2015 F150 Platinum Ecoboost- great tow vehicle!

[stevejahr]

Getting back to the original point of this thread before all the truck egos... I too have been impressed at how well my 2014 F150 Ecoboost FX4 with max tow handles 7k pounds of trailer. I bought the truck as a DD well before the trailer was even a thought. So yeah I was looking for and got something more like a car than a hauler. Since I use it more as a car than a hauler this is a better tradeoff for me. And yeah the gas mileage drops and that 36 gallon gas tank gets a LOT smaller with 30' of trailer back there. But it will do the speed limit plus a bit up most interstate climbs. And the integrated trailer brake controller makes stopping a non-event with reactions just like when the trailer is not back there.

I *do* have to be aware of my limitations though... I have to watch the engine temperature during climbs as extended full power high speed towing makes the temp climb. But drop a gear and slow down to 45 like all the semis and I can watch the temp gauge drop. And heading north on I-5 through northern Calif and Oregon it only hits this limit in 2-3 places on a hot day with the AC running. So it is quite manageable.

And with a 30' trailer I do feel a bit of tail wagging that maybe would be less with a beefier truck. But the real cure for that is probably a 5th wheel instead of a bumper hitch.

[davel1971]

Ford makes great trucks, and the Ecoboost is very impressive, but I don't see the purpose of trying to make it more capable than most 3/4 tons. Why not just put the Ecoboost engine in the Super Duty trucks instead of a harsh riding 1/2 ton? The bragging rights in the truck wars have gotten out of hand. Ford has F150, F250, F350, F450, F550, F650, F750, and people want to justify towing anything they want with a F150.

[The_Rhino]

Getting back to the original point of this thread before all the truck egos... I too have been impressed at how well my 2014 F150 Ecoboost FX4 with max tow handles 7K pounds of trailer...

But that's the problem, the OP's 37' 2016 Salem Hemisphere 300BH has a GVW of 11,000 lbs... That would place over 1500 on the tongue. This is stock... With 3 slides it could benefit from a 2nd A/C, etc. which would go over the front MB & only add to the tongue weight...

So yes IMO, the F150 EB w/Tow Package (not HD) is ideal for a 7,000 GVW TT, but not 11,000.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by The_Rhino

But that's the problem, the OP's 37' 2016 Salem Hemisphere 300BH has a GVW of 11,000 lbs... That would place over 1500 on the tongue. This is stock... With 3 slides it could benefit from a 2nd A/C, etc. which would go over the front MB & only add to the tongue weight...

So yes IMO, the F150 EB w/Tow Package (not HD) is ideal for a 7,000 GVW TT, but not 11,000.

X a billion.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[AMG]

I had a 2015 F-150 XLT 3.5L 4x4, Fx4, MaxTow, all that jazz. I pulled my 35' 8600lb dry (12,200 loaded) trailer with it and not only was I right at my payload with nothing in the bed, just the hitch, and 4 ppl in the car, but I was getting tossed all around. The truck definitely didn't lack in power though pulling the weight up the hills. I can't speak to how effective at the 12,000lb max tow it it would be in stopping that weight.

I got rid of it and have a F-250 6.7L Lariat Ultimate diesel and it does indeed pull it better with less downshifting and feels stronger, but I have lots of extra payload. It sure is nice to be able to toss firewood and other crud in my bed now. There's the right tool for the right job and my trailer as big as it is, I dont believe long term the F-150 was right. But if it works for you, I'm glad you are happy.

I did have a previous 25' ultra light trailer at 4000 dry, and about 5500 loaded, and the F-150 pulled that thing beautifully. WAY better than my previous v6 Tacoma. It really excelled in pulling that small trailer like it wasn't even back there.

[Klipstr]

My dilemma is I am believing the Gross Carry Weight Rating provided by the manufacturer. In my case, F150 SuperCrew, EcoBoost, 3.73 axle and max towing, the GCWR is 15,500 lbs. Truck has a GVWR of 7200 which includes a smidge over 1000 lbs of cargo (people, dogs, stuff in the bed etc.) So for two of us with the dogs and golf clubs we are probably close to the 7200 GVWR. So technically I have 8300 lbs of towing capacity (GCWR - GVWR). Even though the towing guide says I can pull 9600 lbs!

So what do you believe? This thread, I think, highlights the issue. Somebody using basically my truck to haul 11000 lbs has got to over the limit, I would think, but they are doing it.

Am I over worrying this?

K

[Kenny kustom]

No, honestly you should be worried.

I've said it before.. It's not only the weight to think about. It's the parachute behind you.
An rv, is a lot different than a flat trailer, hauling the same weight.


Even when I had my ram 2500 crd.
I was over the gvwr.
4 people in the cab, full tank and a few bags in the back, left me with 800lbs payload left. Hook up the trailer, and bam! Overweight, without even coming close to the 17k it was rated for.
With that truck, I wasn't worried. Although, one trip to the weigh station would have made me leave either people, or the trailer.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Klipstr

So what do you believe? This thread, I think, highlights the issue. Somebody using basically my truck to haul 11000 lbs has got to over the limit, I would think, but they are doing it.

Am I over worrying this?

K

That not just F150 problem with the numbers - it also 3/4 and 1 ton also. Most of them can't tow what they rated to because of running out payload. I have 11,380 lbs 5er and on the scales I'm within 400 lbs of exceeding my cargo capacity. Now my 5er seems to run heavy at 24.1% of 5er weight on the pin but it is good example of not trusting the numbers.

[AMG]

To partially complicate this further...
F250 srw gvwr is typically 10,000.
F350 srw gvwr can be higher like 11,500 and such.

Is there difference physically between an F250 and F350 to justify the extra payload?
Sort of.
It's my understanding that the F350 has the 2" block in the read and an extra overload leaf.
If you simply added airbags to an F250 you can handle that payload.
Is it legal? NO.
The sticker is the law!
However the F150 with its 7700(example) gvwr is what it is. Adding bags or swapping leaf springs doesn't change the fact that weight is in the axles, wheels, etc. It isn't rated for it. Same axles, diff, wheels etc on F250 srw as F350 srw... So take that however you want.

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[Tonkatoy77]

Originally Posted by AMG

Is it legal? NO.
The sticker is the law!

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I was agreeing with you until ^^^this^^^ point. I've heard it said before, but nobody has ever proved that it is the "law" to follow that sticker. What does the law state? Who is enforcing it? Is it a state law or federal?

I'm not saying it's ok to exceed the weight rating, I just don't like the word "law" thrown around all the time!


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[Kenny kustom]

It's dot law.

If I am directed into a weigh station, and am over my gvwr. It's a ticket.
I also cannot leave until I am under.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Tonkatoy77

I was agreeing with you until ^^^this^^^ point. I've heard it said before, but nobody has ever proved that it is the "law" to follow that sticker. What does the law state? Who is enforcing it? Is it a state law or federal?

I'm not saying it's ok to exceed the weight rating, I just don't like the word "law" thrown around all the time!


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In my grandson drivers manual it state that you must operate any motor vehicle on public roads within the manufactures specifications. That also what a police office quoted me and that what they use for ticketing unsafe vehicles on the road.

The sticker isn't the law it says GVWR on you title and that is a legal doc.

Then the NHTSA address over weight RVs here (bottom of page). Importation and Certification FAQ's Directory--Trailers and Heavy Trucks

[AMG]

Also if you are in an accident, it could mean being found negligent and insurance can choose not to cover you as well as possible criminal charges if you should say kill someone etc. Many factors OF COURSE , but don't go down that road.

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[jtesta1]

Have an accident while exceeding cgvw will put you at fault .regardless if it wasn't or not .

[Kenny kustom]

SUE SUE SUE!!


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

[jerky]

Originally Posted by Kenny kustom

It's dot law.

If I am directed into a weigh station, and am over my gvwr. It's a ticket.
I also cannot leave until I am under.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK

You will never be directed to a weigh station unless you're transporting that Rv commercially


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[jtesta1]

If stopped for a traffic violation or involved in an accident, you can be escorted or towed to a scale if they suspect you to be overweight .if over it will be expensive. Been there done that.

[jerky]

In a semi yes, but in a vacationing RV? That's a new one to me


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[cableguy_hd]

I've towed/ hauled over my weight a few times. The "If your in an accident its gonna cost you" argument won me over and I stopped. Somebody posted about pulling 8300 lbs empty in a F150... Hope you got good brakes.

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by jerky

In a semi yes, but in a vacationing RV? That's a new one to me


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For sure.


2008 F350 CCSB V10
2016 Sabre 36QBOK