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Old 07-26-2012, 10:10 PM   #1
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anyone towing Model 831BHDS with a 1/2 ton

So i purchased a 2012 F-150 plat w/eco boost and max tow pkg. This gives me a max payload of 1900lbs, hitch tongue weight is rated at 1130lbs. I will have about 500lb of people/cargo in the truck.

So my question is anyone out there hauling that big of tt? From everything I can see number wise I should be ok, Might have to upgrade my tires on it. Any thoughts and opinions on if I should or anything I'm missing? It will be my first TT so all a little new to this.

trailer in mind is the Flagstaff 831BHDS.

Thanks for any help and advice.
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Old 07-26-2012, 11:27 PM   #2
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I wouldn't do it.
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Old 07-26-2012, 11:38 PM   #3
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I would't do it is a little vague... any reasons why?
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Old 07-26-2012, 11:38 PM   #4
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As long as you tow smart I think you will be ok. That is a lot of camper for a half ton though. A high wind could make it a little scary. But with the weight I think you are in your limits withI that truck. I would be over with my Nissan Titan.
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Old 07-27-2012, 12:00 AM   #5
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I'm very near GVWR with my truck which has a 1500 lb payload capacity.
Scale numbers from a month ago coming home after 4 days camping;
Ft axle 3450
R axle 3550
Truck weight hitched, spring bars attached 7000
GVWR 7200
We were not packed heavy for a long trip.

Numbers from last weekend packed light for just a 2 day trip;
Ft axle 3450
R axle 3500

Weight on trailer tires hitched, both times, spring bars attached 5550

The GCWR for my truck is 13500. Total weight on the road about 12500.
My truck is rated to tow 7700 - BUT - if I add another 1000 lbs in cargo to the trailer I will be adding about 120 lbs to the truck load and then I'm even closer to the max payload.

I looked for some specs on the TT you mentioned. I think that those numbers are dry weights. You tongue weight could easily get to 1400 or 1500 lbs.

Does that help?
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Old 07-27-2012, 12:29 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twisty View Post
I'm very near GVWR with my truck which has a 1500 lb payload capacity.
Scale numbers from a month ago coming home after 4 days camping;
Ft axle 3450
R axle 3550
Truck weight hitched, spring bars attached 7000
GVWR 7200
We were not packed heavy for a long trip.

Numbers from last weekend packed light for just a 2 day trip;
Ft axle 3450
R axle 3500

Weight on trailer tires hitched, both times, spring bars attached 5550

The GCWR for my truck is 13500. Total weight on the road about 12500.
My truck is rated to tow 7700 - BUT - if I add another 1000 lbs in cargo to the trailer I will be adding about 120 lbs to the truck load and then I'm even closer to the max payload.

I looked for some specs on the TT you mentioned. I think that those numbers are dry weights. You tongue weight could easily get to 1400 or 1500 lbs.

Does that help?
Correct me if I'm wrong here still new to this, the trailers dry ship weight is 6974lbs, max cargo is 1676lbs, so a gvwr 8650. Now if you take 12% of that weight when using a weight distribution hitch is 1038. So how do you get to a 1400-1500 lbs tongue weight?

EDIT:

Just thought I'd give some more numbers here, truck is rated with a GCWR 17100lbs.
front axle gvwr 3750
Rear axle gvwr 4050
GVWR 7650
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Old 07-27-2012, 07:26 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Master-Spud View Post
So i purchased a 2012 F-150 plat w/eco boost and max tow pkg. This gives me a max payload of 1900lbs, hitch tongue weight is rated at 1130lbs. I will have about 500lb of people/cargo in the truck.
I don't think the maximum tow package automatically gives you the maximum payload package.....I think they are 2 different options. If you have both, that is a good thing......especially the maximum payload package.....that is the big short-coming of a 1/2 ton pickup.

I also think the maximum payload package is only included on the Crew Cab, 6.5' bed. That is also a good thing, because that gives you a wheelbase of 156" vs. the 145" of the short bed, or Super Cab with 6.5' bed. That longer wheelbase will help with towing a 34' travel trailer.

The listed payload figure can be misleading.....it all depends on what your truck actually weighs before adding your passengers, gear, and trailer tongue. A trip across the scales now before you buy the trailer would be good to figure out what your actual empty weight is. Then add a couple hundred pounds to the listed tongue weight, add your passenger load, figure out what camping gear is going into the bed of the truck, and see if that along with the empty truck weight is below the GVWR...preferrable well below the GVWR.

With that length of trailer, a top quality WDH with integrated sway control will be a must.
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Old 07-27-2012, 07:36 AM   #8
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Thanks for the reply Mtnguy,

It is actually a short box so the 145" wheel base. But the max payload I pull directly off Fords towing guide for the 145" 4x4 with ecoboost, says 1900lbs if you have max tow pkg... but ya guess a trip to the scale the next time I'm by one and see what I weight in with a full load of full and myself. Won't be buying a tt till next year, just trying to get all my ducks in a row so I know what my limitations and top ends are.
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Old 07-27-2012, 07:46 AM   #9
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To double check everything, what final drive ratio do you have, and what is the GVWR according to your driver's side door sticker ??

That is a long trailer for a 145" wheelbase vehicle.
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Old 07-27-2012, 07:48 AM   #10
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it's a 3.73 a believe, and the GVWR is 7650,
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Old 07-27-2012, 07:56 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Master-Spud View Post
it's a 3.73 a believe, and the GVWR is 7650,
Hmmm.....I thought the maximum payload option took the GVWR up to 8200 lbs., but that 7650 is higher than the GVWR of my truck at 7200 lbs, wich I think is the standard GVWR.....unless things have changed a lot in the last 6 years. Don't know what is going on there.

The 3.73s are good.
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Old 07-27-2012, 07:58 AM   #12
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I don't have the max payload, just max tow, so there is a slight bump up in gvwr but not as much as max payload.
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Old 07-27-2012, 08:06 AM   #13
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I have a 831 QBSS and pulled it with a 1/2 ton dodge with all the towing bells and whistles for a year. It pulled good, didnt pass many gas stations. Handled okay. My biggest concerns were braking and pulling hills. Also pushed weight capacity.

I found a great used 3/4 ton diesel very similar to my 1/2 ton and very comfortable towing now.

I have plenty of room to upgrade to a different TT it I want something bigger.
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Old 07-27-2012, 11:18 AM   #14
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I have a pretty similar combo with an Ecoboost Max Tow and V-Lite 30WRKSS. I figure our TT is right around 8,000lbs as loaded. I have only done a short tow, but the combo did very well. We have our TT on a seasonal site, and don't tow very often.
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Old 07-27-2012, 11:30 AM   #15
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Well first things first here what is the dry weight of the trailer
2/ take 10% of that figure and that will be your tongue weight
that figure must be included in the pay load figure/ say trailer is 7000 lbs dry the tongue will be 700lbs add that to 500lbs of people and cargo = 1300 and your fuel which is 6.02 lbs per gallon @ 40 gallons = another 240 lbs and the hitch weight with bars and ball and slug that will weigh about 170 lbs for a rough figure comes to 1710 and don't forget the weight of the batteries and two full tanks of propane will add about 150lbs for the batteries and about 90lbs for propane at two 30lb tanks all together comes to 1990lbs for payload, I'd would advise you to take up to 200lbs out of the cargo to keep in safety limits and make sure you have a Tranny cooler installed in series with the factory one or you might not get very far. As well as that also it wouldn't hurt to get a oil cooler installed for the engine oil.
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Old 07-27-2012, 11:31 AM   #16
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Master-spud, you should be okay with the combo...just need to be mindful of payload as it'll be you limiting factor. You should visit a CAT scale when fully loaded for camping and verify the numbers. It may also give your some direction as far as loading of the camper to achieve the 13% tongue weight.

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Old 07-27-2012, 11:32 AM   #17
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we have a similar model ours is a 8317ss..we had an expedition with the 5.4..it really stuggled on hills and hard on the tranny, yeah it pulled it, but I didnt feel confident, this is why we upgraded ton an excursion.

But with that that said, my folks have the 2012 ecoboost, twin turbo, and I bet that thing could tow mine with no problem, the torque is amazing! also is built for towing, they tow a v lite! forget the model, but is a Rockwood!
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Old 07-27-2012, 02:17 PM   #18
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I tow the same camper with a 2500 hd silverado and it does fine. I would not want to haul this camper with anything less.
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Old 07-27-2012, 04:19 PM   #19
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I have that exact trailer and tow it with a 2007 Toyota Tundra. When all hooked up I'm over my payload capacity. Truck handles the trailer just fine, no problems starting or stopping. However, my next truck will be at least a 3/4 ton just for the peace of mind.
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Old 07-27-2012, 05:21 PM   #20
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Ford F-150 towing a 34 footer!!

You will be okay and your weights will be legal. The only weight that may be sightly over is the rear axle, the bearings can take it.
I would highly reccommend the Hensley Hitch, it makes the drive super relaxing, absolutely no sway.
We tow a minimum of 5000 miles per year, mostly on Interstates as we do the East coast to Florida every winter, the F-150/3.73 gears/ tow package does very well especially with the Hensley Hitch.
Yes, I agree that the suspension of a F-250 would give a firm base to tow a 34 foot trailer but it would be to much truck for picking up the groceries the other 9 months of the year.
We will see all of you heading to the FROG rally in Goshen next month, we are leaving Tuesday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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