ty. so a 5th wheel pulls and backs up better. I did not know that. does that mean that you have to have something bolted to the truck bed? does it come out if you want to go get some dirt or fire wood? do all 5th wheel trucks 1 ton trucks our can pull a 5th wheel w/ a 1/2 ton truck like my f-150?
Yes, you would have a 5th wheel hitch bolted in the bed - these are in two main forms - on rails or connectors beneath the bed. Beneath the bed are significantly more expensive. Both remove from your truck when you need to haul something like plywood. My hitch is on rails, and when the hitch is removed (only 4 pins hold it in place) each rail (2) is raised off the flat surface of the bed by about an inch or less - no big deal in most instances.
Trailers and 5th wheels have come a long way - many manufactures are producing both that can be towed by the 1/2 ton trucks. Depends on the age of the truck though - the 1/2 ton trucks of today can tow more than my 1996 diesel.
My fiver is nearly 32 feet long from nose to tail, yet weighs in at only 7900 pounds dry. I never carry water because I always go to an RV park (my better half insists on it), so my cargo consists of kitchen sleeping and clothes plus a few camping friendly items. My truck hardly knows it's back there. Look for anything called an ultralite (or ask for it) and you'll be on the right track
As to trailer, with a F-150 you'd likely need a weight distributing hitch if you purchase a trailer of any size, but again, go ultralite and you can be really happy.
One thing we have noticed is that the fivers are more designed for couples travel while travel trailers are more for families - so it depends on your needs. Our fiver has a large bedroom with complete bathroom and queen size bed. A really large living space is produced by two slides moving out on opposite sides of the rig - even has an electric fireplace that actually produces heat for cold mornings.
One nice thing is that the manufacturers are now producing trailers more designed for couples - we're happy about that. On the flip side, you can get fivers that have bunk beds for the kids - just about anything can be found these days.
Best of luck on your decision - RV-ing continues to be one of my favorite ways of vacationing
