughts when I bought my F150 I did spend yesterday seeing what my options were if Iwent that route. Ends up I'd be very limited to the lightest 5th I could find if I want to tow it comfortably. Suggest you research what the config would be for the Tundra that provides the highest payload you can get and see if you want that config.
ex. For the F150 I'd have had to go 2x4 with a Regular Cab to get the highest payload, in the config I wanted I got a 2200 lb payload. From what I saw yesterday I'd need closer to 2500-2700 lbs payload to get away from the lightweights. I added 2000 lbs to the dry weight to figure real world pin weight using 20%.
Happy Motoring
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
12 F150 HD SCAB EcoBoost LB 4x4
06 Starcraft 18SB
Let me put it this way; If you already had a 1/2 ton, you could go out and find a small 5ver that would work, but since you are going to buy the truck AND camper why not go with the 3/4 or even a 1 ton for not much more $. That way you won't be out shopping for your trailer and find yourself repeating over and over "that one won't work for our truck". You'll have SO many choices with the bigger payload and IMO be happier down the road. Good luck.
Carl
03 F-150, 5.4 Scab 4x4 auto 3:55
2011 Jayco 256RKS
Co-pilot-Sharon
Navigator-Missy (chihuahua)
Best thing to do if you want to tow a fifth wheel or gooseneck or haul a truck camper is forget the 1/2-ton, forget the 3/4-ton and go straight to the 1-ton. When it comes to fifth wheels, goosenecks and truck campers, it's all about payload capacity, GVWR and rear axle weight rating. The higher the payload, GVWR and RGAWR, the merrier.
Just because you "Can" do something does not mean that it is a good idea. If you are buying truck and trailer why in the world would you not match them for performance and safety. With the exception of the F-150 EB WITH the max tow and Max Payload package (Think $40,000 without a lot of bells and whistles), there is not a six cylinder out there that will tow even the so called (lite), fivers. The small V-8's will be equally useless. The medium V-8's, 5 liter or larger, can get it done but it probably won't be much fun as the pin weight of a fiver will consume inordinate amounts of your half ton's rather meager payload.
You have the opportunity to get it right the first time. I would look for a clean, lightly used late model 3/4 ton that can be had for $25,000 or less and then go trailer shopping knowing exactly what you can or cannot safely, enjoyably tow. Best of luck whatever you decide.
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