Fifth Wheels By Keystone For 1500

[Leftyvaquero]

Hello,

I was reading regarding a fifth wheel trailer that’s rated for 1/2 ton trucks by Keystone, Curious if anyone has purchased a trailer from them or similar and what experience you have had with it. Towing and handling of it, compared to a bumper pull trailer. Thank you for the info.

 

[Tulecreeper]

You can't do it, you don't have the payload/cargo capacity.

The only Keystone 5th wheels I can think of that they advertise for the 1/2-ton trucks are the Cougar models, and the lightest one of those is the 24RDS. It has a shipping weight of 7612#, and a CCC (cargo cap) of 2388# giving it a GVWR of 10,000#, and a listed pin weight of 1430#. Now, that listed pin weight is for an empty trailer. If you loaded enough gear into it (including water) to actually bring it to its GVWR of 10k#, your pin weight is then going to be over 2000# because the pin weight of a loaded 5th wheel will be upwards of 25% of its GVWR.

I don't know of a 1500 model that has a 2000+# payload capacity.

 

[nlambert182]

There's no such thing as a 1/2 ton towable fifth wheel regardless of what advertisements say. It's a marketing gimmick. You run out of payload on all of the 1/2 tons.

 

[tron67j]

You could maybe tow this fifth wheel, not sure if your payload capacity

19' Deluxe Layout C - Scamp Trailers

19′ Deluxe Layout C

www.scamptrailers.com

 

[nlambert182]

Fair point... there is that one unicorn (the scamp).

 

[Randy Grant]

Nope, no 1/2 ton can tow a fiver

2024 f-150
The 2024 Ford F-150 combines power and durability with a fully boxed high-strength steel frame and a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. It achieves a best-in-class available max payload of 2,455 pounds, solidifying its reputation as a capable and dependable truck.

2023 Ram
HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL FRAME. The 2023 Ram 1500 is constructed with a 98% high-strength steel frame, assisting with stiffness and durability. This strong foundation helps deliver a maximum gas towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds 1 and up to 2,300 pounds of maximum payload.

2023 GMC
The standard engine on the Silverado 1500 is the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine has 310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque, a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 pounds, and a payload capacity of 2,260 pounds.

 

[CanRebel]

Hello,

I was reading regarding a fifth wheel trailer that’s rated for 1/2 ton trucks by Keystone, Curious if anyone has purchased a trailer from them or similar and what experience you have had with it. Towing and handling of it, compared to a bumper pull trailer. Thank you for the info.

I technically have, but it was Jayco one( Jayco and Keystone are owned by Thor and almost same), and it wasn't my truck.
Was friend's 23 Rebel GT. He has 27BHS 2023 model

Weight and Payload wasn't an issue, as people above claim.

Personally I prefer the TT versions for 1500. For 5th wheel, I would get 2500/3500 diesel, but that's just personal choice.

 

[dhay13]

You will likely run over your GRAWR also. Not sure exactly what it is on your truck but 1500's are typically around 3900-4100. We weighed a 2020 Tundra with a TT with 1100lbs tongue weight and it had 4260lbs on the rear axle. Granted a 5er will help distribute some weight to the front better than a bumper pull but you are talking about double what the tongue weight was we had and we would have been over on a 1500 Ram. Can't imagine how you wouldn't be over.

 

[nlambert182]

Nope, no 1/2 ton can tow a fiver

2024 f-150
The 2024 Ford F-150 combines power and durability with a fully boxed high-strength steel frame and a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. It achieves a best-in-class available max payload of 2,455 pounds, solidifying its reputation as a capable and dependable truck.

2023 Ram
HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL FRAME. The 2023 Ram 1500 is constructed with a 98% high-strength steel frame, assisting with stiffness and durability. This strong foundation helps deliver a maximum gas towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds 1 and up to 2,300 pounds of maximum payload.

2023 GMC
The standard engine on the Silverado 1500 is the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine has 310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque, a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 pounds, and a payload capacity of 2,260 pounds.

Just because you've physically towed a fiver with a 1/2 ton doesn't mean it's smart nor that you're within capacity. When you're posting max payload ratings, post all of the caveats that the manufacturers list with it. They're unicorn specs that almost no one can meet.

You have a limited.... post a pic of your payload on your door sticker. I'd bet it's in the 1,100 lb range at best.

Unless you have a stripped down base model, single cab, 2wd truck you'll never achieve max payload. We all know on Ram specifically that payload is gone very quickly once you get above a Tradesman model.

Here's what Ram says specifically on the 2023 models. BTW... they don't mention 2,300 lbs of max payload on ANY of their 1/2 tons. Max lited on their tow chart is 1,930 and that's a 2wd, quad cab, 6'4" box with a 3.6L.

 

[nlambert182]

I technically have, but it was Jayco one( Jayco and Keystone are owned by Thor and almost same), and it wasn't my truck.
Was friend's 23 Rebel GT. He has 27BHS 2023 model

Weight and Payload wasn't an issue, as people above claim.

Personally I prefer the TT versions for 1500. For 5th wheel, I would get 2500/3500 diesel, but that's just personal choice.

I'd bet you my paycheck that payload was an issue... you just did it anyhow. What people tend to cling to is that because they were successful once, they assume that everything's good to go. It is, until it isn't. If a 1/2 ton truck were ever meant to tow a fifth wheel the manufacturers would offer the option of a factory fifth wheel system. All 3 offer a version of the puck system from the factory on their HD trucks. Why do you think they don't stick it in the 1/2 tons?

 

[CanRebel]

I'd bet you my paycheck that payload was an issue... you just did it anyhow. What people tend to cling to is that because they were successful once, they assume that everything's good to go. It is, until it isn't. If a 1/2 ton truck were ever meant to tow a fifth wheel the manufacturers would offer the option of a factory fifth wheel system. All 3 offer a version of the puck system from the factory on their HD trucks. Why do you think they don't stick it in the 1/2 tons?

You would be wrong. Wasn't anywhere close to payload. Also you would wrong the second part as well. My rebel had the option to add fifth wheel system from Factory. Since I don't own fifth wheel, I didn't add it. My friend did.

 

[ramffml]

Nope, no 1/2 ton can tow a fiver

2024 f-150
The 2024 Ford F-150 combines power and durability with a fully boxed high-strength steel frame and a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. It achieves a best-in-class available max payload of 2,455 pounds, solidifying its reputation as a capable and dependable truck.

2023 Ram
HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL FRAME. The 2023 Ram 1500 is constructed with a 98% high-strength steel frame, assisting with stiffness and durability. This strong foundation helps deliver a maximum gas towing capacity of up to 12,750 pounds 1 and up to 2,300 pounds of maximum payload.

2023 GMC
The standard engine on the Silverado 1500 is the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine has 310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque, a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 pounds, and a payload capacity of 2,260 pounds.

Those specs don't exist in trucks in the real world, nobody is driving a single cab 2wd tradesman.

My big horn which is already devoid of all heavy features is a 4wd cc which is very common, one of the lightest Rams you can get, and its only 1750 pounds of payload. That's a heavy shaving of 550 pounds from the marketing number.

 

[nlambert182]

You would be wrong. Wasn't anywhere close to payload. Also you would wrong the second part as well. My rebel had the option to add fifth wheel system from Factory. Since I don't own fifth wheel, I didn't add it. My friend did.

Try to go build a Ram 1500 with any type of fifthwheel/gooseneck system. You can't, because it is not a factory option. Call anyone at Ram, or go to any Ram dealership and ask. The 1500s give you the option for a Class IV receiver. That's it.

You can go to the Ram website right now and try to build one. It isn't there. It certainly would not be a factory option on the heaviest 1500 with the lowest available payload. I'm not wrong.

Take a pic of your payload sticker and toss it on here. Rebels have always been known to have one of the lowest payload ratings. No way you have more than 1,100 lbs of payload. Make sure you include the VIN as well, so that we can double check you.

**Edited to add - a Jayco 27BHS is a travel trailer. We're talking fifth wheels.

 

[mtofell]

Yeah, "half-ton towable" 5th wheels are one of the more shady marketing gimmicks manufacturers have come up with over the years (and that's a high bar). I'll stop short of saying it's impossible to stay within specs but it's rarely going to work like people are led to believe. My 2500 with 3000# payload is usually close to the limit and my 5th wheel weighs about 9100# dry.

 

[crash68]

There's no such thing as a 1/2 ton towable fifth wheel regardless of what advertisements say. It's a marketing gimmick. You run out of payload on all of the 1/2 tons.

I'll call your BS..
The Escape 5.0, it's even designed to accommodate the short 5.7' bed trucks.

E5.0 Fifth Wheel

The Escape 5.0 is our lightweight 21-foot fiberglass fifth-wheel trailer. It is easily towed with a mid-size truck.

escapetrailer.com

 

[nlambert182]

I'll call your BS..
The Escape 5.0, it's even designed to accommodate the short 5.7' bed trucks.

E5.0 Fifth Wheel

The Escape 5.0 is our lightweight 21-foot fiberglass fifth-wheel trailer. It is easily towed with a mid-size truck.

escapetrailer.com

I called my own on the first page. I mentioned the Scamp. As tiny as these are, I never really classified them as fifth wheels although they are.

So I'll clarify.... a TYPICAL fifth wheel trailer.

However, that doesn't negate the fact that the TRUCKS were not designed for fifth wheels from the factory even if there are a couple of these tiny ones that exist. Easy enough to prove. If someone says they had an option to order a 1500 brand new from the factory pre-set up for a fifth wheel, they're lying. It isn't an option.. not even a custom one.

 

[CanRebel]

Try to go build a Ram 1500 with any type of fifthwheel/gooseneck system. You can't, because it is not a factory option. Call anyone at Ram, or go to any Ram dealership and ask. The 1500s give you the option for a Class IV receiver. That's it.

You can go to the Ram website right now and try to build one. It isn't there. It certainly would not be a factory option on the heaviest 1500 with the lowest available payload. I'm not wrong.

Take a pic of your payload sticker and toss it on here. Rebels have always been known to have one of the lowest payload ratings. No way you have more than 1,100 lbs of payload. Make sure you include the VIN as well, so that we can double check you.

I don't see it on website anymore. I did ask my friend, he said dealer added it, not factory. SO I was wrong on that part.

On the Rebel part... You are not correct. 4th Rebel's had low payload. 5th Rebel does not, It has one of the highest towing/payloads for 4x4 1500. Look it up.

Also everything is marketing... Just as 2500's are. difference in price between 2500-3500 base is $1000. Maybe $4000 difference with same options.

Newer Trailers designed for 1500's is called Engineering, design, light materials, adjusting weight, less options.

Just cause all of you with 2500 don't 'believe' it. Doesn't make fact. The numbers are legal. Just cause you don't feel safe or whatever, doesn't change anything.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Those specs don't exist in trucks in the real world, nobody is driving a single cab 2wd tradesman.

My big horn which is already devoid of all heavy features is a 4wd cc which is very common, one of the lightest Rams you can get, and its only 1750 pounds of payload. That's a heavy shaving of 550 pounds from the marketing number.

I am, friend...remember? Purposely to get that max towing/cargo capacities. But then, I'm driving a 2500.

 

[Riccochet]

At such a small trailer 19-21' what is the point of it being a 5th wheel other than being a 5th wheel? You can get a lot more trailer in a bumper pull for a 1/2 ton than you can a 5th wheel.

Want a 5th wheel? Get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. And even then you have to be selective as to which truck you buy. A deezul 2500 Ram is not a good candidate.

 

[CanRebel]

At such a small trailer 19-21' what is the point of it being a 5th wheel other than being a 5th wheel? You can get a lot more trailer in a bumper pull for a 1/2 ton than you can a 5th wheel.

Want a 5th wheel? Get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. And even then you have to be selective as to which truck you buy. A deezul 2500 Ram is not a good candidate.

That was just one example @crash68 Posted... Keystone/Jayco and others have a bunch of them, designed for 1500's.
Biggest being the 32 BHS. As I mentioned way above. I'd get the TT version vs 5th wheel(for 1500). But fact is you can buy one if you wanted.