Finding a 5th Wheel Toy Hauler 3/4 Ton Towable (Guide)
The length of the bed. One of the factors you need to concern yourself with is how long or short the bed of your 3/4 ton truck is. The short beds do not tow a lot of weight, up to 12,000 pounds, while the long beds can tow up to 20,000 pounds.
Picking a 3/4 ton pick-up truck to tow your 5th wheel may not be a great idea. One owner of a GMC 2500 says he has no problem because he does not exceed his weight limits. That is going to be rare as 5th-wheel trailers can get heavy.
To learn more about this topic just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about so you can pick the right 3/4 ton truck to use as well as the right 5th wheel trailer to tow. It is a matter of weight limits whenever any trailer is involved
Can a 3/4 Ton Pull a Toy Hauler?
Yes, this is possible but the real question would be, is it wise to do this? Many modern 3/4 ton trucks have great engines with a lot of power to them and that is not going to be your problem.
Your problem will be in the right category. Yes, a 3/4-ton truck can tow a toy hauler only if all the weight limits are not exceeded. This includes payload, tongue, GCWR, GVWR, and so on.
The truck may have a towing capacity for GCWR at 24,000 pounds but your payload and tongue weight may be too much for the truck to handle once you attach the trailer. This can be a complicated process as you have to pick a light enough toy hauler which may not always be possible.
Also, you will have to factor in load capacities for your tires and axles. Are they able to handle the extra weight? A 3/4 ton pick-up with the right motor is an excellent option to tow a toy hauler but you need to meet those weight limits with room to spare.
To give you some confidence and peace of mind, many toy hauler owners use a 3/4 ton pick-up truck to tow their toy hauler. They just meet the weight limits.
How Big Of a 5th Wheel Can I Tow With a 3/4 Ton?
This will depend on the GCWR of your pick-up truck. It would be easy to state a specific length but since 5th-wheel trailers vary in size and weight, that would not be helpful.
The reason it is not helpful is that the engine in your pick-up truck may not have the power needed to tow longer trailers. To find the right size of 5th wheel trailer your specific 3/4 ton truck can tow, use this equation:
GCWR - GVW- cargo/passengers/gas = the total weight of your 5th wheel. Or at least the maximum weight your pick-up can tow. When you put the numbers in, the equation looks like this- 24,000 - 8000 - 2500 = 13,500. That would be the maximum weight of the 5th wheel you could haul.
All figures are examples only and approximate numbers to provide a clearer picture of the situation. You have to do the math for your specific truck to make sure you know how big a 5th wheel your truck can handle.
It is never a good idea to go to the maximum weight limit. Give your truck some leeway so it does not overwork itself and get damaged. Don’t forget to subtract the trailer weight from the GCWR. The pin weight will be subtracted from your payload weight limit.
There are a lot of calculations and requirements to meet before anyone can say how big a trailer a pick-up can tow.
3/4 Ton Truck 5th Wheel Towing Capacity
It would be nice to be able to put a universal figure here and leave it at that. Unfortunately, that can’t be done as 3/4 ton trucks come in different models, and different trims and are made by different automakers.
The towing capacity may not be the same through that long list of available truck models. Just for the Ford 350 SRW Super Duty models, the towing capacity for 5th wheels is 18,000 pounds with 17-inch tires on the axles.
The same truck can handle 20,000 pounds if it were towing a gooseneck trailer. While Ford, Chevy, and Doidge make similar trucks, their tow ratings may not be the same. Although one chart said they were in the 18,800 to 20,000 pound 5th wheel towing range.
It doesn’t seem like much of a difference but even 10 pounds can make a big difference in performance, handling, and so on. The best way to find out this number would be for you to look at the inside door jamb of the driver’s side door.
There is a little plaque there or a tag that gives out this information. The tag should provide GVWR, front and rear GAWR (or Gross axle weight rating) Payload or cargo weight capacities, and more information.
That tag will even give you tire pressure size so you can fill your tires with the right amount of air.
List Of 3/4 Ton Towable 5th Wheel Toy Haulers
Some of the trailers on this list may also be towed by a 1/2-ton truck. If it can be towed by a 1/2 ton then it most certainly will be towed by a 3/4 ton pick-up truck.
5th Wheels:
1. Jayco Eagle HT- weighs about 9,900 pounds and can hold 1550 pounds of cargo or supplies. Plus, you will want E series load tires to make sure this trailer tows safely
2. Grand Design Reflection 150- the GVWR is between 8,995 and 10,125 pounds depending on the floor plan, length, and so on. The length ranges from 27 feet to 34 feet approx. The UVW is under 9000 pounds
3. KZ Durango Half-Ton- GVWR is between 9,000 and 11, 500 pounds, with an approx. length of 29 to 37 feet. The UVW is under 10,000 pounds.
4. Starcraft Telluride- between its 29 to 37-foot lengths, you have a GVWR between 10,000 and 11,500 pounds. The UVW is under 10,000 pounds.
5. Highland Ridge 2020 Ultra Lite- This lightweight trailer has a GVWR in the high 9000-pound mark and just below 10,000 pounds depending on floor plan and length. The length ranges between 29 and 34 feet approx.
6. Palomino Puma- This trailer measures between 27 and 34 feet in length depending on the model. The GVWR is between 8,800 and 10,0750 pounds with the UVW below 9000 pounds.
7. Jayco Eagle HTX- there are few models in this category and the length is between 31 and 32 feet. The GVWR seems to be the same for all models and floor plans at 9,995 pounds with a UVW below 9000 pounds.
8. Coachmen Chaparral Lite- There are a few different models in this line-up and they range between 29 and 36 1/2 feet in length. The GVWR ranges between 9900 and 11,500 pounds with the UVR below 10,000 pounds.
Toy Haulers:
1. 2021 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 236TH- the length of this model is roughly 28 feet and it has a GVWR of only 7500 pounds.
2. 2021 Forest River Salem FSX 260RT- comes in at 29 feet in length and has a GVWR of just under 6000 pounds. Actually, it is just over 5000 pounds at 5276
3. 2021 Jayco Jay Flight Octane 255- The GVWR on this toy hauler is 9500 pounds and it measures 29 feet in length as well. It is also for tall people as it has an interior height of 7 feet 4 inches.
4. 2021 Keystone Fuzion Impact 29V- This model’s GVWR is listed as 10,000 pounds and it measures almost 34 feet in length.
5. 2021 Forest River XLR Micro Boost 25LRLE- Its GVWR is very low as it only reaches approx. 5,100 pounds. It reaches 28 feet 9 inches in length.
6. 2021 Chinook Dream Hauler- This is the lightest on both lists. Its GVWR is only 3700 pounds which is quite light for its 21-foot 5-inch length.
It is an old story but it is still credible, this is not an exhaustive list as RV makers make all sorts of 5th wheel trailers that will be light enough for a 3/4 ton pick-up truck to tow. We just can’t post them all on this list.
The best thing to do is to use the equation above and then look at the total amount left over. That final weight will guide you in your search for the right 5th wheel or toy hauler to buy.
Just err on the side of caution as just because you have 16,000 pounds remaining, does not mean you have to buy a 15,999-pound trailer. Don’t stress your 3/4 ton truck by putting too much weight on it.
Just to give you an idea, 5th-wheel trailers can be very light weighing only 2400 pounds, or they can be very heavy weighing up to 20,000 pounds. The average is between 12,000 and 15,000 pounds.
As a side note, UVW stands for unloaded vehicle weight. Not every trailer on these lists listed that factor. But you want the GVWR weight limit so you know how heavy the trailer will be when packed with your supplies.
Best 5th Wheel For a 3/4 Ton Truck
Anyone on the list above will be great for a 3/4 ton truck. Once you have figured out the weight the 5th wheel trailer can have, then the next step is to find one you like.
It isn’t always going to be about weight as once that problem is solved, you still have to live in the trailer. You need to look at floor plans, features, and so on. Once you find one that fits all parameters, then that is the best 5th wheel for your 3/4 ton pick-up.
There are a lot of 5th-wheel trailers that will meet the weight requirements. You just do not need to pick one in a hurry or settle for one you do not like. Take your time and find one that is comfortable for your lifestyle and living situation.
For more 5th-wheel weight information, check out our article average fifth wheel weight. It is informative and should help you make the right decision for your 3/4-ton pick-up truck.
Picking The Right 3/4 Ton Truck
You may not have bought your new 3/4 ton pick up truck yet and there are a lot of them to choose from. Here is some advice on what to look for when you go shopping for one to haul your 5th-wheel trailer:
1. Not all 3/4 tons are the same- they come with either a diesel or gas engine and even different model years will have different requirements when it comes to towing.
2. Check all the specs- because of those differences, your 5th wheel may work for one 3/4 ton truck but not another
3. Look at the extras- the more extras you have the less you should be able to tow. Watch out for big tires, and towing packages and 4 by 4s may tow less than 2 by 4 models.
Some of the best 3/4 ton trucks to consider are:
1. Nissan Titan XD
2. Chevy Silverado 2500
3. GMC Sierra 2500 HD
4. Ford F-250 Super Duty
5. Ram 2500
There are other models but these are listed as the top 5 you can own.
Some Final Words
You won’t have any problem finding a 5th wheel trailer or toy hauler your 3/4 ton truck can tow. The key is to be satisfied with the size of the trailer. If you go too large, then you will have to move up to a 1-ton truck.
Make sure to factor in all weight limits including payload, passenger, tongue weight, and so on. You do not want to overload your truck as that can have some tragic results.
