Towing a 5th wheel
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,136
Likes: 1,653
I mean it sounds like you've tried to discourage him. It's his truck to break. When he tries to claim the damage under his extended warranty (if he has one) or the wreck on his insurance, I hope he's got one hell of a bulletproof story...because knowingly overloading your truck like that can lead directly to nothing being covered by either of them.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
I'm involved because this guy is dating/living with my daughter, my ONLY concern is for her as she rides along. This coming Sunday will be the maiden test run. It will be interesting, temps will be in the 90's too lol
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,136
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I've avoided a LOT of mistakes in my life by learning from others' mistakes. This isn't the time to try to learn the hard way.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
Oh I couldn't agree more with you. In my daughters defense, she is not cool with this either, growing up she has seen me tow heavy all the time and has learned the do's and don'ts. When he maidens it, she said she will make some popcorn and sit in a camp chair roadside and watch lol. She too knows has has messed up here, but "he has to know for himself" type thing.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,232
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From: San Antonio, TX
If you look online, you will see many F150s with 5th wheels hooked up. Some you will see are shockingly large for an F150. I still think airbags are the best way to distribute the weight, or some Sumo Springs. I'd go with an add a leaf. The F150 springs have too much give to them, and that's coming from my perspective with a 157" WB and the Max Tow Pkg.
To be fair, I've never used airbags, or towed a travel trailer. My friends with 5ers have all gone with airbags and all have been pleased. With a flatbed gooseneck, which I'm used to towing, or any low profile trailer, I don't think they are needed if the suspension is up to the tongue load.
To be fair, I've never used airbags, or towed a travel trailer. My friends with 5ers have all gone with airbags and all have been pleased. With a flatbed gooseneck, which I'm used to towing, or any low profile trailer, I don't think they are needed if the suspension is up to the tongue load.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 136
From: Burleson, Tx
I use bags but just to keep it level when towing. My travel trailer is only a max of 4900lbs though so I didn't need much.
They will work with a 5th wheel but when you're beyond the capacity of the vehicle all you're doing with them is masking the problem by making it look like the truck will do the duty.
Not only the weight but frontal area of a 5th wheel this size is probably beyond what Ford shows to be safe for the truck.
They will work with a 5th wheel but when you're beyond the capacity of the vehicle all you're doing with them is masking the problem by making it look like the truck will do the duty.
Not only the weight but frontal area of a 5th wheel this size is probably beyond what Ford shows to be safe for the truck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,136
Likes: 1,653
If you look online, you will see many F150s with 5th wheels hooked up. Some you will see are shockingly large for an F150. I still think airbags are the best way to distribute the weight, or some Sumo Springs. I'd go with an add a leaf. The F150 springs have too much give to them, and that's coming from my perspective with a 157" WB and the Max Tow Pkg.
To be fair, I've never used airbags, or towed a travel trailer. My friends with 5ers have all gone with airbags and all have been pleased. With a flatbed gooseneck, which I'm used to towing, or any low profile trailer, I don't think they are needed if the suspension is up to the tongue load.
To be fair, I've never used airbags, or towed a travel trailer. My friends with 5ers have all gone with airbags and all have been pleased. With a flatbed gooseneck, which I'm used to towing, or any low profile trailer, I don't think they are needed if the suspension is up to the tongue load.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,232
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
I agree. Unless you select one of the few 5ers on the market designed to be towed with a half ton truck, the F150 is the wrong truck for the job.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
UPDATE: Well he's keeping it, he is satisfied with how it tows too, never got higher than 8th gear doing 70 mph. The bad news is it is on the roads, ..the good news, my daughter will not ride in it, "he can camp by himself" according to her, lol.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,136
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He'll be satisfied with it until it shoves him when he's trying to make an emergency stop.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
He has been playing with the shift modes, best combo he found was to manually shift, go as high as 7th (at highway speed 70 mph). Its pulling it, its not happy and its still too big for his truck, not to mention the wear and tear. I think soon ( I hope) that he will realize its not going to work.