Ultra Lite TT Suggestions

[AlanC]

Hello,

My wife and I are in the market for an ultra lite TT that we can tow with a 2015 Ford F-150 Supercrew with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine in Colorado.

We are looking at the Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S and the Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BHS.

These appear to be the same floor plan and I'm wondering if either one is better than the other for any reason? I'm assuming the construction is the same on both.

We have a family of two adults and two teenage girls. Are there any other similar TT's that we should consider? We're trying to stay under 8000 lbs GVWR.

Thanks!

Alan

[Mountndream]

They roll off the same production line with Different decals. There is no difference

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Hello,

My wife and I are in the market for an ultra lite TT that we can tow with a 2015 Ford F-150 Supercrew with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine in Colorado.

We are looking at the Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S and the Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BHS.

These appear to be the same floor plan and I'm wondering if either one is better than the other for any reason? I'm assuming the construction is the same on both.

We have a family of two adults and two teenage girls. Are there any other similar TT's that we should consider? We're trying to stay under 8000 lbs GVWR.

Thanks!

Alan

What other options do you have on your Truck? Several forum members who have a Ecoboost with the Max Trailer towing package and a 3.73 Axel have had NO problems towing ultralight 5th wheels in the Rockies.

This rig might fit your needs IF your truck is properly equipped:
Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite Fifth Wheels / Travel Trailers by Forest River RV

I am pushing you toward a fifth wheel because they tow SO much better than a TT - especially in the mountains and hills

[Mowgli64]

Welcome to the forum.

Up to 8000 lbs opens up a lot of options in the ultra/x-lite lines, it just depends on what your needs are. Take the family and sit in many different models. I started with the FR web site to get model numbers that looked like they would fit my needs and then searched for dealers that had them. We also went to some RV shows, a lot of RV's in one place.

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

What other options do you have on your Truck?

We haven't actually bought the truck yet.

We're looking at a 2015 F-150 Supercrew 4x4 5.5' with the 3.5 Ecoboost and with 3.55 gears and the regular towing package.

Ford won't put 3.73s in the particular trim combination we want, so I'm thinking I might do some aftermarket 4.10s.

If I want the Max Towing Package I would likely have to order it.

From Ford's towing guide, it looks like the main difference between the Max Tow (53C) and the regular towing package (53A) is:

• Upgraded rear axle
• Upgraded rear bumper
• Trailer brake controller

The truck we're looking at has the integrated brake controller.

I'm certainly open to the idea of a 5th wheel, but the ones I'm seeing on the Forest River web site are all over 9000 lbs GVWR. I was thinking of trying to stay under 8000 since that would give me roughly 20% safety margin. I think the tow rating on the truck we are looking at is either 10700 or 11500.

[itat]

Does the standard towing package include the big towing mirrors? Now that I have them I wouldn't want to be without them - towing or not. For me, hands down, they are the nicest feature on my F-150.

As with any 1/2 ton pickup, the tow rating is not going to be your biggest limitation - payload is. If you want a 20% safety margin, you won't be able to get that with a 5th wheel unless you find something like a 24 footer. Personally, anything I would want would require a 3/4 ton partly because of pin weight and partly because I have a family of 5 including 3 teenage sons in the back seat of the truck.

The F-150 you're looking at wil be more than capable of towing the Mini Lite and Micro Lite models through the mountains but I'd go with the max. towing package in case you want to upgrade to a larger TT later on. Just know that the Eco Boost won't get any better MPG than a 5.0L engine when towing.

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by itat

Does the standard towing package include the big towing mirrors? Now that I have them I wouldn't want to be without them - towing or not. For me, hands down, they are the nicest feature on my F-150.

They are a $165 option regardless of the towing package.

I've located several trucks in Denver that have the max tow and the mirrors.

Thanks for all of the replies and advice!

[itat]

Originally Posted by AlanC

They are a $165 option regardless of the towing package.

I've located several trucks in Denver that have the max tow and the mirrors.

Thanks for all of the replies and advice!

In previous years the towing mirrors were included in the max. tow package. Are you sure the $165 isn't to upgrade to the new power folding mirrors that used to be exclusive to the 3/4 ton and heavier duty models?

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by itat

In previous years the towing mirrors were included in the max. tow package. Are you sure the $165 isn't to upgrade to the new power folding mirrors that used to be exclusive to the 3/4 ton and heavier duty models?

Using the Build and Price tool on the Ford web site, the two mirror options are:

Body-Color Power-Folding/Power Glass Mirrors
Heated PowerFold/Power Glass Mirrors are body-coloured and come with a turn signal, memory and Auto-Dimming feature (Driver's Side). Standard on LARIAT & King Ranch®.

Power Trailer Tow Mirrors $165
Heated Power Telescoping/Power Glass/Power-Folding Trailer Tow Mirrors* come with a turn signal, memory, auto-dimming feature (driver's side), high-intensity LED puddle lamps and left-right side LED spot lights.

*Standard on LARIAT with Black Skull caps; body-colored skull caps with the Mid 501A Equipment Group and Chrome skull caps with the Luxury 502A Equipment Group.

[schrederman]

If you're set on an F-150, go to the trouble to get the tow max package. My '11 F-150 didn't have it and I always wished it did. I was towing between 6200 and 7000 most of the time. I would never buy another F-150 without it. However with my current rig... that's a different subject. I have some clip-op mirrors for towing with my F-150. They were worth the money but the factory ones are much better. Camping is a great way to keep in touch with your kids. I wish you the very best with it.

[dbarr]

The extra large tow mirrors with the flat glass on the right side are $275
Just picked mine up. I thought I read somewhere that Ford claims that the 5.5ft bed will pull a 5er but currently no one manufactures a 5er that is compatible with the 5.5ft bed. Didn't apply to me so I didn't pay much attention to it.



Sent from space

[tragusa3]

Is the integrated brake controller available without the MaxTow? What about the tranny cooler and larger radiator?

[itat]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Using the Build and Price tool on the Ford web site, the two mirror options are:

Body-Color Power-Folding/Power Glass Mirrors
Heated PowerFold/Power Glass Mirrors are body-coloured and come with a turn signal, memory and Auto-Dimming feature (Driver's Side). Standard on LARIAT & King Ranch®.

Power Trailer Tow Mirrors $165
Heated Power Telescoping/Power Glass/Power-Folding Trailer Tow Mirrors* come with a turn signal, memory, auto-dimming feature (driver's side), high-intensity LED puddle lamps and left-right side LED spot lights.

*Standard on LARIAT with Black Skull caps; body-colored skull caps with the Mid 501A Equipment Group and Chrome skull caps with the Luxury 502A Equipment Group.

Check with your Ford salesperson but I suspect the non-power folding towing mirrors are included with the max. tow package. The power folding mirrors are an upgrade that includes a different switch.

The non-power towing mirrors on my 2009 are telescopic and fold but you have to get out and do both things manually. The only power they have is for angle adjustment and the heat pads on the back of the mirror.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by tragusa3

Is the integrated brake controller available without the MaxTow? What about the tranny cooler and larger radiator?

Well, this seems to have turned into an F150 thread, so . . .

Don't judge anything on the 2015 based on what you thought about the 11-14 models. One of these things is not like the other . . .

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by itat

Check with your Ford salesperson . . .

Be VERY careful in what you believe that these people tell you. It has been proven many times on the F150Ecoboost site that they rarely know what they are selling or just plain lie to sell the truck.


The best way is to enter your VIN in this site. Then click the arrow that says "Minor Features" for the real deal on your truck. You would be amazed how many stealerships told owners they have Max Tow when they really have the lesser package.


http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do

[KDHfan]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Hello,



My wife and I are in the market for an ultra lite TT that we can tow with a 2015 Ford F-150 Supercrew with the 3.5L Ecoboost engine in Colorado.



We are looking at the Rockwood Mini Lite 2504S and the Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BHS.



These appear to be the same floor plan and I'm wondering if either one is better than the other for any reason? I'm assuming the construction is the same on both.



We have a family of two adults and two teenage girls. Are there any other similar TT's that we should consider? We're trying to stay under 8000 lbs GVWR.



Thanks!



Alan

Since you asked about travel trailers... I suggest with two teens, you might want to consider full size bunk beds rather than the twins... Or there's a chance you'll be searching again in a year or two for something a littler roomier (trust me, I wish I would have taken that advice).

Here's our new one (we previously had the Rockwood 2306 but the bunks got too tight for the kiddos, among other things)... Shouldn't have any issue towing with an F-150 with tow package...

http://www.coachmenrv.com/product-de...delID=292#Main


2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[itat]

OP does not have a truck so he does not have a VIN. He has to rely on the salesperson and the stickers on vehicles on the lot.

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by itat

OP does not have a truck so he does not have a VIN. He has to rely on the salesperson and the stickers on vehicles on the lot.

Well, since every truck on the lot has a VIN, no he doesn't. Enter the one you are interested in. iPhone and Android work wonders.

[Bunkhouse]

X2 on the Apex 288bhs, we tow with a 2014 F150 ecoboost with no issues.

[Mowgli64]

You could look at the 262BH in Salem Cruise lite or Wildwood X-Lite.
We have the 271RBXL which is about same size and weight and tow with a 2013 F150 Eco boost with standard tow package. I purchased Cipa extension mirrors for it and they work fine.