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Old 07-23-2020, 06:43 PM   #41
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I agree
I had a 2018 4x4 3.5 EcoBoost 3.31 R/E Towing Capacity 10100lbs GCVW 16000lb payload was around 1800lb
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Old 07-23-2020, 06:56 PM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
Here's the problem with answering your question, the only spec you gave us was a 3.5 EcoBoost.
There are all kinds of variations of a F150 EcoBoost, which affect what it's capable of towing.

1st lesson- nearly all tow vehicles will run out of payload way before getting close to the max towing capacity.
2nd- more fancy bling features will lower payload.
3rd- the best towing F150 3.5 EcoBoost is one with the HDDP and Max Tow packages.

My advice is to pick the trailer you want and then get a truck that will easily tow it. That may mean a 3/4 or 1 ton, depending on what you choose.

I own a 2014 F150 3.5 EcoBoost SCREW 4x4 with the Max Tow package and 1828lbs of payload capacity.
Personally I wouldn't tow any TT over 30ft and 8000lbs loaded. The engine is capable of more, it's the rest of the truck that comes up short.
IMHO, your brother had too long and too heavy of a TT.
Exactly! 30' and 7000 lbs was my limit when we went shopping. '14 F150 SCREW,5.5 box 3.5, 4x4.
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Old 07-23-2020, 07:59 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chriscowles View Post
The truck (2016 F150 SuperCrew 145" WB MaxTow) and trailer (2020 Mini-Lite 2507S) are loaded for travel. The 36 gal gas tank was full. ~400# of passengers in front seat and minimal personal stuff in rear seat. The bed of the truck had a little bit of junk at the front of the bed, a Honda EU2000i generator plus 2.5 gal gas in front of the rear axle, and two folding bikes behind the axle.

I added a Roadmaster Active Suspension kit to the truck. (That was on the truck for the previous scale weight.) It's set at little tighter than the lowest (1 mm gap?) tension. I do not expect it to increase the payload capacity. It does make it handle better, particularly when empty.

Fresh, black and gray water tanks were empty on the trailer. 2 6V GC2 FLA batteries on the tongue, plus about a tank and a half (30# tanks) of propane. I have a 28 gallon Rhino tank hanging on the rear ladder, and the spare is on the bumper. The only thing that will be different on future long trips will be a some more food and clothing.

To reiterate weight ratings, the truck FAWR, RAWR, GVWR and GCVWR are 3225#, 3800#, 6800# and 17000#, respectively. The GVWR of the trailer is 6785#.

Weights:
Configuration, Front, Rear, Trailer
Truck only: 3100, 2900
3P 1000# springs engaged (jacks at about 8"): 3160, 3420, 5820
3P springs off: 2720, 4060, 5620
Combined, 12400

Calculations:
Truck only, 6000
Truck, 3P 1000# springs on, 6580
Truck, 3P springs off, 6780
Trailer total, 6400
Trailer tongue, 780
Tongue % weight, 12.2%

Subscribers to the theory that it's unsafe to be loaded to more than 80% of weight ratings would not be satisfied with these results. As I am within all manufacturer's specifications, I don't feel that it's required to change anything, but I'll probably put the generator inside the trailer, in front of the refrigerator (slightly behind the axles.) I won't carry water anywhere except a short distance within a campground.

At some point in the future I'll swap the GC2s for a LiFePO4 of equivalent usable size. It will be a couple of feet farther back from the current battery location. If I ever have passengers in the rear seat, they would be <= 350#.

The above data provides objective information directly addressing the OP, i.e., what weight can an F150 w/ 3.5 EB and a Hensley hitch safely tow.

As an aside, we encountered gusts of 30-40 MPH (estimated by me) on the way home today. I definitely felt it but didn't feel like the truck was being redirected as I did under similar conditions with the BlueOx SwayPro. I generally drive at 55 - 60 MPH. While it was windy I slowed to 50 MPH when rain permitted. Visibility, not handling, sometimes dictated slower speeds.
Nice analysis! Just curious if you have weighed the actual tongue weight without the P3 attached to the trailer? Consider the weight of the P3, the actual trailer TW maybe closer to 10% -10.5%. For this type hitch you’re setup is close to ideal, since it allows reducing the tongue weight without a loss of sway damping. By reducing TW you improve the Static mode of stability as well so it’s a win win situation.
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Old 07-23-2020, 08:09 PM   #44
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Originally Posted by Dustyhd View Post
Nice analysis! Just curious if you have weighed the actual tongue weight without the P3 attached to the trailer? Consider the weight of the P3, the actual trailer TW maybe closer to 10% -10.5%. For this type hitch you’re setup is close to ideal, since it allows reducing the tongue weight without a loss of sway damping. By reducing TW you improve the Static mode of stability as well so it’s a win win situation.
Data below (from an earlier post in this topic) are from my CAT scale session with a BlueOx SwayPro. Tongue weight was the same. Unfortunately, the truck and trailer were loaded differently (less stuff), so you can't make direct comparisons.

Weights:
Configuration, Front, Rear, Trailer
Truck only, 3000, 2640
Springs on, 2940, 3340, 5400
Springs off, 2660, 3760, 5260
Combined, 11680

Calculations:
Truck only, 5640
Truck, springs on, 6280
Truck, springs off, 6420
Trailer total, 6040
Trailer tongue, 780
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Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 07-23-2020, 09:23 PM   #45
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Sounds like the OP wants to buy an F-150 with a specific trailer type in mind. Having towed a 7600 GVWR trailer with a wet load of 6400 pounds with several F-150s, I can tell you what to look for.

2017-2020 XLT with the 3.5 EB, Screw with Max tow package. What you need to focus on is the payload. You need at least 1800 pounds, more if you want a Hensley since it weighs 110 pounds more than a Blue Ox.

The trailer I had was 28' long, and with a 2014 and a basic Husky WDH with a single sway brake bar, towed wonderfully. IL to Utah over the IKE and back. That truck had 3.15 gearing.

I had a 2016, but it was such a POS, not even going to bother with it, too many issues, but it boiled down to replacing the husky with a Blue Ox. I have a 2018 now with the new Gen 2 and 10 speed, and with a properly set up Blue Ox and properly distributed trailer weight, there is no sway. 25 MPH gusts just push the entire rig. My truck has 1557 payload, and with 6400 pounds I was at the max weights, which is why I say you need at least 1800 pounds payload.

A long box 157" will be a little more stable, but a 145" is very stable when properly set up. Don't concern yourself with gearing, the 3.55 is perfect for the 3.5 and 10 speed. In fact the ratios are better than the 6 speed with 3.73.

For capacity, 157" WB Screw 3.5 EB with Max Tow and 20" wheels 4x4 is rated up to 13,200, payload is the only limiting factor, a 145" same configuration is 12,500 pounds. Depending on the number of passengers, you could tow up to a 9800 GVWR trailer with this configuration, provided there is enough payload.
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Old 07-24-2020, 07:58 AM   #46
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tt towed by F150

I called and asked my dealer what is the max I can tow with my 2015 FX4 SuperCrew Flex Fuel. I thought no problem 10k as most F150's. Well glad I called as my gear ration will allow me to tow 8800lbs. I am looking at a 2014 34' trailer weighing 7000lbs and includes the towing stabilizers.
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Old 07-24-2020, 08:49 AM   #47
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Buying a tow vehicle.

Quote:
Originally Posted by stev379 View Post
Hi,

What can an F150 3.5 EcoBoost with tow package safely tow with a Hensley?



I've read that 6000lbs is a safe dry weight for an F150 EcoBoost 3.5 w/o a Hensley, but have also found references up to 8000lbs w/o Hensley. I'll error on the side of caution, but if the Hensley can provide more stability, then I may be ok with a more drive-able 150 vs a 250.



I'm back and forth between an F150 and 250. The plan is for a 26-30' travel trailer in the 5500-6000lb range. My brother had a 3.5 EcoBoost towing a 34' TT (7700lb dry) 7 years ago with a regular hitch, not a Hensley or Equalizer etc. He was getting pushed and swaying going downhills and when stopping so he upgraded to a 350 diesel, but admits it's overkill. But he also said had no problems towing at all and misses the ride of the 150.
Look in the back of F150 buyer's brochure for specifications, choose what you want, and in 6-8weeks you get exactly what you want. If the dealer won't deal, find another dealer. I used Leif Johnson in Austin, Tx. I ordered an F150 EcoBoost on 8-31-2013 (last day possible for a '13) and received it in mid October.

I ordered the max trailer package and a payload up grade, one option package and the "Texas" upgrade to the XLT SCREW, with a the 40 20 40 bench front seat (Gran and I have 4 grandchildren). (Lariat and other upgrades have buckets up front only). This got me the trans cooler, trailer brakes, bumper hitch, wire harness and increased payload.

Your approach is the one I took: Find the trailer then find a truck; then if it's the not the truck you want, find your truck, then find the trailer it can handle. Work from both ends to get the fit you want.

We now have a '13 F150 Ecobost that is our only vehicle, and we comfortably tow a Flagstaff 8528 IKWS 5th wheel. Wish we had ordered the bigger gas tank, so I now have to stop every 200 miles or so, for fuel when towing.

Good luck! Be careful! Be well!
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Old 07-24-2020, 09:28 AM   #48
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Originally Posted by bobkathy78759 View Post
... (Lariat and other upgrades have buckets up front only). ...
Perhaps that's dependent on model year. My 2016 Lariat SuperCrew 145" 4x2 w/ MaxTow has a 40/20/40 front seat. I'd prefer a console but I bought it off a lot, as is, with everything else I wanted and nothing I didn't want.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 07-24-2020, 10:12 AM   #49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chriscowles View Post
Perhaps that's dependent on model year. My 2016 Lariat SuperCrew 145" 4x2 w/ MaxTow has a 40/20/40 front seat. I'd prefer a console but I bought it off a lot, as is, with everything else I wanted and nothing I didn't want.
Base Lariat comes standard with the front bench, the bucket/console is an option. 501 and 502 come standard with the console, bench is not an option.

If going for the 21 model, they now have the tow tech option that was exclusive to the superduty. You can have trailer TPMS and rear camera tied to the truck. Some nice options now for towing.
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Old 07-24-2020, 10:42 AM   #50
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Originally Posted by Bhrava View Post
... If going for the 21 model, they now have the tow tech option that was exclusive to the superduty. You can have trailer TPMS and rear camera tied to the truck. Some nice options now for towing.
The Tow Tech package reportedly is not available with the Max Tow package. Whether that means you can order the equivalent of a Max Tow package as separate options, or in separate packages, I have no idea.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 07-24-2020, 10:46 AM   #51
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If you are ordering, this thread on the F150 forum has lots of actual payload numbers some with complete list of options, so you can figure out what you want/can order.
In post 1, there's a link to a spreadsheet that you can slice and dice...
https://www.f150forum.com/f82/post-y...32538/index26/
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Old 07-24-2020, 11:01 AM   #52
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Originally Posted by boogiejack75 View Post
If you go with a heavier truck, get the 350 over the 250. More payload (for your NEXT trailer) , same money.
Hell. Go with a 450! The 22.5 inch tires and better brakes just mean that much more safety margin!

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Old 07-24-2020, 12:08 PM   #53
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My 2011 F 150 5.0L V8 has been pulling a 7,400 dry weight trailer for 9 years. The truck is rated at 9,300 pounds. The new ones are rated in the 11,000 pound range. I have never had a problem pulling my trailer.
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Old 07-24-2020, 12:12 PM   #54
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Have U pulled it in any Mountains & Stong Winds
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Old 07-24-2020, 12:44 PM   #55
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Originally Posted by chriscowles View Post
The Tow Tech package reportedly is not available with the Max Tow package. Whether that means you can order the equivalent of a Max Tow package as separate options, or in separate packages, I have no idea.
The order guide is a bit confusing, but what I found is the tow tech requires the tow package, and requires the 360* cameras. You can't order Max Tow with Tow tech, but you can order tow tech with 360 cameras and max tow.

Under XL

Quote:
Tow Technology Package (req. Class IV Trailer Hitch (53B), Trailer Tow Package (53A) or Max Trailer Tow Package (53C); req. Ford Co-Pilot360™ 2.0 (43A))Note:reqs. Mirrors54R or 54Y

Max Trailer Tow Package (NA w/3.3L V6 (99B), 2.7L GTDI (99P) engine or 122” Wheelbase; req. Heavy-Duty Payload Package (627))–XL Standard& High:Pro Trailer BackupAssistis not included Note:Ordering the Max Trailer Tow Package does not include Trailer Tow Mirrors. TrailerTow Mirrors are a standalone option and must be ordered separately.(Option Code:54Y/59S)

Now when you drop down to the XLT and up builds, thats where it gets confusing, so will have to wait until the actual build and price is available to see how the options pan out.


Quote:
Tow Technology Package (req. Class IV Trailer Hitch(53B))Note:reqs. Mirror 54R on 300A

360-Degree Camera Package (req. Trailer Tow Pkg (53A) or Max Trailer Tow Pkg (53C); inclu. Trailer Reverse Guidance)Note:reqs. Mirrors 54R or 54Y on 300Aand Mirrors 54Y or 59S on 301A

Max Trailer Tow Package (NA w/Tow Technology Pkg (17T), 3.3L V6 (99B), 2.7L GTDI (99P) or 18” Chrome-Like PVD Wheels (64T); incl. Pro Trailer Backup AssistNote:Ordering the Max Trailer Tow Package does not include Trailer Tow Mirrors. Trailer Tow Mirrors are a standalone option and must be ordered separately. (Option Code: 54W)
Knowing Ford and how they bundle things, I'm betting this will be bundled up into one of their packages and unavailable in vanilla trims.
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Old 07-24-2020, 03:30 PM   #56
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IMO:

Rule # 1 - check the rating sticker in the door jamb. This will provide you with max ratings permissible by DOT for that particular vehicle.
Rule # 2 - no additional equipment will change the door jamb ratings unless specifically re-rated by a company who has the legal ability to re-rate vehicle capabilities.
Rule # 3 - forget the hitch equipment ratings - means nothing in regards to actual permissible towing capabilities of the vehicle in question.
Rule # 4 - TV should always have more capacity (I prefer at least 30% greater) than actually needed - this may prevent the tail from wagging the dog.
Rule # 5 - any trailer close to or above 8000pds should be pulled by at least a 3/4 ton HD truck - heavier suspension, brakes, etc..


Keep in mind these are my opinions and only my opinions so no need to debate. I've driven most anything with tires, tracks, treads, etc. to include OTR trucking.
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Old 07-26-2020, 08:47 AM   #57
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Originally Posted by chriscowles View Post
... As an aside, we encountered gusts of 30-40 MPH (estimated by me) on the way home today. I definitely felt it but didn't feel like the truck was being redirected as I did under similar conditions with the BlueOx SwayPro. I generally drive at 55 - 60 MPH. While it was windy I slowed to 50 MPH when rain permitted. Visibility, not handling, sometimes dictated slower speeds.
I just found a National Weather Service alert on my phone for the area we were in at that time. It warned of an imminent storm with wind gusts up to 60 MPH. I don't know if we, personally, experienced 60 MPH gusts, but it was pretty bad. The 3P kept us pretty stable, considering that.
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TV: 2021 Ford F-150 4WD XLT Crew w/ 3.5L EB & HDPP, payload: 2,416#.
RV: 2020 Rockwood Mini-Lite 2507S, Propride 3P hitch w/ 1400# spring bars

Camping nights: 2021, 52; 2022, 99; 2023, 88; 2024, TBD (Est: 80+)

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Old 07-26-2020, 10:50 AM   #58
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TV

Scratch the Tundra off your list due to payload numbers. Had a 2014-1794 Tundra , payload number was 1340. Loved truck. It replaced an earlier Tundra. Yes there are Tundras w/ better payload numbers if not Crew Max. Gas tank size w/ lower milage, short wheel base and brakes are a limiting factor on the size trailer you are looking at. I was pulling a 27 VSL- 31' total length, 7500 lb. V-Lite. It would not hold 55 w/ cruise up moderate hills and I was on my third set of brakes at 67K miles. I had added Timbren's, Bilsteins and TRD sway bar, w/ Equal-I-Zer WDH, still not enough to be relaxed towing in the hills or in moderate winds at 60 MPH.
Brother-in-law has same truck 2016 TRD, non Crew Max-1600 payload. Same issues w/ brakes and all he pulls is a small tractor on 16' flatbed w/ brakes-6K.
Long term, you would be happier w/ a gas 3/4 ton.
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Old 07-26-2020, 09:42 PM   #59
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You can call any Ford Dealer. Give them your VIN number. They can tell you what all of your ratios are and the Factory Tow Capability. There is no reason to guess.
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Old 08-28-2020, 08:48 AM   #60
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Here’s my opinion and experience for what it’s worth.

We have a VIBE 288 RLS, started with an F150, super crew, tow package. The truck moved and stopped the trailer.

The problem was, the truck just didn’t weigh enough for anything that size. Wind was a nightmare, passing trucks were even worse. Using a blue ox hitch. No matter how I set the hitch or adjusted the weight in the trailer it never felt comfortable.

You also have to consider the extra weight added to the trailer. That weight is off of the assembly line and does not include the hitch, empty propane tanks or battery. You’ll be surprised how much stuff goes in the trailer once you load it. You also have to add the weight of occupants in the truck and any other gear you carry there. It adds up quickly.

We struggled at 60, and 65 was only on a perfect day with no wind or traffic and few turns. Upgraded to a 3/4 ton and the difference is unbelievable. I can relax, don’t have to keep both hands gripping the steering wheel, can cruise at 70 no worries, 75 if conditions are right. Truck can do more but I won’t.

Even with a little smaller trailer I’d get the 3/4 if you can.

My humble opinion.

Safe travels
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