Towing Fifth wheel w/ Airbags
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Junior User
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Towing Fifth wheel w/ Airbags
My father has a '12 F150 supercab 6.5' bed, 4x4, Ecoboost 3.73 rearend. He's looking at a new fifth wheel w a hitch weight of 1200# and the dry weight of the camper is 9100#. He's wondering about getting airbags and how much they cost installed? Also, his truck is capable of towing 9700#. Is this going to be too much trailer for the truck?
Thx
Thx
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
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I think that puts him at 11,300#.
One of the guys who tows more will be around to set this straight.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
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FX4 is the trim package... *I think* they can be equipped as a Tow Max.
Its the 3:73 that makes me think its a Tow Max.
The regular trucks have a 3:55 or 3:31.
Its the 3:73 that makes me think its a Tow Max.
The regular trucks have a 3:55 or 3:31.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 730
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From: plymouth mi
the problem you will most likely have is that this truck will be a 7200# spec as opposed to the max tow which gives you a 7700# gross vehicle weight, the truck will pull it no problem, but you will be over weight on the axle, I do not know if the airbags will help.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I'm sure the bags will keep it level but you can't modify the factory GVWR and the GCVWR with add on items.
An Scab 4x4 with the 7200 LB package will get you about 1600 lbs in payload. The 1200lb pin weight will put you way over when you load people and gear.
An Scab 4x4 with the 7200 LB package will get you about 1600 lbs in payload. The 1200lb pin weight will put you way over when you load people and gear.
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Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Buffalo, NY
I have the same weight 5th wheel.. Around 10klbs on my f250 2wd. I had to add air bags in the f250 just to firm her up.
Wanted to drop off camper at our summer property but it was kinda of muddy. The f250 got stuck. So i bought hitch brackets to haul it with the 4.6l f150 4x4.. the rear suspension bottomed out. And it did everything it could to get it down the street. So even with air bags, That is a whole lot of camper for a f150.. Not to mention the undersize brakes.
I think you will be dissapointed on how pourly it will pull with that size camper. Even if you can get it to support a 1200lb hitch
Wanted to drop off camper at our summer property but it was kinda of muddy. The f250 got stuck. So i bought hitch brackets to haul it with the 4.6l f150 4x4.. the rear suspension bottomed out. And it did everything it could to get it down the street. So even with air bags, That is a whole lot of camper for a f150.. Not to mention the undersize brakes.
I think you will be dissapointed on how pourly it will pull with that size camper. Even if you can get it to support a 1200lb hitch
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Illinois
^^ I Agree with the above to a point. I wouldn't be comfortable towing that much weight with my F150 on long rides. I'd just feel safer in a SD with this weight.
I disagree with how poorly it would pull. The Ecoboost does an exceptional job at pulling, even @10k lbs!
I disagree with how poorly it would pull. The Ecoboost does an exceptional job at pulling, even @10k lbs!
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
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From: Buffalo, NY
Well for getting the truck back to ride height? yes.. At 1200 pounds in the bed she will squat quite a bit. My 30footer dropped the truck to about 1" - 1 1/2" off the rear rubber axle bumpers. She road like i had a train on the back. And Swayed all over for the 16 miles and felt like i was riding a wheely. Was thinking about putting the snowplow on to counter balance. Air bags would help with that which i will install. Even with air bags i won't be using this to travel anywhere. The camper was totally empty being i just took her out of storage. I do have a older 02f150. Maybe the new stuff is different. I just think is to much camper for a F150. She did good backing her up the hill in 4x4 granny gear.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northern California
Well for getting the truck back to ride height? yes.. At 1200 pounds in the bed she will squat quite a bit. My 30footer dropped the truck to about 1" - 1 1/2" off the rear rubber axle bumpers. She road like i had a train on the back. And Swayed all over for the 16 miles and felt like i was riding a wheely. Was thinking about putting the snowplow on to counter balance. Air bags would help with that which i will install. Even with air bags i won't be using this to travel anywhere. The camper was totally empty being i just took her out of storage. I do have a older 02f150. Maybe the new stuff is different. I just think is to much camper for a F150. She did good backing her up the hill in 4x4 granny gear.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,058
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From: South Jersey
I wouldn't tow the 5th wheel with the F-150. The dry weight is too close to the maximum tow weight. After loading the camper, fueling up and people and cargo, that truck will be close to or over the limit. The payload will be most certainly be overloaded. Air bags won't make the overloaded truck any safer, or won't keep things from breaking. Gotta have the right tool for the job, like a lighter camper, or a Superduty. Just my opinion.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,089
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From: Michigan
My father has a '12 F150 supercab 6.5' bed, 4x4, Ecoboost 3.73 rearend. He's looking at a new fifth wheel w a hitch weight of 1200# and the dry weight of the camper is 9100#. He's wondering about getting airbags and how much they cost installed? Also, his truck is capable of towing 9700#. Is this going to be too much trailer for the truck?
Thx
Thx
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