Another "Will my truck tow this camper?" thread

[tomlista]

I just bought a 2015 R-Pod 178 18' ... Weight about 2800 pounds. I have a Ford 150 V-6 3.7 , No eco-boost . Will my truck tow this camper? Thanks for help...

[RACarvalho]

Originally Posted by tomlista

I just bought a 2015 R-Pod 178 18' ... Weight about 2800 pounds. I have a Ford 150 V-6 3.7 , No eco-boost . Will my truck tow this camper? Thanks for help...

1 - What is the Payload in your truck (door sticker)?
2 - What is the towing capacity ?
3 - What is the Rpod tongue weight?

[keith_h]

Originally Posted by RACarvalho

1 - What is the Payload in your truck (door sticker)?
2 - What is the towing capacity ?
3 - What is the Rpod tongue weight?

4- Is the 2800 lbs dry weight, GVW or actual loaded weight.

As an example our old Palomini had a delivered UVW of 2665 lbs. After we got all of out stuff in it weighed in a bit over 3100 lbs.

[clarkbre]

You will be fine towing the Rpod 178 with that truck.

The trailer weighs 2535 dry
Tongue weight is 257 (loaded probably closer to 300 or 350)
Cargo capacity is 1222
Gross trailer weight is 3757.

In any configuration, the f150 with the 3.7 can tow 5500 or more (depending on the tow rating). The tongue weight is very low as well and would not necessarily require the use of a weight distribution hitch.

It may not be the fastest while towing but it will still get the job done.

[Bob Vaughn]

I am amazed at the number of people that pose this question......What should be asked is can I safely tow and stop plus maintain the speed limit with this truck........About 35 years ago I decided to down size. I did my home work and was within the numbers......I quickly found out that towing is a very big word.....my new truck would tow my smaller camper but it would just barely maintain the speed limit on the flat level roads of south Alabama. There was no such thing as keeping up with traffic or passing any thing. I quickly found out that there was a lot more to towing than just towing.....It only took a couple of local trips to get rid of the truck and camper .......

[BUCKY2]

Add a few hills or mountains, a few deer running across the road and that totally changes SAFE towing and STOPPING! Thanks for the comment.

[thebrakeman]

Bob,
People new to towing usually don't know what they don't know. They don't really know what to ask, so we often get the same opening question: Will my truck tow this camper?

Don't let that bother you. I'd rather they ask, then simply hook up a trailer and kill themselves, or somebody else.

[Slow Moon]

Originally Posted by thebrakeman

Bob,
People new to towing usually don't know what they don't know. They don't really know what to ask, so we often get the same opening question: Will my truck tow this camper?

Don't let that bother you. I'd rather they ask, then simply hook up a trailer and kill themselves, or somebody else.

Thank you, Brakeman. You are right that we should respect those who ask questions in a different way because they are new. Also, considering Bob's proposed question: some of us don't think passing, "keeping up with traffic," or going the speed limit is a priority. No law or norm says an RV has to keep up to the legal limit. If I ever notice my rig is anywhere near the I-95 speed limit, I say and slow down.

[Iwannacamp]

Looks like you are ok. Tow safe and enjoy your new rig. Godspeed.

[edsana]

I just returned today from a 3,500 mile road trip from San Antonio to Saguaro National Park in Tuscon, Death Valley NP, Joshua Tree NP, and Palm Springs. Towed with a 2010 Toyota Rav4, 3.5L V6 with towing package, 269hp, 246lb torque. Averaged 60-65mph. 8.5-11MPG, 11 mpg San Antonio to El Paso. The RAV4 did okay but I would prefer more torque. Your truck shouldn't have any problems towing the Rpod 178.

[Rosecreek]

I tow a forest river Rockwood 29 foot TT in all the Sierra Nevada, Rockies, Washington and Oregon mountains with no problem. My truck has the complete towing package. the Rockwood has a single slideout. I have experienced no problems with this rig.
I see no problem pulling an 18 foot 3100 pound trailer.

Rosecreek: I'm listed as a Junior member but have been towing TT for 20 years.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Rosecreek

I tow a forest river Rockwood 29 foot TT in all the Sierra Nevada, Rockies, Washington and Oregon mountains with no problem. My truck has the complete towing package. the Rockwood has a single slideout. I have experienced no problems with this rig.
I see no problem pulling an 18 foot 3100 pound trailer.

Rosecreek: I'm listed as a Junior member but have been towing TT for 20 years.

Rosecreek,
Your profile doesn't list what truck you have.
And what do you mean by "complete tow package"?

The F150 has a regular tow package and a Max Tow Package. Big difference between the two.

[Restcure]

Originally Posted by tomlista

I just bought a 2015 R-Pod 178 18' ... Weight about 2800 pounds. I have a Ford 150 V-6 3.7 , No eco-boost . Will my truck tow this camper? Thanks for help...

Good for you for asking these questions. With the information we've seen in this thread I think you've got a good setup.

Next time you'll know to ask the questions before you buy a new trailer, or truck, or both.

[67L48]

Stopping. If you're relying on your truck to stop your trailer, I think you're doing something wrong. I rely on my trailer brakes to do that. Good hitch with a 7-pin plug and you're fine.

I think a Dodge Caravan can pull 2,800 lbs. I think a Hyundai Elantra can, as well. So, assuming that this is the real weight and not some fictitious dry weight, I wouldn't spend much time in mathematical analysis on this one ... and I say that as someone who loves digging into the towing numbers.

Pretty much any single-axle trailer will be capped around 3,500 lbs GVWR and any truck will pull that. Some better than others, but this one's a no-brainer. Unless, of course, you're also hauling a bed full of drainage rock or giving a ride to the offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys (see: GCWR).

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by bikendan

The F150 has a regular tow package and a Max Tow Package. Big difference between the two.

Actually they are up to three tow packages for 2017 depending on the vehicle trim. The additions in each package on the way up to Max are in italics.

Optional on XL and Standard on Raptor:

Trailer Tow Package (required for towing up to 11,100 lbs.) includes
4-pin/7-pin wiring harness,
auxiliary transmission oil cooler,
Class IV trailer hitch receiver,
Smart Trailer Tow Connector,
and upgraded front stabilizer bar

Optional All Trims Except Raptor

Trailer Tow Package (required for towing up to 11,100 lbs.) includes
4-pin/7-pin wiring harness,
auxiliary transmission oil cooler,
Class IV trailer hitch receiver,
Pro Trailer Backup Assist,
trailer hookup lamp,
Smart Trailer Tow Connector,
and upgraded front stabilizer bar

Optional on All Trims Except Limited and Raptor

Max. Trailer Tow Package (required for towing up to 12,200 lbs.) includes
3.55 electronic-locking rear axle (3.73 with Heavy-Duty Payload Package),
4-pin/7-pin wiring harness,
36-gallon fuel tank,
auxiliary transmission oil cooler,
Class IV trailer hitch receiver,
Pro Trailer Backup Assist,
trailer hookup lamp,
Smart Trailer Tow Connector,
integrated trailer brake controller,
upgraded front stabilizer bar,
and upgraded rear bumper

I just recently purchased a new 2017 SuperCrew XLT 5.0L 2WD with the second Trailer Tow Package. That package did not include the integrated trailer brake controller, 36 gallon fuel tank, 3.55 electronic-locking rear axle and upgraded rear bumper in the Max Trailer Tow Package. But the dealer ordered it with the optional 36 gallon fuel tank and the 3.55 electronic-locking rear axle. I had them install the integrated trailer brake controller. So the only thing I can see I'm missing from the Max Trailer Tow package is the upgraded rear bumper...whatever that is. I also have the 6,800# GVRW option as well. My CCC is 1,939 pounds per the door sticker.

I suspect it was ordered "pieced together" that way as it has the XLT Chrome Package which cannot be ordered with the Max Trailer Tow Package. I'd rather have a nice chrome rear bumper than an upgraded rear bumper...whatever that is...

Hope this helps...

[spock123]

I wish that I had brought a dually to start with even pulling a small trailer, then I could have just brought a bigger camper each time.

[Rosecreek]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Rosecreek,
Your profile doesn't list what truck you have.
And what do you mean by "complete tow package"?

The F150 has a regular tow package and a Max Tow Package. Big difference between the two.

My truck 2013 F 150 3.7 ECO Boost 4X4 Off Road pkg Max Tow Pkg 6.5 foot bed .

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Rosecreek

My truck 2013 F 150 3.7 ECO Boost 4X4 Off Road pkg Max Tow Pkg 6.5 foot bed .

I have a 2014 CC 3.5 Ecoboost 4x4 w/Max Tow Package 5.5' bed.
What's yours payload capacity? Mine is 1828lbs.

By the way, the 3.7 is not an Ecoboost but the normally aspirated v-6.

[Rosecreek]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Rosecreek,
Your profile doesn't list what truck you have.
And what do you mean by "complete tow package"?

The F150 has a regular tow package and a Max Tow Package. Big difference between the two.

Truck 2013 F 150 Max tow pkg super crew 1866 in cab people and gear, front 3900 #, Rear 3850 #. wdh for TT of 6800#. I do not overload, all tanks are dry when on the road. I pack like I am tenting - LIGHT. % day supply of food on board.
I believe 2013 had two tow pkgs, factory brake controller. Also off road option, tow /Haul control, six speed transmission.

[KansasJohn]

I'm no expert, but I think we're overthinking this a little here.

Tomlista: You'll be fine. Make sure you have a trailer brake controller, either integrated or aftermarket, and I would recommend a weight distribution hitch with sway control. Your truck is more than capable of towing that R-Pod. I towed a 4100lb dry weight Mini Lite 1809 over 10,000 miles, including a trip through the Rockies and over several tough mountain passes. I was towing with a 195-horsepower, 260 lb/ft torque 4.3 V6 Silverado. On the mountain passes, it wasn't the fastest vehicle on the road, but it got the job done safely. If a 300 horsepower, half-ton pickup with 278 lb/ft of torque cannot tow a 3700 lb GVWR trailer, then I don't know what to think. Just my $.02

Explanation:

The 2015 R-Pod 178 has a GVWR of 3,757 (2535 stated dry weight+1222 pounds max cargo). At 15% tongue weight, that means 563 pounds of tongue weight, and that is a worst-case scenario, and doesn't take any weight distribution into account.

I would be shocked if the OPs F-150 has less than 1300-1500 pounds or so of payload available. This means he should have 7-800 pounds of available payload MINIMUM. The 3.7 V6 is only available on trims up to the XLT in the F150, so it is highly unlikely that there are a lot of "luxury" type options reducing this number. The lowest tow rating I could find for a 3.7 F150 is 5400 pounds. Remember that the Ford 3.7 V6 is naturally aspirated, and relatively lightweight compared to the larger engines, thus saving payload as well.