Half-Ton Towable Eagle 5er - Oxymoron?

[raising4daughters]

I'm reading up on the lighter 5ers and like the 27.5RLTS but am struggling to figure out how it's "half-ton towable."

The HD version of the Silverado 1500 claims to have 11,900# trailering capacity. The 27.5RLTS has GVWR of about 10,000, so that seems OK, but an outstanding amount of excess.

The payload appears to be the problem. It's 1,700# - 1,800#. The 27.5's hitch alone is 1,525#. That doesn't leave much for passengers or anything else in the truck.

Is "half-ton towable fifth wheel" wishful thinking, in reality?

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by raising4daughters

snip......Is "half-ton towable fifth wheel" wishful thinking, in reality?

In most half-ton cases I would agree "wishful thinking"...., but there are a couple of half ton's that may be configured to tow 'Half Ton Towable Fifth Wheels', but IMO one also has to be very aware on how to evaluate TV/FW loaded weights....., especially associated half ton "available" payload capacities (under loaded conditions) and potential loaded FW pin weights.

Bob

[Edd505]

They are available I had a 24ft Layton 245lf @ 4850lbs dry. Pulled OK on flats with GMC1500 5.3L but was anemic pulling long grades.

[robkelly]

We wondered this same thing a couple of years ago. If you look at the fine print, there are very specific models that the term applies to. IIRC, for the most part they were 4x2, standard cab with required specifications (e.g. gear ratio's, tow packages)

[Crabman]

Yes it seems only a few select 1/2 tons would qualify, and its a short list. That`s quite a bit of pin weight for 1/2 tons.

[troutslayer]

Originally Posted by raising4daughters

The payload appears to be the problem. It's 1,700# - 1,800#. The 27.5's hitch alone is 1,525#. That doesn't leave much for passengers or anything else in the truck.

Therin lies the problem that you never see in truck commercials. It can "pull it" but (should) not "carry it" (safely) IMHO.

[JohnWedell]

What they leave out is that you need the standard cab, tow package, largest motor and lowest rear. Once you learn how to run the numbers you realize how dangerous it is to tow a fifth wheel with a half ton truck. It can be done but only under specific configurations. I'm not looking for a fight but I know how to run the numbers.