dubdub07
Omaha, Nebraska
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Whenever the question is asked...."Can I tow _______ with ________?", the answer is usually already known. The OP is just hoping for an answer that isn't going to come. I think the resounding answers that have been given speak for themselves, albiet some very passionate.
Dude, tell your friend it is probably not a good idea. They make some dang fine travel trailers.
2008 Durango 325BHS
2007 Dodge 2500QC 6.7 CTD, 6 sp auto, Ride-Rites, prodigy, Husky 16K slider.
Retired USAF Air Traffic Controller after 26yrs
Gotta keep em separated!
DW, Sons 17,11,5; Daughters 15,13,4
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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Why is it a bad idea to tow a fifth wheel within the ratings given by Ford?
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
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The Black Pearl
Ottawa
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Joined: 11/17/2005
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Again a post with peoples opinion out weighing common sense. If you are bellow the tow ratings of any vehicle you can tow safely. The less weight the easier to tow. Common sense. Get off the F-150 can't tow a 5th wheel soap box...
* This post was
edited 11/02/09 07:03pm by The Black Pearl *
2010 F-150 XLT-XTR - Max Tow
2005 22' Roadrunner 210BH -FOR SALE
GVRW 4750 - Minus UVW 3360 -freshwater 266.56 -LP tanks 22.5-ccc 1,100.94
Eaz-Lift hitch-Ultra Fab Odyssey 3000 Electric tongue Jack
Distribution Bars rating 550lbs
Top Pop Rails -3 bikes
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gmcsmoke
Butler
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smkettner wrote:Why is it a bad idea to tow a fifth wheel within the ratings given by Ford?
Because Ford doesn't know what they're talking about, when it comes to F-150's. You shouldn't even look at the tow guides by the manufacturer, come straight to RV.net and get the real answer. But Ford's and every other manufacturer are perfect in their tow ratings for F-250's and up.
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fivecodys
Central California
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gmcsmoke wrote:smkettner wrote:Why is it a bad idea to tow a fifth wheel within the ratings given by Ford?
Because Ford doesn't know what they're talking about, when it comes to F-150's. You shouldn't even look at the tow guides by the manufacturer, come straight to RV.net and get the real answer. But Ford's and every other manufacturer are perfect in their tow ratings for F-250's and up.
That is one of the best answers I have ever read on this forum.
I take my hat off to you sir. 
Bill
2007 Tundra DC
SuperGlide 14K
Prodigy Brake Controller
2009 Flagstaff 8528RKSS Ultralight Series
Air Lift 5000
"So is Congress the opposite of Progress?" 
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Texas Jim S
Belton, TX
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Folks, my post has NOTHING at all to do with the posted tow rating of a F150 or a F250. To be honest I never even looked at them. I based my opinion of what my F150 could tow on my personal experience with MY F150. I also based my opinion on my F250 on MY personal experience with MY F250. I am not about to tell YOU what YOU should do I have only given you MY observation on two of my personal vehicles. You may take it or leave it. I will be happy to hear what YOUR personal experience is on YOUR F150 and YOUR F250. In fact that is just what I did to HELP ( not to make my decision for me ) guide me to the right vehicle. The tow rating of vehicles may well be like the salesman's recomendation of what your vehicle can tow depending on his making a sale. I weigh the information that I can get and make MY decision and I suggest that you do the same. If what I have told you is of some help, that's well and good but it is your money and your life and your decision. I hope that you are as happy with your decision as I am with mine.
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Snow Hawk
Ludlow, Ma, USA
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Snow Hawk here again. Wow, the RV.net membership never fails to offer a wide variety of experienes and opinions. What a great resource and response to my post. In the end, my friends will buy a camper that is within the manufacturer's towiong recommendaitons and can be safely towed. Thanks again.
Snow Hawk
06 Montana Mountaineer 342 PHT Fifth Wheel
06 F350 4X4 Lariat CC, 6.0 PS Diesel, SRW Shortbed, White/Tan Two Tone, 5 Speed Torque Shift, FX4 Pkg, Tow Command, Chrome Package, 3.73 Limited Slip, ESF, Rhino Liner, Remote Start Security System
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The Black Pearl
Ottawa
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You F150 evil doers.......
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dubdub07
Omaha, Nebraska
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Manufacturer's towing recommendations are to sell trucks. They are computed on a base truck, no options. When you finally get your truck home and weighed, then take out your cell phone and use the calculator, you will find that you are significantly below the towing recommendation for the truck. A fifth wheel puts a significant amount of weight in the bed, usually over 2000lbs. Therefore, an F150 cannot tow it, even if it is below towing recommendations. The hugeness of a fiver also puts the 5.5 bed crowd at risk due to a shorter overall TV and the size/weight of the fiver. There is no room for error in backing and a special hitch is required. The number of fivers that would be compatible with a half ton p/u that has a 5.5 ft box is, I'm sure, very limited. A 19-24ft fiver will work, but what are you gaining? The fact you can be in the fiver forum and not the TT forum? When pulling a lot of weight (over 10K) and using a 2500/3500 to do it is serious business for us that do it. The toy fivers are cute, but what do you gain? Nothing really and you lose the bed of your pickup. Just stop the nonsense and tell your friend that with an F150 with a 5.5 ft bed will tow a good size TT with ease.
To all that have commented on the manufactures recommended tow ratings; you are wearing your ford blue heart on your sleeves.....no one uses those ratings but Woodalls. Do yourself a favor, figure out what you can tow the correct way; use a scale and your trucks true ratings.
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Dustytuu
Somewhere in the USA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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Texas Jim wrote:Folks, my post has NOTHING at all to do with the posted tow rating of a F150 or a F250. To be honest I never even looked at them. I based my opinion of what my F150 could tow on my personal experience with MY F150. I also based my opinion on my F250 on MY personal experience with MY F250. I am not about to tell YOU what YOU should do I have only given you MY observation on two of my personal vehicles. You may take it or leave it. I will be happy to hear what YOUR personal experience is on YOUR F150 and YOUR F250. In fact that is just what I did to HELP ( not to make my decision for me ) guide me to the right vehicle. The tow rating of vehicles may well be like the salesman's recomendation of what your vehicle can tow depending on his making a sale. I weigh the information that I can get and make MY decision and I suggest that you do the same. If what I have told you is of some help, that's well and good but it is your money and your life and your decision. I hope that you are as happy with your decision as I am with mine.
Ok here is our experience. We had a prefectly good 3/4 ton diesel. When we bought this 5th wheel. We used this truck to bring it home and had added 5,000 pound helper springs in order to do it. We knew we were over weight. As soon as we got this 5th wheel home, we traded this truck for the one we have now! The previous diesel would pull it but took more yards to stop it. USING TRAILER BRAKES!.
With that much weight behind, pushing the truck it takes a lot to stop it.
Now our truck works well with this heavy 5th wheel.
2008 dodge 5500, diesel,Laramie, pressure pro. RBW hitch 22K.
2008 Carriage Carri-Lite, 36SBQ, 4 slides,dishwasher,washer/dryer,2 fireplaces
D & D
Two Schnauzers, & cat
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/Dustytuu/
Criminals prefer unarmed victims!
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