Getting a new 23LB and I have some questions

[hellerbrewing]

First off, I want to make sure my tow vehicle is going handle it alright. I have a 2001 F150 5.4L 4X4 with the off road package. It has the transmission cooler so I am fairly certain is has the towing group. This is the only thing I have been able to find on towing capacity.
I have attached a picture of the door sticker from my F150. Can some of you knowledgeable people help me figure out if this combination is going to be OK?

[TURBS]

Hello and welcome to the forum!


What's the camper specs?


Also you should edit your picture as to not reveal your entire vin number.
Less than shady people may use it for illegal purposes. Just fyi


Turbs

[hellerbrewing]

According to this, that "19" under "Axle" means my axle ratio is 3.55 non-limited slip. I am fairly certain I have the 5.4 though. Is my towing capacity going to be somewhere between the 6100 and the 8300 lbs listed in the previous link?

[hellerbrewing]

Thanks for the heads-up turbo. I have attached the edited image.

Here are the weight specs for the 23LB:

UVW 3,570 lbs.
Hitch Weight 290 lbs.
Axle Weight 3,280 lbs.
Cargo Capacity 1,148 lbs.

Edit: I guess that varies somewhat from what Forest River has on their site:
Dry Hitch Weight 356 lbs.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 3,630 lbs.
GVWR TBA (TBA)
Cargo Carrying Capacity 1,088 lbs.

[Herk7769]

Here are the specs for your truck.

[TURBS]

Actual printed specs may very from actual model depending on options.
Each model is weighed as it comes off the line and sticker is printed and attached.

Your welcome on the heads up!
Just lookin out for ya.


Turbs

[hellerbrewing]

OK, according to the towing guide and the Axle ratio above, it appears that I have an 8,000lb towing capacity. This seems to jive with the link I posted earlier. If I take the UVW of the trailer plus the cargo capacity I get a max of 4718lbs. It appears that I should have plenty of capacity for the trailer loaded with cargo. Does this sound like a reasonable conclusion? Is there anything else I should be aware of?

[ependydad]

More times than not, with 1/2 ton trucks you but up against GVWR of the truck before anything else. From the GVWR (in your case, 6500 pounds), you have to subtract the weight of the truck, the weight of the occupants (driver and passengers), the weight of the stuff you carry in the truck + truck bed (snacks, supplies, firewood, generators, chairs, pool toys) and the weight of whatever hitch hardware you're using (hitch/weigh distribution hitch/etc). The number left over is what you can carry as tongue weight.

The tongue weight of the camper is generally 10%-15% of the trailer's weight. I'd be a bit more cautious and say 12.5%-15% because you don't want too light of a tongue weight. Because no camper weighs the "unloaded vehicle weight", I tend to take the camper's max weight because it's static and unchanging and go from there (e.g. the unloaded vehicle weight + the cargo carrying capacity) = 3,630 lbs. + 1,088 lbs.

This tells me that you'll have a maximum tongue weight of between 472 lbs (at 10%) and 700 lbs (at 15%).

That left over number above - do you have this much weight left?

[hellerbrewing]

Is there a way to determine the weight of the truck? It doesn't appear to be on the sticker. Do I need to take it to the scale?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by hellerbrewing

Is there a way to determine the weight of the truck? It doesn't appear to be on the sticker. Do I need to take it to the scale?

Scale .

[Herk7769]

While this discussion is about 5th wheels; the same applies to travel trailers.

The only big difference is the percent of payload allotted to tongue weight 10% - 15% (not 15% - 25%).

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post323776

[hellerbrewing]

Awesome, thanks for the info! I will run out and get it weighed before I commit to buying the 23LB.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by hellerbrewing

Awesome, thanks for the info! I will run out and get it weighed before I commit to buying the 23LB.

Remember truck needs to be as it would camping
Passengers
Fuel tank full
Wood
Bikes
Gennie
Tools
Coolers
Etc etc etc


Good luck. Let us know .

Turbs

[rschoono289]

One caution: The Flagstaff 23LB can have the optional Murphy bed. If your 23LB has the Murphy bed the hitch weight can be alot higher than listed in the specs. Also need to account for weight of the WDH head (you will need one) My E2 Equalizer weights about 75 lbs for example.

[hellerbrewing]

The one I will be getting does not have the murphy bed. I am opting for the extra storage space. But I guess this could load up the tongue weight as well. I'll have to be careful where I put the heavy stuff.

I was going to if the dealer would give me a discount on the WDH. I looked at the Equalizer on Amazon and was going by their weight of 100lbs. Good to know that it is somewhat less than that. I was also looking at the Anderson 3380. It sounds like it is fairly easy to install and has really good reviews (they could be bogus I guess). Anyone have experience with these? Does it matter that much which one I get or do they all perform about the same?

As far as weighing, I was thinking I would load up the family and fill up with gas to see how much I would have left over. Being that this is my first camper, I am not real sure what all I am going to need. I suppose I can load some the suitcases with dirty laundry, throw some firewood in the back and maybe a cooler full of frozen meat. Maybe the camping equipment I have in the garage. This should give a fairly accurate picture.

[hellerbrewing]

rschoon, are you happy with the equalizer? Does it make any popping noises when you turn?

[rschoono289]

Excellent idea to weigh your TV. Usual limit is the payload on a 1/2 ton. We did a 4750km trip our first year to east coast returning thru east USA. The E2 did a good job of balancing the weight and reducing sway. The curb weight of TV includes full tank of gas and driver (150lbs). i.e. my 2002 Tundra curb was 4518 and GVWR 6036 so payload roughly 1518. But loaded for trip TV = 5542, so payload drops to 494. (available for trailer hitch weight). In my case I travel with a disability scooter about 100 lbs also have tonneau cover on TV. Easy to see how the payload gets consummed. Always good to get actual weights. I used the local dump scales to get low cost weigh in. Best of luck in your travels. btw the 23LB is terrific TT and will give you good service

[rschoono289]

forgot to answer your question on noise from WDH. All of the WDH make noise as they are based on friction (metal to metal interface). You dont need to remove the bars when backing into site using the E2. But they will make noise during low speed turns.

[hellerbrewing]

Ok, so I loaded up the kids, dirty clothes frozen food and some other miscellaneous items. I took it down to the scale and I get 3280 on the front and 2580 on the rear giving me a total of 5860. That leaves me with with about 640 lbs for the tongue weight and the WDH head. Fully loaded I would be pushing it I guess. On the bright side, I think I have about 1000 lbs left on the rear axle rating. You guys think this is cutting it too close?

I talked to the dealer and they will install a A Reese Pro Series 4 control arm (dual friction sway bars) hitch for $400. An equalizer 4-point hitch would run $800 but he said their shop recommends the Reese.

I think it is similar to one of the bottom 3, except with another friction bar.

Trailer Hitches, Hitch Accessories, Hitch Wiring

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by hellerbrewing

On the bright side, I think I have about 1000 lbs left on the rear axle rating.

This means something ONLY if you do not exceed the GVWR of the truck. Not breaking your rear axle will be small comfort when you crack your frame.