Towing a 5ER with an Eco-boost F-150

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

I was just going by the chart here: 2015 Ford F-150 | View Payload Specifications | Ford.com

The largest GVWR I see is 7850 lbs, with the HD payload package. Other years could be different.

Just remember that the 15's are now 700 pounds lighter so GVWR is not necessarily the best indicator. Payload is actually HIGHER in the 15's.

[Max Windjammer]

All I can add is that this is how accidents happen. Allow for the worst case scenario when picking out a tow vehicle. There are other factors beside payload to consider. Your life and the lives of those on the road with you are at risk if you bend safety margins. Bigger is better. Just my opinion. Good luck and safe journey.

[Blaster 84]

I tow with F150 extended cab, with tow package, but not the HD payload package. We tow a Rockwood 8285 fiver and weighs 8500lbs when loaded for our long excursions. This truck has never hesitated no matter what the terrain. But I am at my weight limits and as I look at a newer RV I need to also have a larger truck. Ooops, I should have thought about that before I bought.

I have wondered how the ride would feel when a person compares the weight ratio between RV and truck with a F150 compared to a F250 or F350.

[bld]

we tow a rockwood 8289ws with our 2011 f150 lariat 6.2 engine tows like a dream .
we have a 5.5 box and use reese revolution hitch pin works perfect.
we tow on hwy 401 and 417 no worries 10 k per year
I have talked to lots with the ecoboost they seem happy all admire the 6.2, wish ford would have kept it for 2015

[camiam]

Lots of good feedback. I have what you are inquiring. 2013 F-150,EB Max tow package etc. We pull 31’ Super lite 8582. Yes, the rear axial payload is an issue. The only one. We carefully selected the 5r to match the truck and our needs. We have 200 lbs to spare on the rear axel and 400+ on the front when fully loaded - gas, two riders, dog, gear, but run with empty water tanks. Any extra weight to add goes into the back of the trailer because it’s only 7200 lbs loaded and the truck can pull 11,200. The truck sits level and true with OEM. It pulls away from most gas V8s but not the diesels. I’m happy with our choice after 3000 miles pulling last summer. A cross wind causes the tracking system to engage which is a little hairy until I got used to it. Only happens when passing a bluff. If you don’t intend to go with a larger 5r then do it. We averaged 8.3mpg US but when into a strong headwind she definitely works hard and the fuel consumption drops big time compared to a diesel. That would be different with a TT. Less drag! But the simplicity of gas is worth the trade off in my opinion and the 5r pulls and handles effortlessly compared to a TT. I’m sure some may disagree with me but this is my honest experience. Hope this helps.

[campingwilliamsons]

I had a 2013 Crew Cab, Ecoboost, 2wd, MaxTow/HD Payload. It was ordered and purchased with the requirement that it tow the Fifth Wheel we wanted. Our Trailer was delivered to us @9130 lbs, pin weight ~1400lbs, I figure it is just under 10,000 loaded and rolling (empty grey, black @ 10 gallons and fresh @15 gallons). The truck never lacked for Power, stopping ability, or handling. What it did lack for was Payload. We were @ ~2350lbs of payload, with the truck rated to haul 2428lbs. This is the truck loaded for a week long vacation, everybody in the truck except me.



As I said, it did the job very well. However, after needing 4wd (thankfully without the trailer attached) a few times, it was time for a new truck. The 4wd trucks have a curb weight increase (payload decrease) of ~300lbs. I was not willing to risk it. The truck handled the weight just fine, I was fairly confident the 4x4 version would be equally fine, but I just was not going to worry about it. So I went looking for "3/4 ton" 4x4 crew cab DIESEL trucks. What did I find, they all had payload rating less than my F150! All of them (regardless of brand) were rated @ ~1950 - ~2200 lbs. I looked at a the 1 tons, and for ~$400.00 more, my payload is now 3550lbs (short bed).


Is there a big difference between the F350 and the F150, you bet! But I still contend that with the right trailer and family the F150 is more than suitable for SAFELY towing a modern light weight fifth wheel. That said, if you camp like us, and go on long vacations or go ever other weekend when the weather is right, I think the bigger trucks are right for you.

[campingwilliamsons]

Originally Posted by jaydubya

Just to clarify, a standard f150 has a 7200 gvw. Max-tow is 7700, and HD is 8200. There has been some discussion on the f150 forum that the HD payload package is nothing more than some stiffer springs and 7 lug axleshafts

The springs and the axles are the big difference. The axles are larger spline count and larger diameter. The differential is larger and the ring gear thickness is larger as well. Otherwise, they are the same. However, the axle differences are substantial.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by Walke

I have been looking at the new Lite Fifth Wheel units. I have the Max Tow F-150 Eco-boost 3:73 rear end with the 11,300 lb. rating.
What is the experience of those who have towed the 9000lb Fifth wheel units loaded to 10,000 / 11,000lb with all the "stuff" ? Do you find at the end of the day you should have an F-250?, or is it a relaxing drive without a lot of stress.
I have always towed a 8500lb / 30ft travel trailer loaded with the "stuff", always repacked the bearings with high grade grease, and changed the original tires to Maxxis and always used a Hensley Hitch to make the drive stress free, as we usually do 10,000 miles per year at Interstate speeds.
I would like to hear what you have experienced towing these new Lite weight fifth wheels with your Eco-boost F-150 !!

Never been a issue with us either. We have a Rockwood 8289WS loaded to the gills and we don't even know it is behind the truck. Up hills, down hills, flat towing -no issues whatsoever.

When we were at Goshen this year, we plopped down the $60 to have the weight police scale our rig out. We were 300# over the recommended towing weight. Considering we had bought a ton of stuff, and were carting 3-500 Lbs of stuff from AL to drop off in MI before we returned home AND considering we had overpacked for our 4 week trip to Goshen, we figure we typically travel 500-800LBS under max recommended weight. So, IMO, a F150 with all the trailer towing bells and whistles will tow a lightweight 5er with no problems at all.

[sail2liv]

Less weight of trailer carried by truck, means more weight on trailer tires, kaboom.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by sail2liv

Less weight of trailer carried by truck, means more weight on trailer tires, kaboom.

Which is why you ditch the china bombs and get class D Maxxis or Goodyears

[B and B]

X2 Bama.

[RhoZeta]

There has always been, and I guess always will be, a lot of confusion over "The Towing capabilities of X Truck" I think the biggest thing people have trouble wrapping their heads around is the difference between what it can tow, and payload. Seems a lot of people do not understand (or want to?) what payload is. And it is not all the consumers fault, all the TV ads from the MFG's espouse how much weight they can tow, with the payload and the words "properly configured" in very small print. Hell, look at those stupid Toyota truck ads that were on last year, where they hooked up the space shuttle to a tundra and pulled it 100 yards and then celebrated like they just won the superbowl because they drug it a short distance, on level ground...
A "properly configured Ford Ranger with a 4 cylinder could do it as well due to the fact that zero payload was used other than whatever the tow bar weighed hooked up to the rear bumper.
The data plate on the B pillar is the key to everything, ignore it at your own risk! LOL

[BamaBob]

Payload is really simple: driver+passengers+whatever you have *in* the truc

[another_newfie]

I haul my Crusader around with my trusty 2012 F-150HD (payload just shy of 2200 lb). ZERO issues. 100% OEM on both the rig and the truck. No modifications to anything with the exception of installing the hitch (16K Reese manual slider). I've put about 15,000 towing miles, including a monster trip from Ontario to Key West and back.

I have CAT scaled it and I am within all ratings.

The combo feels 100% fine and I was forced into a PANIC (and I mean PANIC) stop on an Interstate this past summer and I am happy to say that the rig and truck did their job and then some. Came to a straight even stop, with no drama.

[Platokidd]

Good read

Everything You Need to Know About the New Truck Tow Ratings
Personally, I like my 3/4 ton truck and it out tows any other 1/2 ton I have had.(Ford , Chevy and Dodge) I feel safer , handles so much better and all around a better towing experience.
Never had a echo boost, but I understand they are great trucks and all.

Has anybody traded a 3/4 ton f250 for a better towing f150 1/2 ton?

I like to see J2807 be used for all 1/2 3/4 and 1 ton trucks sold

[jaydubya]

Originally Posted by campingwilliamsons

The springs and the axles are the big difference. The axles are larger spline count and larger diameter. The differential is larger and the ring gear thickness is larger as well. Otherwise, they are the same. However, the axle differences are substantial.

I'm not sure that this is true. The axleshafts are interchangeable between the regular and HD axles. A member on f150forum replaced his 7 lug axles with 6 lug so he could use aftermarket rims. That means same diameter, same spline count, same bearings

[DocGTO]

Originally Posted by campingwilliamsons

I had a 2013 Crew Cab, Ecoboost, 2wd, MaxTow/HD Payload. It was ordered and purchased with the requirement that it tow the Fifth Wheel we wanted. Our Trailer was delivered to us @9130 lbs, pin weight ~1400lbs, I figure it is just under 10,000 loaded and rolling (empty grey, black @ 10 gallons and fresh @15 gallons). The truck never lacked for Power, stopping ability, or handling. What it did lack for was Payload. We were @ ~2350lbs of payload, with the truck rated to haul 2428lbs. This is the truck loaded for a week long vacation, everybody in the truck except me.



As I said, it did the job very well. However, after needing 4wd (thankfully without the trailer attached) a few times, it was time for a new truck. The 4wd trucks have a curb weight increase (payload decrease) of ~300lbs. I was not willing to risk it. The truck handled the weight just fine, I was fairly confident the 4x4 version would be equally fine, but I just was not going to worry about it. So I went looking for "3/4 ton" 4x4 crew cab DIESEL trucks. What did I find, they all had payload rating less than my F150! All of them (regardless of brand) were rated @ ~1950 - ~2200 lbs. I looked at a the 1 tons, and for ~$400.00 more, my payload is now 3550lbs (short bed).


Is there a big difference between the F350 and the F150, you bet! But I still contend that with the right trailer and family the F150 is more than suitable for SAFELY towing a modern light weight fifth wheel. That said, if you camp like us, and go on long vacations or go ever other weekend when the weather is right, I think the bigger trucks are right for you.

Good info but I think the payload specs may be a little off. I know on my 2014 chevy 2500hd CCSB 4x4 it is 2800lbs and the 3500 SRW is 4264. The only difference are the rear spring packs. I did the on board air with the Firestone 5k bags so I get the 3/4 ride and 1 ton capability.

[campingwilliamsons]

Originally Posted by DocGTO

Good info but I think the payload specs may be a little off. I know on my 2014 chevy 2500hd CCSB 4x4 it is 2800lbs and the 3500 SRW is 4264. The only difference are the rear spring packs. I did the on board air with the Firestone 5k bags so I get the 3/4 ride and 1 ton capability.

Is that by the door jamb sticker or the brochure/propoganda? Also, gas or diesel engine?
My experience was based on door jamb stickers on diesel equipped trucks.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by another_newfie

I haul my Crusader around with my trusty 2012 F-150HD (payload just shy of 2200 lb). ZERO issues. 100% OEM on both the rig and the truck. No modifications to anything with the exception of installing the hitch (16K Reese manual slider). I've put about 15,000 towing miles, including a monster trip from Ontario to Key West and back.

I have CAT scaled it and I am within all ratings.

The combo feels 100% fine and I was forced into a PANIC (and I mean PANIC) stop on an Interstate this past summer and I am happy to say that the rig and truck did their job and then some. Came to a straight even stop, with no drama.

It can be done with the right configurations. You have done your homework and it works.

[taken]

Originally Posted by campingwilliamsons

Is that by the door jamb sticker or the brochure/propoganda? Also, gas or diesel engine?
My experience was based on door jamb stickers on diesel equipped trucks.

The problem with the stickers, at least with Fords like you and I have, is that the 250 is de-rated from the factory. If you order a 250 with the camper package (which adds the upper overload spring that is standard on the 350), it is 100% identical to the 350 SRW. Axles, brakes, frame, differentials, springs, etc. all the same. From 2011 to mid 2014 there were shorter 2" spacer blocks in the rear but as of late 2014-2015 even those are the same between the 250 and 350.