Determining Towing Capacity And Recommended 5th Wheel Hitch For A 2003 Ford F-150 6-1/2' Bed

Updated 08/30/2023 | Published 08/29/2023

Products Featured in This Question

B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 18,000 lbs

(772)

$899.00

B&W Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit for 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches - 10 Bolt

(128)

$187.35

Question:

How heavy of a 5th wheel can a 2003 f150 2wd 6-1/2 bed tow?

asked by: Jerry

Expert Reply:

To determine the towing capacity of your F-150 you'll need to find your GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating) and subtract your GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) from it. This information can typically be found in your door jamb, owner's manual, or glove box. You can also reach out to your local Ford dealer with your VIN and they can look up the capacity.

Once you have the capacity you'll need a set of base rails and a hitch to tow the trailer with. For your 2003 Ford F-150 with a 6-1/2' bed I recommend the B&W Patriot 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider # BWRVK3270 along with the B&W Universal Base Rails and Installation Kit # BWRVR3200. The hitch has 12" of travel so that you can make tight turns even with your short bed. I've attached a short review video below so you can get a better look at how the hitch works.

expert reply by: Kevin C