Towing my 5ht wheel???
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New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7
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From: Cranbrook Canada
Towing my 5ht wheel???
My dad has a 89 f-150 4wd short box with a reg cab. I believe its a 302 and it is fuel injected with a 5 speed manual tranny. I have a 5th wheel that i want to tow behind it. The 5th wheel specs are as follows Hitch wt 346 kg/761.2lbs, dry wt 1801 kg/3962.2lbs. From what I have been able to read so far in these forums is it should be ok. Oh ya if all is good to go I am planning on buying the truck off of him. Any thought would be appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 755
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From: Campbell, California
Towing my 5ht wheel???
My 1993 owner’s manual gives no specs on fifth wheel towing. Generally ½ ton trucks are not used to pull fifth wheels, usually a ¾ ton or a 1 ton is preferred. Theoretically you should be able to tow a little more in a fifth wheel configuration then a trailer hitch configuration. This is because the tongue weight in being placed over the rear axle as opposed to being hung out behind the axle. Even though you have the V-8 engine, the manual transmission and axle ratio will be your limiting factors.
Specs for 93 F-150 4x4 manual transmission regular cab, should be about the same for 89.
5.0L Rear Axle: 3.55
Max GCWR: 7,800lbs (3,538kgs)
Trailer weight range: 0-3,300lbs (0-1,497kgs).
5.0L Rear Axle: 4.10
Max GCWR: 10,000lbs (4,536kgs)
Trailer weight range: 0-5,000lbs (0-2,268kgs).
Note in both cases you should not exceed GCWR.
If you have a 4.10 rear axle ratio I would say you would be OK. But if you have a 3.55 ratio, you may be pushing your luck.
Specs for 93 F-150 4x4 manual transmission regular cab, should be about the same for 89.
5.0L Rear Axle: 3.55
Max GCWR: 7,800lbs (3,538kgs)
Trailer weight range: 0-3,300lbs (0-1,497kgs).
5.0L Rear Axle: 4.10
Max GCWR: 10,000lbs (4,536kgs)
Trailer weight range: 0-5,000lbs (0-2,268kgs).
Note in both cases you should not exceed GCWR.
If you have a 4.10 rear axle ratio I would say you would be OK. But if you have a 3.55 ratio, you may be pushing your luck.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
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From: Southern California
Towing my 5ht wheel???
Ford's max towing spec's for F150's are with an automatic transmission. F150 maximum loaded trailer weight with a manual transmission is 3500#.
That truck will make you one unhappy camper. When it comes to towing trailers, bigger really is better. Look for an F250 with a 5.8, automatic transmission and 3.54 axle, minimum. Longer wheelbase trucks are more stable and safer tow vehicles.
That truck will make you one unhappy camper. When it comes to towing trailers, bigger really is better. Look for an F250 with a 5.8, automatic transmission and 3.54 axle, minimum. Longer wheelbase trucks are more stable and safer tow vehicles.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 484
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From: Garden Grove USA
Towing my 5ht wheel???
You might want to recheck the weights of the trailer. Seems like a light fifth wheel to me, unless it is a utility traler of some sort, and the toungue weight seems to be high for the weight you listed.
Agree with the others though...bigger is better. A light duty truck will have a light duty clutch as well, and you will be frustrated.
Agree with the others though...bigger is better. A light duty truck will have a light duty clutch as well, and you will be frustrated.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 1
From: Fairbanks USA
Towing my 5ht wheel???
There may be another problem that you have overlooked. I don't believe you can tow a 5th wheel with a short bed. Correct me if I am wrong but the hitch assembly has to be placed over the rear axle. when you hook the 5th wheel on to the truck your turning radius is going to shove the corner of the trailer through your rear window.
2000 F350SD,SRW,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears, 285/75/16 Wild Country
2000 F350SD,SRW,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears, 285/75/16 Wild Country
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New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7
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From: Cranbrook Canada
Towing my 5ht wheel???
Thanks for all the advice guys, I want to let you all know it was very useful in making my decision. The wights are off of the 5th wheel's info plate it is a 1992 rustler by travalaire. I purchased a 1989 XL f-250 4x4. It has a 5 speed OD tranny behind a 460 EFI, reg cab long box. It has lots of go and handles the 5th wheel with ease. Thanks again Bruce.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 775
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From: Northern Va
Towing my 5ht wheel???
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Aug-02 AT 02:43 PM (EST)]
They make sliding hitch that under normal situations the trailer rides over the axle. When parking and the extra room is needed, the hitch slides back to allow more room between the cab and trailer. Additionally, some 5er’s have extended hitch pin boxes that give even more room for tight parking lot maneuvers.
There may be another problem that you have overlooked. I don't believe you can tow a 5th wheel with a short bed. Correct me if I am wrong but the hitch assembly has to be placed over the rear axle. when you hook the 5th wheel on to the truck your turning radius is going to shove the corner of the trailer through your rear window.
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Cargo Master
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