F150 vs mountains: will it work

[frank4711]

Most not all will not recommend any towing with a 1/2 ton in the mountains ... It just comes down to the truck and your #'s ... I stay away from the mountains with my 2019 Ram but I will say it was a beast pulling in the hills of north Georgia/Tenn on a recent trip, nothing like what you have to drive where you are ... I was surprised the pulling power and never going above 3400 rpms ... the 8 speed tranny and computer handled everything up and down the hills .... that camper is sold and I am picking up a smaller shorter 2020 5th wheel tomorrow .... if you you get some #'s for these members they will help you out... best of luck

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

So maybe a 3500 foot elevation gain then loss with plenty of lanes, "sharp" corners but only as much compared to any other California interstate. I have been over it at least 10 times in my life but don't even remember it being there. The last trip was in a 90s Ryder rental that probably only had 250 horsepower loaded with personal property towing a car hauler with a small car... and it was forgettable as in a non-event.

PS after looking at the elevation on each side, it looks like it only gains maybe 1500 feet on the actual pass, the rest is very gradual gain and loss

The southern route from there, is a stress on tow vehicle brakes, unless you have engine braking.
I've done it for the past 15 years multiple times and both my 1/2 ton's brakes were taxed coming down I5 southbound, from Ashland.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Underthedog

Trix,
We pull a Roo 21SS (7000lb+/-) with an F150 3.5 ecoboost, Crew cab, 1862 payload (yellow door sticker). We have no problems starting/stopping/towing uphill.

Your 21SS can't be 7000lbs+, it's GVWR is only 6500lbs.
And the OP's trailer is nearly 10ft longer than yours, a third longer.

[FrankMor]

Her trailer Specifications
Hitch Weight: 966 lb. GVWR: 7966 lb. UVW 6958 lb. CCC 1008 lb.
Exterior Length: 32' 3" Exterior Height: 11' 1" Exterior Width: 97"
Fresh Water: 46 gal. Gray Water: 42 gal. Black Water: 42 gal. Awning Size: 15'

Frank

[JimMorrell]

We have a 2011 F 150 with a 5 L V-8. We pull a 32' 7,400# (dry) Wildwood and have been from Oroville to Oregon and Washington several times. First...I believe the I 80 grade is much worse that the I 5 grades. Second, your Eco Boost has a little more HP and Torque than my V 8. Third, we have never had any problems traveling I 5 to Oregon. Its a long grade and mostly 6%, with a couple of shorter grades perhaps 7% or 8%. Trust me...you'll have no problem with the grade. And, of course, you only have the one stretch from Yreka to Ashland.

[bikendan]

Not all F150s are the same. There a ton of different configurations, even with the Ecoboost.
I've seen F150 Ecoboost trucks, with the bling trim levels, with very poor payload capacities. Such as Platinum, Lariat and King Ranch that had payloads of under 1000lbs.

[Oafdawg]

Originally Posted by TrixieS

Sorry.
2wd 3.5L 6 cyl
Full tow package from factory minus the backup assistance w/brake control

Didn't know Ford had a max tow package that didn't include a brake control.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Oafdawg

Didn't know Ford had a max tow package that didn't include a brake control.

Yep, has to be the regular tow package, not the Max Tow package.

Trailer Tow Package
Includes:
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist (not included on XL Base)
• Tailgate LED (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Upgraded front stabilizer bar

Max Trailer Tow Package
Includes:
• 3.55 Electronic-locking rear-axle
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• 36 Gallon fuel tank
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Engine oil cooler
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist with Tailgate LED
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Upgraded front stabilizer bar
• Upgraded rear bumper

[FrankMor]

She said she has the brake controller. She does not have the Back Up Assist.

Frank

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by FrankMor

She said she has the brake controller. She does not have the Back Up Assist.

Frank

Yeah.....they all missed that little bit of info. So correct answers is most likely..."MAX TOW PKG."

[5picker]

Originally Posted by TrixieS

Sorry.
2wd 3.5L 6 cyl
Full tow package from factory minus the backup assistance w/brake control

Originally Posted by chriscowles

The payload rating off the driver door jamb is essential information if you want meaningful advice. Also, have you added any after-market options like a topper? That will eat some of the payload.

A tow package without backup assistance or brake control is not a max tow package. I don't know if that affects what it can pull. It may affect what kind of transmission cooler you have. That may be an important point for a long drag over high mountain passes.

Originally Posted by TrixieS

I do have brake control. It just didn’t come with the back up assistance. The trailer is 264L.
Gvwr ? 6800

Well... is was a bit confusing... even if you were following along.

[Theo]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Yeah.....they all missed that little bit of info. So correct answers is most likely..."MAX TOW PKG."

Well, in 2015 the brake controller was available as a separate option that did not require the F-150 to have the Max Towing (53C) package.

Take my configuration, for example. While it does not have the Max Towing package, it does have the brake controller. AFAIK, both the 53B (standard towing package) and the 53A (HD towing package) can be optioned to include the brake controller.

I'm not sure why the original owner of my truck optioned it without the Max Towing package but, instead, pieced the package together with options. For my truck, the only thing different from the Max Towing is the choice of the optional 3.73 axle rather than the (Max Towing) 3.55 and the lack of the upgraded rear bumper (which added 200lbs to the towing specs).

[Theo]

Do you think we scared the OP away?

[NMWildcat]

Scared them? Naw, probably more like frustrated them

Originally Posted by Theo

Do you think we scared the OP away?

[babock]

Originally Posted by Theo

Well, in 2015 the brake controller was available as a separate option that did not require the F-150 to have the Max Towing (53C) package.

Take my configuration, for example. While it does not have the Max Towing package, it does have the brake controller. AFAIK, both the 53B (standard towing package) and the 53A (HD towing package) can be optioned to include the brake controller.

I'm not sure why the original owner of my truck optioned it without the Max Towing package but, instead, pieced the package together with options. For my truck, the only thing different from the Max Towing is the choice of the optional 3.73 axle rather than the (Max Towing) 3.55 and the lack of the upgraded rear bumper (which added 200lbs to the towing specs).

Another thing that comes with the Max tow package is the 36 gallon fuel tank. Does yours have that?

[Theo]

Originally Posted by babock

Another thing that comes with the Max tow package is the 36 gallon fuel tank. Does yours have that?

Yes, indeed! I spent a year looking for the right truck and, beyond towing capability, the need for a 36-gal tank and ~2,000-lbs of payload were very important.

So, it turns out, I have a higher axle ratio than the 53C Max but 200 fewer pounds of towing capability (no upgraded rear bumper). Not a big deal when you're towing a 6,500-lb laden Roo. And, with the 36-gal tank, I *can* go almost 400-mi without refueling. For our traveling needs in New England, this means we can get to most of our favorite destinations and back without refueling.

[Theo]

Here are the towing packages available for the 2015 model year:



Note that in 2015, Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a separate option and NOT part of the towing packages.