Camper Towing

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Jul 13, 2013 | 04:25 PM

bucks77ford

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Post Fiend

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 5,037

Likes: 9

From: Kasson, Minnesota

Camper Towing

I'm looking at new campers and trying to decide between 5th wheels and travel trailers. My current one is a hybrid travel trailer 28' but only like 5800 lbs dry. My 75 F250 supercab 460 2wd pulls it like it's not even there. I have looked at the specs in the original manual and 5000-9000 lbs for a trailer and about 6500 lbs for a 5th wheel. Can one assume that those specs are pretty conservative by today's trailer standards with handling and better trailer brakes? I would think a brand new 5th wheel with dry weight of 7700 lbs would pull well enough as long as the trailer brakes work.

Just looking for more opinions on what people pull and how well the truck pulls it. Like I said the 5th wheels I'm looking at are 7700 lbs dry and the trailers I'm looking at ranges from 6500 lbs to around 8500 lbs.

Jul 15, 2013 | 04:34 PM

billgrant

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 115

Likes: 0

From: Nevada

read your plate on the door. I believe your F250 GVW is 7700#. The 5th wheel is a lot
easier to tow and back up. I towed a 34' 5th wheel for years with my 78 F350. GVW
8900.

Jul 16, 2013 | 01:37 PM

RunninD

Senior User

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 341

Likes: 1

From: Lingle, Wyoming

5th wheel! if you put one of the adapters on it you can set your RV up to be used with a goose neck ball, and not have to add 200# of pintle plate and bracketry. the trailer will carry the majority of its own weight and allow you to pull a bigger trailer. Add that to a well designed trailer and you can get a really nice spacious RV behind some pretty small trucks. My cousin runs a 28' behind a 1/2 ton Chev the majority of the weigh in his is aft of the axles and balances really well, so his truck doesn't have any issues with it.

Jul 16, 2013 | 02:17 PM

MontanaboyDesigns

Senior User

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 188

Likes: 1

From: Montana

Mine's 6900! Haaaa. I doubt I'll ever tow anything larger than a raft trailer.

Jul 16, 2013 | 02:53 PM

9thPony

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Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 580

Likes: 5

So I have been a bit confused over GVWR, GCWR and trailer capacity.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but GVWR - curb weight = load capacity.

So for the purposes of GVWR you need to make sure all your cargo, passengers, fuel, and trailer tongue weight do not exceed your GVWR.

In addition, the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) specifies the total weight limitation of truck, trailer, and cargo together. I don't see this specification on my VIN tag so not sure where to find this number.

For the curb weight, I am going to need to get weight certificate in order to register since my truck came from out of state so I should end up with an accurate curb weight. I also don't know my GVWR as the original door tag is missing but I plan on ordering a replacement from my VIN which should give me that information. For reference my other truck (75 reg cab highboy) has a GVWR of 7100 lbs.

I have a 1975 F250 4x4 Crew Cab 4.10 gears, 390V8 (originally 360), and C6 Auto.

Jul 17, 2013 | 01:22 AM

privateer, eh

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Joined: Sep 2012

Posts: 17,708

Likes: 136

From: Calgary

Go for the 5th wheel. If your not used to a 5th wheel I would suggest going to a parking lot to practice turning and backing up as these trailers have a different turning radius compared to a bumper pull. This exercise will pay off when you need to jacknife into a tight spot and may save damaging your truck or trailer.