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.