Hey guys. I haven't been around for a while. I'm sure there is info on this around here somewhere but I'm wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with this. I sold my RV last summer and we're already hungry for another one. However, this time I want to by something cheaper and gently used. I've found what is supposed to be a half-ton towable lite 5th wheel. It's 27/28 feet long and weighs between 6 and 7 thousand pounds dry. I think the hitch weight is probably going to be in the neighborhood of 1200 lbs. Plus add the weight of the hitch itself.

On a new purchase, I'd just keep looking. But I hate to discount any good deal I find unless I know I just can't tow the darn thing. My gut tells me to stay away from this one but I'd hate to find out later I'd be okay. I wouldn't tow it often or far but it would have to be towed at some point, nevertheless. We'd primarily use the camper at a lake campground where we'd take it in the summer and leave it for a couple of months and then bring it back home. Every now and then, maybe take it down to the beach, a couple hours away, for a long weekend.

Any thoughts?

 

You would have to check with your state laws for towing a goose neck trailer with a half ton. It is legal here in CA and I see guys tow 5th wheels all the time with their 1/2 tons. You already have a break controller I would assume. That weight seems fine for your truck, but you may want to check into the hitch weight. You may want to invest in some air bags if you dont have them. They are 200 bucks +/- and will give great stability.

 

I tow a 24-1/2 foot, gross weight is just under 7900 pounds, empty is about 6300 - I have Firestone airbags and my only issue at the moment is my 3.55 gears.

 

Personally, I wouldn't consider it, puts a lot of stress on a 1/2 ton. Maybe if trips were gonna be short & infrequent, but why buy one and be limited on where you can go.

Gotta watch "the man", they love to pull guys over they suspect are hauling over weight, at least in Georgia. Will not only hit you with a hefty fine, but make you unhook and make arrangements for a vehicle with the proper capacity to come get it.

At 8k lbs dry, you'd be pushing the capacity, maybe even over it right there depending on truck options.

Just my 2 cents...

 

The thing is, on paper the truck can tow that 7k pounds but trust me, hook up that trailer and head into real world situations and you'll be white knuckling it. I have towed several trailers, the biggest being a 40ft bumper pull custom show trailer with a ford f350 dually. Trust me, you don't want to max out your tow rig. I see 1/2 as perfect trucks for towing the 22ft wakeboard boat or similar sized trailer. Anything bigger you have to opt for at least a 3/4ton, diesel.

However, if your truck is just moving it short distances less than 100 miles then go for it. I don't know your local terrain but socal has alot of mountains to go over to get to the high deserts and the 1/2ton really struggles.

Also, that is 7k pounds dry, you have to add all your water weight and gear and you'll be around 10k which is ALOT.

 

Just putting my .02 in
My dad has a 24 ft fifth wheel and had a chevy 1500 he pulled it with on a couple of trips
After the second trip he decided he needed a bigger truck. He found a 2500 and that truck pulls and handles sooo much better

 

Yeah, If I were doing a 5th wheel with a 1/2 ton, I wouldn't go much longer than about 20ft. long. If it's a tow behind, no more than about 24ft. long. I have towed on occasion my parents 27ft TT, and it's a PITA to maneuver through gas stations and whatnot. This won't change with a 3/4 ton truck, but just my experience. Unless you have a big family, most 20ft. trailers with a single pop out is great for about 4 people.

 

Look at THIS thread. Same info

 

The overall weight of the camper is not an issue. Truck can handle it and has handled it in the past, no problem. It's the hitch weight Im concerned about. Let's just assume it's 1200 lbs. Can I handle it or not?

 

Payload is 1760lbs, so with 1200lb hitch on paper sounds like you should be okay. Numbers from: http://www.fowlerdodge.com/quickQuot...ram%201500.pdf

Those numbers are based on an 06 QCSB Hemi 2wd. The 4x4 QCSB is 1480lbs. Assuming the 04 and 06 have similar payload numbers... Thinking about it now, I think 06 the frame changed which may increase the payload in the 06 over your 04, not sure on that one.