Buying our first TT and can we tow this

miagigirl · 07-13-2016, 08:17 PM

We've finally found the TT we like. Any thought on th Forest River Evo ats 22rb? We have a 2007 Ford F-150, V8, 4.6 engine ford says it can tow 6,600. We are taking a 1 year road trip around the US and parts of Canada. Will our truck tow this fine and is it a good starter TT?

crunchman12001 · 07-13-2016, 08:30 PM

Can you confirm model #, I could find the specs. How much does the unit weigh and what year?

miagigirl · 07-13-2016, 08:42 PM

I added a pic with the model number and info

miagigirl · 07-13-2016, 08:53 PM

It's a 2017 and 5540 lbs

miagigirl · 07-13-2016, 08:54 PM

Ugh! 2016

KDHfan · 07-13-2016, 09:36 PM

Just my opinion... But if that's the brochure weight... Or even the sticker weight... You have too much camper for your truck. The salesman might tell you "sure, you can tow that, no problem." While technically, you might be able to (but I think you'll be over your combined weight), you really shouldn't.

rockfordroo · 07-13-2016, 09:50 PM

I couldn't find any info on your TT either. If the 5540 lbs is the GVWR, you may be OK. GVWR is the maximum the TT can weigh with everything loaded, i.e. you never want to exceed this weight. So if it's the GVWR, that would give you about 17% margin to your Ford's towing limit.

However, you also need to worry about payload, which is usually the first thing to be exceeded. Open your Ford's drivers door and look at the sticker you find there. It will tell you how much weight you can add to your Ford. This is the payload. It does not include the driver, but it does include EVERYTHING else you may add. This includes the tongue weight of the TT and the weight of the hitch itself. (Weight distributing hitches, which you WILL need) can run 50-75 lbs.)

So now you need to figure tongue weight. I was unable to find any numbers on your model TT. So you'll need to ask what the tongue weight is. The tongue weight they give you will most likely NOT include a battery on the tongue OR the propane. So you'll need to add that weight to the tongue weight. Alternatively, you can figure about 15% of the GVWR number once you figure what it is.

Once you know your tongue weight, add the hitch weight and everything else you intend to add to the Ford. If this number is greater than the number on the drivers door sticker, you have a problem.

Note the biggest lie RV salesmen say: "Oh, a half ton pickup can tow this!" Not all half tons are created equal. My 2009 Silverado owners manual listed 99 (yes, 99!) permutations of engine, cab, bed, rear end gearing, etc. The tow capacity for these ranged from 4000 lbs to 12,000 lbs. So how can an RV salesman truthfully tell you that YOUR pickup can pull any specific TT?

Good luck.

ChooChooMan74 · 07-13-2016, 09:55 PM

I am looking at the yellow sticker for a Evo 220RBS. Looks like this one is about 5500 off the factory. Going for a year, you will have a lot of cargo. The GVW of this unit is 7655.

rockfordroo · 07-13-2016, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChooChooMan74

I am looking at the yellow sticker for a Evo 220RBS. Looks like this one is about 5500 off the factory. Going for a year, you will have a lot of cargo. The GVW of this unit is 7655.

Miagigirl: To steal a phrase: "You're gonna need a bigger truck!"

WFD · 07-13-2016, 10:09 PM

Sounds like you haven't yet committed to buying this trailer...looks like you have a choice to make....find a lighter trailer, or get a different truck.

miagigirl · 07-13-2016, 10:51 PM

Dang! We've been shopping and shopping. It's been hard to find a TT that we can tow with this now stupid truck! ARG! Thanks for all your input. Any suggestions on a nice TT that we can use that's not more than 6,500lbs loaded? Thanks again all who've helped.

raspivey · 07-13-2016, 11:08 PM

My thoughts on this one....you "could" make this work and be within spec, however you would need to pay much more attention to tires, hitch, proper adjustment of your setup, loading, and much more to make it enjoyable and safe. I'm comfortable going a "little" over on some things, but I don't recommend that for everyone. I'll agree that, with such a long trip, you're probably going to pack towards the upper end of your truck and trailer's specs...and maybe very well over them. While some of that can be mitigated with vehicle upgrades and the like, experience is your friend here. Pushing or exceeding your limits is not something you want to start learning with...and there is some learning curve.

Look at the Rockwood Mini Lites (Flagstaff Micro Lite) in about the same length. We had a 2104S that we enjoyed with just two of us, but I don't think I'd have liked it for long trips. Mine was only 4500 loaded. I think they've got some floor plans in the 23-25 foot range coming in at around 5000 dry.

Stetay · 07-13-2016, 11:25 PM

I have a 2016 evo 200rd loaded I believe it's around 6,000 lbs. just pulled it thru Colorado and S Dakota with a 2014 Silverado 1/2 ton with a tow package 5.3 v-8. Did just fine. Oh yea must have equalizer 10.000 lb sway hitch

miagigirl · 07-13-2016, 11:25 PM

We saw that one and liked that it was surprisingly spacious for how small it was. We thought it might be too small for us and our two dogs one being a German Shepard, but looks like we have to compromise somewhere and safety isn't it. I can't thank you all enough for sharing your thoughts and experience.

miagigirl · 07-13-2016, 11:27 PM

Unfortunately, ours is a 4.6 and the Evo is 5540 dry weight so if we have our tow package and all our stuff packed it think we may be pushing the 6,500 lb limit especially in mountainous areas.

aufinger · 07-13-2016, 11:29 PM

My Micro Lite is 3,814 dry with a cargo rating of 978 (GVWR 4,792). The LB has the two bunks which are only suitable for a child. However, the bunks makes a great storage area considering your cabinets will probably be packed full. Larry G.

Note: The above weights are off of my camper. The brochure weights are 3,890 dry, 1,426 CCC (GVWR 5,316).

miagigirl · 07-14-2016, 12:49 AM

I'll check it out. Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a LB?

18CrewDually · 07-14-2016, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miagigirl

I'll check it out. Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a LB?

http://forestriverinc.com/product-de...delID=897#Main

He mentioned Micro-lite so I'm assuming he has this floorplan, 23LB.

aufinger · 07-14-2016, 11:54 AM

[QUOTE=05CrewDually;1258301
He mentioned Micro-lite so I'm assuming he has this floorplan, 23LB.[/QUOTE]

Correct. 23LB is in my signature. Larry

stantyszka · 07-14-2016, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miagigirl

Dang! We've been shopping and shopping. It's been hard to find a TT that we can tow with this now stupid truck! ARG! Thanks for all your input. Any suggestions on a nice TT that we can use that's not more than 6,500lbs loaded? Thanks again all who've helped.

Take a look at the Wildwood X Lite Factory Select Series. Lots of trailers that are in the 3000 pound range. Yes it will be smaller, but it will fall within line of what you can tow, and thus not put you smack in the middle of a sticky situation on the road.

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