puma 30FBSS -wondering if my truck can pull it!

[cskipworth]

We are looking at a 2015 30FBSS puma Total dry weight is 8130 and hitch dry weight is 1155. I have a 2011 ford F150 supercrew 4X2 V8 5.0. The axle ratio is 3.55. Also have stabilizer bars added.

My trailer hitch says max hitch weight 1055 but towing capacity is 10000. We do not live in a hilly area and do not go more than 3 hours or so from home to camp My question is will my truck pull this camper ok or will my axle break?? I have had three other campers, but they keep getting bigger each time we buy. The salesman said it would be no problem... but I am still worried.

[rana]

Unfortunately, your F150 probably won't do too well with that rig. The top max tow rating for your rig is 8000# for a supercrew 4x2 V8 5.0l with a 3.55 axle ratio. GCWR is 13,500. Base curb weight is 4664#'s, max payload 2130#'s, max pin weight 1130#'s.

The hitch's capacity has little to do with your trucks towing capability, but you would be over the hitches max rating by 100#'s and you haven't loading anything into the trailer yet.

So.. dry pin weight.. you're over by 30#'s already, trailer dry weight.. you're over 130#'s already, GCWR you are in the black, but only by 700#'s, max payload you're in the black there too with 975#'s, but you can't exceed 700#'s to stay within the GCWR.

Basically what that means is you have 700#'s to play with to stay under GCWR. That would be passengers, cargo, water, weight distribution hitch, trailer batteries, food, clothing, kitchen goodies, etc etc etc. Just ballparking it, it's pretty common to use a figure of 1000-1500#'s above dry weight of your trailer for just the basics, so it would be extremely difficult to stay under 700#'s anyway, but it's kind of a moot point since without adding a single thing to your trailer or tow vehicle (passengers included) you're already over the max rated allowances on your pin, and tow capacity.

I fear your dealer may have steered you wrong.

[bikendan]

You made the #1 newbie mistake, you believed a salesman.
Most of them know very little about towing requirements, only want to make the sale.
Most know little about RVs.

[aceinspp]

Another thing to add in which is hidden is the tone weight. Trailers are never weight at the factory with battery or LP tanks filled. Another 100 plus pounds.

I only had one dealer tell me that my truck was border line for the trailer I wanted and he mentioned he would not recommend buying it. Really like the campers they had but also a little more pricy so I opted for the V-lite again. Later RJD

[davel1971]

your hitch is rated for 10,000 lbs, the truck is not.

[mike.t]

Yehaw. Here we go! ;o)

[fonzie]

I would say not a good combination......start reading

http://www.fleet.ford.ca/resources/f...ng%20Guide.pdf


MODEL 30-FBSS

Dry Hitch Weight 1,155 lbs. (524 kg)
UVW 8,163 lbs. (3,703 kg)
GVWR 10,663 lbs. (4,837 kg)
CCC 2,500 lbs. (1,134 kg)
Exterior Length 34' 8" (10.6 m)
Exterior Height 11' 1" (3.4 m)
Exterior Width 96" (2.4 m)
Fresh Water Capacity 51 gal. (193 L)
Gray Water Capacity 42 gal. (159 L)
Black Water Capacity 42 gal. (159 L)
Awning Size 21 ft

[Stovebolt]

Originally Posted by cskipworth

We are looking at a 2015 30FBSS puma Total dry weight is 8130 and hitch dry weight is 1155. I have a 2011 ford F150 supercrew 4X2 V8 5.0. The axle ratio is 3.55. Also have stabilizer bars added.

My trailer hitch says max hitch weight 1055 but towing capacity is 10000. We do not live in a hilly area and do not go more than 3 hours or so from home to camp My question is will my truck pull this camper ok or will my axle break?? I have had three other campers, but they keep getting bigger each time we buy. The salesman said it would be no problem... but I am still worried.

Sure it will tow it but just look at the important things. Weight is the killer, your brakes will be working harder, your suspension will be flattened out. You have to stop these things plus the fact you have to put water, food, clothing and all the essentials you want to travel with. You need to step up to a F250 or F350 Gas or Diesel.

[Claude002]

Dont rely on the salesman word--I have pulling a Crusader with a Tundra dry weight very close to your number after a couple of trip in 3 years last trip I lost 3 studs back driver side, a 1/2 ton is not built to take that much weight of a 5th wheel, change it or dont buy the RV

[Harkerr]

Agree not enough margin. Need 2500 preferably diesel

[Claude002]

YES SIR--agree 100%--my family owns the Toyota dealership and my truck was serviced properly, but 1/2 ton trucks i believe are very good for light travel trailer and not for 5th wheel.

[karlrmac]

We had a f150 that was pulling a 2013 33 foot keystone hideout. It would pull it but it was not happy. 6 months later we purchased a f250 and haven't looked back. The hideout is 7k lbs and then after everything added it made for an white knuckle event.

[karlrmac]

Oh, the dealer told me the same thing, 'no problem pulling this with your f150'. Not good.

[Claude002]

As I mentioned my family own the Toyota dealership and my truck was wel serviced, it had only 78000 kilometre about 48000 miles very young for a truck, but after this mis-apt, felt I could not by safe so decided on a 3/4 ton, should get next wednesday, i'm sure it will be much safer, and the gas milage should also inproved since I got a diesel.

[cskipworth]

Thanks to all the people that took a few minutes to reply, so I have a spec sheet from the dealer and the other Tt we were considering is the 31-bhss. The hitch weight and dry weight is a good bit less and I do have the towing package along with the electric brakes oem. Would my truck be ok with this Tt since the numbers are lower? Thanks again.
The spec sheet says hitch weight 890 and the dry weight is 7702 according to the spec sheet. Any input would be appreciated.

[rana]

Originally Posted by cskipworth

The spec sheet says hitch weight 890 and the dry weight is 7702 according to the spec sheet. Any input would be appreciated.

That's still going to be too much. At 7702 dry, you'll never be able to keep it under 8000 once your loaded.

To stay under your current tow vehicle ratings you probably need to be looking more in the 6000lb range as your top dry weight. Less would be better, but around 6000 would be doable.

[Claude002]

Very glad you changed your mind on the 5th wheel, hope you find the right combination for your truck.

[dustman_stx]

Another perspective- all the guys on here talking numbers will tell you that you are 100% safe and good to go anywhere as long as you are under on capacities. That includes cross country trips through mountains, deserts, you name it. You said you stay within three hours or so of home and live in a pretty flat area. Logic dictates that less truck would be required here than the numbers dictate. I'll let you decide if you need the same amount of truck for the vastly different towing situations I just described. With that being said, if you decide to go with one of those campers, get a really good WDH, Equalizer 4 point min, consider upgrading to LT tires and adding air bags or Timbrens, and take it easy while traveling- as in run 55-60 instead of 65, let the truck decelerate on inclines instead of trying to maintain full sped, etc. With all of this being said, I recommend you consider the 30-DBSS. It is lighter and shorter yet still has a separate bunk room.

[mike.t]

Part of your original post said"I have had three other campers, but they keep getting bigger each time we buy"Time to buy a TV that will handle (not just "TOW") your next three TT's