towing 30WFKSS w/ an f150

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by timfromma

Rather than can you tow it, you should be asking can you stop it quickly in an emergency?

Good point. Though with correctly functioning trailer brakes, I'd think that as long as you stay within the manufacturers published weights for the truck you should be good, right?

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by m35a2

Good point. Though with correctly functioning trailer brakes, I'd think that as long as you stay within the manufacturers published weights for the truck you should be good, right?

Yes, stay within your specifications and you're fine.

[Dennis and Julie]

OK since the weight police are giving you a hard time, I'm gonna chime in. This was my trailer and I towed it with a 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 with a 6.0 vortec max with a 3.73 gear ratio, I towed it up and down 1804 many times every season, took it to Ft. Stevenson and to Grahams Island several times with no issues. Watch your speed 55mph on 1804 and between 60 and 65 on Highway 2. You should be fine. Also we used left and right sway control with all the truck traffic around here.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Dennis and Julie

OK since the weight police are giving you a hard time, I'm gonna chime in. This was my trailer and I towed it with a 2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 with a 6.0 vortec max with a 3.73 gear ratio, I towed it up and down 1804 many times every season, took it to Ft. Stevenson and to Grahams Island several times with no issues. Watch your speed 55mph on 1804 and between 60 and 65 on Highway 2. You should be fine. Also we used left and right sway control with all the truck traffic around here.

First let me say Im not a member of any "weight police". What I am is a professional Helicopter Pilot. As such I deal with weight and balance issues all day every day.

The manufacturers of your vehicle listed a Max GVWR for a reason. That reason is the safety of the persons in the towing vehicle they produced as well as all the other persons on the road near their vehicle while it is on the road.

If you exceed the weight limitations, you will be able to get away with it, Im sure. BUT, just like the helicopters I fly, if an emergency situation arises you will be in a much poorer position to get yourself out of trouble.

Personally I detest the phrase, "You should be fine." as it relates to my safety and my life. After all, you are betting your very life when you overload any vehicle or flying machine.

Just my 2 cents worth

[youroo]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

First let me say Im not a member of any "weight police". What I am is a professional Helicopter Pilot. As such I deal with weight and balance issues all day every day.

The manufacturers of your vehicle listed a Max GVWR for a reason. That reason is the safety of the persons in the towing vehicle they produced as well as all the other persons on the road near their vehicle while it is on the road.

If you exceed the weight limitations, you will be able to get away with it, Im sure. BUT, just like the helicopters I fly, if an emergency situation arises you will be in a much poorer position to get yourself out of trouble.

Personally I detest the phrase, "You should be fine." as it relates to my safety and my life. After all, you are betting your very life when you overload any vehicle or flying machine.

Just my 2 cents worth

Yes! Youroo!!

[youroo]

Towing that unit with a "UNMODIFIED 1/2 Ton" is No Fun! We have a F/K V-Lite as ask about by the OP! Even with a 2500HD you still need and Want WD and S/C as well as LR E Tires on TV! I have never seen a Post asking "Is My 3/4 Ton Tow Vehicle Too MUCH for my TT"! Youroo!!

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

First let me say Im not a member of any "weight police". What I am is a professional Helicopter Pilot. As such I deal with weight and balance issues all day every day.

The manufacturers of your vehicle listed a Max GVWR for a reason. That reason is the safety of the persons in the towing vehicle they produced as well as all the other persons on the road near their vehicle while it is on the road.

If you exceed the weight limitations, you will be able to get away with it, Im sure. BUT, just like the helicopters I fly, if an emergency situation arises you will be in a much poorer position to get yourself out of trouble.

Personally I detest the phrase, "You should be fine." as it relates to my safety and my life. After all, you are betting your very life when you overload any vehicle or flying machine.

Just my 2 cents worth

Originally Posted by youroo

Yes! Youroo!!

X3!

[larryo]

I'm sure that the truck is more than capable. Ask your insurance agent if you are covered if you truck is over the GVWR sticker on the door. That may answer your question.

[TT233S]

Without knowing ur payload, we cant tell if the truck is capable to tow this......So please post ur payload!!!!!


My guess is ur over and you shouldn't tow it but we will see!!!!!



I've read posts on a Ford forum that a Ford Raptor can pull a house - but in the real world it should not because the payload on most Raptor is around 1100 - which is just enough for four - five big guys in the Raptor ONLY!!!!!

[pbrown1988]

I think something to keep in mind also, is even though your truck may be capable, are you comfortable with it? Meaning, how much experience do you have with hauling a trailer? I'm not assuming that you are not experienced, but it's something to keep in mind. In emergency stops, heavy downpours, fast flow traffic, snow/ice...etc experience trumps everything. I was returning our TT to our storage yard a few weeks ago and noticed the owner was with a new customer who was trying to back in his new 5th wheel into a spot (open lot with nothing around) and just could not get it backed in. I helped the guy out, but encouraged him to spend some time in an empty parking somewhere at some point soon and just practice backing in and getting a feel for the trailer. My point is, make sure no matter what your truck is capable of, YOU are comfortable also.

[tragusa3]

I love my combo and tow about 1500 pounds less than OP is wanting to. On one hand, I couldn't ask for anything more, but on the other, I'd move up in truck at the OP's weight.

My opinion has less to do with the trucks capabilities and more to do with my personal comfort level. Many have the 80% rule, but I like it closer to 60% (which is where I am).

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by pbrown1988

... experience trumps everything. ...

In some circumstances perhaps.

If you are trying to pull a 5'er with a Yugo, no amount of experience makes it safe. I guess a lot of "can I pull it?" scenarios fall into this category.

If you know (for example) that your 3/4 ton is the same as the 1 ton except for the badge (not always the case!), then that's a different story. Someone with that level of knowledge probably knows what she's about and wouldn't be seeking forum opinions in the first place.

[SeaDog]

The forum is a great place for folks that don't have the experience and should ask questions the sales person might not know or be willing to loose a sale over truthfully answering.

I'm a firm believer if you haven't towed a trailer you should rent a small trash trailer/uhaul and practice backing into parking stalls (empty lot) and in a straight line between cones. The lessons learned with the short trailer will make the larger TT a piece of cake.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

The forum is a great place for folks that don't have the experience and should ask questions the sales person might not know or be willing to loose a sale over truthfully answering.

I'm a firm believer if you haven't towed a trailer you should rent a small trash trailer/uhaul and practice backing into parking stalls (empty lot) and in a straight line between cones. The lessons learned with the short trailer will make the larger TT a piece of cake.

One of the reasons I love this forum is the wealth of experience here. Pretty much any upgrade I've considered, someone has done and posted about their experience.

Thank you all for sharing! I'm always learning something here and I'm grateful for it.

[pbrown1988]

If you try pulling a 5th wheel with a Yugo, you have no experience with a trailer, supporting my comment of experience trumps everything. My point was, with truck capability set aside (and I do not advocate towing more than factory specs allow) if you do not feel comfortable, it doesn't matter what your truck can do. I see it all too often, people buying bigger than they are comfortable with because John Doe at the dealer told them they will have no issues.

I do not want this to sound negative, I encourage people to get out there and camp and have a great time.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by pbrown1988

If you try pulling a 5th wheel with a Yugo, you have no experience with a trailer, supporting my comment of experience trumps everything. My point was, with truck capability set aside (and I do not advocate towing more than factory specs allow) if you do not feel comfortable, it doesn't matter what your truck can do. I see it all too often, people buying bigger than they are comfortable with because John Doe at the dealer told them they will have no issues.

I do not want this to sound negative, I encourage people to get out there and camp and have a great time.

Ah I get ya now! I misinterpreted what you posted before.

[Handy2016]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

The forum is a great place for folks that don't have the experience and should ask questions the sales person might not know or be willing to loose a sale over truthfully answering.

I'm a firm believer if you haven't towed a trailer you should rent a small trash trailer/uhaul and practice backing into parking stalls (empty lot) and in a straight line between cones. The lessons learned with the short trailer will make the larger TT a piece of cake.

I ran a Campground for 20 years. I lost count how many trailers I backed in for the Campers. If you can't back it up you shouldn't be driving forward.
I like your idea on learning on a short one first. We all know the longer the easier.

[tcburch]

I'm not sure what backing up has to do with anything. I'd just never towed anything that close to that heavy with my f150, and wondered what other people were doing out there.

Anyways, the combo pulls fine and is stable. We did trade the f150 in for a ram 2500. My wife doesn't really have any towing experience at all, and couldn't get over the light front end feeling with the f150. The 2500 is much more comfortable for her (and me).

[pbrown1988]

Originally Posted by tcburch

I'm not sure what backing up has to do with anything. I'd just never towed anything that close to that heavy with my f150, and wondered what other people were doing out there.

Anyways, the combo pulls fine and is stable. We did trade the f150 in for a ram 2500. My wife doesn't really have any towing experience at all, and couldn't get over the light front end feeling with the f150. The 2500 is much more comfortable for her (and me).

Well congrats on the purchases! Sounds like you made a wise decision, I've never heard anyone complain that they've had too much truck to haul their camper!

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by tcburch

I'm not sure what backing up has to do with anything. I'd just never towed anything that close to that heavy with my f150, and wondered what other people were doing out there.

Anyways, the combo pulls fine and is stable. We did trade the f150 in for a ram 2500. My wife doesn't really have any towing experience at all, and couldn't get over the light front end feeling with the f150. The 2500 is much more comfortable for her (and me).

Hmm. Did you have a weight distribution hitch?