Fifth Wheel Capabilities
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 562
Likes: 71
From: Garner, NC
Fifth Wheel Capabilities
I feel like a failure trying to find a good resource for this. But I'm giving up and taking the easy way out and just asking you guys here.
We're buying a fifth wheel toy hauler toward the end of the year. I want to upgrade from my trusty '05 F-250 to something a little more stout in the rear. But whether I go new or used, I'd like to find a resource telling me the hitch weight capabilities of various Super Dutys. I'm talking "bed hitch weight", not rear hitch weight. The fifth wheel campers I'm looking at tell me there hitch weight but how can I find the weight capacities of trucks when hooking up a fifth wheel?
All I've been able to find is the towing capacities of fifth wheel setups but not how much weight I can drop in the bed of the truck.
Thanks
We're buying a fifth wheel toy hauler toward the end of the year. I want to upgrade from my trusty '05 F-250 to something a little more stout in the rear. But whether I go new or used, I'd like to find a resource telling me the hitch weight capabilities of various Super Dutys. I'm talking "bed hitch weight", not rear hitch weight. The fifth wheel campers I'm looking at tell me there hitch weight but how can I find the weight capacities of trucks when hooking up a fifth wheel?
All I've been able to find is the towing capacities of fifth wheel setups but not how much weight I can drop in the bed of the truck.
Thanks
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 407
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From: Humble, Texas
Click on "Articles/Specs" on the top toolbar of this page and then select the year you want and you can download the specs. What you are looking for is maximum payload. That will be the maximum kingpin weight of the fifth wheel minus the hitch and anything else you have in the bed of the truck.
Hope this helps you.
Hope this helps you.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
Likes: 42
From: SW Virginia
To get an accurate number you'll also need to weigh the truck and subtract that number from the truck's GVWR. Different trucks with different options have different weights depending on options. Once you have done that, it will give you the total you have leftover for your pin weight, cargo, people, hitch, etc.
FWIW, when you look up the payload ratings on these trucks, the manufacturer's ratings assume an empty truck with few or no options. That's why they call it "maximum payload". It's the total maximum amount the truck could haul under optimal conditions. When they post these ratings, they don't take into account passengers, cargo, optional equipment, hitches, etc. so it's something to consider.
FWIW, when you look up the payload ratings on these trucks, the manufacturer's ratings assume an empty truck with few or no options. That's why they call it "maximum payload". It's the total maximum amount the truck could haul under optimal conditions. When they post these ratings, they don't take into account passengers, cargo, optional equipment, hitches, etc. so it's something to consider.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,625
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From: Itinerant
Try this thread, some have axle weights.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ghlight=weight
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ghlight=weight
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1
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From: far west burbs of chicago
While I agree the pin weights are usually quoted low (they seem to have a nasty tendency to weigh without appliances/HVAC/tanks/etc...) I disagree about needing a 1 ton dually. I used to pull a very light weight 31' 5ver with a 2500 gas Chevy...I was concerned when I bought it so I packed my junk in it and weighed it at the wheels and pin, and weighed the packed truck, and I was (just *barely*) within spec. Since then I upgraded to an '06 F-350 SRW diesel, and now I'm way within spec in every respect.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 574
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From: SW Idaho
While I agree the pin weights are usually quoted low (they seem to have a nasty tendency to weigh without appliances/HVAC/tanks/etc...) I disagree about needing a 1 ton dually. I used to pull a very light weight 31' 5ver with a 2500 gas Chevy...I was concerned when I bought it so I packed my junk in it and weighed it at the wheels and pin, and weighed the packed truck, and I was (just *barely*) within spec. Since then I upgraded to an '06 F-350 SRW diesel, and now I'm way within spec in every respect.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 24,308
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From: SW Virginia
Agreed. Even though he might be just in spec with an SRW, the DRW will add stability and with a heavy 5er toyhauler, I'd rather have the extra two tires in the back in case of a blowout. Plus, with the Tow Boss package, it raises the GCWR to 26,000 and the max fifth wheel / gooseneck tow rating to right around 17,700 or more depending on cab configuration and 2WD or 4WD.
Super Moderator
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: SW Virginia
https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...9RVTTguide.pdf
A lot of this is also going to be dependent upon whether or not you want to stay within the tow ratings for the truck. Some people will tell you you're fine and not to worry about it regardless of weight. I tend to be more conservative and if it was me, I would keep the truck within the manufacturer's tow ratings.
Last edited by powerstroke72; Mar 15, 2009 at 08:18 PM. Reason: added line
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 812
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From: Northwest Florida
Go to RV.net, open roads forum. They have a forum dedicated just to towing. Caution: once you start learning, you'll realize it's a lot more involved than you might think, but there are some really knowledgeable guys there.
And you can take it to the bank, if you just go by the manufacturers figures, you will be deceived. Toy haulers generally are pretty heavy. Things to keep in mind are your combined weight rating and GVWR of the truck.
Good luck and remember, you can never have too much truck.
And you can take it to the bank, if you just go by the manufacturers figures, you will be deceived. Toy haulers generally are pretty heavy. Things to keep in mind are your combined weight rating and GVWR of the truck.
Good luck and remember, you can never have too much truck.
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 15
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Just bought a 40 ft raptor toy hauler , tried pulling it with my f350 was pretty scary , just picked up a 2008 f-450 dulley makes the world of a difference , much safer and i feel alot better driving it ot always looking over my shoulder to see what going to happen
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More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 562
Likes: 71
From: Garner, NC
By the way, how's the Raptor?
