Hey guys,

I leased a 2011 f-150 last year and now have the opportunity to buy a pretty mint condition 5th wheel. The 5th wheel is a 2000 Sandpiper 27rkss and looking at NADA it registers at about 7500 lbs. I would assume that my truck may pull this but will it be safe?I will be towing approximately 60 miles one way with little to no hills (I don't know the exact hitch weight of the 5th wheel). I don't have the max tow package. Here are the specs of my Ford:

Ecoboost Xlt
7350# GVWR
Trailer Tow Package
3.55 Ratio Limited Slip Axle

Thanks for looking!

 

So the pin weight unloaded is close to 2,000 lbs, right? No way. The truck is to light in payload.

 

I don't exactly know the pin weight. Is it 25% of the total weight of the 5th wheel?

 

You've probably only got #1400 at best for available payload on the F150. It'll be in the yellow sticker on the door jamb.

Couple hundred pounds of that will be for a 5th wheel hitch (not sure how you can install a 5th wheel hitch on a lease vehicle? You'll have to drill holes in the bed and frame)

5th wheels can have anywhere from 15 to 25% for pin weight in general.

While I don't think the truck will have a problem towing #7500 (that's probably only the 5th wheels dry weight, so it probably weighs more as it's sitting now), it will have an issue with that much pin weight IMO..

People make all sorts of combos work for them however... I'm not saying it can't be done... I'm just saying the weights are going to work against you and if you don't mind being overweight on the truck, it'll tow just about anything you want it to...

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Im really kicking myself for not going with a 3/4 ton but I guess thats life. I thought the salesman said we could install a hitch (he was probably just trying to make a sale). I would assume I would probably be at around 2500 lbs. Do you ever see anyone that far over the payload?

 

I found the dry weight on that - it's 7275#. The only 1/2 ton that can tow that without seriously exceeding ratings is a max tow/HD payload truck.

If it's a leased vehicle, stick to conventional bumper pull trailers.

EDIT: What's your bed length? You cannot tow a 5th wheel with a 5.5' bed, and a 6.5' bed can be a pain. 5ers are really designed for 8' beds.

 

I run about #400 over my payload when I'm hitched up to a #5000 travel trailer... I don't fret that amount.. You are talking over #1000 over however.. Not to mention how much over on the rear GAWR you'll likely be too.. I'd be concerned over that for any distance needing to travel..

Sure, I've gone to the home store and had a pallet of bricks in the truck and it weighed it down pretty good.. But, I'm only a mile from the store, so not a big deal.. I wouldn't want to take it on the hwy with that load however.

Did you specify a 5th wheel hitch to the salesman? He might have thought a regular trailer hitch at the bumper??

Mitch

 

Yeah, my wife and I both remember asking him this and he said it was ok. The yellow sticker says 1500lbs and it is a 6.5 ' box. I guess I was a little ignorant going into this (just looking at what is could tow and not payload). I would assume most 1/2 ton trucks on the road pulling 5th wheels are way over payload?

 

That would be a very safe assumption

 

"You cannot tow a 5th wheel with a 5.5' bed" Thats a pretty broad and incorrect statement.

 

I'm sure you can if you wanted to, but it's not a good idea. Even with a slider hitch, you have a much greater chance of cab/trailer interference when backing and turning. Without a slider hitch, it would be very dumb.

To be SAFE, you need the right tool for the job.

 

Well I bit the bullet and purchased the 5th wheel, installed some 2000lb leveler springs and went and picked it up. The whole drive home felt safe and was no issue at all (90 miles). I kept the pickup at 60 mph into a 30 mph head/cross wind. Gas mileage sucked at 7mpg but that little ecoboost had no problem handling or towing that camper. We have a seasonal spot about 60 miles away and will only be towing the camper twice a year so I feel ok with my decision.

 

That should be fine only towing it 60 miles twice a year if you keep the speed down and remain conscious of safety. The EB can pull even heavier than that - albeit with awful gas mileage. The only thing I'd be concerned about is what the lease company is going to say when you turn it in with evidence of a 5th wheel hitch in the bed.

If you were doing it a lot differently - towing long distances and/or frequently, then you would want a heavier truck to do it.

 

I called the salesmen and asked again and he said I can install the 5th wheel hitch but will have to remove it prior to turning it in. Worst case scenario is I will need to purchase the vehicle in a year for $27,000 if he was wrong. Hopefully the ecoboost will be worth that in a year (with 18,000 miles).

 

Congratulations go and enjoy your fifth wheel, if we listened to all the dour weight police when they give broad and incorrect statements about fifth wheels instead of actually trying to be helpfull, we would all be towing popup tent trailers. Stay within the limits (all of them) take care & have fun. We got back in Feb from a round trip from Ontario to Florida put on 9,000km in 3 wks ( it was a blast, averaged 11.3 mpg) backed into all kinds of sites uphill, downhill, sharp backup turns, you name it we have a pullrite superglide and never had a problem . Be mindfull of what the clearances are between your cab and trailer when sharp turning and backing up on an uphill entranceway (its a good idea to have a spotter for these times). I got the DW a set of 2 way radios it realy helps when I cant see her giving directions, I also installed a rearview camera to go with our in dash gps system it is great for seeing who is coming up from behind and to the back corner for changing lanes. Practice with reversing the fifth it is a little different from a TT but waaay more enjoyable for towing . You dont have try to be a hero and keep up with the large diesel rigs, for the most part they are far less mobile and have a schedule they want to keep to. We can get in the smaller sites they cant get into, and our options are greater and more spontaneous. Above all enjoy your new trailer and have fun