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Old 03-14-2019, 03:42 PM   #1
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F150 question before purchase of new trailer

Hello-New to the forums. I have a 2018 F150 Platinum 3.5 10cy and am considering the purchase of a new Rockwood Mini 2509S. I am new to this so please bear with me. I tried to research and gather all of the facts that you wonderful people may need to assist me on. Sticker is attached. Hitch info attached. Appreciate you educating me on this nerve wracking process!

Trailer is:
Dry Weight of 5300
GVWR 6869
Hitch Weight 709
Length 25'11
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Old 03-14-2019, 03:52 PM   #2
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I cast see the truck specs well enough the read it on my tablet. That looks like a good hitch though. Where you may run into trouble is cargo capacity of your truck. This seems to be the biggest problem with towing an rv with a half ton.
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Old 03-14-2019, 04:20 PM   #3
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I have a F150 Plat with PL of 1554 lbs. My trailer is a bit longer and heavier than what you are asking about. I'm under all my weight limits with this combo. I use a ProPride hitch. Truck and trailer work very well together.

I'll suggest you consider either the Propride or Hensley. There are currently used ones for sale in the classifieds on this site. Check other RV sites, they come up for sale fairly regularly as folks move up to 5th wheels or just sell their trailer. One just sold on myrvtalk.com for $700. Lots of Airstream owners use them.
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Old 03-14-2019, 04:32 PM   #4
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Recently went through this exercise

I just recently went through this exercise when we sold our last camper and purchased a new one so I will help the best I can.

You are on the right path by determining your payload by looking at the sticker on the door. I'm sorry, but I could not see your truck's payload capacity either via the image. Don't trust the manufacturer's brochure as they don't calculate gas, other fluids, and add on's. What I did to calculate the true payload of my truck is go to a scale and weigh the truck with me in it. I then subtracted that weight measurement from my truck's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to determine my actual payload capacity (less my weight). The nice thing with going to a scale with just the truck is you can determine the weight on the axles of your truck as well without the camper.

In calculating payload you need to determine the weight of your passengers, cargo in the bed, and tongue weight of the trailer which I've been told is generally around 13% if you load the camper appropriately. After you determine those numbers you can ensure the truck is under the appropriate GVWR.

Don't rely on the dry weight of the trailer as that number is meaningless. Depending on how much you load in the camper, batteries, loaded propane tanks, etc. that is your true weight of your camper. To be safe I add in 1,000 lbs of additional weight of cargo in the camper to come to my weight of my camper; you may need to adjust for that.

Thereafter, you can figure out your tongue weight of your TT. Then you can add the weight you calculated for your TV and TT together to make sure you are under the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of the truck. If you'd like I created a spreadsheet on this which I can email you if you PM me. It won't allow me to attach it to this post.

Finally, I have had great luck with the Equal-i-zer weight distribution system. I can't speak to other systems. Best of luck to you!
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Old 03-14-2019, 04:54 PM   #5
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I am right with your weight and vehicle wise but have a 2016. I agree with sailersam20500.

I had some sway issues with cross winds using a blueox swaypro and the propride resolved that. Do you have the 5.5 or 6.5ft bed? longer will mean more stability.

You can do it but you will want to weigh once you get setup just to verify. My first trip I was over so I left the tools behind to make weight. I still watch my weight because I tend to overpack. I spent a season with the blueox before upgrading and best money I spent was the propride.

I also added suspension support to keep my headlights low. Truck squatted a lot.
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Old 03-14-2019, 05:10 PM   #6
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Thank you for the great info so far. I’ve uploaded two additional photos. As far as passengers would be wife, two kids and myself for 450lbs total along with tonneau hard cover truck bed would be virtually empty.
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Old 03-14-2019, 05:31 PM   #7
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Get a $3000 propride hitch.
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Old 03-14-2019, 06:10 PM   #8
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Equalizer (brand) 1000/10,000 pound hitch and you're good to go. The 3.5EcoBoost F150 can pull this trailer all day at speed limits plus on any paved grade in North America.

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Old 03-14-2019, 07:36 PM   #9
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You look like you are fine...but you are close! Definitely measure your tongue weight at some point. I bought a Sherline scale so I can measure my tongue weight after I do modifications to my trailer and add a full tank of water.

You are correct in adding the weight of all the passengers including the driver. Some people think the payload includes a 150# driver. That is false. A 150# driver is only used for the towing capacity...not the payload.
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Old 03-14-2019, 08:58 PM   #10
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Yep, payload is payload. No free passengers. Even those McDonalds french fries you spilled between the seats gotta be figured into what's left.

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Old 03-14-2019, 09:09 PM   #11
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You'll be fine. Good equalizer hitch, hook up and go have fun.
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Old 03-15-2019, 01:12 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Sparty9 View Post
Thank you for the great info so far. I’ve uploaded two additional photos. As far as passengers would be wife, two kids and myself for 450lbs total along with tonneau hard cover truck bed would be virtually empty.
Based on this, I recommend getting the truck weighed then the truck/trailer combo weighed together. Put everyone in the truck who will be riding with you. Just looking at your door sticker and your numbers, it looks like you will have 1000#+/- remaining payload, possibly less. You will be right at your payload limit with the tongue weight.

I suggest doing this to help with the tongue weight: run with some water in your fresh water tank (maybe 15 gal but no more) for flushing the toilet or washing hand if you stop for a break. That will get about 174# off of the hitch (which will be around 900#+/-) and give you room to breath. Also, put as much weight as you can over the axles. It will tow like a dream. Don't put too much weight in the back of the trailer or your tongue weight will be too light to tow safely (I had to learn this the hard way).

You can tow your trailer safely but it will be close on the truck payload end.
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Old 03-15-2019, 01:27 PM   #13
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I have a Microlite 25BDS same as your wt and 2018 F150 with 2.7eco, 10 speed, 3.55 transmission and tow package. 7600lbs tow rating on truck. Cat scale GCVW at departure of 11,500 loaded vs. GCVWR of 12,600. Hitch wt of 820 lbs. WDH working great..all level. Just towed first time from West MI to Stone Mnt. GA including the hills before Chattanuga on I24. No problem going up. Stayed in ft lane with trucks and passed a few. Could have gone up much faster but stayed in 5th gear no problem. Plenty of power for me. Going down 6% grade let the tow mode gear down to help 'braking'. Didnt touch the brakes but a couple times. Engine was revving at 3500 rpm. But it's made for that. 3.5eb would be better with engine breaking, but for now, this 2.7 is a beast. Heading to Yellowstone in May.
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Old 03-15-2019, 01:49 PM   #14
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OP, I have a equalizer WDH for cheap , 1000 - 10000 lbs all the hardware only 2 years old . I keep in my garage. Up graded to a fifth wheel last year. And dealer didn't keep it. They put it in the bed of my truck and I found it there when I got home.
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Old 03-15-2019, 02:49 PM   #15
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My 26004s is slightly heavier than your trailer. I'm on my second F150 3.5 Ecoboost with Max tow package. Equalizer 1000/10000 hitch. I agree you should be able to pull your trailer just fine. We get a pretty consistent 10 MPG when towing holding at 60 MPH as much as possible.
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Old 03-15-2019, 03:42 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparty9 View Post
Hello-New to the forums. I have a 2018 F150 Platinum 3.5 10cy and am considering the purchase of a new Rockwood Mini 2509S. I am new to this so please bear with me. I tried to research and gather all of the facts that you wonderful people may need to assist me on. Sticker is attached. Hitch info attached. Appreciate you educating me on this nerve wracking process!

Trailer is:
Dry Weight of 5300
GVWR 6869
Hitch Weight 709
Length 25'11
I cannot read the image for your truck specs. Look in your Owners Manual under Towing and see what the Max towing capacity, max hitch weight and max pay load are.

Just off the top of my head I think you will be OK but the owners manual and/or door sticker will tell you for certain.

Also remember, the TT is now empty. and the hitch weight may increase when it is loaded with all your gear.
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Old 03-15-2019, 05:00 PM   #17
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I cannot read the image for your truck specs. Look in your Owners Manual under Towing and see what the Max towing capacity, max hitch weight and max pay load are.
The owners manual will never have the payload since that varies from truck to truck and what options are on it.
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Old 03-15-2019, 07:33 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by babock View Post
The owners manual will never have the payload since that varies from truck to truck and what options are on it.
Correct!
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Old 03-15-2019, 08:22 PM   #19
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For peace of mind I went and ordered the ProPride hitch. I’m sure it’s a bit of overkill. Appreciate all the feedback thus far. I hope to order the trailer this week!
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Old 03-15-2019, 11:29 PM   #20
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You'll be very close or already be exceeding your payload. If i recall correctly, your trailer gvwr is 6800 or more. That trailer will likely add 1000# or more payload by itself. The hitch you mention is approx 100# which is 100% payload. Add your passengers of 450 and your already 45# heavy before the addition of a tissue inside the truck..
It was suggested you use a Propride hitch which is wrong for your situation as those exceed 200#. An extra 100+# you cant afford. There are lighter hitch options available ie an Andersen which will actually save you 50# from where you are. The suggestion to add fresh water is helpful as the water weight behind the axle will counter some hitch weight. Just remember though as you use that fresh water the weight moves from behind the axle to in front, again exasperating your overweight issue. The engine transmission combo you have is easily capable for that trailer. It's the rest of the truck that will be challanged.
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