F150 towing a Imagine 260 RD - good idea?

**Livinlife57** · 08-10-2022, 05:29 PM

Txs Stephen. Checked with a tech and seems the RD260 would be a safe bet GD 5th wheel size for my truck that would give me cushion I like having ( much larger and I am pushing limits on pin / payload max & loaded trailer weight). How the truck will sit when hooked up will be when I actually know if the max tow pkg(heavier rear axle, front end suspension and 3 leaf spring set up) is enough.

I do have confidence the tow will be a good one with 5th wheel GD260 since it will be 3-4' shorter pull behind the truck than current RL2500 and is only slightly taller and will sit on the rear axle vs behind the bumper. I do know what its like to push the limit ( I was towing the RL2500 with a Fd Expedition for years before stepping up to F 150 max tow pkg). Big difference in ease of drive (sway and control).

**Castlerock** · 08-12-2022, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Livinlife57

The wife and I have a 2500RL tow behind & 2022 F150 max tow super crew short bed. Thinking of getting a slightly larger GD and began considering a 150 series fifth wheel instead of going to a longer pull behind. The current RL2500 pull behind is 29' 10" length compared to the RD 260 fifth wheel of 29'9" (or the 280 RDS of 30' 11").

Pin weight and payload are the biggest change. I think I am OK since I only have about 1000 lbs of "stuff" in the current RV (loaded) and suspect a bit more going with a slightly larger RV. We take short <1 week trips in Fla (our home base) and annual 3-4 week SE US trips. Typically, flat land (with occasional crossing of smoky mountains during the fall). If I assume 1500 lbs ( instead of current 1000 lbs), my adjusted pin weight is about 1520 (1260 is dry). My F150 payload rating is 2105. Thus I have about 585 for occupants and other stuff.

Does anyone pull either the 260RD or 280 RDS with the F150? Is sway an issue if you stay within spec's? ( PS , I know bigger is better but I don't have that option - the 1/2 ton is the only size that fits in my garage and our association has parking restrictions mandating trucks to be parked inside the garage).

Thanks .

I don't recommend it.

I had the same setup last year. 260RD with a SCSB F-150 XLT 3.5 Max Tow 7050 GVWR.

You will be over the trucks GVWR. My truck had a listed payload of 1798 lbs, but with the addition of LT tires, box liner, hitch, that number came down to around 1500 lbs.

The pin weight of my lightly loaded trailer was about 1300 lbs. Not much left for occupants or any other stuff in the truck.

If your not careful, with the short box you will bash the back of the cab even when using the Turning Point. Fortunately the HCMBL took the hit. $350 for a replacement.

The trailer will sway, although not excessively when passed by heavy vehicles or in high winds.

What I hated the most was the 'light and floaty' feeling from the front end.

I moved up to a F-350 and am much happier with the towing performance.

This is my experience, yours and others my be different.

Just re-read your original post. You state your payload capacity is 2105. Do you have the Heavy Duty Payload Package as well as Max Tow?

Others on this forum tow 150 Series trailers with F-150's equipped with the HDPP, although I didn't think that it was available on short beds.

**Grandesigner** · 08-13-2022, 07:54 AM

My old F250 tows it fine. I do have independent air bags and use about 20 psi each to supplement the 22 year old rear springs, so no sway whatsoever...

**Livinlife57** · 08-13-2022, 12:22 PM

Txs. Will keep within the F150 capabilities. Likely stick with RL 2500 towable that we have ( and like) and make some interior adjustments for now.

**Castlerock** · 08-17-2022, 12:30 PM

I've added CAT scale tickets from when I towed my 260RD with a F-150. The truck was a short box, super crew XLT Sport, with a Curt A16 hitch. GVWR 7050 lbs.

All weights were taken with a full tank of gas.

Towing Curb Weight, no passengers.

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Passengers.

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Fully loaded with trailer attached.

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**Livinlife57** · 08-17-2022, 01:06 PM

Castlerock

Awesome. Your truck is same set up as mine. Seems that the GD26 5th wheel is well within F150 specs ( I understand this to be GCWR: 19,300 Gross 5th wheel Trailer Weight: 11,900 : Max payload 2108) .
Your #'s were 14,540 , 7100, and 1570 .

Is this your conclusion as well?

How did the truck handle pulling on the highway? The Curt A 16 is what was recommended for mine as well and using the Turning Point pin. Is this what your doing ?

Txs

**NB Canada** · 08-17-2022, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by Livinlife57

Castlerock

Awesome. Your truck is same set up as mine. Seems that the GD26 5th wheel is well within F150 specs ( I understand this to be GCWR: 19,300 Gross 5th wheel Trailer Weight: 11,900 : Max payload 2108) .
Your #'s were 14,540 , 7100, and 1570 .

Is this your conclusion as well?

How did the truck handle pulling on the highway? The Curt A 16 is what was recommended for mine as well and using the Turning Point pin. Is this what your doing ?

Txs

It appears he has ditched the f150 and has a 1 ton

The tickets show he was way over GVWR

**Castlerock** · 08-17-2022, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Livinlife57

Castlerock

Awesome. Your truck is same set up as mine. Seems that the GD26 5th wheel is well within F150 specs ( I understand this to be GCWR: 19,300 Gross 5th wheel Trailer Weight: 11,900 : Max payload 2108) .
Your #'s were 14,540 , 7100, and 1570 .

Is this your conclusion as well?

How did the truck handle pulling on the highway? The Curt A 16 is what was recommended for mine as well and using the Turning Point pin. Is this what your doing ?

Txs

While the 260RD is within the GCVW and trailer weight of the F-150, unless you have the HDPP you will be over the GVWR of the truck itself (not enough payload).

With my hitch installed my available payload was 1430 lbs, and my pin weight was 1380 lbs leaving only 50 lbs for passengers.

My truck's GVWR was 7050 lbs, total truck weight with the trailer and passengers was 7440 lbs, so approximately 400 lbs over GVWR.

That plus the issues with the 5.5' box and the 'soft' feeling of the F-150 while towing made me move up to a F-350.

Still using the A-16 hitch with the Reese 31016 wedge and quite happy with that.

**Livinlife57** · 08-17-2022, 01:52 PM

Got it. Yes , 400# over. Not sure why your F 150 curb weight was 5620 ( specs say 4700 for the 4x2 before adding stuff). Scales don't lie. Will head to scales to re-weigh my current RV towable since the critical # is the 7050 regardless. Very helpful. Txs.

**Castlerock** · 08-17-2022, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Livinlife57

Got it. Yes , 400# over. Not sure why your F 150 curb weight was 5620 ( specs say 4700 for the 4x2 before adding stuff). Scales don't lie. Will head to scales to re-weigh my current RV towable since the critical # is the 7050 regardless. Very helpful. Txs.

My F-150 was 4x4, and I also had a sun roof, so that would explain the heavier curb weight.

My door sticker listed the available payload as 1786 lbs, but I had the dealer upgrade the factory P series tires to LT's, added a spray-in box liner and mud flaps. These additions to base curb weight, plus the hitch further reduced the available payload.