Half ton towing concern

[rld_42]

Just bought an 8314 Rockwood travel trailer (dealer is storing until April) and have a 2010 F150 super crew with a 5.4liter and 3.55 gears. Is this going to be too much camper for my pickup? Dealer says no. Camper has a dry weight of 5981 lbs and is 34ft hitch to spare tire. Would really like feedback from others with a similar set up.

[BigRed]

Yuor going to open pandora's box with this question. So I have a 2010 F-150 Super Crew,5.4 w/3.73 gears w/tow package,not the heavy tow package(4.10gears). We have have a Rockwood Windjammer (34'). We have pulled it up and down the east coast, with no problems,even in the mountains of the east coast(I-81 & I-77NC). We did however only drive 55-60mph. It is a long package when hooked together. Be carefull when pulling in for re-fuels etc. If you think safety as #1 and use caution you'll be OK! (we used tow-haul mode when pulling all the time). In a perfect world would I have liked more of a truck Ex(F-250 or F-350 diesel) But i couldnt justify the added cost for the other 45-weeks a year for normal driving.(work,around town etc.). I also (big reason) bought the truck before the camper. It works for us! Alot of people will tell you or are going to tell you it not enough truck to pull that TT,Ours is 8750 Lbs (+)Windjammer/ Equalizer 4pt-anti sway control hitch(you'll need that or simular hitch). As I said though your right at the limit for your truck, so drive safe !! When I figure out where the money tree is, I'll up grade. Im going to get killed this year if gas goes to $5/gal this summer. Might be doing alot of driveway camping!! Have fun !! Enjoy !!

[grhodes50]

When I purchased my 8315ss I had an '07 F-150 with the 5.4 V8 and 3:55 gears. As far as power goes it did alright, but then I only have a few hills to climb.
The problem I did have with the truck was the payload. The 8315ss is a front kitchen model and had a dry tongue weight of 953 lbs. By the time I loaded the trailer I was at or over my payload capacity. Had a couple of white knuckle driving experiences in rain and high wind gusts.
The model you have has a dry tongue weight that's a about 200 lbs less, so you may not experience what I did.

Good luck and happy camping!

[LadyWindrider]

As I have said on other post that are similar to this, after you done spent your money, is no time to ask the question. Also if the dealer already said you could tow it, then why are you asking here? Sorry, I realize this is your first post, so first off WELCOME. Your truck will be close in normal driving, not enough in wind, hills, emergency situations. If you can't afford to replace it, then it doesn't matter. If you can, get a bigger and longer truck.

[Timmy]

I have a 32' TT that weighs in at about 8000 ready to camp. I tow with a 2008 1/2 ton chevy w/ 3.73. I have a good brake controller and us the equal-i-zer hitch. I am comfortable with this set up. You will know its there and will not win any races but you will be fine. Now if your plan a coast to coast trip over the mountains i would look at getting a bigger TV.

You are going to have alot of peolpe tell you that you need a 3/4 or 1 ton but it really comes down to what you are comfortable with and since you already pulled the trigger...

[rld_42]

Thanks, we are in South Dakota and all of our trips will be less than 1.5 hours. We won't be in any hurry and most of eastern South Dakota is flat. We had a TT that was 5 feet shorter and 900lbs lighter that we had no trouble with at all. With the weather this time of year I was looking to lessen my anxiety with some answers from people that may have similar TT's and tow vehicles.

[crocus]

As long as you're on the flats and keep your speed down, you shouldn't have too much trouble. There are some who pull a lot more than you, and do it way too fast. Those are the dolts you see mangled in the ditch.
Be cautious, and enjoy the new camper!

[rockwood06]

I tow the same rig, but it s a 2006 8414ss (one slider) 6,600 dry weight and fully loaded 7,910.

I tow with a 2008 Chevy Heavy Duty 1/2 ton, 6.0 gas engine, 4:10 rear, 4 speed heavy duty auto trans, heavy duty tow package, factory brake controller, and is rated to tow 10,500 lbs. The brakes on the truck are the same 4 wheel disc that are on the 2500 HD, this is all factory. I have no problem towing the 8314ss, this truck tows better then my 1997 GMC 3/4 ton Suburban and that had the 5.7 gas engine but it did have a 4:10 rear in it.

Wheel base will make a difference for control, the chevy truck has a 144" wheel base and the Suburban had a 130" wheel base.

The other important thing is the hitch system, i use the Reese Duel Cam WDS control system, it has worked for me now for the past 11 years with both the Suburban and the 2008 truck.

[CDENsomnia]

My only comment would be to make sure you have a weight distributing hitch. I had a TT that was around 8300lbs all loaded up and didn't have the WD hitch on my 2009 F250 SuperCrew with the HD towing package (4.10) which I really regretted once I took it on the highway the first time.

[rockwood06]

Here is a pic of my hitch system on the 2008 heavy duty 1/2 ton pick up.