Towing Fifth Wheel Jayco Trailer with 2016 Ford F-150 Short Bed

Updated 08/22/2017 | Published 08/19/2017

Products Featured in This Question

Reese M5 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs

(465)

$1033.24

Bargman 5th Wheel/Gooseneck 90-Degree Wiring Harness for Aluminum Truck Bed - 7 Way RV - 9' Long

(182)

$124.11

Reese Quick-Install Custom Outboard Installation Kit w/ Base Rails for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches

(45)

$503.99

Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control - Trunnion Bar - 12,000 lbs GTW, 1,200 lbs TW

(172)

$1154.04

Question:

i have a 2016 F150 crew cab w/ 3.5 ecoboost 4x2 w/ 145inch wheelbase 6 speed auto w/ tow mode and max. trailer tow package. The bed is 58. I am buying a Jayco 27.5 RLTS 5TH wheel. dry weight is 7,560 # and I carry a total of 1,400#. I insist on a hitch that does not have to be moved to back up. The trailer is 31foot long. I bought a 2017 keystone bullett travel trailer 31foot long and was not able to pull it. The tail wagged the dog. I lost $ 12,000.00 on that misteak. Can you help me ? I really would like to keep RVing. Do I need a bigger truck ? I asked the dealer to put a reese revolution 90 degree pin box on the trailer. Any advise would help

asked by: Greg G

Helpful Expert Reply:

The first thing you will want to do is verify the towing capacity of your vehicle. From my online research, it looks like your 2016 Ford F-150 with the options you mentioned has a maximum towing capacity of 12,200 lbs. However, if you look in your owner's manual, you should be able to confirm your towing capacity. If 12,200 lbs is indeed the correct towing capacity, then your truck capacity exceeds the weight of both trailers, so the tow vehicle would not present a problem when towing your fifth wheel or your Keystone.

Because you have a Reese Revolution pin box, I recommend using a fixed fifth wheel hitch like the M5 Series, part # RP30928. This hitch features a single jaw design for superior jaw-to-king-pin contact, making for a secure connection and a smoother ride. It has a capacity of 20,000 lbs. The lube late # 83003 is sold separately. You'll also need base rails and an installation kit, # RP56034-53. This is a custom kit confirmed to fit your 2016 Ford F-150, so it has a much shorter installation time compared to that of universal kits, and drilling is kept to a minimum. The fifth wheel wiring for your Ford F-150 is # 50-97-410-010.

As for the root of your other towing issues, another factor besides the tow vehicle that could have affected your towing experience with the Keystone is improper weight distribution or a lack of a weight distribution system. Fortunately, it's a lot cheaper and easier to buy a weight distribution system than it is to buy a new truck. Typically, a weight distribution system is recommended if the loaded trailer weight is more than 50% of the vehicle's weight or you experience trailer sway. My research indicates that your Ford F-150 weighs somewhere between 4,000-5,200 lbs, and that a 2017 Keystone weighs about 6,150 lbs, so a weight distribution system like the Reese Strait-Line # RP66084 would improve your towing experience if you still have the trailer or decide to tow a similar trailer in the future.

I've attached a few articles on towing, several product review videos, and a video of the fifth wheel kit installation on a 2016 Ford F-150.