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GLC

I understand most of the appreviations . .

My confusion has been, I started all this by reading a lot about how to calculate the needs for a truck to pull a 5th wheeler and got really confused. Then I talked to a few trailer guys and they told me, just figure in dry weight and add 1000 pounds to that. Look at the pull rating for a 5th in the sales brochure or on-line and you should be all set.

Then I have read, you should add in the passenger / driver weights, add in fuel weight, etc. Then I can't remember all . . and get all confused.

Could you walk me through what I should look at and how? Sorry to be a pest, but I am confused by reading more and talking with others.

Now . . we have decided to get a F150 with Ecoboost, 3.73 axle, v6, trailer package, off road package, chrome and trailer mirrors. This should me more than enough to pull our 6000 lb travel trailer and my wife will be happy we have a new truck. We currently have a 1500 GMC Sierra Crew cab and that works fine. The new F150 should be more than needed.

I look forward in hearing from you again and thank you for all your information.

 

In a nutshell - get the "curb weight" of the vehicle, then add the weight of EVERYTHING that's going in and on the vehicle - gas, your fat butt, your passengers, your luggage, your tools, a 5th wheel hitch, etc. Subtract that from the GVWR and that gives you the MAX tongue or pin weight you are allowed. Under certain conditions, you may go over your rear GAWR before you run out of GVWR, but the only way to determine this is on a scale.

The trailer guys you are talking to are oversimplifying. Yes, people overload their trucks routinely on a daily basis and don't think about it at all. Only YOU can make the decision on whether to exceed a published rating. You will ALWAYS run out of payload capacity before you reach the "max tow" rating of the truck.

A general statement - a 5er with a pin weight over 2000# is not 1/2 ton towable. To tow a 5th wheel, you should have the longest bed available.

Make sure you get the "max tow" package on your new EB. It will be worth it even with "only" a 6000# TT.

 

Jaybird, l apologize for not getting back to you sooner but it looks like GLC got you all squared away. I went through the same thing looking for a 5th wheel and that's how I ended up with the truck I did.

 

Completely agree with what GLC said. I highly recommend the max tow package or the HD payload package. The max tow package gets you another 300-400 pounds of payload, the big towing mirrors, integrated brake controller for about $500. It's a great value for the payload alone.

I made a spreadsheet with the calcs. Here is a screenshot of it. Make your own spreadsheet, use your owner numbers.

 

APT, you forgot a tank of gas........

6 pounds per gallon.

 

I thought curb weight was with a full tank of fuel.

 

You are correct - thank you. Just looked it up.