Half Ton Tow Vehicle Owners Unite!

[spdracr39]

I pull a Bullet 284RLS with my 2012 Silverado 5.3L with tow pack. The secret is getting the hitch adjusted correctly. I also have many years of experience pulling other types of trailers. Knowing the tell tale signs of trouble and maintaining a safe speed are the keys.

[TCNG]

Couple of months ago I sold my little Honda Fit and our Class A, now pulling a little 2017 Rockwood 2109S behind my 2012 GMC Sierra (5.3 2wd with tow package). Getting ready for it's first 1000+ mile journey this weekend!

[Batten54]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Are you keeping the F150?

I think so...for now. Looked at some used F250s but everything here is either stripped oil field trucks or ranch/delivery truck. They all have 80-175,000 miles. Even a year or two old has a ton of miles.

I have a very nice F150 with about 28,000 mi...and it's paid for! I'm thinking LT tires, slotted rotors & ceramic break pads, a "tune", and I already have air bags.

[roteague]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

It's not the trucks fault that people get wound up about 1/2 tons towing too much. It's the ridiculous tow ratings the manufactures give them. Then they go out and buy that 7500lb dry TT and come to find out that it's 8500lbs loaded and has an 1100lb tongue weight. And after loading momma and the kids plus firewood and what not in the truck bed the poor guy is over his payload. Put reasonable tow ratings that correspond with the payload ratings and things would get simpler. You almost never hear of a guy with a 3/4 ton complain about not having enough truck to tow his TT.

Part of the problems is that the manufacturers list the highest tow rating they have, and people don't realize that bed size, cab configuration, gear ratios all have an effect on the end tow rating. The think the tow rating applies to all models of a specific truck.

[roteague]

Originally Posted by Deny

Nice rig...beautiful place to park it. I presume it's a sunset.

We need to go there.

Thanks, It's a sunset shot alright; it was too hot to go out earlier - that was another 109° day if I remember correctly.

[miniceptor86]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

We have a 1992 F150. Six cylinder engine, auto transmission, and original AM only radio. No intermittent wipers and headlight dimmer switch is on the floor.

We tow a 5x8 utility trailer to the dump a few times a year, the occasional U-Tote-It concrete mix trailer for DIY projects, radio tower trailer to ham radio events, etc.

Wifey is lusting after your dimmer switch on the floor!

[Wallaby Dan]

Guess its my turn...

I have towed my 30 foot lightweight 5th wheel behind my old 91 chevy 1/2 ton for a couple of years now. No issues with side winds or sway. Trailer weighs around 6000 pds. Truck is a two door model and is a 8 foot bed. Believe it or not i run the 4 plys on it. The tires don't even flatten out. Light on the pin. less than 1000 pds. Rear end gears changed to 4.10's put a th400 trany built for towing in it but still run the original 5.0 v-8 in it. have close to 8 mpg towing. 20 without it. I am probably close to the 10000 pound limit. Never weighted. It has in the past towed local in Az., a 40 foot heavy 5th wheel a few times. I was surprised it was able to pull it like it did. This old truck still on original motor and has over 300000 miles so it is really tough or just a die hard,one or the other. No plans to change trucks and may at some time in the future will downsize the "home". We fulltime right now but never know...

[djyeti]

New to the forum here's our setup

[ken698]

I have been wondering how many half ton trucks out there are pulling 5th wheels. 😎

[smurfsofwar]

Probably way more than you would initially think. Heck, there's three here on my street alone with 10 houses.

[Sellis]

2011 Toyota Tundra RW double cab, 2017 Cougar Xlite 29RES

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by ken698

I have been wondering how many half ton trucks out there are pulling 5th wheels. ��

There's two 1/2 tons towing 5th wheels in the RV park I'm at. Both overweight. In all fairness there's also several 3/4 tons that are significantly overweight as well.

My guess is that those owners just looked at the tow ratings or were told by the RV dealer that you're good to go.

If they were to actually weigh their combo then they'd all know for sure that they're overweight on the RAWR.

[ken698]

Sells, how well does it too. I've got a 1/2 ton Chevy 2013 and I'm looking at a fifth wheel 27-foot. With all the numbers it within the tow capabilities.

[Sellis]

Ken698> It tows just fine. Im not saying that Im gonna top out on Jellico Mtn at 80mph, or that Ya don't even know its back there! But we only camp locally, within 60 miles of home. Plenty of long 2 lane roads and a few mountains to cross but nothing that is too much of a strain on the truck. New pin weight was 1030lbs, scaled weight loaded 1470lbs. 5er new was 8000lbs, loaded 8516. I use the pull-rite 16K hitch and have full maneuverability. Night and day difference towing it instead of my last TT, easier towing and handling. Would i like to have a big diesel truck to tow with?, sure, how many guys wouldn't! But I don't want to have 100K tied up just to go camping, I have other interests as well. Good brakes, tires and suspension upgrades along with not overdriving the vehicle goes a long way, just my opinion