Michelle.S
Western NY till fall, then Sebring, FL
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Yes, but the oil will float on top of the water, the fifth wheel won't float on the 1/2 ton, more like try to crush it unless one of the super lite units.
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johndeerefarmer
Texas
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Joined: 03/06/2011
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usmcshepherd wrote:Hello all,
I have a friend who has a F150 who is currently towing a 30ft bumper pull trailer who is looking to move up to a 5th wheel. I am concerned that while the dealership says he'll be fine that he'll have clearance issues with his small 5'5" bed (his F150 is a crew cab). He has already upgraded his tires and suspension so handling the pin weight (he's looking at the lighter halfton 5th wheels with pin weights around 1400lbs). If anyone has any thoughts or experience when it comes to clearance issues and hitches it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I tried it with a F150. I extensively modified the suspension to to work. RV was a 26' fiver. Pulled it fine IF the wind wasn't blowing. If the wind was blowing 15+ mph you got blew all over the road. The new aluminum F150's are too light.
2020 Ford 350 6.7 PSD & 2017 F150 3.5 EB max tow
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Thermoguy
Graham, WA
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Anyone that says a 1/2 ton can not pull a 5th wheel is incorrect. People are doing it as has been stated on this site many times.
The only issue is that the 5th wheel must be within the payload limitations of the truck. That is the issue. They make 5th wheel hitches for 1/2 ton trucks, I looked them up. I was and still am considering a 1/2 ton truck down the road - for a trailer with a 1200 lb pin weight fully loaded. I have looked at various 1/2 ton trucks a couple years back, some were OK for that payload, some were not. If its within the payload - not at the max, then it would be OK. They do make small 5th wheel trailers.
We can discuss things like the short wheel base on the 5.5 bed, that would be an issue I would stay away from. We can discuss the thin materials that make a 5th wheel light enough to be 1/2 ton towable, that I would agree with. But if it's within the ratings, its not the end of the world. It does limit the owner to not being able to upgrade, probably has small tanks, etc. But, it can be done.
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TXiceman
Bryan, TX
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Thermoguy, the average half ton truck you find on the dealer's lot is not suitable to tow a 5th wheel. What the dealers order are generally good as mulch and grocery haulers. You can order a half ton truck that will be much better suited to tow a small 5th wheel.
Even with a special ordered half ton, you are severely limited with the payload capacity and never order one with the short bed.
Ken
Amateur Radio Operator.
2013 HitchHiker 38RLRSB Champagne (FORSALE), toted with a 2012, F350, 6.7L PSD, Crewcab, dually. 3.73 axle (truck is sold), FORMER Full Time RVer. Travel with a standard schnauzer and a Timneh African Gray parrot
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Cummins12V98
on the road
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Some just don't get they may need more than a 150/1500.
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JIMNLIN
Oklahoma
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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usmcshepherd wrote:Hello all,
I have a friend who has a F150 who is currently towing a 30ft bumper pull trailer who is looking to move up to a 5th wheel. I am concerned that while the dealership says he'll be fine that he'll have clearance issues with his small 5'5" bed (his F150 is a crew cab). He has already upgraded his tires and suspension so handling the pin weight (he's looking at the lighter halfton 5th wheels with pin weights around 1400lbs). If anyone has any thoughts or experience when it comes to clearance issues and hitches it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
LOL...anytime a 1/2 ton truck is mentioned for pulling a "light weight" 5th wheel trailer with 1400 lb pin weight the no it can do it crowd shows up with the infamous "no 1/2 ton can tow a 5th wheel trailer nonsense"
Has your question about your clearance concerns for a buddies F150 5' 5" short bed been addressed ??
There are hitch solution=s out here just for that combo.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
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usmcshepherd
Asbury, IA
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Thanks for everyone’s response…between my recommendations and what he found here he decided to go with a TT for now…but is already looking at a 3/4 ton upgrade to his truck for pulling the new TT as well as preparing for the 5er down there road.
2011 Ram 3500 / 2013 Lance 1172
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GIB2
Welland
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No thought wouldn't consider. It is a recipe to loose your truck , trailer and lives including others on the road.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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TXiceman wrote:Thermoguy, the average half ton truck you find on the dealer's lot is not suitable to tow a 5th wheel. What the dealers order are generally good as mulch and grocery haulers. You can order a half ton truck that will be much better suited to tow a small 5th wheel.
Even with a special ordered half ton, you are severely limited with the payload capacity and never order one with the short bed.
Ken
Yeah, but if you are special ordering anyway, just go up to a 3/4 or 1 ton. The cost difference will be negligible and you have a much more suitable truck.
Only reason I can see for trying to do this is you have a 1/2 ton and grandpa dies and leaves you his old 24ft 5er...then I might investigate if the numbers can be made to work.
Tammy & Mike
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nickthehunter
Midwest
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Yeah - but you can’t get the 3.5 ecoboost and the 10 speed transmission with the F250; which is exactly what you want for a “sometimes” towing a small fifth wheel and “mostly” a daily driver.
And I can tell you first hand, when I bought my F150 the price difference for an F250 was not negligible, it was appreciable. Just my experience, yours may vary.
* This post was
edited 10/03/22 04:37pm by an administrator/moderator *
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