Towing a 5,000 lb Fifth Wheel With a 2002 F-150 V6

[preacherman2014]

I think I already know the answer to this, but I'm going to ask anyway.

I have a 2002 Ford F150 with the 4.2L (V6) engine. My 1993 Coachmen, according to the manual, weighs 5,000 lbs. According to my owners manual for my Ford and the sticker on my driver side door, it can tow 5,800 lbs.

If I put a 5th wheel hitch in the bed of my truck and tow this camper, am I going to be okay doing so or am I looking at potentially burning up my truck engine\transmission?

 

[joerone]

Check your cargo capacity. That 5k weight is empty, before you load anything. Also, your tongue weight will be anywhere from 500 to 750 lbs, which counts against you cargo capacity. as well as anyone or thing you put into your truck..my guess is that's going to be your biggest issue

 

[bigbAZ]

More like 1,000 - 1,250 lbs pin weight. What does your door sticker say for payload? Better yet go weigh your truck and subtract that number from your GVWR which will give you a real payload number.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The pin weight on a fifth wheel trailer is typically 20-25% of the loaded trailer weight. Even if that 5000 trailer weight is the GVWR (doubtful), that's still 1000+ lbs of cargo, and that doesn't count the weight of passengers and the hitch itself. Because of that, few half ton (F150) pickups can handle any but the smallest 5W trailer.

I think you are expecting too much of that truck.

 

[Kirk]

am I looking at potentially burning up my truck engine\transmission?

Probably not immediately but the first problem will be towing it safely to and from where you plan to use it. If that works out, in time you most likely will experience other problems. Consider what could happen if you ever need to make an emergency stop? Or when the weather gets very bad while traveling?

 

[Brad Buchanan]

I think I already know the answer to this, but I'm going to ask anyway.

I have a 2002 Ford F150 with the 4.2L (V6) engine. My 1993 Coachmen, according to the manual, weighs 5,000 lbs. According to my owners manual for my Ford and the sticker on my driver side door, it can tow 5,800 lbs.

If I put a 5th wheel hitch in the bed of my truck and tow this camper, am I going to be okay doing so or am I looking at potentially burning up my truck engine\transmission?

Just the hitch alone will take 100 to more off the weight that you can handle with that truck. Pin weight.

 

[Dirtclods]

it can tow 5,800 lbs. But it will be a strain especially after you load up your trailer with water and gear. Also, any hills in your area it will be a challenge to ascend.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Rather than a guessing game, it would help everyone to tell us the exact model of the trailer and clarify whether it is a 5th wheel or bumper pull type.

 

[John From Detroit]

it can tow 5,800 lbs. But it will be a strain especially after you load up your trailer with water and gear. Also, any hills in your area it will be a challenge to ascend.

I agree with DC

I'd trade up to a F-350 or a C-30 chevy or the equivalent Dodge

 

[Babe2201]

I know there are some modern 5th wheels that advertise as half-ton towable but not sure if there were any in 1993.

 

[Derby6]

FYI, OP has changed up.

Motor\Transmission question

 

[Firstime RVer]

It seems to me that everything I have heard or read indicates that you will need a 3/4 ton truck to safely pull any of the 5th wheels available today...
Safe travels and all the best.

 

[RayIN]

I think I already know the answer to this, but I'm going to ask anyway.

I have a 2002 Ford F150 with the 4.2L (V6) engine. My 1993 Coachmen, according to the manual, weighs 5,000 lbs. According to my owners manual for my Ford and the sticker on my driver side door, it can tow 5,800 lbs.

If I put a 5th wheel hitch in the bed of my truck and tow this camper, am I going to be okay doing so or am I looking at potentially burning up my truck engine\transmission?

That depends upon the GVWR of the camper and the GCWR of the tow vehicle.
Use this to help with your decision, just don't get mad at the messenger for your decisions.

Towing Capacity Calculator

 

[rjshiflet]

And I'd be concerned about the integrity of the brakes as well. Slowing down a heavy RV in a half-ton truck can cause the rotors to overheat and warp. That, my friends, is the voice of experience. In my case it was a bumper pull that I was just taking 30 miles to drop off as a trade in. The half-ton truck was just under two years old and "should" have towed that trailer just fine.