Hey Dano, let me make this easy for you. I tow with an F250 extended cab short bed, have since 2001. 46 states and most of canada so far. just upgraded to a mobile suites that weighs 16K or so. Everything they told you above is true. Now, just hook up your 12k lb 5er and go. If the rear sags a bit (and it probably will) get some after market help, overload springs Hellwigs are good, or air bags firestone is good. If you weigh and the rear axel is heavy, over 6000 lbs look for some better tires Bridgestone Revos are good rated for 3450lbs@80psi. If it's a 12Klb 5er it should match your truck well. There are thousands of them out there. Have a good trip and welcome to retirement.

 

Hey Dano, I forgot above. I didn't see where anyone mentioned it but you will need a slider hitch for your 5er. Otherwise if you try a tight turn with the short bed you will pop out the rear window or worse yet crumple the cab. I absolutely know this can happen and the window is pricey.

 

I don`t have a sliding hitch and I haven`t touched my rig and I absolutely know this as well, sorry couldn`t resist.
Anyway what Dano said is true sometimes but before you go out and buy a slider hook up with what you have and drive under diff scenarios and watch distance of cab to 5er.Mine hasn`t come close and I`ve been level,up grades,down grades etc all while straight or turning. Am I just lucky?
my .02

Hanklin

 

Hey thanks for all the info, a lot to absorb, but have heard from friends about the need for a slider hitch, and I was planning on putting in Firestone airbags regardless of what I decide.

One dealer stated that the slider was particularly needed with a crew cab and a shortbed...don't know why that is more important than with a regular or extended, but I am not in a position to argue his point. WhaddoooIknow?

 

Yeah for the firestones, i love mine. just got them in and took one trip. I went the whole way and put in the in cab control. It's nice but the install was a lot of work. The bags were simple but the incab stuff took a while. As for the slider; if you have an extended pin you might get by without it but be careful. I had the slider but had it forward at a truck stop. I was in a turn and the trailer wheels went up on one of those big covers where they pump the fuel into the ground, that caused the trailer to lean into the cab and bust the window, boy did i feel stupid. As for learning about all this stuff there are a lot of web sites where you can get info. Whatever 5er you have probably has a group somewhere. I had a cardinal for years and they have a group on yahoo. Now i have a mobile suites and of course there user group wants to charge me to join. Once you get on the road you'll pick it up fast. Best advice i can give you is go slow during set up and tear down. that's when you are most likely to forget something or to muck something up. Check lists are helpful when you first start. you'd be amazed how many people forget to put down their antennas or put up their steps, simple stuff, but it's easy to over look especially if you get in a hurry. Got my truck picture on the signature now and you can see how nicely the airbags level the rig. Like i said, there are thousands of f250s out there towing 12K lb 5ers and a lot towing what i am. You wont have any trouble, these are wonderful trucks.