Fifth Wheel towing with Half Ton

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by bradfitz76

I have a GMC Sierra half ton truck and I'm looking at the Jayco Eagle HT Fifth Wheels. I"m curious if anyone on here has experience towing a fifth wheel with a HT truck and what sort of fuel economy you get....in addition to how it tows, etc.

Thanks.

Brad

Personally, I drag...but: Last January I encountered a couple out on their first outing with a 27.5RLTS on a 2017 F150 SCrew 3.5EB 5.5' bed with "Hitch extender" on the 5r, and the 5th wheel plate appearing to be 'set back' about 4". (Ford specifically DOES NOT RECOMMEND 5th wheels in short beds) I struck up conversation with them and learned they had acquired both the TV and 5r from the same person as they had 'found' it for sale along side a highway in Kansas. During out conversation, learned they had to stop for fuel three times between Wichita, Ks and Arlington, Tx as the 30-40 mph headwind was murdering gas mileage. They also shared this was not their first TT, but it was their first 5r, and were well pleased with the fact the wind hadn't blown them all over as it had previously with a dragger. I asked if they had plans to 'help' the rear end sag the TV appeared to have because the pin appeared to be about six inches behind the axle. "No, it's fine" was the response. When they left for Galveston the following morning they asked where nearest gas station was as they were 'low' and wanted to make it as far as they could after leaving Arlington. By my estimation that particular set up was getting about 7-8 mpg as they had come 370 miles and filled a 23 gallon tank three times (roughly 50 gallons) and needed more. My 2015 F150 with the dragger, same wind, US 287 got 8.9 that day. Trailer is only 5,600 lbs, 60-65 mph.

[xunilhr]

2017 Chevy 1500 dual cab with towing package.
2019 Eagle HTX 26RLX. 8100# dry weight.
Pulls awesome and utilizes brake assist in tow mode. I would definitely not push it more than that as far as weight, but handling, braking, maintaining speeds on moderate hills is a piece of cake.
Beach tows, normally not many hills or starts/stops, I get 13 average.
Other trips with hills and/or more starts/stops, I average 8.
I have no regrets with this setup, but when I retire and really head out west, I'll definitely be switching to the 2500.

[OTTERCOMET]

i am towing a Eagle HT model 24.5 CKTS with a 2018 F 150 Sport 4x4 with the 5 liter gas engine and the 10 speed automatic. It has been great. No suspension add-ons needed and the engine transmission combination seems to be a good match to the 5er. I haven't bothered to check the gas mileage much - Have trailered for years with various tow vehicles and different TTs. Looking at gas mileage while towing always left me POed. It's gong to suck. One set up was towing a 23' TT with a gas Suburban, that I ordered specifically for towing. Averaged 11 mpg towing, 12.5 mpg not towing and 9 mpg in the winter with no load. Given that in most cases, unless you're a full timer, actual towing time is likely less than 15% of your total driving - just pay the difference and enjoy your travels. The Suburban was a great towing vehicle but setting it up as a tow vehicle meant I was paying the price at the pumps ALL THE TIME.

[hainey]

hi' I have a 2017 gmc 1500 double cab 342rear end..i tow a 2012 jayco 26rk super lite (7200lbs)my truck is fifth wheel ...I watch my transmission gauge & heat gauge..i tow 55miles per hour..my truck has a 5.3 motor & I have firestone 5000 air bags..i find my truck handles the trailer good..i have hills where I travel to bluegrass festivals..thanks..alan mac lean & wife Sandra & dog casey..

[BuddyRay]

I've been pulling a Jayco 26.5 Eagle LT for 3 years now with a 2016 Ford F150. The 150 has max tow package, max cargo package, I went up one load range on the tires. My Ecobeast 6cly engine routinely gets from 10 to 11 mpg. The truck has the over sized gas tanks that are optional from Ford and I can do 450 between fillups.
I have NEVER felt uncomfortable or unsafe in this rig, have climbed the highest mountains on the East Coast and the Rockies. Never felt underpowered or had a problem with overheating in over 20,000 miles of towing.
But notice - this truck was very carefully configured to tow a 5th wheel. It is NOT your off the lot pickup.

[jamer]

Not to mention the weight aspect, try going up the mountains on Rt.30 in around Shanskville, PA. A real work out for any truck, be it a 1/2 or 3/4 or 1 ton. Put a 5th wheel or any tow trailer behind and see how it does on the hills. I would say than that a 1/2 ton, no matter the numbers will certainly not be the truck of choice.

[Wireman]

Seems funny no one mentions weighing their 5ver hitched, loaded, and the pickup loaded for towing.

Maybe I missed it, but Rear Axle Weight Rating isn't mentioned.

You can add on all the suspension aftermarket stuff, but it won't increase your RAWR.

I wouldn't be surprised if the RAWR is exceeded on most of these 1/2 tons setup for 5ver towing.

I also am a believer in the 80% rule.

The scale will tell all.

[Half Ton Heavy]

Originally Posted by BuddyRay

I've been pulling a Jayco 26.5 Eagle LT for 3 years now with a 2016 Ford F150. The 150 has max tow package, max cargo package, I went up one load range on the tires. My Ecobeast 6cly engine routinely gets from 10 to 11 mpg. The truck has the over sized gas tanks that are optional from Ford and I can do 450 between fillups.
I have NEVER felt uncomfortable or unsafe in this rig, have climbed the highest mountains on the East Coast and the Rockies. Never felt underpowered or had a problem with overheating in over 20,000 miles of towing.
But notice - this truck was very carefully configured to tow a 5th wheel. It is NOT your off the lot pickup.

I too have a brand new HDPP f150 (payload 2500 lbs).
I like the 26.5, on the short list. What hitch do you use, what tire size on the trailer (15 or 16) and how is the clearance to the bed rails?


Thanks!

[Half Ton Heavy]

Originally Posted by jamer

Not to mention the weight aspect, try going up the mountains on Rt.30 in around Shanskville, PA. A real work out for any truck, be it a 1/2 or 3/4 or 1 ton. Put a 5th wheel or any tow trailer behind and see how it does on the hills. I would say than that a 1/2 ton, no matter the numbers will certainly not be the truck of choice.

I think the power numbers on the 3.5 are very similar if not better than the 6.2 on the superduty. Certainly the torque is better. I forget the numbers on the 6.2, but the 3.5 is 375 hp and 475 torque. These are better numbers than yesteryears diesels. And the brakes are bigger too.

[hainey]

Originally Posted by Half Ton Heavy

I too have a brand new HDPP f150 (payload 2500 lbs).
I like the 26.5, on the short list. What hitch do you use, what tire size on the trailer (15 or 16) and how is the clearance to the bed rails?


Thanks!

hi..load range d tires 225 75-r15 tires..my hitch is 15k reese..6inches clearance over the rails..6ft. 6 box on a double cab..emailing from cape Breton nova scotia..bluegrass folks..thanks

[Joenissan]

Congrats on the Eagle!!! You’ll love it. We have a 2018 Eagle HT 27.5 RLTS Which is just over 30’. I tow it with a Titan XD with the V8 Cummins diesel and it tows amazingly well. Just watch your pin weight but you’ll probably do just fine. Good luck and enjoy!

[ttavasc]

Originally Posted by Half Ton Heavy

I think the power numbers on the 3.5 are very similar if not better than the 6.2 on the superduty. Certainly the torque is better. I forget the numbers on the 6.2, but the 3.5 is 375 hp and 475 torque. These are better numbers than yesteryears diesels. And the brakes are bigger too.

The 6.2L is 385hp and 430 torque.

[bdreinv]

I think if you tow any fiver you will be over loaded! Would not go on any advice from an RV dealer!

[Shackrat]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

The 6.2L is 385hp and 430 torque.

For 2019 the 3.5 EB is 375hp/470 torque. They are comparable, but the 6.2 is designed for a much higher duty cycle than the EB. I would take the 6.2 over the 3.5 any day.

[Joenissan]

Don’t be so hooked on HP/TQ numbers with a half ton. You’ll overload its’ payload capacity way before having to worry about power. Look more at payload, pin weight etc. what I find funny is that some of these 1/2 tons claim to tow 12-13k lbs. problem is.....there’s nothing in that weight range that won’t be over your pin or payload rating. Lol. It’s a numbers bragging game between manufacturers.

[Rwollfy233]

I have a 28.5 rats and pull with my ram 1500 hemp and do not seem to have any problems , 8 speed tranny helps a lot . I getb11 miles per gallon going between 60 to 65 mph

[GraftonGuns]

I tried it for a season. I HAD a 2016 F-150 with all the bells and whistles with the 5Liter engine. Towed fine but, The max weight of my 27.5 RLTS was compromised by the time I figured in the weight of the DW and I and our three Labs plus firewood etc,etc, I was worried if I got into an accident would I be ticketed, Would the Insurance company not honor my claim yada,yada, So, I moved up to a 2016 F-350 crew cab with a 6.5' box. 6.2L gasser. No more worries.

[roving legrands]

Question for you guys that have the 1/2 ton that from the factory are set up specifically for towing, what do the brake calipers, rotors, and pads look like? I took of the wheel to install mud flaps on my truck and the brake assembly on my new truck would eat my old trucks brakes for lunch.

[kblast523]

Originally Posted by roving legrands

Question for you guys that have the 1/2 ton that from the factory are set up specifically for towing, what do the brake calipers, rotors, and pads look like? I took of the wheel to install mud flaps on my truck and the brake assembly on my new truck would eat my old trucks brakes for lunch.

Ford: Brakes are same. Rear end, dependent on ratio, 29 or 31 spline axle. All tow packages get oil coolers. Max tow upgrades tires wheels and adds brake controller. Engines determine base for tow capacity. 4wd reduces tow weight by about 200 lbs.

GM: Same as above except spring rates change. Some models require E rated tires,

Ram: Trim level determines tow capacity in steps by cab/bed application. Each vehicle is different. Quad standard bed Laramie tows about 600 less than Tradesman. Crew short bed Laramie tows 200 less than Quad standard Laramie. And of course...the engine. And DS models (2009-2019 Classic) are different (lower) from DT (new) models.

[diver6]

I'm in the same boat looking to go to a bigger truck but you have to watch as my 1/2 ton has a capacity of 1900lbs cargo and a lot of 3/4 I looked at are less!! All gas trucks. You almost have to go to a 1ton to meet the numbers game. Mine tows great(2016 6.2 Max tow GMC) and went through the smoky mountains fine, 3000km trip last year not a worry.