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kanaka25 · 09-16-2015, 07:06 PM

I own a 2015 Toyota Tundra. Considering going from a TT to 5er. Any inputs on towing a 5er with a 1/2 ton truck? In the market for a 5er around 8000 lbs. Any input appreciated good/bad.

djeirlessr · 09-16-2015, 07:33 PM

I have a Tundra with 103+k miles and pull a 5er that weighs 9,000# dry with no problems.

Duane

2016 Crusader 295RST FW
2011 Toyota Tundra iForce 5.7 4.10 gears

SkiSmuggs · 09-17-2015, 01:12 PM

Depends on the 5th wheel and the truck. F150 with Max Tow and HD payload is good for fivers with GVWR of 10k. Other half tons probably need to go smaller.

PhoneDude 8289 · 09-19-2015, 05:19 PM

I have a 5.7 08 Tundra, have been pulling 5rs for close to five years now. My current Rockwood GVWR is 9300#plan on many more years of towing this combo. My previous Cougar had a GVWR of 10,300#. Been all over the Rockies and Cascades.

tderouchie · 09-20-2015, 05:54 AM

I have a 2014 F150 max tow package 3.5 EB 3.73 gearing. I installed airlift bags and it pulls/handles like a dream with my Cougar 5th wheel dry weight of 7300lbs. However, for peace of mind and safety, I wouldn't do the same with a 5th over 8500lbs. The truck remains a half-ton, and there's a reason they make super duties

tuffr2 · 09-20-2015, 06:39 AM

If you understand the numbers on your door sticker and stay under those numbers then you know what you are doing.

Just my basic understanding of 1/2 ton trucks is there are not many 5th wheels they can carry. Usually the pin weight is too much.

Make sure you have "E" rated tires on your truck.

A 5th wheel will behave much better than a TT behind the truck.

Good luck

Cumminsfan · 09-20-2015, 07:32 AM

More than likely most 1/2 tons towing 5th wheels are going to be over the trucks GVWR and or RAWR. 5th wheels require 20% for pin weight. On an 8000lb 5th wheel that's 1600lbs. On a 9000lb 5th wheel that's 1800lbs. Now put two adults in the truck weighing on average 300+lbs and you'd be at 1900-2100lbs. Now figure what you also might put in the truck, and you can see that most 1/2 tons are over loaded when towing 5th wheels.

Only Ford and GM make 1/2 tons capable of towing 8000-9000lb 5th wheels. Ford has what they call their Heavy Duty payload package, which consist of a stiffer frame and 3.73 gears. Average payload ratings for an XLT !50 Crew Cab HD with 6.5 bed is around 22-2300lbs. GM offers a similar package but doesn't have as high of payload rating as the Ford. Toyota and Ram aren't any where near in payload ratings. They all have the power to tow 8-9000lbs but not all can carry the weight needed.

Look at your door sticker for the Tundras payload capacity. That will help you determine what weight 5th wheel you can safely tow.

marcham · 09-20-2015, 09:21 AM

Crew cab or not? Most crew cabs don't have enough payload or Rear axle weight available for a 5th wheel. Get your truck scaled then decide, don't forget about the weight of the hitch.

Technobody · 09-24-2015, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tderouchie

I have a 2014 F150 max tow package 3.5 EB 3.73 gearing. I installed airlift bags and it pulls/handles like a dream with my Cougar 5th wheel dry weight of 7300lbs. However, for peace of mind and safety, I wouldn't do the same with a 5th over 8500lbs. The truck remains a half-ton, and there's a reason they make super duties

I have the same truck 2012 F150 FX4 with Ecoboost and pull a 5er weighing in at 9,800. I pull it up 7 degree inclines with little effort when you consider the truck is capable of 11,300.

grassy · 09-25-2015, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technobody

I have the same truck 2012 F150 FX4 with Ecoboost and pull a 5er weighing in at 9,800. I pull it up 7 degree inclines with little effort when you consider the truck is capable of 11,300.

You AF is a lot lighter than mine..

Pulling with any recent pick up isn't a problem...stopping , turning and control will be a problem...especially in wind This becomes more of an issue when parts start to wear or you are running in high heat situations..

Braking, especially hard, also transfers more weight to the truck.

Tires..specifically plys, also play a big role.

Unless you are running a light 5th, I think you would be way more comfortable with a 3/4 ton truck. It is not a bad thing to have more truck than you need..especially in emerg situations.

Do the math...use real weighs vs what the brochure says.. work in a 20 to 25% buffer and run at least 4 ply LT tires on your TV and if it all fits, it is a go..

Good luck..

SkiSmuggs · 09-26-2015, 05:58 AM

Having towed the same 10k fiver with a Max Tow, HD Payload 2011 F150 and a 2015 F350 PSD, both crew cab, I have to say the F350 diesel just pulls stronger. Handling and braking, contrary to the nay sayers is very similar. Remember, I am talking about an HD payload F150. Although mine wasn't factory HD, I added overload Springs and HD shocks like the factory does. The Ecoboost is a good puller, the Powerstroke is a great puller.

Cumminsfan · 09-26-2015, 10:09 AM

I always get a kick out of the 1/2 ton'rs that tow 5th wheels. They always brag their trucks up but then when they switch to a 3/4 ton or 1 ton all of a sudden that 1/2 ton's not all that special. I guess they don't know till they do know.

SkiSmuggs, just adding an extra leaf and shocks did not make your F150 into and HD. The HD had a thicker frame, 7 lug rims with E rated tires. I'm sure the front suspension was also beefed up more than your F150's was. It may of handled your 5th ok, but it was never intended to.

JIMNLIN · 09-26-2015, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanaka25

I own a 2015 Toyota Tundra. Considering going from a TT to 5er. Any inputs on towing a 5er with a 1/2 ton truck? In the market for a 5er around 8000 lbs. Any input appreciated good/bad.

8000 dry or 8000 GVWR ?? Big difference.
A 8000 lb dry can have a 10000+ GVWR and the trailer may weigh in the 9k-9.5k lbs after loading.
Pin weight along may be 1800-2000 lbs and will overload the Tundra's RAWR.

A 8k actual gross weight after loading can be a 1600 lb pin weight along with occupants /a hitch and other gear in the truck will also overload your trucks RAWR.
Your going to need LT C or D tires and upgrade wheel/suspension carrying weight over the Tundra's RAWR

A 8k GVWR 5th wheel trailer and smaller will be a better choice to fit in the Tundra's small RAWR/P tires numbers.

Technobody · 09-27-2015, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

I always get a kick out of the 1/2 ton'rs that tow 5th wheels. They always brag their trucks up but then when they switch to a 3/4 ton or 1 ton all of a sudden that 1/2 ton's not all that special. I guess they don't know till they do know.

SkiSmuggs, just adding an extra leaf and shocks did not make your F150 into and HD. The HD had a thicker frame, 7 lug rims with E rated tires. I'm sure the front suspension was also beefed up more than your F150's was. It may of handled your 5th ok, but it was never intended to.

Unless you are a Ford engineer, I would contend that you have no idea what the intention to pull was. I know of a guy who tows a 12,300lb load on a daily
basis with an F150 with ecoboost for the past two years and still does.
The only way I would ever move up to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck was if I bought a bigger and heavier trailer. As that isn't likely, I wont be trading up any time soon. If I did, I would go to the exact same truck that sips fuel.
To coin your thought, those who have no idea just how powerful the F150 with ecoboost is, don't own one!!