Manufacture dry weight of the trailer is 8100lbs, the dealer dry weight is 8300lbs. Max weight of trailer with contents is 10,000lbs

 

so..king pin is upwards of 2K.

 

I am not sure about this, but unless the dealer weighed the unit, which they seldom do, the dealer is simply adding the weight of accessories to come up with the dealer weight. That number may or may not be correct. Even then, gross weight is still what the scale says it is and, thus, pin weight is what the scale says it is.

Steve

 

But the 200# fifth wheel hitch cancels even that little bit out. Also, don't take Fords advertised payload as correct either. Every one of my trucks has been heavier than advertised numbers, reducing payload.

You're going to be over GVWR on the truck without any doubt in my mind. You'll most likely be over on rear axle weight and close to the tire weight at 5k combined. As Senix pointed out even for "light" 10k (GVWR max) fiver, ideal pin weight should be right around 2k.

That's what gets me about these 1/2 ton towable fivers. Yes, at 10k or so almost all the new 1/2 tons are rated to pull the weight, but I'd venture a guess that almost every brand of pickup will be over GVWR due to the pin weight. Bumper pull trailers are much better suited to the 1/2 tons as you only get 10% on the tongue, which at your max tow rating would probably still push the truck close to GVWR at 1100# or so. But it makes bigger trailers easier to sell since the 1/2 ton "can" do it. RV dealers don't really care if its going to kill the truck in the process, they just know it helps them sell campers.

Since you already own both pieces, drag it to a scale loaded up for camping and lets see what it all really weighs..................

 

I think the message here is pretty consistent. If the goal is to stay within the weight ratings of the tow vehicle, there is no way to be sure without scale weights. I know it is a pain, but cost is minimal.

Steve

 

I know I will have to weigh everything out on a scale and luckily there is a truck scale close to me. It will have to wait till I get the camper home It's winter here and we won't be picking it up till spring. If I'm way over on my truck I think I will upgrade to a F250 gas. We don't tow that much to justify the cost of a diesel truck and right now diesel is almost 20% higher in price than gas at the pumps.

Of course the RV dealer says I'll be just fine, even the ford dealer told me I should be ok, but right at my limit. It suprised me because I thought he would want to sell me a new truck.

 

"payload capacity of the truck- 1840lbs"
Yeah.
That.
My F150 was 1520 lbs.
I pulled a 30 foot TT for 2 years.
When loaded for a week camping I was over payload and under GCWR and GVWR.
It rode and handled well with mods.
Now I have over 3400 lbs payload

I can have a ton on the pin and still have room to play.
Skip the 250 and get a 350.

 

This all sounds good to me. Weigh it and see, upgrade if you need to do so. Won't even go into the age old gas vs. diesel debate.

Steve

 

My current 5th wheel weighs just shy of 9k lbs. on the scale and I couldn't imagine towing it with a 1/2 ton truck. It is pretty easy to do the numbers to see if Ford says you can. But should you?

 

The OP is has an 2012 ecoboost. Kind of a different animal from traditional 1/2 tons I believe. Stay within the numbers and if it does okay, it does okay. My thought.

Steve

 

Spare me!
Please!
The engine has nothing to do with control, braking, confident ride and handling and control.
OK is one thing - being relaxed and confident is another.
I've been there and done it.
A 372 HP small block in a Ranger could pull a fiver. Should we do it?

 

If the OP stays within ratings, I don't think he will have a problem in terms of capability and that was the point of his question, as I understood it. As fivers go, this is hardly one of the big ones.

I would think it ill advised to tow this fiver with the Ranger in your example, but I also think it ill advised to do so with a jet engine on a skate board (unless, of course, it was rated to do so).

The OP asked if his truck was capable of handling his intended purchase. My impression is he will check his weight and go from there. Trucks are generally designed as a package so they have brakes capable of handling their ratings and have the engine to tow it. How much time is spent actually towing, the terrain being covered, and the actual weight, at this point still not verified, all play a role.

Bigger is sometimes unnecessary and confidence and relaxation when towing vary widely between individuals and often depends on experience, as well as other variables. My response was directed at capability, nothing more.

Steve