Towing a 5th wheel
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
Towing a 5th wheel
I need some guidance please....a friend of mine has a '18 Platinum with the 5.0, 10 speed trans. He just bought a 35' Puma 5th wheel (I think it weighs 10500 lbs.??) He plans on pulling this with his truck. Is this a smart thing to do? I advised against it assuming the truck will be working too hard to maintain road speeds, temps will rise, etc. I am spoiled to the power of my diesel (in sig) and cannot see this turning out good for him. Kind of like the tail wagging the dog. Any advice is appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
That size of a 5th wheel will probably be near the limit of what a platinum F150 will take. He might be able to tow it, but he
might have to be alone in the cab, and have no gear to carry in the truck. Check to see what the pin weight is on that Puma, and subtract it from the carrying weight of the F150. I'm guessing little or no margin.
might have to be alone in the cab, and have no gear to carry in the truck. Check to see what the pin weight is on that Puma, and subtract it from the carrying weight of the F150. I'm guessing little or no margin.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 136
From: Burleson, Tx
Unless he plans on driving 30mph everywhere he is already a danger to everybody on the road.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 37
From: Groton, MA
Have him look at the payload sticker on his door jamb. From that he needs to subtract the weight of the fifth wheel hitch, passengers and any cargo he might carry. That will tell him what tongue weight would be within the truck's limits. A 10k fifth wheel most likely will overload his truck.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
He is over the payload, and he will hit the back of the cab when he turns.
I love the F150 but this isn't smart.
I love the F150 but this isn't smart.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
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Hope he planned on a gasser F250 or (any engine) F350 purchase to pull his 5er around. Ford makes a big enough hammer for that size nail.
2000-2500 lb’s on the back of that truck? You can kiss that rear axle, among other suspension parts, goodbye in relatively short order. Never mind how squirrely the handling will be weight imbalance. Cooling system? Slow down and he won’t shed heat quickly enough. Go faster and heat builds up and that’s all it does.
2000-2500 lb’s on the back of that truck? You can kiss that rear axle, among other suspension parts, goodbye in relatively short order. Never mind how squirrely the handling will be weight imbalance. Cooling system? Slow down and he won’t shed heat quickly enough. Go faster and heat builds up and that’s all it does.
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Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,232
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From: San Antonio, TX
Like seventyseven said, he wont even get started on the trip and when he makes a turn with the 5.5' bed the back of the cab will be smashed. A Scamp 19 is a good 5th wheel for an F150, anything else is too much. A 5th wheels and goosenecks are actually semi trailers, the F150 suspension isn't enough for that tongue weight, combined with the pull. Then there's the handling issue.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS?
Look in the Owner manual page 303 bottom.
Then look at the next page 304 top, and read what it says, as a start.
10K# Trailer is not in the cards under any circumstances.
The dam trailer weighs nearly 2 times the truck weight even when passengers are in the truck and the trailer is loaded with "stuff", besides not being legal.
Look in the Owner manual page 303 bottom.
Then look at the next page 304 top, and read what it says, as a start.
10K# Trailer is not in the cards under any circumstances.
The dam trailer weighs nearly 2 times the truck weight even when passengers are in the truck and the trailer is loaded with "stuff", besides not being legal.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 2,438
Likes: 732
From: Wisconsin
Well, he is going to proceed as soon as he gets the fifth wheel kit and air bags. He claims he needs to do this or he'll never know the truth. There are plenty of rolling hills by him that are posted at 55 mph and nothing but open farm fields.........I will post back asap with a follow up report. So make some pop corn and get comfy......might be a couple days.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
That makes it even worse than I suspected. I did not know that the tongue weight of a 5th wheel was that high. I was assuming around 12%. Thanks for educating me.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 143
There are some people who have heads made of stone. It's called hardheaded.
Until the stone gets broken, they won't listen or use any common sense.
This will cost money down the drain, and a danger to others on the road.
Tires have to be upgraded in capacity, rear axle is not large enough, brake capacity not enough, cooling not enough and the list goes on for a legal tow vehicle in that weight range.
The dealer should have told him but a sale is a sale even if the buyer does not listen.
Until the stone gets broken, they won't listen or use any common sense.
This will cost money down the drain, and a danger to others on the road.
Tires have to be upgraded in capacity, rear axle is not large enough, brake capacity not enough, cooling not enough and the list goes on for a legal tow vehicle in that weight range.
The dealer should have told him but a sale is a sale even if the buyer does not listen.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 995
Likes: 367
From: Republic of Texas
Sister fell into this trap with the salesman... Numbers were close for her new bowtie so she got the 1/2 ton. Last week I took her horse condo to Mississippi for her because her truck was lacking. I scaled out over 21000 by a touch. Her truck would have been on the side of the road before reaching OKC.
Please discourage the 150 setup as best you can.
Please discourage the 150 setup as best you can.