F150 As Tow Vehicle

Living_The_Dream · 08-13-2016, 01:51 AM

Recently bought a 2016 F150 Crew Cab with 5.5' bed 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.55's and tow package. . Own a Class C RV and never thought about towing a travel trailer. Mainly bought to tow a tractor on rare occasions. Truck is rated to tow 11,800 and payload with the current tires is 1650.

We started looking at a replacement RV and now are looking hard at Travel Trailers. Should I even consider looking at a trailer with a GVWR over 10k? I started looking at 5-6k under 30ft, but now have the itch to go up in size and quality.

I am prepared to get better tires, a good WD hitch and sway control. I know the truck has the power to pull it. My tractor and trailer are close to 10k.

I would have bought more truck, but alas, am stuck with what I have.

Rrickim63 · 08-13-2016, 05:18 AM

Be careful with the payload capabilities..

CWSWine · 08-13-2016, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Living_The_Dream

Mainly bought to tow a tractor on rare occasions. Truck is rated to tow 11,800 and payload with the current tires is 1650.

That 1650 is not your tire rating its your truck rating, replacing tires doesn't increase that rating nor do adding air bags or helper springs. Look at the rating on your hitch it should be on the side of the hitch. It probably only rated to 1200 lbs. The ideal tongue weight is around 12.5% of GVWR so 10,000 would be a tongue weight of 1250lbs and if it was high side of 15% it would be 1500lbs.

Here is a video put out by the RVSEF (RV Safety and Education Foundation) in how to match your Truck to the RV. It shows how the numbers relate to each other. These guys have been doing this since 1993 and weight thousand of RV.

Matching Trucks to Trailers

Safety is critical when towing an RV Trailer. This training video discusses the importance of understanding a Truck's ratings and how these ratings limit the size of the trailer that can be safely towed. You will be provided the tools and basic understanding needed to assist your endeavor to properly match a truck and trailer, so that you can enjoy RVing safely.

Rrickim63 · 08-13-2016, 07:35 AM

Awesome video

B and B · 08-13-2016, 07:41 AM

Been there myself. I would limit the tongue weight to match the combined weight of the passengers, hitch, gear in truck bed and the tongue weight combined. I would stay south of 1,000 lbs tongue weight for sure. I had 900 lbs and it was loaded to the max with 2 adults and minimal gear in the bed.

Rrickim63 · 08-13-2016, 09:32 AM

I recently purchased a used f150 with similar payload. These fords tend to get squashed easily in rear if overloaded.

B and B · 08-13-2016, 09:38 AM

LT tires add stability to the F 150 but run really rough dry. They do not add payload.

Living_The_Dream · 08-13-2016, 10:23 AM

Great info. I am aware that tires won't change the ratings. Just a bit of peace of mind for stability should the factory tires be a little spongy. I realize that I cannot improve the rated capacity.

Believe me, I am kicking myself for not getting a better tow vehicle.

Hitch is rated at 11,000 with 1,110 tongue weight.

Great video! Good thing phones come with a calculator. :-)

Off to the scale.

CWSWine · 08-13-2016, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Living_The_Dream

Great info. I am aware that tires won't change the ratings. Just a bit of peace of mind for stability should the factory tires be a little spongy. I realize that I cannot improve the rated capacity.

Believe me, I am kicking myself for not getting a better tow vehicle.

Hitch is rated at 11,000 with 1,110 tongue weight.

Great video! Good thing phones come with a calculator. :-)

Off to the scale.

So if you have the ideal 12.5% tongue weight that would about 8800 max TT weight to stay with the 1,110 your hitch max tongue weight.

So it was on the high side with a 15% tongue weight that would 7400 max TT weight to stay within the 1,110 your hitch Max tongue weight.

Then if you have add 100 lbs for hitch and 400 for passengers and other stuff you be close to your max payload.

TreeLady · 08-13-2016, 12:20 PM

Good web site

RV Tow Check | Salesperson Fact Checker

Threegaleh · 08-13-2016, 12:45 PM

We tow a 28BH grey wolf with the F150 3.5 Eco boost and it's fine. No lugging actually tows quite nice. I drove it last year for the first time and had never towed in my life and I was surprised how comfortable it was. Now backing up for me .....nope, give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around!!

PS this has the tow package. My husband worked for Ford (Chevy man) and he says the fords are the best trucks out there, in his opinion. I drive this truck every day and I love it.....the Eco boost is fine no problems with it. This is the 5th Ford truck we've owned. Hubby has a 2015 mine is 2014. A little eccentric

Ian Walker · 08-13-2016, 12:52 PM

When I bought my trailer (GVWR 8600 pounds) I first called Toyota to see what Exactly my Toyota Tundra 5.7L with tow package could pull. The Toyota Towing Guru said I could tow 11,300 pounds & that verifies in my
manual.
Before I bought my truck I looked at the F-150 Eco-boost but it's a 6 cylinder engine and at the time (2012)unproven long term.

bsmith001 · 08-13-2016, 12:57 PM

I have the same vehicle. I pull 38 ft lacrosse, loaded 10k at 65mph. In July along gulf coast trans runs 204 deg, 9 mpg. I just maintain enough distance between vehicle ahead of me. I use Reese dual cam hitch. I pulled it from San Antonia to Destin with no problem.

rlocicero · 08-13-2016, 12:59 PM

We tow a 2010 Flagstaff 829FKSS TT with our 2014 F150 crew ecoboost max tow 3.73 e rated 10 ply tires just fine. Factory shipped wt is 6313 lb.. We have towed this tt about 15000 since 2010, all with tow equipped F150's in all driving conditions except the Rockies.. The ecoboost is, by far, the best out of all three trucks.

Harkerr · 08-13-2016, 01:05 PM

In my opinion I would stay under 6000 pounds. The F 150 is not up to heavy towing and you will be unhappy. It is designed for nice ride and light hauling.

Martsing · 08-13-2016, 01:08 PM

Here we go............

Retired JSO · 08-13-2016, 01:12 PM

I believe there are several TT out their light enough for your f-150. I would be cautious with the 3:55 rear gear.

CWSWine · 08-13-2016, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Walker

When I bought my trailer (GVWR 8600 pounds) I first called Toyota to see what Exactly my Toyota Tundra 5.7L with tow package could pull. The Toyota Towing Guru said I could tow 11,300 pounds & that verifies in my
manual.
Before I bought my truck I looked at the F-150 Eco-boost but it's a 6 cylinder engine and at the time (2012)unproven long term.

That 11,300 tow rating is just one number, you have to look at all the numbers to determind if safe to tow. My F350 Diesel has tow capacity of 15,900 but right on my hitch there is a sticker that says max tongue weight of 1250 lbs. Ideal tongue weight is 12.5% so if I use the 15,900 towing capacity the tongue weight would be 1987 lbs tongue weight or 737 lbs over my max hitch weight ratings. If I use the 12.5% ideal tongue weight the max TT I could pull with my F350 1 ton diesel would be 10,000 lbs. Your 11,300 lbs tow rating would mean your hitch rating at 12.5% would have to be 1412lbs.

Your hitch ratings are listed on the label on the side of your hitch.

jcnobile · 08-13-2016, 02:42 PM

I'm still considered a newbie. We purchased a new camper 8312ss in 2014. At the time I had a 2007 f150 5.4l extended cab with 6 1/2 bed (145.5wheel base). My camper is 7300 dry weight with 700 tongue weight. Having said that the camper weight more than the truck and it pushed and pulled my truck around while driving. It wasn't fun. I was doing the white knuckle driving. Told wife if we are going to travel around , we need a bigger truck. Also wanted to feel safer when carying family around, 4 yr daughter, wife, and my dog. Recently bought a used 2013 f350 4 door long bed srw diesel. I love it and never regret going to a diesel. I found out by my experience that the longer the wheel base the better, also I think it's better if your pulling more than 6k for a long time go diesel. Also you'll get the guys saying the Mpg's aren't as good in a diesel, my theory on that is its only a couple dollars more to run and My opinion it's worth every cent feeling safer and more relaxed driving.

justpassinthru · 08-13-2016, 07:21 PM

Hi guys , just see alot of posts on the F150 eco boost, shows tow capacity of 11,500 lbs trailer weight which is correct. Can testify I owned the same vehicle. My 33 ft trailer is bumper pull dry weight of 6782lbs and have been using it from November last year till July of this year meaning the F150. And then took our 1st long trip from Atlanta Ga to Orlando Fl and it pulled just fine down and back, BUT when got back home needed to bring F150 vehicle to dealer because engine was racing alot without towing anything just under normal everyday driving and the front end when braking had a shaking vibration to it. Well long and behold my rotors needed turning and the computer needed calibration now keep in mind the is a vehicle with only 6200 miles yes 6200 not 62000. Now being said i was extremely discouraged and with great thought i decided to take the hit now and upgrade to the F350 Diesel King Ranch. Hard hit but now im secure, and man like day and night. No sway, no turbos racing wild, just smooth confident driving, and peace of mind. I look at it this way one day I'll probably get the 5th wheel trailer and the tow vehicle wont even be a concern. So my Attachment 117153suggestion is dont go small on tow vehicle and want big on travel trailer. I know how much i lost in $$$ only to learn a lesson. so my advice get the most truck you can get better to have overkill than be unsafe.

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