F150 Ecoboost towing Rockwood

Sfordt · 03-08-2015, 07:22 PM

We are looking at the Rockwood 8285IKWS, just need to know if my truck can handle it.
Truck is rated for a GCWR of 15,500 lbs with a 355 rear gears. Max tow of 9700 lbs.
Rockwood 8285IKWS has a GVWR OF 9250 lbs, which is pretty close to max of truck.
Will be installing air bags on our truck to aid in the suspension.

Will this work? Or will we be overloading the truck?

SeaHarley · 03-08-2015, 07:29 PM

I just towed my Lacrosse 308RET for 3,500 miles. Our First real trip. My Ford Ecoboost definitely had the power. For me, there was a bit of Trailer Sway when the wind was gusting 30 to 40 knots side winds. A bit crazy! Mostly check by measuring your tongue weight and also consider your cargo weight carried inside the truck.

Sfordt · 03-08-2015, 07:37 PM

It the Lacrosse 308RET a TT?

SeaHarley · 03-08-2015, 08:09 PM

Yes, 32' long Trailer, 35.5' long overall.
9760 GVWR Trailer.
Total weight of Truck and our Trailer measured was 15,300.

Snowsail · 03-09-2015, 03:12 PM

My echoboost pulls my 8280 just fine and I don't have air bags, they wont make you pull more, just ride higher. In my case my f-150 lowers 1-3/4 inches in the back. My 8280 has a pin weight of about 1250lbs. By the way, the 8285 looks great !

Bob Snider · 03-09-2015, 10:14 PM

Remember the term "Towing capacity" is miss leading. A small six cylinder can tow most Travel Trailers, but breaking capacity and stability control is also part of the overall picture.

B and B · 03-09-2015, 10:33 PM

Should do it just fine. Need LT tires for sure, that will stifen up the truck and minimize sway.

cajunrvr · 03-19-2015, 10:07 PM

You'll be fine I pull 8289 with 06 150 super crew with 5.4 and edge programmer slow getting up to speed but will do 80mph (not safe, I know) but had to see. I normally stay at 65 I have airbags also to help with sag

Zolin · 03-20-2015, 10:12 AM

You should be good with that config. I tow a 34.5 foot Rockwood Windjammer 3025 w which weighs 8400 lbs loaded. Tow vehicle is 2010 Supercrew XLT 4x4 with 5.4 liter. 6 speed tranny and 3.55 axle. Rear axle rated 4050 lbs front 3750. GVWR is 7200 lbs and GCWR is 15500. Max tow is 9600 lbs. I did put firestone airbags and Bilstein HD shocks x 4. I use an Equalizer hitch and it tows stable. Your ecoboost torque will have no power issues. You will need to carefully monitor your weights so you don't exceed your GVWR when loaded with fuel, cargo, passengers. You will not have much margin but you can do it if you keep your speed down. I have towed mine 3000 miles last year. I wish I could afford a 3/4 ton, but I am not having any issues thus far. Probably wearing the drivetrain down but all is within specifications. Power is no issue, plenty for me, but I drive 60-62 on interstate while towing. I definitely know that huge tail is back there in windy conditions or on curvy roads but only because it's a half ton truck, not the power train. I did tow it once with a 250 power stroke diesel and it was more solid feeling through the frame. I do not load much gear in the back of my truck since my tongue weight is close to 950 lbs. The girl will pull it though. I expect your ecoboost will get 8-12 mpg pulling your camper depending on how you drive. Those turbos will suck the gas under load as attested in many posts, probably closer to 10. I can get 9 mpg interstate driving 60 mph, moderate terrain. Hope these details gives you some more comparative decision making considerations. Good luck!

copwad · 04-01-2015, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sfordt

We are looking at the Rockwood 8285IKWS, just need to know if my truck can handle it.
Truck is rated for a GCWR of 15,500 lbs with a 355 rear gears. Max tow of 9700 lbs.
Rockwood 8285IKWS has a GVWR OF 9250 lbs, which is pretty close to max of truck.
Will be installing air bags on our truck to aid in the suspension.

Will this work? Or will we be overloading the truck?

That is too close to the max my friend. I had the ecoboost and it was a pulling machine. MY concern is the transmission. If you get in any mountains, you are going to put too much load on the tranny. I personally went to the F250 diesel so I would not have to worry about all of that. If thats not an opition, try a lighter RV.

10Boomer · 04-02-2015, 04:07 AM

I agree to close to max weight, no wiggle room. The tranny temps will be well in the 200 degree area most of the time. Time will not be your friend, something will fail eventually. I have an Eco, 2013, pull TT 5100lbs, well within the weight limitations.

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Mike101 · 04-02-2015, 12:55 PM

If you are buying to be near max then maybe move up a size to ensure extra room. Camping should be stress free so why add to it wondering hmmm, should we put in s second First up awning or yes it would be fun to bring the old college beer fridge but....I think its great Ford and Dodge have kicked it up a notch in towing capacity and feul economy but you have to stop the trailer at some point. and start stop, start stop through traffic and campgounds will take a toll at some point. I pull a 9000 5ver so bought a 2500 that pulls over 13,000 lbs. So with the extra room I got 20 inch tires and the beer fridge..ice maker etc. I know pulling near max is safe becsue its near max not over. But check out the rigs out there, the general rule of thumb is "over kill is not a bad thing" Be comfortable in your choice. Good luck and have fun.

Zolin · 04-02-2015, 01:23 PM

It all depends on what your safety margins are and how much gear you want to carry in your truck, including passengers. Personally, while I do not regret purchasing my Windjammer I am very close to the margins and definitely need a 3/4 ton or larger. While I do not have power issues, my truck is on the lighter side to have a heavier vehicle in tow. Though it is stable towing, there have been some white knuckle moments that I dont think I would have otherwise had in a 3/4. Of course if you plan on just short distance or parking it at the lake or a lot then you could do it no problem. We have not pets or kids to take along so my truck is pretty well empty to avoid going over my GVWR on my F150. Gas it up 36 gallons and that rear axle is very close to its GAWR. Not a margin I would want for long distances. The ecoboost and 3.55 will have sufficient torque, you will just wear things down more quickly, a price I am willing to pay for now till I can upgrade. Wife says no more toys until I sell the airplane.....heck, I still gotta get my boat ready too......too many toys and not enough time or money to play with them all.

stinglejet · 04-02-2015, 03:57 PM

You need to worry about stopping it more than towing with that little truck

Happy Vibe · 04-02-2015, 04:10 PM

You have brakes on the trailer to stop it.

DDC · 04-02-2015, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

You have brakes on the trailer to stop it.

X2, Can't grasp why anyone who actually tows does not realize that the brakes on the trailer do stop the trailer.

OldCoot · 04-02-2015, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

You have brakes on the trailer to stop it.

X2

The_Rhino · 04-02-2015, 06:18 PM

For a number of years I pulled commercial trailers with 1/2, 3/4, & 1 ton trucks. No matter how we had the trailer brake set, the 1/2 ton's brakes would overheat & therefore we ended-up replacing those rotors often. Likewise, we had a lot of issues with commercial 1/2 ton van brakes overheating when the van was loaded near max. In comparison, few problems with 3/4 & 1 ton van brakes...

I'm not sure how today's truck brakes compare... However, after an hour up & down winding hills in Southern Ohio my 3/4 ton's brakes were very hot. I had the TT brakes set on the max & felt I had a lot of stopping power but cannot imagine that same trip with a 1/2 ton.

ejknight · 04-02-2015, 06:34 PM

I have a 2013 EcoBoost pulling a 2014 2703WS TT and it handles it just fine. Sway is not too terriable but its noticeable. Keep an eye on the toung weight. The back 2 slides make it rough in high winds due to the weight. over all I'm satisfied with the way she pulls.

robsshots · 04-02-2015, 06:42 PM

We are towing a Rockwood fifth wheel, 8280WS, weighs in close to 8K lbs. We drive a Ford Ecoboost with heavy duty tow package and 3.73 rear end. The 3.73 makes the difference - we have towed from Ohio to WV to Smokies to Grand Canyon to Phoenix. Now leaving for the Sierra Nevadas and Oregon Coast. Never a hiccup with this truck. Pulls like a champ, handles well, brakes just fine. When not towing (a big consideration for us as that is where we put on all the miles) I am getting 20 MPG combined city highway. You are not allowing enough leeway for towing with what you have. Our F-150 can tow 11,300 lbs, and that makes it comfortable under all conditions.

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