The Skinny - My family is slowly growing with two daughters under 3 wife and dog. I am looking to get into the world of campers and specifically 5th wheels. I am new to the weight limits on a truck and have been doing some research with some numbers listed below. I am curious if I am on the right track.
Before all you diesel heads blow this up...(I know what the best option would be)
If I had the money I would by a GMC 3500 or F-350 with car to tool around in for the 350 days that I am not towing the 5th wheel more than 6 hours...Unfortunately that is not the case so I am trying to find a vehicle that can do it all, if it exists...(Scenario below)
So here are some numbersSeems like a lot of work but I want to make sure I get the best vehicle for the 95% of the time I am not towing) Someday when I retire and am cruising the country - there will be plenty of truck for my retirement on wheels...
**Weight of family 925
Dad 250
Mom 125
Daughter #1 50(actual 35)
Daughter #2 50(actual 13)
Dog 50
Baggage 400(with 5th wheel very little would go in truck, if any)
GVWR (8200) - Payload(2310)- 150lb test driver = 5740(Spec'd out truck)
5740 + family,bags,dog(925) = 6665lb weight before 5th wheel...Updated Actual weight - 8200-6665 = 1535 updated payload remaining
Updated Towing Capacity(remaining) 17100-6665 = 10435lbs(400 of this is bags which would wind up in the 5th wheel making the numbers even better - I am assuming at least 400lbs will be added to fifth wheel tongue weight through adding bags to 5th wheel.
In my novice mind the following 5s would work... The two bold models would obviously be the best due to the tongue weights...(Both bolded models would leave me with just under 500lbs of payload in the bed of the pick/cab.(assuming 400lbs of bags in pickup(which would be most likely-moved to 5th wheel)
Skipnchar may chime in on this..he is sort of the resident expert on the EcoBoost...he loves it! PM him to ask anything in case he misses this post.
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
Looks like you've done your homework very well. The Cougar and Alumalite should have the closest loaded to unloaded pin weights. The others may vary more between loaded and unloaded, due to their high payload capacities. The change in pin weight will also depend on where the tanks are in relation to the trailer axles.
Not having had a 5th, I'd want to know what an actual pin weights run as opposed to the stated dry weight. You may need to account for a sliding hitch and whatever framing is added to the truck bed. I think most of your bag weight goes to the 5th as opposed to the trucks payload, that's part of needing an actual as opposed to dry weight. I'd use 625 as the trucks cab payload, bumping up the girls to 100 lbs each for future growth and taking away the bags giving you 1685 available payload for the trailer. By the way, I brought my EB to the scales today and the sticker on the door was right on.
Happy Motoring
Bob & Deb
W Ma.
12 F150 HD SCAB EcoBoost LB 4x4
06 Starcraft 18SB
fordsooperdooty wrote: Skipnchar may chime in on this..he is sort of the resident expert on the EcoBoost...he loves it! PM him to ask anything in case he misses this post.
Just remember Skip has Zero experience with 5ers and pin wts. etc. and a growing family.
Seems to me that with the size of your family that a longer travel trailer (maybe a bunkhouse) with more room would make more sense than a smallish fiver.
lbrjet wrote: Seems to me that with the size of your family that a longer travel trailer (maybe a bunkhouse) with more room would make more sense than a smallish fiver.
Agree, 1, 3 and 5 should work. I didn't bother to fine tune your numbers because I'm pulling a 2002 Cougar 286, 8400 lbs loaded, with a lesser 1/2t, a 2004 F150 SC, 4wd, 3.73 axle, 5.4 motor. The previous owner of the Cougar used a similar 2002 SC, which had even less capacity. But, it grates my nerves when someone makes a statement that no 1/2t truck can pull a fiver.
However, having said that and after getting weighed, there is some validity to that statement. I know I'm overloaded on the rear axle. The +250lb SuperGlide hitch works great in a shortbed truck, but certainly doesn't help in the weight area. If I put two more people in the truck, I'm really overloaded. While I DO need to get a bigger truck, you will probably be okay if you stick to your plan because the 150 Ecoboost you're looking at has a much greater capacity than my truck.
I had my 150 before I bought the trailer. I didn't want to get rid of the truck, and didn't want a 350. You might want to reconsider getting the 150 because you may want to get a bigger FW later. That's the predicament I'm in. I know it's not directly answering your question, but I recommend you get a 350 now, even if it's a few years older. If you want to stay with Ford, a pre-2004 with the 7.3 motor is the best, and post-2008 diesels are better overall than the 2004-2007 6.0 motor. Chevy Duramax come well-recommended, as do the Dodge Cummins motors, but the truck supposedly fall apart around the motors. All this is opinion and subject to argument, of course.
Last thing is actual fuel mileage towing a FW. I normally avg 14-15mpg. Just came back from a 2,500 mile trip from VA to FL. Averaged 7-8 towing mostly on the flat. I would have gotten 12+ from an typical diesel. But, diesel fuel is more expensive than gas, and diesel maintenance is higher. Something to think about.
2002 Keystone Cougar 286, 8,400lbs loaded, pulled with a 2004 F150 Supercrew, 5.4, 3.73 gears. Retired and enjoying life
Padlin wrote: Not having had a 5th, I'd want to know what an actual pin weights run as opposed to the stated dry weight. You may need to account for a sliding hitch and whatever framing is added to the truck bed. I think most of your bag weight goes to the 5th as opposed to the trucks payload, that's part of needing an actual as opposed to dry weight. I'd use 625 as the trucks cab payload, bumping up the girls to 100 lbs each for future growth and taking away the bags giving you 1685 available payload for the trailer. By the way, I brought my EB to the scales today and the sticker on the door was right on.
I would guess that like anything...Anything loaded behind the CG would add very little to the pinweight. The big thing would be if I was adding 5-600 pounds directly above the pin. directly raising the pinn weight...
Last thing...The box can take the remaining or all of the payload as per the manufacturer right? I just don't understand the 1/2 ton designation if the payload can be 2000lbs?
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Seems like a lot of work but I want to make sure I get the best vehicle for the 95% of the time I am not towing) Someday when I retire and am cruising the country - there will be plenty of truck for my retirement on wheels...
