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You should also do a video on why you shouldn't tow a large (heavy) fifth wheel with a 3/4 ton SRW truck. I see so many m0r0ns using that setup and I know for a fact they are way overloaded. I know what the payloads are on 3/4 ton SRW (non-dually) trucks and it's obvious these geniuses towing 40' triple-axle toy haulers are grossly overloaded. I see guys with pin weights well over 2k lbs. They figure it's a diesel and since it can get uphill and downhill just "fine" it doesn't matter. Payload capacity doesn't mean squat, right?
100% agree with you on this. The 1st thing our dealer did when we picked out a camper was pulling our vin number on our truck to see the payload and towing capacity. We were good so they sold us the camper. Told us they won't sell unless your tow vehicle could safely tow the camper we wanted. We had an older truck (F150) at the time of purchase. We eventually upgraded our truck anyways to a F250. We now have way more payload than we need.
When I was out looking at fifth wheel two years ago, the first thing my salesman asked was what I will be towing it with. After I said I have a 1 ton Cummins then he started showing me the trailers.
People don’t realize that the highest tow rating for these trucks are the base trucks (2dr, smallest engine) because the of payload. Lots of numbers to consider. Good video, thanks.
People need to take into account it’s all about safety. The braking capabilities need to be heavy enough for the RV that’s being towed. If you have a 1/2 pick-up it’s a light duty.
A HDPP f150 4wd extended cab long bed has 2800lbs of payload. A HDPP 2wd long bed extended cab has 3100lbs of payload. However for 2024 they are no more. They had the thicker frame, more crossmembers, bigger brakes, LT tires, 18” wheels, 3 leaf+1 helper vs 2leaf 1 helper on max tow or 1+helper on no max tow.
The RV manufacturers may disagree with you. The truck manufacturers may disagree with you. But the half ton truck is saying; TOO MUCH WEIGHT! TOO MUCH WEIGHT! AAAAAAAAAAAAAH! LISTEN TO THE TRUCK!
Great video! We bought a 25 foot 5th wheel last year..several people told us we were "good to go with a half ton". One short trip & we knew different. Just bought an F350 diesel & are looking forward to peace of mind towing this season. Bring on summer!
70-75% of the trucks capacity.....if your gonna go RVing just get a 3/4 or 1 ton right off the bat, opens up alot of options....having more truck than you need is always better and less stressful
Great advice! You are a good man. Don't forget that the Tacoma/ F150 guys usually put 300-500lbs EXTRA on their trucks killer light accessories, upgraded bumpers, bigger tires and wheels, etc.....
About any 1/2 ton can pull it, but i have a 32' trailer and it was scarry coming off Hazard Ky mountains with the twists and turns. I was contemplating a 5th wheel, until that experience. I quickly learned, just because you can pull it, doesn't mean you should.
You are right, it's definitely a marketing ploy. I would never ever pull a 5th wheel with any 1/2 ton ever! We went from a F250 to a dually 3500 longhorn/long bed to pull our (GVWR)14K gross weight toy hauler. Why? it's all about the braking and surprise emergency situations. On one of our trips, Our F250 brakes were smoking in stop and go traffic on the mountains highways around Denver, after getting caught in rush hour traffic. Scared us to death. Yea we pulled over for a very long long time. We now have a dually and we upgraded our 5ver to disc brakes, and replaced the suspension components. People you cannot use the whole towing capacity of your truck. The road is not always flat! You need to be at least 20% under it. This will help you in emergency situations. Check what is the weight of the 5ver vs the weight of your truck. A heaver more tow capacity truck will have heaver tow components which includes the brakes. We can now at very slow speeds stop the truck with the 5ver disc brakes. Having a dually makes us feel more stable in towing, more in control. We are not even reaching half of the dually's tow capacity. Now we can over load the truck, and not the 5ver. We bring more spare tires, without any worry of having to figure out all the weight of gear and passengers. We also have weighed our rig/truck at the CAT scales as well. It's a great piece of mind that we are equipped with the best possible towing combination for us. We only buy G rated tires, and change them out every 5 years. We bring a mini air compressor with us, and always drive within the tires speed rating.
Opinion based. Which is fine. People find a model and buy it. They don’t crunch the numbers then look for something within there limits. You didn’t specify. How big was it? I’m sure he was over loaded for starters.
Great video. I personally would not even tow a bumper pull 8K trailer behind a 1/2 ton truck, let alone a 5th wheel weighing in at 10K. Common sense ain't so common I guess.
Absolutely right about the payload. We towed with a half ton and every time we had to stop quick we could feel it press down hard on the bed of the truck. So we decided until we could upgrade to a 3/4 ton that we would only take short trips and stay off the interstate. And thankfully where we are at, the terrain is relatively flat. I would strongly advise against towing a fifth wheel with a half ton truck. Those trailers should have 3/4 ton on them instead. The half tons should be used for the shorter lighter travel trailers.
Thank you for this video. I'm thinking of getting rid of my Class C and getting a pickup truck and a Fifth Wheel. Why? Because when you have a motorhome, you still have to tow a car or truck behind you, especially if you have a pet. I travel without a "toad." I have to rely on Uber, a cab, or bus, a trolley, or a friend to get me around when I get to my camping destination because I have a dog. I can't drive my Class C into town and leave the dog in the motorhome while I dine and shop, etc., unless I run the generator to keep the dog cool in the motorhome. (I live in Texas, and it's hot here almost all year long! My dog would die in a closed-up motorhome.) So! I figure if I have to tow a "toad," I might as well have MORE living space and tow a Fifth Wheel behind a pickup truck. Motorhomes are generally not spacious, and I have a very large dog. I'm going back and forth on this, and any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Thank you for this video. I was a couple of hours from pulling the trigger on a 5th wheel to tow with my GMC 1500. I really liked the idea of towing a 5th wheel but couldn't sleep last night concerned I was #100 under my payload capacity with it. You confirmed my suspicions - tail dragger it is!
Totally agree. We are getting ready to get a 28 foot, 9995 GVWR 5th wheel. So we know we could end up with a 2 grand pin easy. First thing we did was go out and buy a 2024 1 ton diesel. IT has 4121 payload, heavy duty leaf suspension, high amp alternator, two batteries, engine brakes and axles that can carry it. No brainer. It cost just a little more than the 3/4 ton so was an easy decision.
I need to know where is your shop sir because I like honest dealership that care about customer life I own a 2024 3/4 Chevy gas and I’m in market to look for a fifth wheel for my family
@@HBRVLifestyle Agreed. We tried it and found out that it wasn't a good idea. We had one of the lighter weight fifth wheels and it maxed out the suspension. We could really feel this when coming to a stop. The manufacturers should stop saying that a half ton can tow these units. It will get people hurt/killed or they wind up causing a premature failure of their tow vehicle.
My first RV was a 30' Kodiak bumper pull trailer. I had a Ram 2500 3/4 ton truck with a Cummins diesel engine. That truck was perfect for that trailer and would have been perfect for a half ton 5th wheel. My wife and I purchased a 35' East to West Tandara 321 RL-OK, with a dry weight 11,200 lbs. My 2012 Ram had a towing capacity of 13,500 lbs. With our gear and luggage, our tow weight was very close to our truck's towing capacity. After 4 or 5 pulls, we moved up to a 2022 Ram 3500 Laramie dually with a towing capacity of 20,000 lbs ( we looked at another Ram 3500 dually with the high output Cummins and the Aisin transmission which could tow 33,000 lbs.) So the point is, do not buy an RV that will force you to tow at max capacity. It's not safe, and you will not enjoy the experience. If you have a half ton truck, stick with a bumper pull and be mindful of the tow weight. If you want a 5th wheel, I would recommend a 3/4 ton truck and actually would suggest a diesel. Diesel engines have twice the torque of a gas engine (torque = pulling ability), and they have engine brakes, which start to slow the vehicle when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal. Imagine going down a mountain road pulling your RV without this advantage. Our new truck allows us to tow at 70% of max towing capacity, and this makes towing much more enjoyable for everyone. Good luck and choose wisely!!!
Totally agree. I drove tractor trailers for 45 yrs. I've found (most) salesman either don't care or don't understand the dynamics of what there selling. I also feel new RV buyers sould have to take a course to learn how to operate there RV. Think about some of the monster rigs out there. Class A's with 600 hp engines and I've seen 50' 5th wheels. Just a thought
There are a few 1/2 tons that have a heavy duty packages, 2500 lb payloads capable of 22 to 25’ fivers. 17,800 gcwr. Special order only, and fairly rare.
Anything can tow anything...until it can't. And stopping it? Another story. I towed a 9,000 lb 5th wheel with two 2500HD's (a 2005 and a 2009) with the 6.0...I HATED EVERY MILE OF IT! To tow that much with a HALF-TON? NO FRIGGIN WAY! Thank you for speaking the truth. The manufacturers should be held accountable! I wouldn't tow more than 8K with a 3/4 ton gas engine truck let alone a half ton! Nuts! I tow my '21 Flagstaff 36' 5th wheel with a 2500HD diesel. NEVER would I even consider towing 12K even with a 3/4 ton gasser!
There was two half ton trucks left that was fifth wheel rated. It was the HDPP F-150’s and Titan XD’s, however they are no more for 2024/2025. In certain configurations the HDPP f150 had more payload than a 3/4 diesel and the Titan XD was built like a 3/4 ton. However dealers rarely spec’d a f150 with HDPP. The older ford you speak of v10 with “bigger brakes” the older ford’s had a 13.5” rotor and braking distances were trash compared to a half ton because of the extra weight. Today’s f150 have 13” rear brakes and 13.5” fronts. The HDPP had 13.5 front and rear. The Titan XD has 14.2 front and 14.5 rear matching the heavy towing f-350’s and beating some f-250’s. From the get go the 3/4 ton to 1 ton have a 40-50ft braking disadvantage vs Titan XD or a f-150. Mind you the Titan XD weights 6700lbs just like a F250 and stops like an F-150. There are a lot of assumptions in your statements without a lot of data to back it up. Should you tow a fifth wheel with a half ton with 1,000lbs of payload? No. Can you tow a fifth wheel with a half ton that has 2400-3300lbs of payload? Yes.
@@HBRVLifestyle that’s completely fine, haha. You may also have to dismiss the f250 and f350 diesel guys with the 9900/10000 GVWR packages and pretty much all ram 2500 diesel guys 😂
Thank you for your honesty. I have a F150 and was considering getting a 5th wheel trailer. Now i will stick with the other trailer. I didnt understand why, but now i do. So thank you for this advise.
This is the first video I've seen that gets to the point, and the first one,that at least I've seen, the guy spoke to a driver and learned something. I agree with the equipment aspect 100%, but nothing takes the place of safety and driving experience, experience being the key, and although theoretically a half ton can tow a 5th wheel it should not be done, even with an experienced driver.
I’m not a fifth wheel fan, but I do remember one guy in a campground hitching up his fifth wheel to a 3/4 ton truck and his exact words were “ watch it squat!” It dropped probably a good 6”!! No thanks!!😊
I would not tow a 5th wheel with a Nissan or Toyota truck. Even if it has a diesel engine. The math won’t add up. Best bet is a 2500 ram or GM product, or F250
I agree to an extent, but too you have to take into consideration how many people overload a trailer then think they're Lightning Mcqueen, Ive been passed in every state at least once by guys pulling RVs at over 75mph, and I have seen several on their top flattened out because of high winds or speeding, but in my opinion its more to do with how you drive the vehicle than anything, I guess because Ive pulled things they swear cant be done and learned when to slow down and not get complacent.
Dealership tried selling me one for my 1/2 ton. Glad I did my research. Most people only look at tow capacity. Most don't realize you will almost always max out on payload before tow capacity on a half ton.
Sounds like a driver issue. A Peterbilt can tow 100,000lbs but no experienced truck driver bombs down the backside of a mountain full speed, or even they will burn up the brakes and run away. If the driver wants to drive their max weight combination like theyre an unloaded honda, thats on them, not you.
Excellent video. More people need to know this as it is literally life and death. It saddens me when people get defensive and throw around the “tow police” label. We all have to learn about weight limits for any type of camper. Thanks for being ethical. 👍🏾
My local Ford dealer told me that make my tow package f150 capable of towing a 5th wheel I'd have to spend more than buying a used 3/4 ton truck. Also the RV nerd channel agrees with you too!
After 45 years towing various and sundry trailers with various tow vehicles, I've learned some tough lessons. First, a half-ton pickup doesn't have the payload to handle a 5th-wheel pin weight. After you put yourself, your wife and kids, plus their stuff in, you don't have much left for payload. Half-ton trucks run out of payload long before they run out of tow capacity. The notion of "dry weight" commonly trumpeted is a dishonest marketing ploy designed to mislead the uninformed and the foolish. The GVWR is the only number to look at. Load up your tow vehicle like you are heading out to go camping and then visit a C.A.T. Scale. It will show you what you have left over and provide a shopping guide. Second, the actual tow capacity is the listed tow rating times 0.85. That gives you an upper trailer GVWR number to guide you through the shopping process. Third, just because you can tow it doesn't mean you can stop it. Half-ton trucks don't have the braking systems or engine brakes to stop a big trailer in an emergency or on a steep downgrade, much less a 5th-wheel. A 3/4-ton or 1-ton heavy-duty truck (SRW or DRW) with a diesel engine has more robust braking plus an engine brake that you can use to slow your rig down in a hurry. The story you told is quite poignant and very frightening. It clearly illustrates the "You can tow it, but can you stop it?" principle.
I agree with your statement. The problem is there’s a lot of bad information on the Internet about RVs in general. More people speak on emotion than fact, unfortunately.
@HBRVLifestyle Especially if the TT in question have a big storage up front like some rockwoods do. That's an easy way to be OK in GCWR but overloaded in GVWR.
What actual failed Driver error The hitch failed ,brake controller was after market, not installed right or wired incorrectly .The trailer brake them selves failed or just not big enough or too short of a distance to stop. My understanding the trailer should supply the stopping power for its GVW I am sure it was more than 1/2 ton pickup alone Thanks for this information. But not sure if the truck was a 3/4 ton S/A this could have been avoided
@@HBRVLifestyle I agree 100% 1/2 ton is too small even if beefed up I am just guessing it was a combination of several things that that happened quickly that contributed to the accident
Just to be safe i tow my trailer with a kenworth w900. People go way to fast when towing. I think there should be a speed limit for cars and other vehicles not towing and a lower speed for trucks and vehicles towing and special licenses for towing travel trailers and fifth wheels or motor homes. You dealers are to blame also, someone will buy a travel trailer and you will just hook it up to the back of their truck and send them on their way. When you should take each person out on a test teaching drive.
As a CDL driver, I disagree to a certain extent. This is all about the driver. Would I recommend towing a 5th wheel with a 1/2 truck to someone who has never towed at altitude? Hell no! You HAVE to COMPLETELY understand the physics behind the whole operation. Also, 55-60mph through the mountain passes? Are you in a hurry? SLOW DOWN!!!! I would only recommend this setup to the most experienced truck drivers and towing experts... But this is very possible to do...
Stopping weight (energy) doesn't change. That being said the man with the half ton truck going down a steep grade at 50mph was to fast, I've been towing for forty years and don't care about speed limits if i feel safe going down that grade at 35mph thats what I do and then locking the brakes is something that you should never do. I'm not saying towing a fifth wheel with a half ton is a good idea but don't blame the truck for speed or driver inexperience or error and don't believe what everyone tells you. You don't know how fast he was going.
I think the worst bunch out there are the 3/4 ton guys. They think because it’s a 3/4 ton with a diesel that they can tow a house behind it. Ain’t nothing but seeing who has the biggest balls….😏😏
Considering these truck manufacturers are lying about tow ratings. There is no way a half ton truck should ever tow a 5th wheel. Ford is the worst too. Its a joke what they claim the f150 can tow.
@frankzicari784 I have a new 5th wheel and a new travel trailer. I have been towing for 30 years. Get the right truck for the job. I tow on the west coast where there are mountains. 1/2 ton would be suicide. It's just the fact of the matter.
Disingenuous. My F150 has 2500lb payload, 14000lb tow. (627 Heavy Duty Payload Package) I can safely tow many 5th wheels. You need to specify the importance of a properly optioned and spec'd out truck. A conventional F150 is significantly less capable.
You are entitled to your opinions. I have been in this industry for almost 15 years. I will never sell a 5th wheel of any size of weight to an owner of a half ton truck. If I lose business so be it! I would rather keep people safe then to make a sale
I agree the cougar 23mle has a pin weight of 1200 pounds, my dodge 1500 can handle 1950 and tow up to 12000 pounds and the cougar is around 7700, so I think you can pull a fifth wheel with a 1500
Thank you for your video, however, I strongly disagree, about Motorhomes, they SUCK!!! at least old ones like a 2000 Rexhall, after only 34K miles I spent $12,000 on a new V10 Tritan long block Engine from Ford. It has just spun a rod-bearing after 4 years and only 3,000 miles!!! It rattles like a rattlesnake and needs a full rebuild. Stay away from old motorhomes, they are money pits!!!! You have been warned!!😂
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You should also do a video on why you shouldn't tow a large (heavy) fifth wheel with a 3/4 ton SRW truck. I see so many m0r0ns using that setup and I know for a fact they are way overloaded. I know what the payloads are on 3/4 ton SRW (non-dually) trucks and it's obvious these geniuses towing 40' triple-axle toy haulers are grossly overloaded. I see guys with pin weights well over 2k lbs. They figure it's a diesel and since it can get uphill and downhill just "fine" it doesn't matter. Payload capacity doesn't mean squat, right?
100% agree with you on this. The 1st thing our dealer did when we picked out a camper was pulling our vin number on our truck to see the payload and towing capacity. We were good so they sold us the camper. Told us they won't sell unless your tow vehicle could safely tow the camper we wanted. We had an older truck (F150) at the time of purchase. We eventually upgraded our truck anyways to a F250. We now have way more payload than we need.
Perfect
When I was out looking at fifth wheel two years ago, the first thing my salesman asked was what I will be towing it with. After I said I have a 1 ton Cummins then he started showing me the trailers.
People don’t realize that the highest tow rating for these trucks are the base trucks (2dr, smallest engine) because the of payload. Lots of numbers to consider. Good video, thanks.
People need to take into account it’s all about safety. The braking capabilities need to be heavy enough for the RV that’s being towed.
If you have a 1/2 pick-up it’s a light duty.
I'm a mobile rv tech, Great Dane RV, in Paso Robles,Ca and I agree 100% Cougar has it on their front cap, 1/2 ton towable. BS!
A HDPP f150 4wd extended cab long bed has 2800lbs of payload. A HDPP 2wd long bed extended cab has 3100lbs of payload. However for 2024 they are no more. They had the thicker frame, more crossmembers, bigger brakes, LT tires, 18” wheels, 3 leaf+1 helper vs 2leaf 1 helper on max tow or 1+helper on no max tow.
I am glad I found your video I have been looking at buying a fifth wheel with my half ton truck and now currently rethinking my decision
Glad I could be of help
The RV manufacturers may disagree with you.
The truck manufacturers may disagree with you.
But the half ton truck is saying;
TOO MUCH WEIGHT!
TOO MUCH WEIGHT!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
LISTEN TO THE TRUCK!
Exactly
Great video! We bought a 25 foot 5th wheel last year..several people told us we were "good to go with a half ton". One short trip & we knew different. Just bought an F350 diesel & are looking forward to peace of mind towing this season. Bring on summer!
Great job good idea
same issue nowadays with the crazy 20klb row rated 3/4 tons etc. not enough truck to stop 20k+ lbs
70-75% of the trucks capacity.....if your gonna go RVing just get a 3/4 or 1 ton right off the bat, opens up alot of options....having more truck than you need is always better and less stressful
Great advice! You are a good man. Don't forget that the Tacoma/ F150 guys usually put 300-500lbs EXTRA on their trucks killer light accessories, upgraded bumpers, bigger tires and wheels, etc.....
Thanks for the support
I.
Have a one ton ford diesel duoly. With a exhaust brake , highly recommended for towing a big 5th wheel.
Amazing information, or have been looking into this. Everyone said yes, but they couldn't explain why. Thank you sir.
You are welcome
About any 1/2 ton can pull it, but i have a 32' trailer and it was scarry coming off Hazard Ky mountains with the twists and turns. I was contemplating a 5th wheel, until that experience. I quickly learned, just because you can pull it, doesn't mean you should.
Good stuff thank you for sharing
You are right, it's definitely a marketing ploy. I would never ever pull a 5th wheel with any 1/2 ton ever!
We went from a F250 to a dually 3500 longhorn/long bed to pull our (GVWR)14K gross weight toy hauler. Why? it's all about the braking and surprise emergency situations. On one of our trips, Our F250 brakes were smoking in stop and go traffic on the mountains highways around Denver, after getting caught in rush hour traffic. Scared us to death. Yea we pulled over for a very long long time.
We now have a dually and we upgraded our 5ver to disc brakes, and replaced the suspension components.
People you cannot use the whole towing capacity of your truck. The road is not always flat! You need to be at least 20% under it. This will help you in emergency situations. Check what is the weight of the 5ver vs the weight of your truck. A heaver more tow capacity truck will have heaver tow components which includes the brakes.
We can now at very slow speeds stop the truck with the 5ver disc brakes. Having a dually makes us feel more stable in towing, more in control. We are not even reaching half of the dually's tow capacity. Now we can over load the truck, and not the 5ver. We bring more spare tires, without any worry of having to figure out all the weight of gear and passengers.
We also have weighed our rig/truck at the CAT scales as well. It's a great piece of mind that we are equipped with the best possible towing combination for us. We only buy G rated tires, and change them out every 5 years. We bring a mini air compressor with us, and always drive within the tires speed rating.
Going down a steep grade at 50 was too fast for the conditions to begin with. Sorry to say this isn’t equipment failure. It’s user error!
It’s having the wrong truck to pull and stop a 5th wheel. No one will convince me a 5th wheel can be towed by a half ton truck
Opinion based. Which is fine. People find a model and buy it. They don’t crunch the numbers then look for something within there limits. You didn’t specify. How big was it? I’m sure he was over loaded for starters.
Exactly! Too many people pulling big trailers who have no experience.
Great video. I personally would not even tow a bumper pull 8K trailer behind a 1/2 ton truck, let alone a 5th wheel weighing in at 10K. Common sense ain't so common I guess.
Absolutely right about the payload. We towed with a half ton and every time we had to stop quick we could feel it press down hard on the bed of the truck. So we decided until we could upgrade to a 3/4 ton that we would only take short trips and stay off the interstate. And thankfully where we are at, the terrain is relatively flat. I would strongly advise against towing a fifth wheel with a half ton truck. Those trailers should have 3/4 ton on them instead. The half tons should be used for the shorter lighter travel trailers.
Thank you for this video. I'm thinking of getting rid of my Class C and getting a pickup truck and a Fifth Wheel. Why? Because when you have a motorhome, you still have to tow a car or truck behind you, especially if you have a pet. I travel without a "toad." I have to rely on Uber, a cab, or bus, a trolley, or a friend to get me around when I get to my camping destination because I have a dog. I can't drive my Class C into town and leave the dog in the motorhome while I dine and shop, etc., unless I run the generator to keep the dog cool in the motorhome. (I live in Texas, and it's hot here almost all year long! My dog would die in a closed-up motorhome.)
So! I figure if I have to tow a "toad," I might as well have MORE living space and tow a Fifth Wheel behind a pickup truck. Motorhomes are generally not spacious, and I have a very large dog. I'm going back and forth on this, and any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Excellent video, very informative explained very well.
Thank you for this video. I was a couple of hours from pulling the trigger on a 5th wheel to tow with my GMC 1500. I really liked the idea of towing a 5th wheel but couldn't sleep last night concerned I was #100 under my payload capacity with it. You confirmed my suspicions - tail dragger it is!
You are very much welcome. Happy to help.
Totally agree. We are getting ready to get a 28 foot, 9995 GVWR 5th wheel. So we know we could end up with a 2 grand pin easy. First thing we did was go out and buy a 2024 1 ton diesel. IT has 4121 payload, heavy duty leaf suspension, high amp alternator, two batteries, engine brakes and axles that can carry it. No brainer. It cost just a little more than the 3/4 ton so was an easy decision.
l believe every axle should have breaks are needed for especially for mountains
I need to know where is your shop sir because I like honest dealership that care about customer life I own a 2024 3/4 Chevy gas and I’m in market to look for a fifth wheel for my family
I’m on southern Nevada
I seen a salesman here on UA-cam saying a fifth wheel with a dry pin weight of 1,600 pounds was half ton towable.
By the numbers, they are not lying. But outside of the numbers, towing it and stopping it are 2 different things.
Did he add in the hitch weight, passengers and all the other stuff that is carried for camping trips? Sounds like he is trying to make a sale.
@@stevejernigan4371 I am trying to convince folks not to sell 5th wheels to folks who have half ton trucks
@@HBRVLifestyle Agreed. We tried it and found out that it wasn't a good idea. We had one of the lighter weight fifth wheels and it maxed out the suspension. We could really feel this when coming to a stop. The manufacturers should stop saying that a half ton can tow these units. It will get people hurt/killed or they wind up causing a premature failure of their tow vehicle.
My first RV was a 30' Kodiak bumper pull trailer. I had a Ram 2500 3/4 ton truck with a Cummins diesel engine. That truck was perfect for that trailer and would have been perfect for a half ton 5th wheel. My wife and I purchased a 35' East to West Tandara 321 RL-OK, with a dry weight 11,200 lbs. My 2012 Ram had a towing capacity of 13,500 lbs. With our gear and luggage, our tow weight was very close to our truck's towing capacity. After 4 or 5 pulls, we moved up to a 2022 Ram 3500 Laramie dually with a towing capacity of 20,000 lbs ( we looked at another Ram 3500 dually with the high output Cummins and the Aisin transmission which could tow 33,000 lbs.) So the point is, do not buy an RV that will force you to tow at max capacity. It's not safe, and you will not enjoy the experience. If you have a half ton truck, stick with a bumper pull and be mindful of the tow weight. If you want a 5th wheel, I would recommend a 3/4 ton truck and actually would suggest a diesel. Diesel engines have twice the torque of a gas engine (torque = pulling ability), and they have engine brakes, which start to slow the vehicle when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal. Imagine going down a mountain road pulling your RV without this advantage. Our new truck allows us to tow at 70% of max towing capacity, and this makes towing much more enjoyable for everyone. Good luck and choose wisely!!!
Gearing in the mountains are needed low and slow
Totally agree. I drove tractor trailers for 45 yrs. I've found (most) salesman either don't care or don't understand the dynamics of what there selling. I also feel new RV buyers sould have to take a course to learn how to operate there RV. Think about some of the monster rigs out there. Class A's with 600 hp engines and I've seen 50' 5th wheels. Just a thought
Thank you for sharing
There are a few 1/2 tons that have a heavy duty packages, 2500 lb payloads capable of 22 to 25’ fivers. 17,800 gcwr. Special order only, and fairly rare.
Yeah... but can it brake like a 3/4 ton? Probably not...
Anything can tow anything...until it can't. And stopping it? Another story. I towed a 9,000 lb 5th wheel with two 2500HD's (a 2005 and a 2009) with the 6.0...I HATED EVERY MILE OF IT! To tow that much with a HALF-TON? NO FRIGGIN WAY!
Thank you for speaking the truth. The manufacturers should be held accountable! I wouldn't tow more than 8K with a 3/4 ton gas engine truck let alone a half ton! Nuts! I tow my '21 Flagstaff 36' 5th wheel with a 2500HD diesel. NEVER would I even consider towing 12K even with a 3/4 ton gasser!
Thank you for sharing
No, sorry, its not the manufacturers responsibility for what you do with what you bought from them and is owned by you.
There was two half ton trucks left that was fifth wheel rated. It was the HDPP F-150’s and Titan XD’s, however they are no more for 2024/2025. In certain configurations the HDPP f150 had more payload than a 3/4 diesel and the Titan XD was built like a 3/4 ton. However dealers rarely spec’d a f150 with HDPP.
The older ford you speak of v10 with “bigger brakes” the older ford’s had a 13.5” rotor and braking distances were trash compared to a half ton because of the extra weight. Today’s f150 have 13” rear brakes and 13.5” fronts. The HDPP had 13.5 front and rear. The Titan XD has 14.2 front and 14.5 rear matching the heavy towing f-350’s and beating some f-250’s. From the get go the 3/4 ton to 1 ton have a 40-50ft braking disadvantage vs Titan XD or a f-150. Mind you the Titan XD weights 6700lbs just like a F250 and stops like an F-150. There are a lot of assumptions in your statements without a lot of data to back it up. Should you tow a fifth wheel with a half ton with 1,000lbs of payload? No. Can you tow a fifth wheel with a half ton that has 2400-3300lbs of payload? Yes.
Thank you for the information. Even with all of that I will never sell a 5th wheel to a customer with a half ton truck. And I’m willing to miss deals
@@HBRVLifestyle that’s completely fine, haha. You may also have to dismiss the f250 and f350 diesel guys with the 9900/10000 GVWR packages and pretty much all ram 2500 diesel guys 😂
@@newenglandrvadventures sounds good. Have a great 2024 and Happy RVing
@@HBRVLifestyle you as well!
Thank you for your honesty. I have a F150 and was considering getting a 5th wheel trailer. Now i will stick with the other trailer. I didnt understand why, but now i do. So thank you for this advise.
You are welcome
What F150 do you have? Some of them have 3000 lb payload and 16000 lb GCVW.
There’s some travel trailers that I sure wouldn’t put behind a half ton truck even if you do have the most expensive weight distribution out there.
True. Most of those are monster sized travel trailers
@@HBRVLifestyle Yes they are! We look at a bunch of them!
This is the first video I've seen that gets to the point, and the first one,that at least I've seen, the guy spoke to a driver and learned something. I agree with the equipment aspect 100%, but nothing takes the place of safety and driving experience, experience being the key, and although theoretically a half ton can tow a 5th wheel it should not be done, even with an experienced driver.
thank you very much we need more people like you
Thank you for the support
Thanks Bro! You could have just saved my family because you just changed my mind on a new fifth wheel.
Travel trailer is a way better and safer option for a half ton truck.
2% rule per 1000 ft above sea level . This rule is alway forgotten about
I’m not a fifth wheel fan, but I do remember one guy in a campground hitching up his fifth wheel to a 3/4 ton truck and his exact words were “ watch it squat!” It dropped probably a good 6”!! No thanks!!😊
Thanks for sharing!
What about a nissan titan xd ?
I would not tow a 5th wheel with a Nissan or Toyota truck. Even if it has a diesel engine. The math won’t add up. Best bet is a 2500 ram or GM product, or F250
I would be interesting to compare a 2000 model year 3/4 ton vs a 2024 1/2 ton max tow. Are the brakes still stronger, frames, engines?
I could do a video like that
You're a good man! Amazing ethic!
Thank you and thank you for the support
I would think the brakes on the RV should be doing about 90% of your braking. When those brakes don't work, that's when you get into problems.
I agree to an extent, but too you have to take into consideration how many people overload a trailer then think they're Lightning Mcqueen, Ive been passed in every state at least once by guys pulling RVs at over 75mph, and I have seen several on their top flattened out because of high winds or speeding, but in my opinion its more to do with how you drive the vehicle than anything, I guess because Ive pulled things they swear cant be done and learned when to slow down and not get complacent.
Glad I watched this.
I’m glad I was able to help
I back you on this! 100 percent on point!
Thank you for the support
Dealership tried selling me one for my 1/2 ton. Glad I did my research. Most people only look at tow capacity. Most don't realize you will almost always max out on payload before tow capacity on a half ton.
Good for you! Awesome video!
Sounds like a driver issue. A Peterbilt can tow 100,000lbs but no experienced truck driver bombs down the backside of a mountain full speed, or even they will burn up the brakes and run away.
If the driver wants to drive their max weight combination like theyre an unloaded honda, thats on them, not you.
Appreciate the comment
Excellent video. More people need to know this as it is literally life and death. It saddens me when people get defensive and throw around the “tow police” label. We all have to learn about weight limits for any type of camper.
Thanks for being ethical. 👍🏾
Thank you for the support
My local Ford dealer told me that make my tow package f150 capable of towing a 5th wheel I'd have to spend more than buying a used 3/4 ton truck. Also the RV nerd channel agrees with you too!
Good to know
After 45 years towing various and sundry trailers with various tow vehicles, I've learned some tough lessons. First, a half-ton pickup doesn't have the payload to handle a 5th-wheel pin weight. After you put yourself, your wife and kids, plus their stuff in, you don't have much left for payload. Half-ton trucks run out of payload long before they run out of tow capacity. The notion of "dry weight" commonly trumpeted is a dishonest marketing ploy designed to mislead the uninformed and the foolish. The GVWR is the only number to look at. Load up your tow vehicle like you are heading out to go camping and then visit a C.A.T. Scale. It will show you what you have left over and provide a shopping guide. Second, the actual tow capacity is the listed tow rating times 0.85. That gives you an upper trailer GVWR number to guide you through the shopping process. Third, just because you can tow it doesn't mean you can stop it. Half-ton trucks don't have the braking systems or engine brakes to stop a big trailer in an emergency or on a steep downgrade, much less a 5th-wheel. A 3/4-ton or 1-ton heavy-duty truck (SRW or DRW) with a diesel engine has more robust braking plus an engine brake that you can use to slow your rig down in a hurry. The story you told is quite poignant and very frightening. It clearly illustrates the "You can tow it, but can you stop it?" principle.
You have to read! And educate yourself before buying anything!
I agree with your statement. The problem is there’s a lot of bad information on the Internet about RVs in general. More people speak on emotion than fact, unfortunately.
Even a 10000lb travel trailer can be too much for a half ton truck if you have lots of things in the bed.
That is actually partially true. GVWR on a truck does not affect tow capacity. However if you overload the back of your truck then yes it can
@HBRVLifestyle Especially if the TT in question have a big storage up front like some rockwoods do. That's an easy way to be OK in GCWR but overloaded in GVWR.
What actual failed Driver error The hitch failed ,brake controller was after market, not installed right or wired incorrectly .The trailer brake them selves failed or just not big enough or too short of a distance to stop. My understanding the trailer should supply the stopping power for its GVW I am sure it was more than 1/2 ton pickup alone Thanks for this information. But not sure if the truck was a 3/4 ton S/A this could have been avoided
Maybe your right. But I still will never sell a half ton truck owner a 5th wheel
@@HBRVLifestyle I agree 100% 1/2 ton is too small even if beefed up I am just guessing it was a combination of several things that that happened quickly that contributed to the accident
This guys very helpful!!
Just to be safe i tow my trailer with a kenworth w900. People go way to fast when towing. I think there should be a speed limit for cars and other vehicles not towing and a lower speed for trucks and vehicles towing and special licenses for towing travel trailers and fifth wheels or motor homes. You dealers are to blame also, someone will buy a travel trailer and you will just hook it up to the back of their truck and send them on their way. When you should take each person out on a test teaching drive.
As a CDL driver, I disagree to a certain extent. This is all about the driver. Would I recommend towing a 5th wheel with a 1/2 truck to someone who has never towed at altitude? Hell no! You HAVE to COMPLETELY understand the physics behind the whole operation. Also, 55-60mph through the mountain passes? Are you in a hurry? SLOW DOWN!!!! I would only recommend this setup to the most experienced truck drivers and towing experts... But this is very possible to do...
Thank you for sharing
Easier to buy a motor home, well, they cost a lot more
You could tow the largest trailer with a bicycle or a horse...stopping it ? Well that's a whole other kettle of fish.
Exactly
Stopping weight (energy) doesn't change. That being said the man with the half ton truck going down a steep grade at 50mph was to fast, I've been towing for forty years and don't care about speed limits if i feel safe going down that grade at 35mph thats what I do and then locking the brakes is something that you should never do. I'm not saying towing a fifth wheel with a half ton is a good idea but don't blame the truck for speed or driver inexperience or error and don't believe what everyone tells you. You don't know how fast he was going.
I think the worst bunch out there are the 3/4 ton guys. They think because it’s a 3/4 ton with a diesel that they can tow a house behind it. Ain’t nothing but seeing who has the biggest balls….😏😏
As a professional truck driver I agree and disagree.
Considering these truck manufacturers are lying about tow ratings. There is no way a half ton truck should ever tow a 5th wheel. Ford is the worst too. Its a joke what they claim the f150 can tow.
My dad pulled a fifth wheel for twenty years using a1/2 ton. The weight ratings aren’t a secret.
Do you even tow anything trailer or fifth wheel, probably not.
@frankzicari784 I have a new 5th wheel and a new travel trailer. I have been towing for 30 years. Get the right truck for the job. I tow on the west coast where there are mountains. 1/2 ton would be suicide. It's just the fact of the matter.
@@frankzicari784 I would have answered but you’re just being an ass with your question. The internet sure shows the character of people like you.
I agree
Disingenuous. My F150 has 2500lb payload, 14000lb tow. (627 Heavy Duty Payload Package) I can safely tow many 5th wheels. You need to specify the importance of a properly optioned and spec'd out truck. A conventional F150 is significantly less capable.
@@WpgAndroid 👍
Nothing wrong using a half ton on lighter fifth wheels. Anyone who says it’s wrong is blowing smoke
You are entitled to your opinions. I have been in this industry for almost 15 years. I will never sell a 5th wheel of any size of weight to an owner of a half ton truck. If I lose business so be it! I would rather keep people safe then to make a sale
I agree the cougar 23mle has a pin weight of 1200 pounds, my dodge 1500 can handle 1950 and tow up to 12000 pounds and the cougar is around 7700, so I think you can pull a fifth wheel with a 1500
Thank you for your video, however, I strongly disagree, about Motorhomes, they SUCK!!! at least old ones like a 2000 Rexhall, after only 34K miles I spent $12,000 on a new V10 Tritan long block Engine from Ford. It has just spun a rod-bearing after 4 years and only 3,000 miles!!! It rattles like a rattlesnake and needs a full rebuild. Stay away from old motorhomes, they are money pits!!!! You have been warned!!😂
Thank you for sharing