5th wheel and a mid-size

Kinja'd!!! "Future next gen S2000 owner" (future-next-gen-s2000-owner)
04/22/2020 at 12:01 • Filed to: really completely unnecessary shopping

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Was “working” and a colleague brought up getting a 5th wheel and me trading up from the Tacoma. The Tacoma part is on hold for a bit but I did find this.

5th wheel for mid-size trucks!

https://winnebago.com/models/product/2020-micro-minnie

I assumed the small 5th rv concept died out years ago. Winnegabo came out with this line in 2018. I have yet to find a picture of one being towed behind a Colorado, Canyon, Tacoma, Ridgeline, or Gladiator.

This showroom pic will have to do.

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DISCUSSION (14)


Kinja'd!!! WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Future next gen S2000 owner
04/22/2020 at 12:25

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While working at the GMC dealer, I saw a few midsize trucks get traded in with 5th wheel hitches. Considering midsize trucks have the same capabilities as 1500s from 20 years ago, I don’t see why it would be an issue. That said, I don’t think GM rated Colorado/Canyons for 5th wheel towing, so you’d kinda have to guess on the limits.


Kinja'd!!! Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
04/22/2020 at 12:29

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I’ve seen them towing up hill before, and they struggle. They struggle a lot. 


Kinja'd!!! nerd_racing > Future next gen S2000 owner
04/22/2020 at 12:32

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I’ve been looking into smaller campers that I can tow with my CX-5. Right now I’m pretty set on a sunset park sunray 109 or a Sunray 115. Not a big camper, but everything I need, and light enough for the CX-5 to handle without exceeding mfg. ratings. (well for the 109 anyway.)

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I want a non-pine version though.  just doesn’t do it for me with the knotty pine.  


Kinja'd!!! Future next gen S2000 owner > nerd_racing
04/22/2020 at 12:51

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You don’t pine for pine?


Kinja'd!!! Future next gen S2000 owner > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/22/2020 at 12:56

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It’s relative though. Once upon a time, everything towing something slowed down when going up hill. TFL runs 5.5K lbs up I-70 and most midsize trucks handle it well enough.


Kinja'd!!! Saracen > Future next gen S2000 owner
04/22/2020 at 12:59

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Should be okay as long as adding the hitch weight doesn’t exceed the GVWR of the truck.

I’d still rather tow that with at the very least a 1/2 ton . With fluids it’ll weigh in at over 6000 lbs.


Kinja'd!!! nerd_racing > Future next gen S2000 owner
04/22/2020 at 12:59

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I prefer to spruce it up with a little gray. 


Kinja'd!!! Pickup_man > Future next gen S2000 owner
04/22/2020 at 13:01

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When it comes to towing, especially with things like campers, I lean more on what is comfortable, and less on capability. Midsize trucks have tow ratings, and sizes, at or above full size trucks from even 10-15 years ago so they probably will handle a trailer like this, but I’m not sure I’d be comfortable towing the trailer above with anything less than a 1/2 ton. Towing near a vehicle’s limits, while technically fine, can get exhausting in a hurry if you’re towing through wind, rain, rough roads, or hilly areas.


Kinja'd!!! Future next gen S2000 owner > Pickup_man
04/22/2020 at 13:35

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True but let’s say you had a 2005 F-150, would you swap up for a HD?


Kinja'd!!! Gone > Future next gen S2000 owner
04/22/2020 at 13:38

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N ot a good idea. Midsizes aren’t recommended for this and some half tons (Ram for sure) don’t have nearly the payload for it.

Example, the Colorado (V6 2wd CC SB ) w/no options:
Curb w eig ht: 4196 (57/43% 2392 lb   Frt/ 1804 Rr )
Payload: 1572 (no driver/passengers   included)
Towing: 7000
GVWR: 58 00
GAWR Frt: 32 00/Rr: 3500
GCWR: 12,000
Add ~100lbs for a 5th wheel hitch.
Any options will take away payload...


That 5th wheel is (2405RG) :
Dry: 5780
Dry hitch: 1060
GVWR: 7000
Hitch @ GVWR (20%): 1400lbs which is low because 25% is a better number.
Hitch @ GVWR (25 %): 1750lbs (recommnded % )

Even an empty trailer (no water, propane , luggage) and truck ( no driver/passengers, no gear, but with a hitch ) there’s only 4 12lbs of truck payload and/or added hitch weight. Not nearly enough. Most half ton payloads are under 2000 lbs (some Rams are under 1k...) so this trailer is pushing a 1/2tons capacities as well. 5ths and goosenecks pull really well compared to bumper, but it’s a lot more payload.


Kinja'd!!! WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/22/2020 at 14:07

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Oh I’m sure they can be overloaded quite easily. It’s funny how we view towing in the U.S. If the truck can’ t be driven like there’s no load at all, we make the truck bigger and more powerful. Whereas in other parts of the world, they use trucks half the size and just drive slowly.

Not saying one is better than the other, just an interesting thought.


Kinja'd!!! Pickup_man > Future next gen S2000 owner
04/22/2020 at 14:11

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It all kind of depends on how you’re going to use it (as does everything) if it’s an occasional trip, within a few hundred miles and your average speed is around 65 or so , then yeah, I’d probably feel comfortable with the ‘05 F-150. Anything outside those criteria though and personally, I’d consider a modern 1/2 or older 3/4.

FWIW I don’t see where Winnebago lists this as a midsizer 5th wheel, their website even states 1/2 ton, vehicle ready weight.

I once towed a 26' bumper pull with dad’s ‘09 F-150, and honestly I was wanting for a bigger truck. My max comfortable speed was about 70 mph, and for half the drive I was fighting headwinds and sidewinds. The truck got single digit mileage and any ink ling of a hill had it running 3,000 rpm+. The trailer was well within the weight limits of the truck and I got home just fine, but a 3/4 ton would have made the trip so much more comfortable.


Kinja'd!!! Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
04/22/2020 at 16:38

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One place restricts truck doing more than 55, and enforces it, the other does not. 


Kinja'd!!! WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
04/22/2020 at 16:38

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Good point