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Old 07-13-2020, 07:52 PM   #1
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What weight (TT) can an F150 3.5 Ecoboost w/Hensley hitch safely tow?

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.
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Old 07-13-2020, 08:05 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 07-13-2020, 08:15 PM   #3
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I drive an 2011 f150 with max tow package.
My trailer is a 2017 Rockwood ultralite 2703 ws that is about 32 feet long and close to 9000lbs loaded.
I have a 4p Equalizer hitch and so far I haven't had any issues with my set up. The only time I have to slow down is in long up hill roads so the truck doesn't overheat. Keep it under 50 mph in the up hills.
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Old 07-13-2020, 08:21 PM   #4
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In addition to the questions above.
Is the truck 2x4 or 4x4?
What axle ratio do you have? 3.73? 2.55? 2.30?
Here is a link to the 2020 tow guide.

https://webcontent.goodsam.com/trail...wGuide2020.pdf

In my case, I have a 2013 4x4 F150 with the chipped 3.5 eco with tow package and the 3.73 rear. I was able to tow a 6,800 trailer without any issue. I had a differential hitch but i would suggest going with one of the newer designs.
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Old 07-13-2020, 08:35 PM   #5
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As Dan said, the issue is your payload or cargo limit. That limit is determined when the truck leaves the factory and printed on a yellow label and stuck on the driver door jamb.
If you load a lot of stuff into your truck when you camp (bikes, tools, firewood, kids, etc.), you need a lighter trailer. If you camp "light" you can handle a heavier trailer.
FWIW, my truck and trailer loaded for camping come in under my limits. My loaded trailer weighs in at ~7000 lbs. I tow with a Propride hitch (Hensley V2). My truck is a stock 2019 super crew, Platinum trim, 3.5, SB, no moon roof, ~1600 lbs payload. My truck bed has my leveling boards, Blackstone griddle, and a some other misc light items. DW and I weigh in at under 300 lbs.
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Old 07-13-2020, 09:41 PM   #6
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A lot depends on the stability and configuration of the trailer.

I had a 2016 3.5EB with 3.55 gearing max tow and a payload of 1680. Pulling my 30ft 7000lb loaded trailer was work until I got a propride. I had to be very careful on weight because I was tongue heavy if I put everything in storage. Note that I have a reverse floorplan than sailersam. While I was stable with a propride I was over if I packed wrong. I got tired of moving things around and bought a 1ton. Now I bring what I want.

My advice is get a good matched trailer to your TV capabilities and don't overbuy or it will cost even more to fix your problem.
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Old 07-13-2020, 11:48 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by law View Post
In addition to the questions above.
Is the truck 2x4 or 4x4?
What axle ratio do you have? 3.73? 2.55? 2.30?
Here is a link to the 2020 tow guide.

https://webcontent.goodsam.com/trail...wGuide2020.pdf

In my case, I have a 2013 4x4 F150 with the chipped 3.5 eco with tow package and the 3.73 rear. I was able to tow a 6,800 trailer without any issue. I had a differential hitch but i would suggest going with one of the newer designs.
Forget the TL towing guide. The Ford Towing Guide is superior to it.
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Old 07-14-2020, 12:28 AM   #8
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Ignoring the extra weight of the hitch, an F150 3.5 EcoBoost with tow package can safely tow the same amount with a Hensley as with a more traditional design of weight-distributing hitch.
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Old 07-14-2020, 06:33 AM   #9
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It depends on the payload of the actual truck and the toung weight of the loaded trailer. Toung weight varies based on floor plans and cargo loading.
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Old 07-14-2020, 01:23 PM   #10
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I have a 2016 F150 3.5 Eco 3.55 gears. I tow a 2706ws which is 32’ and use a Hensley. It tows great. However I also added the RAS (rapid active suspension) to the rear springs. I only go a couple hours out. I wouldn’t want to go on a 4-5 hour trip. The truck it’s self is light. If you haven’t bought a truck yet get a 250. I wish I would’ve. The drawback is the 150 is much better driving when your not towing.
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Old 07-14-2020, 01:46 PM   #11
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I have a 2017 with the HD payload, and that gives you the 3:73 ratio. I tow about 8500 lbs or so, unless I double tow, then it’s around 9500 lbs. I have lots of payload so that’s not an issue and it tows either way great. It’s a fifth wheel so not really apples to apples.
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Old 07-14-2020, 10:09 PM   #12
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If you have to ask go with a 250. Two reasons you may go larger and need it later. But the best reason is safety. Why possibly push the limits to a possible accident.
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Old 07-15-2020, 10:14 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by db7512 View Post
If you have to ask go with a 250. Two reasons you may go larger and need it later. But the best reason is safety. Why possibly push the limits to a possible accident.
If you go with a heavier truck, get the 350 over the 250. More payload (for your NEXT trailer) , same money.
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Old 07-15-2020, 12:06 PM   #14
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X2 on cargo capacity and the likelihood you may want/need a heavy duty truck for your immediate wish list (i.e. up to a 30' TT) as well as your NEXT TT. Relative to the Hensley Arrow hitch, I love, Love, LOVE my Hensley. Even a heavy duty tow machine can benefit from the no-sway performance of the Hensley. And the lower the TV capability, the more noticeable the Hensley's contribution to a good towing experience. That said, the truck and driver have to do their parts, as well. The truck still has to stop the load, handle its part of the tongue weight, etc. And the driver has all the usual driving duties, with extra margins necessary for the increased weight and size of the TT. Oh, and while there is no sway with the Hensley, it can't stop the "push" you describe in your brother's rig, nor can it eliminate all porpoising. I believe I'd like his new TV a lot better; but I'll bet the Hensley could even help with that set-up. Good luck with the research - better to do it before you spend any money than to have to lose money when you find out the desired TV/TT combination won't work for you. And happy camping!
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Old 07-18-2020, 08:47 AM   #15
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Thanks to all for the neighborly advice, suggestions and information. Rarely is there a more helpful group than the campers I've met over the last decade of tenting next to my brother.

I should've have qualified my op by noting that I'm working things out by considering the best towing options for the 150. Max tow package and options for towing with better torque set at least 3.73 or maybe 4.1. So, the best thing the 150 has to offer to tow compared to a 250 with similar or better towing...or also looking at Tundras a little.

The 250 won't fit in the garage at work, but my 5' tall wife who has always wanted a big truck can drive it 1 mile to where she works at school, (if schools open again). The 150 will have a better ride and other bells and whistles, which most of us prefer for obvious reasons, but I also lean hard into safety and want tow 80% or less of what I can.
I've heard a number of complaints about EcoBoost turbo issues that seem pretty normal to me, but still are not something I'd have to worry about with a 250.

It's really looking like a 250 is going to be the one for us. If the 150 could handle 1000lbs more without the pushing, then I wouldn't have any doubt, but we plan to be using this vehicle a lot and even a 150 with a Hensley and the best towing options for my setup will probably have more wear and tear issues than a 250.
Only looking at gasoline engines since my short wife may be using it for a short drive to work.
If it wasn't so much fun looking at theses beasts, I wouldn't have as many questions. It's tough getting the honest type of answers you need at the dealer so i really appreciate the info here. Looking forward to getting the truck in the next couple months. Have some test driving to do.
Thanks again!
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Old 07-18-2020, 09:58 AM   #16
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If you get push from the travel trailer, the trailer brakes are not set correctly. The trailer should stop itself and not depend on the truck.
If you go with an F150, there is a Heavy Duty Payload Package (HDPP) that has a thicker frame, stronger rear axle with stock 3.73 gears, and an extra spring leaf, separate/additional option from the Max Tow. Not available on the top grade (of 3) of the XLT or above luxury series. The 4.10 gears are only available on the Raptor and it has crap limited towing capacity for other reasons.
All current series F150 with 3.5EB or 5.0 are tow rated at 7000# minimum. The other engines at 5000# minimum. Regardless of gearing.
There is, of course, an F150 forum that has a lot of info available with a Tow/Haul sub forum.
A lot to be said for going F250/350. My SIL is on his second Ram 2500, tows a 8000# GVWR toy hauler, and has never considered using a WDH. However, he shifted to using my daughter’s Jeep Compass for his long commute. My daughter’s driving the 2500 daily locally and changed roads between our houses to avoid the slightly shorter bumpy one.
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Old 07-18-2020, 12:26 PM   #17
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I tow a 6785# GVWR Mini-Lite 2507S with a 2016 RWD F150 using a ProPride hitch. It's very stable and I'm very comfortable with the combination . Mind-numbing details below.

The truck is a SuperCrew Lariat RWD with MaxTow. The latter includes, among other things, the 3.5L EcoBoost and 3.55 E-locking rear end.

I weighed the trailer on the way home from buying it on a CAT scale. At the time I was using a BlueOx SwayPro WDH. I had very little in the trailer other than 2 6V GC2 batteries, 2 full 30#LP tanks on the tongue, and some tools. The truck had a full tank of gas and lot of stuff in the bed (tools, generator, etc.)


I'm taking it to a scale this week. The 3P will add some tongue weight, eating some of the available payload. The trailer has all our gear and I'll have a passenger.

Equipped and loaded as I'll weigh it, the trailer tows very steadily with the 3P. I haven't found the sweet spot for stinger angle, spring tension and cargo distribution, so that can only improve.

There's a big contrast between towing with the BlueOx and with the ProPride. I drove in 40MPH winds with the BlueOx and was limited to 45MPH on back roads. I haven't been in high winds yet with the ProPride but the effect of trucks on the highway is much less than with the BlueOx.

The GVWR and GCVWR of the truck are 6800# and 17000#, respectively. The GVWR of the trailer is 6785#.

Calculated weights are below. Draw your own conclusions.

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 07-18-2020, 12:33 PM   #18
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PS: as the brakes are adjusted, I don't get the Hensley "bump".
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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 07-19-2020, 12:22 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chriscowles View Post
I'm taking it to a scale this week. The 3P will add some tongue weight, eating some of the available payload. The trailer has all our gear and I'll have a passenger.

I'm interested in the delta on your TW. From a lot of reading, it seems most often the change is negligible often being +/- 25 lbs. Yes, some rigs end up with lower TW.
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Old 07-19-2020, 01:14 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by SailorSam20500 View Post
I'm interested in the delta on your TW. From a lot of reading, it seems most often the change is negligible often being +/- 25 lbs. Yes, some rigs end up with lower TW.
That’s what some may claim but it’s technically impossible. TW of the trailer is completely unaffected and completely independent of the P3 or Hensley. These hitches act as hitch extension, increasing the weight removed from the front axle compared to the conventional WDH and take another 100lbs from the TV payload.
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