F150 Supercrew 3.73 rear real world towing

[ryanr12076]

I just purchased an 08 Ford F150 Screw 3.73 rear. According to what i found i am capable of towing 9200lbs.. Now im not sure exactly how thats calculated.. Reason i ask is I just also bought a 2012 Polomino Puma 295-KBH 5th wheel. 5.5' bed. Supposedly im getting an extended goose neck to accommodate the short bed. this thing is huge, however the deal insists i will be fine since i am mainly on the east coast not towing up many steep roads etc. Should i be ok with this pairing, im hoping so..... http://www.funtownrv.com/inventory/1...ma-295KBH.aspx

[Triguy]

Nice Floor plan. Here's the brochure info for your trailer.

I really think you need to hear from the guys who own 5ers, but my thought is that you are pushing it with this combo.

The dry weight of this 5er is almost at your stated towing cap. How much do you intend to load?

Also, I believe a PIN weight needs to be 15-20% so close to 1500-2000lbs. What is your payload cap for the new truck?

[kamp k]

I am not familiar with the trailer you just bought so I googled it and the first one that popped up shows these spec for that trailer:
Hitch: 1016 lbs
Dry: 8546 lbs
Gross: 11176 lbs
Amittedly I don't know anything about 5th wheels, but do those specs sound about right? If so, you are not going to be able to tow this trailer with that F150. By the time you are loaded for camping, that trailer is going to weigh 10k at least, and you don't have the payload capacity to support a hitch weight in excess of 1k pounds, plus your family, gas, and whatever other gear you throw in the truck. Dealers will tell you anything to make a sale, but you are going to be severely under powered (assume the F150 has the 5.4), over on all your weights, and unsafe going down the road. I had an 07 Screw with the 5.4 and 3.73 and it handled my 6k lb loaded trailer fine, but I wouldn't have wanted to go much more than that, and upgraded to an F250 when I bought the TT in my signature.

[ryanr12076]

Well.... this is where i get confused... Which one do i go by... I have the 5.4 5.5 bed supercrew. The last column is 4x4 which is what i have.

[ryanr12076]

Originally Posted by kamp k

I am not familiar with the trailer you just bought so I googled it and the first one that popped up shows these spec for that trailer:
Hitch: 1016 lbs
Dry: 8546 lbs
Gross: 11176 lbs
Amittedly I don't know anything about 5th wheels, but do those specs sound about right? If so, you are not going to be able to tow this trailer with that F150. By the time you are loaded for camping, that trailer is going to weigh 10k at least, and you don't have the payload capacity to support a hitch weight in excess of 1k pounds, plus your family, gas, and whatever other gear you throw in the truck. Dealers will tell you anything to make a sale, but you are going to be severely under powered (assume the F150 has the 5.4), over on all your weights, and unsafe going down the road. I had an 07 Screw with the 5.4 and 3.73 and it handled my 6k lb loaded trailer fine, but I wouldn't have wanted to go much more than that, and upgraded to an F250 when I bought the TT in my signature.

Well s**t... thats not good... how can a dealer sell me something they know i cant tow?! They know what i have as far as a truck.. the sales guy tells me (of course) that he and a few other techs that he called said i would be ok, as long as I dont go out west, in the mountains, and not to haul it with water. (which i dont do anyway, always go to a camp site with hookups)

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by ryanr12076

Well ****... thats not good... how can a dealer sell me something they know i cant tow?! They know what i have as far as a truck.. the sales guy tells me (of course) that he and a few other techs that he called said i would be ok, as long as I dont go out west, in the mountains, and not to haul it with water. (which i dont do anyway, always go to a camp site with hookups)

Ryan, I hate to see this happening.

Generally, most of us here will tell you that dealers lie. Salesman lie. Unfortunately, its Caveat Emptor.

Can you get out of it?

[ryanr12076]

Originally Posted by Triguy

Ryan, I hate to see this happening.

Generally, most of us here will tell you that dealers lie. Salesman lie. Unfortunately, its Caveat Emptor.

Can you get out of it?

Well we havent even picked it up yet, supposed to have my "demo" on April 3rd. But papers were signed..

[ryanr12076]

I know this is a long shot, but is there a way to beef up my truck to compensate for the difference to get me through at least 3-4 years? Sorry new to this whole thing and put myself in the hands of a salesman.... poor judgement!

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by ryanr12076

Well we havent even picked it up yet, supposed to have my "demo" on April 3rd. But papers were signed..

I can tell you that I wouldn't buy (or try to modify) that vehicle to tow this rig very far, but why don't you wait to get some more feedback here from some 5th wheel owners first.

If you are still interested in cancelling your truck purchase, check to see if your state have a 3-day right to cancel law.

Good luck.

[ResQfrog]

Yahoo search 2008 F150 trailer towing guide and you will find the following.

2008 F-150 with 5.4 V-8 has the following for 5th wheel towing.
15,000 GVWR Super Crew with 3.73 rear axle.
4X2 with 150.5"WB = 9500 lb trailer max
4X4 with 150.5"WB = 9200 lb trailer max

Notes below have do not use 5.5' bed for towing 5th wheel.

Also if equipped with the 13,500 GVWR no recommended weights given.

[ryanr12076]

Originally Posted by rgmiller32

Yahoo search 2008 F150 trailer towing guide and you will find the following.

2008 F-150 with 5.4 V-8 has the following for 5th wheel towing.
15,000 GVWR Super Crew with 3.73 rear axle.
4X2 with 150.5"WB = 9500 lb trailer max
4X4 with 150.5"WB = 9200 lb trailer max

Notes below have do not use 5.5' bed for towing 5th wheel.

Also if equipped with the 13,500 GVWR no recommended weights given.

Thanks for the input, but on fords website itself it says:
F-150 SuperCrew (138.5" Wb) (Mine is 150.5) 5½' box will accept a fifth-wheel hitch

http://www.ford.com/assets/pdf/towin...TTgdeMay07.pdf

[kamp k]

Originally Posted by ryanr12076

I know this is a long shot, but is there a way to beef up my truck to compensate for the difference to get me through at least 3-4 years? Sorry new to this whole thing and put myself in the hands of a salesman.... poor judgement!

Dude...I feel bad for you, but your dealer doesn't really care about your safety, he just wants to make a sale. There is nothing you can do to really add towing capacity or payload capacity, short of getting a new truck. Unfortunately, I went down this same road when I got my first travel trailer, and I did not understand all the weights and measurements, dry weight vs. actual weight, hitch weight, payload capacity, etc. I had a 6k pound loaded trailer and an Expedition with a 6500 tow capacity, and I quickly learned what all the numbers really meant.

I suggest you take some time and do some research as well to better familiarize yourself with what your truck can safely tow, With a 1/2 ton, I personally would never consider a 5th wheel. If you can get out of the deal for your camper, I would look at something else that your current truck can handle, or you can go ahead and get the 5th wheel, and look for a more andequate tow vehicle. If you can get out of the camper deal, I would also look for another dealer because I wouldn't trust anything your current dealer tells you. Best of luck, and let us know how it turns out.

[ResQfrog]

I have attached the sheet from Ford's Fleet web site for the trailer and fifth wheel capacity's. Just watch for Note #2 given by Ford.

[ryanr12076]

So even with the brake controller installed would still be an issue. As fer as stopping etc. Am I that far off for my trucks limit?

[recon33alpha]

I have a different truck, GMC 1500 HD crew cab with the tow package, and it specifically states in the owners manual, that 5th wheel towing is unauthorized in short bed crew cab. I know its a different truck, just thought I would post anyways. I'm new to this as well, but seems like your out of your league with the F150.

[lbrjet]

You never posted your payload rating from your door pillar. Your rear axle weight rating is also listed there and is probably 3850 which you would most likely exceed.

[TURBS]

id like to see payload carrying capacity as well but its to much trailer for you truck .
according to the sheet posted your only 700 lbs from being over weight with a uvw camper!
now add propane tanks filled
battery
lawn chairs
clothes
dishes
food
misc tools
blankets pillows
anything you decide to put in your bed including everything in cab including dogs and family
coolers full of ice and beverages
bathroom supplies
I think its simple here to much camper and not enough truck !

[MtnGuy]

ryanr12076, the empty weight of that trailer once you add options, is going to be at the maximum of the tow weight of your F150.

A realistic cargo carrying capacity comparing it to my F150 is about 1200 lbs....and that is with me in the drivers seat. Add the family and camping gear, that comes down. The pin weight of that trailer ready to camp is probably going to be well over 1200 lbs. That is too much trailer for a 1/2 ton truck.

The dealer lied to you. If they won't cancel your contract, start with the BBB and go from there. There may be a 3 day cancellation clause in your state laws as someone else implied.

[ryanr12076]

Yea NJ doesn't have that law. going to dealer tomorrow. I'll update.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by ryanr12076

Yea NJ doesn't have that law. going to dealer tomorrow. I'll update.

yes we would like to know what happens !

if you have to !