5th Wheel
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Bluffton, SC
5th Wheel
I have an 05 SCREW FX4. Wanting to purchase a TT or 5th wheel when I return from Iraq.
I know that I'll need to purchase a slide hitch if I go with the 5th wheel and that I need to ensure the bed height is good also.
My question is about hitch weight. I know how much my truck can pull if I purchased a TT but, what am I really looking for as far as the max weight on the 5th wheel? GCWR? Also, what does pre tilted mean when talking about a 5th wheel?
Semper Fi
I know that I'll need to purchase a slide hitch if I go with the 5th wheel and that I need to ensure the bed height is good also.
My question is about hitch weight. I know how much my truck can pull if I purchased a TT but, what am I really looking for as far as the max weight on the 5th wheel? GCWR? Also, what does pre tilted mean when talking about a 5th wheel?
Semper Fi
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Puyallup, WA
Pin weight on a 5th wheel is going to be between 20-25% of the trailers GVW. A travel trailer will be between 10-15%. Pin weight or tongue weight will add directly to the trucks total GVW.
Your Screw is only going to have around #6800-#7050 GVWR on it. That's not much when you consider your truck probably weighs around #5500 just sitting there. You add yourself, passengers, beer, more stuff, whatever and that will decrease your payload cap even more.
Your usable payload will be anywhere from #1000-#1500 or so. A 5th wheel will take all of that and that does not even include the #200 5th wheel hitch! A TT will use a lot less payload and a plain jane WD setup is only around #100 or so...
Besides that, a 5th wheel has a lot more frontal area to pull thru the air. A TT still has frontal area, but it's lower, so not as bad....
No question, 5th wheels are nice and are a pretty stable tow, but you have to have the right "tool" to tow one too. Those smaller, 'cabover' type of 5th wheels would be fine, but don't think you will be able to get one of those nice 6'-3" worth of headroom upper bedroom ones and tow it with a 1/2 ton truck either!
JMHO on the matter....
Good luck and make it home in one piece soon!!
Mitch
Your Screw is only going to have around #6800-#7050 GVWR on it. That's not much when you consider your truck probably weighs around #5500 just sitting there. You add yourself, passengers, beer, more stuff, whatever and that will decrease your payload cap even more.
Your usable payload will be anywhere from #1000-#1500 or so. A 5th wheel will take all of that and that does not even include the #200 5th wheel hitch! A TT will use a lot less payload and a plain jane WD setup is only around #100 or so...
Besides that, a 5th wheel has a lot more frontal area to pull thru the air. A TT still has frontal area, but it's lower, so not as bad....
No question, 5th wheels are nice and are a pretty stable tow, but you have to have the right "tool" to tow one too. Those smaller, 'cabover' type of 5th wheels would be fine, but don't think you will be able to get one of those nice 6'-3" worth of headroom upper bedroom ones and tow it with a 1/2 ton truck either!
JMHO on the matter....
Good luck and make it home in one piece soon!!
Mitch
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Clearwater, fl
be careful of clearance issues if you want to fifth wheel tow with an F-150.
Also,what is the dry weight of the trailer?
What does your cargo weigh?
I almost always recommend at least an F-250 with an eight foot bed for fifth wheel towing, minimum.
Also,what is the dry weight of the trailer?
What does your cargo weigh?
I almost always recommend at least an F-250 with an eight foot bed for fifth wheel towing, minimum.
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Knoxville, TN.
Originally Posted by Gunner_B
I have an 05 SCREW FX4. Wanting to purchase a TT or 5th wheel when I return from Iraq.
I know that I'll need to purchase a slide hitch if I go with the 5th wheel and that I need to ensure the bed height is good also.
My question is about hitch weight. I know how much my truck can pull if I purchased a TT but, what am I really looking for as far as the max weight on the 5th wheel? GCWR? Also, what does pre tilted mean when talking about a 5th wheel?
Semper Fi
I know that I'll need to purchase a slide hitch if I go with the 5th wheel and that I need to ensure the bed height is good also.
My question is about hitch weight. I know how much my truck can pull if I purchased a TT but, what am I really looking for as far as the max weight on the 5th wheel? GCWR? Also, what does pre tilted mean when talking about a 5th wheel?
Semper Fi
After many hours of exhaustive research, I have determined (as well as lot's of others) it's really not worth it to rig a '04-'05 Screw to pull a 5th wheel.
Actually, none of the F-150's are really good 5th wheel rigs.
Get a good WD hitch setup and a lightweight TT, and you will be much better off.
My 2 cents....
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Bluffton, SC
Thanks all, for your input/advice. I will stick to the TT for sure. Not that it matters but my gvwr is 7200lbs & max combined weight is 13,500. I've posted earlier that I have 35's on 20" rims and and also wondering what that will take away from my towing capability.?
I reckon' I'll just go and get the truck weighed prior to buying the TT.
Again, many thanks to you all.
Semper Fi!
I reckon' I'll just go and get the truck weighed prior to buying the TT.
Again, many thanks to you all.
Semper Fi!