Hey everyone,

I have owned a 99 F250 supercab 4x4 with V10 80K for the past 3 years so i could tow a heavier load which now is a 2004 28ft superslide Fifth wheel. Unfortunately, I plan to sell the fifth wheel this fall and use it one last summer on three small trips. I have found a 2001 F150 supercrew 4x4 with 5.4L with a towing package. It's got 105K on her but it at a good price. I can basically trade my 99 F250 in and get the 01 F150 for less than 2 grand. Now that the kids are growing up, the supercrew would be more useful, as the supercab isn't fun to get in/out of for them.

My question is this, does anyone have a fifth wheel hitch installed on their supercrew? with the 5.5ft bed, is it a problem? Also, what is the maximum towing capacity for a supercrew? I know the 04's and newer have a 9900 GVW rating, but is the 01-03's the same or different?

Thanks for any help in making this decision.

 

I get worried when I see half ton pickups with fifth wheels. I'm sure it'd do the job okay, but it seems to work the hell out of the truck.

Use the right tool for the job and all...you wouldn't use an air ratchet to break lug nuts loose, would you? I mean, it'd work, but why not use an impact gun? Same idea. A Superduty gets the job done much easier with less wear and tear on the rig. I say roll with your F250, or maybe try to find a crew cab F250 to trade in on.

 

It's my understanding that you can't mount the fifth wheel hitch to the box frame. I would check with a hitch dealer.

Also I think the beds are too short. You would have to put the load point out beyond the axles to get the right front clearance.

 

It can be done, but it takes a little work. You'll need a "sliding" fifth wheel mount, that is electronically controlled. When you get below 10 MPH (or so)and or back up, the hitch mount begins to slide back. This is because the mount for the fifth wheel has to ride over the rear axle. To do this, would make the front of the trailer to close to the cab when you make turns/ backing up. You'd end up crunching your trailer nose, or worse, the cab corners of the supercrew.

I had a 96' 150 4WD Supercab, and pulled a 24 foot fifth wheel "goose neck", that weighed in at 5700 lbs. I ended up putting in a K&N air system, Borla exhaust, superchip, Timberens suspension w/ an extra leaf in the spring pack, and "D" load BF Goodrich A/T's. It pulled the trailer like a champ, but I always knew I was at the limit when she was loaded up w/ camping gear.

If I were to do it all again, I'd start out with a 250- like Quinten said- and save myself some money. Just my .02

 

I'm not so sure. The new boxed frame is significantly different from your '96. There is nowhere to tie into the frame.

 

Could be, but the RV guy I've dealt with said they have a fifth wheel install kit for the '03 Super Crew. I decided to switch to a travel trailer, as the kit cost about $3,000 installed. <--- (My seven year old wanted me to post these guys...)

 

CRAP... my bad... I thought he was looking at a new truck. All is well with the 2001. I am confused and I am sorry.

 

I was planning on waiting another year before getting out of camping for good, but when i called to tell the dealer that i needed to stay with the superduty because of towing the fifth wheel, i stated that i wanted to get out of it this fall or next spring; he said heck, bring my truck in and camper and they are interested in both. They seem to really want to deal on the 2001 supercrew. So they may be getting both of them on friday and i may get the supercrew in return.

thanks for help, i may be using this website alot more soon...

 

No sweat... I had to go back and look again myself!

And msujon- dont get out of camping... there are a ton of lightweight trailers out there, with nice interiors to choose from. Good luck!!

 

The whole idea of trading your perfectly good (but maybe small cab) for a higher mileage vehicle that doesn't fit your (towing) needs sounds silly to me. I don't think the original trade deal was fair.

There are plenty of TT's that Screw's can comfortably tow. Stick to under 6000# and you'll be much happier.

 

but the reason i'm getting out of camping is the kids are growing up and don't want to go. In fact, this year we only have 2- 4 day trips planned along with a nascar camping weekend planned. quite a bit of money spending 250/month on camper, 420/year storage, and 330/year insurance for a vehicle that gets used 3 times a year. Plus, why own a vehicle that i don't use but to tow a trailer, or unless theirs snow on the ground. I would use a supercrew a heck of alot more often and the whole family would be able to use it as well.

Also, the trade deal I feel is fair, trade in on my truck is 9-10grand, retail on the supercrew is 12-14 grand... i still owe 14+grand on the fifth wheel, so if they take it, great. Either way, my only hesitation comes from me knowing what i got in the superduty. new brakes, tires, leveling kit, bilsteins, stereo, etc... i'll probably end up doing all that to the supercrew to get it to my liking... so we'll see. the wife ain't happy about dumping the camper either, but only 1 of 4 in the family wants to keep it.

oh, and my brother in law has a 05 supercrew, but i don't like it as much as the older style supercrews. I had a 99 f150 and loved it, it just couldn't handle the towing, but i won't need it to tow nearly as much in the future...just quads and jetski's....

 

1/2 tons are pretty good with trailers for 4 wheelers, some boats but my company is installing the Travel Trailers down here in Louisiana and it is prohibited by company policy to tow one of the Travel Trailers with a company 1/2 ton truck. I know they are being overly cautious because of liability but it also makes sense.

I recently pulled a 6X12 (the enclosed kind) and it really hurt the gas mileage. If you are gonna tow alot I would stay with the 250 that's what it was designed for, if you get rid of the camper and just want a regular truck I LOVE my Screw.