Tow question - 2012 F150 Ecoboost - looking to tow Roo 233s

[RedStick]

I'm looking to purchase a 2013 Roo 233s, but I have some concerns as I feel the weight/cargo capacity of the truck will be close. I don't like close, I like safe. Perhaps you can assist.....

2012 F150 Lariat Ecoboost 2x4, 3.55 Rear End - Regular Tow Package. The truck has the 145" wb rated for pulling 9800 lbs with a GCWR of 15,300.

Stickers on the driver door indicate:
GVWR 7100 lb
Front GAWR 3600 lb
Rear GAWR 3850

Tire and Loading Information Sticker states that the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1508 lbs.

If I get the 233S, I'll purchase the Equalizer weight distribution hitch/sway control.

My tow package sticker indicates that the hitch can handle 10,500 lb with the weight distribution so I am good there, but again, I think my issue is going to be payload.

The 233S specs:

Base Dry weight - 4372 (we know it will weigh more with options)
Base Dry hitch weight - 585 (again, we know it will weigh more)
Cargo Capacity - 1833 (Will I really try to load 1,833 lbs into the Roo?)

What are your thoughts? Seems to me IF I were to max this Roo out, the weight of the trailer would be 6,205 lbs. Take 12% for tongue weight would get me 744 lbs.

I'd need to add the weight distribution hitch weight to the possible tongue weight, but doesn't the hitch transfer some tongue weight back to the trailer and front axle of the truck?

We have a small family, just three of us - me, wife and 8 year old son...plus a 35# dog. My son's weight will increase over time. Hopefully I'll lose a few pounds .

Again, I want to be safe. What are your thoughts???

[ChooChooMan74]

You are more than fine. Stop worrying and go enjoy camping.

[MtnGuy]

You are correct, the GVWR is going to be your big concern, but a little more homework needs to be done.

Seldom is the listed cargo carrying capacity listed correct....yours being 1508 lbs. Speculating if your family and dog weight in at a combo of 500 lbs, adding another 750 lbs. to the load with the trailer tongue, then your total is 1250 lbs. with no camping gear in the bed of the truck yet. Yes, that is still under the listed 1508 lb. payload figure, but that figure might not be correct. And those weights are without any camping gear in the bed of the truck

Best bet is to load up the family, and head to some scales.....the local landfill, quarry, grain elevator, or CAT scales if you have some close. Subtract that weight from the 7100 lb. GVWR, and that will give you what you can add on as a tongue weight...plus maybe a few items in the truck bed.

Yes, a WDH hitch will throw some weight back to the trailer, but don't plan on lossing much over 120 lbs. with that.

I don't think the GCWR for that trailer and your truck will come into play here. Even if you load up the truck to the maximum of 7100 lbs., then you still have 8200 lbs. before you reach the 15, 300 lb GCWR that you have listed.

[acadianbob]

Geez, if you can't pull a 233S with an F150 Ecoboost, what does it take? A Super Duty? I can't believe you would have any issues. But, MTNGUY gives you a great methodology if you are concerned and want to be totally sure. Have fun and be safe.

[RedStick]

You would think I could safely pull the 233s way under the limits, but the payload capacity is the main issue. Of course we could possibly look at the 23ss as the tongue weight might end up saving me 150#'s, but we like the idea of 3 beds.

[TURBS]

1, 000 #'s is average user add on weight.


Turbs

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by RedStick

You would think I could safely pull the 233s way under the limits, but the payload capacity is the main issue.

Sigh, that is the big downside of a 1/2 ton truck. I only have a 700 lb. tongue weight, but by the time I get in the truck, load up the missus and the dog, some camping gear in the bed, my bikes hung over the bed, and a canoe on the racks, I am right at my GVWR.

The missus doesn't like it when the dog and I have to leave her home because I don't want to be overloaded.

And I am only pulling a 5500 lb. trailer when my truck is rated to tow 9300 lbs.

[RedStick]

How does it tow mtnguy? What is your payload.

I should be fine but I don't want to guess. I'll have to go weigh my truck first and go from there I suppose.

[MtnGuy]

My F150 Super Cab, 6.5 bed (145" wheelbase) 4x4 with the 5.4L engine, 3.73 gears tows my Surveyor great.

With the Ecoboost, and the 6 speed transmission(vs. my 4 speed) your F150 should even tow better than my setup.

[Twisty]

My payload number is the same as yours.
Loaded and on the road I am 200 lbs under the GVW on the truck.
I could easily exceed it by carrying more firewood, the generator, a loaded cooler, one more passenger, etc.
Supercrew, 4x4, 5.0

[RedStick]

Twisty, do you fully load up your trailer too? I still might go for it, but you are right, by my calculations, it will be close.

[wv campers]

I have a 2012 Ecoboost and tow a 28' V-Cross. Firewood and cooler in the bed of the truck and the camper loaded. You will be fine. Pulls the camper very well.

[RedStick]

This is what I can't figure out, so please help!!!

I'm now comparing the Roo 233s and the Roo23ss. There is a difference in hitch weight of around 150#'s according to the brochure.

The 233s shows the hitch weight at 585#'s, the 23ss shows the hitch weight at 435#'s. Now looking at the floorplan, the extra 150#'s has to come from the larger slide for the dinette table on the 233s.

Interestingly, the base dry weight is nearly identical - 4372 vs 4322. The cargo capacity is identical at 1833.

Assuming I were to load either trailer to the max:

The 233s would weigh 6205
The 23ss would weigh 6155

If I were to take the total weight of the trailer and project a tongue weight of 13%, I'm still looking at a tongue weight between 800 and 810 lbs.

Why is the tongue weight so different? Would I be better off with the 23ss over the 233s given the listed 150 lbs difference in tongue weight?

We like the 233s floor plan over the 23ss, but only because of the extra bed.

Please help!

[dretired]

The 2010 F150 ,5.4 ..3.55 limited slip...4x2.. i had to tow my 5ver last year...towed from Michigan to St.Augustine Florida and back ...just fine. .We now have a F250 diesel for when we go out west

[pony express]

I have a 2012 233s and a 2011 ford f150 screw with the eco boost but i have the max tow pkg. I have no problems at all and would have to work really hard to max out at my numbers. good luck and enjoy.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by RedStick

Why is the tongue weight so different? Would I be better off with the 23ss over the 233s given the listed 150 lbs difference in tongue weight?

We like the 233s floor plan over the 23ss, but only because of the extra bed.

Please help!

i would say because the 233S's slideout is forward of both axles, while the 23SS's slide is over both axles.
since the 233S's slideout is so far forward, it puts more weight on the tongue, rather than on the axles.
we have a 23SS and love it. is there a reason you need a third bed? if you have a lot of people sleeping in it, then that's understandable. but if not, a third bed is just another big hole to worry about leaks and issues.

[Twisty]

My TT delivered weight is just over 5300 lbs with an optimal 12% tongue weight would be 636 lbs.
I weighed with 2 full 30 lb propane tanks, 2 batteries, me at 220, Laurel at 118, dogs with crate 50, tool box 30, I added tow mirrors 8?, steps 30?, wood ?, shovel, axe, weighed once with generator once w/o, weighed once with solar setup, 14 foot canoe, seat pads, life vests and rack, WDH w/ Reese dual cam, full fresh water tank, supplies in front pass through...
then we have clothing and food for 2 for a week, different bedding, boots, patio rug, fully stocked kitchen, small shop vac...................
Stuff adds up.
I am 1000 lbs under the GCWR. You can see that I would have to add weight to the TT very carefully now to avoid exceeding the GVW for the truck.
Far all practical purposes we are packed to live on the road right now.
The truck handles the TT very well. I feel confident when driving. I have been able to maintain any speed I desire on the grades we've been on - both up and down. Braking is very good.

[RedStick]

We made the decision - went with the 23ss. In the end, the tongue weight will end up fairly close, but I feel we will save a bit of that given the slide difference as discussed above.

We pick it up on January 31st.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by RedStick

We made the decision - went with the 23ss. In the end, the tongue weight will end up fairly close, but I feel we will save a bit of that given the slide difference as discussed above.

We pick it up on January 31st.

Awesome! That's exciting isn't it?!

[RedStick]

Very exciting. My wife and I spent our coffee sippin time this morning researching some immediate equipment (various hoses, levelers, chocks) and fun items (awning lights, camping games, etc. ).

11 days!