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How Much Can A Half-Ton Pickup Truck Tow?
Many light-duty pickup trucks advertise that they have adequate towing capacities for fifth-wheel campers. (Remember that manufacturers often advertise these amounts as best-case scenarios with specific models with specialized tow packages). There is no hitch assembly or aftermarket product that will allow you to tow beyond the maximum capacities of your truck.
Towing beyond your truck’s capacity not only places your family in harm’s way, but also places additional strain on your truck that it doesn’t need. Yet, as important as towing capacity might be, this is not the only piece of information that a potential owner should know.
Towing Limits Are Important, But Payload Capacity Matters, Too
Since a fifth wheel exerts downward pressure on a tow vehicle’s frame (and requires a special hitch to be installed in the bed, it is vital to know the maximum payload capacity. Payload capacity is the amount of cargo, trailer, and passenger weight a truck can handle, and those specs are determined by the truck manufacturers.
Most hitch weights of fifth-wheel campers are around 2,000 lbs, but when combined with the weight of passengers, cargo, and the hitch assembly, maximum payload limits can easily be exceeded. Below is a listing of the payload capacities of many current model half-ton trucks.
Remember that the amount of weight your truck can handle will depend on engine size, tow package, and any after-market towing equipment that might have been installed.
Manufacturers like Ford or Ram offer heavy-duty towing packages for their 1500 trucks, which include heavier springs, a reinforced chassis, upgraded radiators, and wiring components. This addition can be an option to increase the maximum towing capacity. Since a fifth-wheel camper often puts additional stress on the rear axle and engine of the tow vehicle, most trailer companies encourage half-ton owners to upgrade to these towing packages.
The Type of Hitch
A fifth-wheel camper will require a special hitch to be installed in the bed of your truck. Most kingpin hitches slide side to side and front to back. This flexible quality is an essential factor in pulling an RV with a half-ton pickup effectively. The movement will allow the driver to make sharp turns when needed and help steady the camper when traveling over uneven roads.
While most fifth-wheels use a kingpin and reverse U hitch assembly connected directly to the tow vehicle’s frame, there are also gooseneck adapters that can be used. Either connection type will require modifications to a pickup truck’s bed.
Passengers and Cargo
Many RV owners need to include the weight of passengers and cargo when calculating how much their pickup truck can tow. If the hitch weight is close to your truck’s payload maximum capacity, the chances are that you will be over when you and your family climb into the cab. (Suitcases and coolers can additional weight also).
The number one mistake most RV owners make is trying to pull too heavy of an RV with too little truck. Take it from us; you are better off not pushing the limit or assuming that your truck can handle a little bit of weight over its maximum. Considering that over 85,000 accidents involving RVs happen yearly, your family’s safety is worth not pushing the limits.
Driveability Matters
While towing with a 5th wheel can be done, it is not the same experience as towing with a heavy duty truck. For one thing, popular half ton trucks do not have as large of engines or produce the robust torque needed for pulling many fifth-wheel trailers. The suspension system also tends to be less on a half-ton than on three-quarter or full-ton truck, which means that towing with a smaller truck could adversely affect the rear end, wearing out components sooner.
A smaller truck will likely mean less control over the trailer. Braking is not as powerful on a half-ton, and steering and control issues can also plague the tow effort.
What Can I Do If The RV Is Too Much For My Truck?
If you have already purchased your fifth-wheel camper, and have added a towing package to your truck, then your options are limited. (You will have to borrow or rent a three-quarter ton) or downsize your RV (rent a camper that fits). There is no hitch assembly that will allow you to tow more than your truck’s maximum capacity, no matter how much we wish there was. Towing over weight limits not only threatens the safety of your family and everyone else on the road, but it also creates additional strains that your truck just doesn’t need.
What If I Haven’t Purchased Yet…
If you haven’t purchased the RV, but are still looking, then you have many options. While your kids might miss the amenities that Grandpa’s larger fifth-wheel camper includes, they will get over it - trust us). Consider renting the RV you are considering before you buy it. Try it out for a weekend to see if you like how it rides behind the truck, and if your family likes the amenities.
