2015 Ford F150 Features

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by chicagoslick

Thanks for all of the replies. I want all of the technology so it will have to be the Platinum or the King Ranch. I having been driving Fords (cars) for a few years and my current vehicles have all of the options. I strongly believe in adaptive cruise and camera systems. I think they are a must for anyone who drives any distance. So far I have found everything I want in the truck except the towing mirrors. They are a rare option on the F150, but common on the Super Duty. We only tow about 10 times a year and this will be my wife's vehicle for which she only drives about 5k miles a year. I may end up settling for everything I am wanting minus the tow mirrors. My wife says the tow mirrors are ugly anyway. Will keep everyone posted.

gary

I appreciate wanting a real nice truck with the technology. Do yourself a favor and just check the yellow payload decal on the driver door jamb. You will likely find the payload capacity is around 1600 lbs. Then do the math for your trailer. Just trying to keep ya safe.

[chicagoslick]

Originally Posted by Teamfour

I appreciate wanting a real nice truck with the technology. Do yourself a favor and just check the yellow payload decal on the driver door jamb. You will likely find the payload capacity is around 1600 lbs. Then do the math for your trailer. Just trying to keep ya safe.

So what do you know that you are alluding to? Are you saying that the truck I am looking at will not be capable of towing a family of 4 and my 27RLWS? Of course I want to be safe...

Thanks,

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by chicagoslick

So what do you know that you are alluding to? Are you saying that the truck I am looking at will not be capable of towing a family of 4 and my 27RLWS? Of course I want to be safe...

Thanks,

Sorry If I come off as a little critical. Many TT owners, myself included, focus too much on the towing capacity of a truck. While the EB has very impressive towing capacity, that is rarely the specification that helps determine the size trailer a truck can tow.

In may instances it is the payload capacity that owners bump up against. So I like to look at the numbers with payload capacity in mind. Lets walk through this.

For doing the math you should use the gross weight capacity of the TT. Assuming you have a 2015 27RLWS, the mfr specs say that trailer has a weight limit of 7,714 lbs. When a trailer is setup properly with a good WD hitch, the tongue weight is about 12% of trailer weight, which in your case is 925 lbs. That tongue weight has to come off of payload capacity of the truck which I will guess to be about 1600 lbs in King Ranch config. Also, a good WDH weighs about 100 lbs - that is also deducted from the payload. So lets see where we are so far.

1600 payload cap minus 925 tongue and 100 hitch leaves you 575 lbs of payload capacity. This 575 lbs will be used up by the weight of your passengers (Ford includes 150 lb driver and full tank in the specs), and any cargo in the bed (bikes, firewood, etc). So you can see it is real easy to exceed payload capacity in a hurry.

If at all possible find a truck in whatever trim level that has the max tow pkg. Also upgrade to LT tires, which doesn't change the official payload rating, but will give a more stable ride.

Again just trying to help. Hope the math makes sense.

[chicagoslick]

Originally Posted by Teamfour

Sorry If I come off as a little critical. Many TT owners, myself included, focus too much on the towing capacity of a truck. While the EB has very impressive towing capacity, that is rarely the specification that helps determine the size trailer a truck can tow.

In may instances it is the payload capacity that owners bump up against. So I like to look at the numbers with payload capacity in mind. Lets walk through this.

For doing the math you should use the gross weight capacity of the TT. Assuming you have a 2015 27RLWS, the mfr specs say that trailer has a weight limit of 7,714 lbs. When a trailer is setup properly with a good WD hitch, the tongue weight is about 12% of trailer weight, which in your case is 925 lbs. That tongue weight has to come off of payload capacity of the truck which I will guess to be about 1600 lbs in King Ranch config. Also, a good WDH weighs about 100 lbs - that is also deducted from the payload. So lets see where we are so far.

1600 payload cap minus 925 tongue and 100 hitch leaves you 575 lbs of payload capacity. This 575 lbs will be used up by the weight of your passengers (Ford includes 150 lb driver and full tank in the specs), and any cargo in the bed (bikes, firewood, etc). So you can see it is real easy to exceed payload capacity in a hurry.

If at all possible find a truck in whatever trim level that has the max tow pkg. Also upgrade to LT tires, which doesn't change the official payload rating, but will give a more stable ride.

Again just trying to help. Hope the math makes sense.

Lee and Anne,

Great information and yes I did take all of that into consideration. I thought you might throw something at me that was an insider unknown. I have taken the time in the past to weigh everything numerous times to be sure I am not overloaded. Please see my numbers below as provided by cat scales from truck stop 30 miles outside of Indianapolis.

Loaded trailer minus filled holding tanks (clothes, food, toiletries, decorations, gear, etc) = 6758lbs

Tongue weight = 753 lbs

Family of 4 = ~585 lbs (120 lbs ea for wife and kids and 225 lbs for me)

Total loaded weight = 1338 lbs

I will look at the door sticker and see what the numbers say (could be anywhere from 1600 to 2200 based on what I have researched)

The numbers above are real world numbers and not speculative numbers. I still have plenty of capacity for both loading and towing. I am fine working with max load as it has never bothered me through the years of towing...

Gary

[drelec]

We have a 2010 Ford F-150 XLT HD 8 foot bed. One option I recommend are the bed side steps that retract in and out. The bed walls are so high I cannot reach the bottom of the bed. With these steps you can step up and reach items much easier.

[chicagoslick]

Originally Posted by drelec

We have a 2010 Ford F-150 XLT HD 8 foot bed. One option I recommend are the bed side steps that retract in and out. The bed walls are so high I cannot reach the bottom of the bed. With these steps you can step up and reach items much easier.

I have those on the list of must haves....Thanks for the feedback....

[Loraura]

Originally Posted by chicagoslick

Total loaded weight = 1338 lbs

Did you weigh your truck or just calculate people + tongue weight? Is the hitch weight in there?

If you're looking at 2000 lb payload, seems fine. If it it closer to the 1600 number you are getting close enough that I would suggest a truck weight via CAT scale when loaded up with family to go camping. Tools, kids stuff, etc add up when you' only looking at a 2-300 lb margin of error. You may get 150lb of your 225 (weight of self) back as it looked like it included a 150 lb driver. That helps and covers the hitch if you forgot to include that.

Any plans to go bigger/heavier with the TT at a point in the future where you would expect to still own the truck?

Lastly your scaled Tongue Weight is a little low at 11.1%. You may find a more stable/safer tow if you can shift 60 lbs to the front to increase tongue weight to 12%. This will, of course, take 60 lbs away from your payload.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by chicagoslick

Max Trailer Tow Package is on the one I am looking at. I read somewhere that the towing capacity was 10,700 but I cannot find where that was stated. I would have thought there would be more towing capacity. There are so many combinations that it is hard to decipher what exactly is the best layout...

gary

Hi Gary,

Yep, because of the Aluminium body towing capacity has actually gone up to 11,300!

IF you are going to get the F150 Ecoboost, get every towing option ford offers! It will be a factory build but it will be a mid-size towing beast!

Having said that....

Do you forsee getting a larger TT or moving up to a 5er? If so, save yourself the pain 3-5 years down the road and jsut get the 3/4 or 1T truck now.

I wish I had done that, because even the Ecobeast can't pull the retirement casa (Cardinal 3450) so I am trading in my F150 on a 1T tomorrow

[chicagoslick]

I weighed everything. I originally came out a little heavier at the tongue due to heavily loading the front compartment. After taking a dozen trips I realized I did not need every item I was bringing (power drill, spare bottle jack, shovel, chain, etc) I was loading up way too many things for contingency planning. I was able to cut ~140 pounds off and that coupled with storing bottled water further back in the trailer moved my weight rearward. I actually noticed improved towing by doing this. My Denali was a little happier getting some of that weight off of the tongue.

With all of this said, I have settled on a truck:

2015 F150 King Ranch
3.5 EB w/ 3.55 locking rear axle
Max Trailer Tow Package
FX4 Off Road Package
36 Gallon fuel tank
Power deployed side steps
Box side steps
Rear deploy step and handle
Wheel well liners
Spray in bed liner
Soft tonneau cover

And all of the technology stuff (Bliss, lane assist, 360 camera, adaptive cruise, park assist, twin panel moonroof, etc / loaded)

The truck has to be brought in from St. Louis so we will not have it until next week, but we are excited. Thanks again for everyone's feedback. I will re-weigh and post back numbers later...

P.S.
We are not planning on buying another trailer for about 5yrs. When we do we will reevaluate what we need then. We are very happy with our luxury home away from home...

gary

[chicagoslick]

By the way for those wondering, the main reason we are moving away from our Denali is fuel mileage and age of truck. Getting 5-7mpg our last trip out east through the mountains was terrible. Also, realize that we are asking a lot of a 2002 vehicle with 120k miles. I rarely have a vehicle this long, but it has been a good truck. Just time to go. Thought about moving into another SUV, but we really dont need it. The truck will be much more useful...

[B and B]

Sounds like you have it covered. In 5 years you can buy a new TV and Trailer together when you upgrade! The Ford will serve you well, it is also made in the USA as well!


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[chicagoslick]

I bought the truck today. It will be delivered Wednesday...yay......

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by chicagoslick

I bought the truck today. It will be delivered Wednesday...yay......

Congratulations!! Now join F150ecoboost.net to learn and share your truck experience.

And pictures are required . . .

[wpgman19]

Originally Posted by chicagoslick

Thanks for all of the replies. I want all of the technology so it will have to be the Platinum or the King Ranch. I having been driving Fords (cars) for a few years and my current vehicles have all of the options. I strongly believe in adaptive cruise and camera systems. I think they are a must for anyone who drives any distance. So far I have found everything I want in the truck except the towing mirrors. They are a rare option on the F150, but common on the Super Duty. We only tow about 10 times a year and this will be my wife's vehicle for which she only drives about 5k miles a year. I may end up settling for everything I am wanting minus the tow mirrors. My wife says the tow mirrors are ugly anyway. Will keep everyone posted.

gary

My FR dealer found me a pair of slide on mirrors for my 2014 F150. Cost me $59 for the pair. Work great. Very little vibration, and I can still auto fold the mirrors with them on.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by wpgman19

My FR dealer found me a pair of slide on mirrors for my 2014 F150. Cost me $59 for the pair. Work great. Very little vibration, and I can still auto fold the mirrors with them on.

As previously stated, there are no fitted mirrors for the 2015's yet. But, yes eventually the two main players in that field will have them available.

[wpgman19]

Ooops! My bad. Didn't read the other ones. Sorry.

[madmaxmutt]

No worries, just didn't want anyone misled.

[Pockets]

I have the Max tow package on a 2014 F150 and it is good for 11,300 lbs. Not so good on cargo capacity at 1900 lbs. 3.5L ecoboost,3.73 axle. It tows my 8500 lbs wet 26RBSS. The 2015 has 700lbs less weight so you can carry 700 more cargo. I bought the TV before the TT so that works.

[chicagoslick]

madmaxmutt,

I joined F150ecoboost.net and already am posting...great site with lots of info...



Pockets,

Great information to know. Looks like our truck wont be in until Thursday now. Can't wait....

[Pockets]

You should also get the backup camera which has a zoom feature which focuses on the hitch ball. Makes hitching a whole lot easier. And with the Max tow package on the XTR and 302a package, has moveable pedals, integrated brake controller, bigger rad, oil and tranny cooler, class IV hitch, 7700 GVWR, I also got the manual tow mirrors, And step on the tail gate. Also has a trailer app for the computer in the dash, that tells you the mileage on the trailer while towing and how much power is going to the brakes through the 7 prong plug. I was impressed and got a great deal on the 2014 in April. Truck had 35 kms on it.