Pulling a 5th wheel RV trailer with a 1/2 ton.

1st hand experience here. 97 Ram 4x4 1500 extended cab short bed - a real 6.5' short bed, not today's less than 6ft bed. 360, auto, 3.7something gears, factory tow package. Pulled a new 2006 30ft Rockwood ultra light 5th wheel for 2 years with it. Probably a total of 14 trips, ranging from 90 min to 11 hours in a day depending were we were going. The camper's loaded GVWR was 8150 lbs. It's shipped weight was down around 6950 lbs. Pin weight was 1050 lbs. So i was just about at the max rating for my truck all around. Other than 8 miles to the gallon when towing, that truck handled it great. And the 30 ft camper just "fit" . It was a very comfortable combination.

Since the family was growing and the extended cab was getting small, I moved up to an 05 2500 diesel 4 door short bed with plans to buy a bigger camper in the future. We now have a 35ft unit that specs out weight wise at the limit of this truck. Been towing it for 7 years. No issues and handles great, but I'd rather have a 30-32 ft camper. She needed the extra space. LOL

Oh, and the slider hitch "they" will try to sell you? With a 6.5ft bed, I've never had one. I can get almost 90* backing in if needed. The hitch pins are all somewhat extended on almost all newer 5th wheels.