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Old 12-08-2013, 07:14 PM   #1
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2006 F-150 towing 30QBSS

Hi, I'm new to the forums so forgive me while I fumble through this.....

This Friday we travel out to pick up our new 2014 Salem 30QBSS. I will be towing this with my 2006 Ford F-150 Crew Cab 5.4L / 3.73 rear / tow package... I have added a K&N cold air intake system, Edge Evolution Programer and new 50 series Flow Master Exhaust , all for a little more power (if needed). I have the Primus IQ Brake controller installed. I have installed the rear "Timbren SES" ...I will be using a Blue OX BXW1000 Weight Distribution/ sway control Hitch...

Am I over prepared? I have been researching the tow capacity for this truck for some time now, I hear the pro's and con's .... I don't want to win races, but I do want to be safe.

Any suggestions would be appreciated regarding the TT and this Tow Vehicle..

Thank you in advance!
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Old 12-08-2013, 07:48 PM   #2
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"Am I over prepared?"
No.
I towed a 30 foot TT for 2 years with a 2011 F150 CC SB 4x4.
I now drive an F350.
I suggest that you get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck for that TT.
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Old 12-08-2013, 07:53 PM   #3
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I'm not real familiar with Ford, but that 3.73 and 5.4 combo is most likely the max tow model or near enough. If that's the case, that trailer is just within it's limits. Will it do the job? Yes. Will you be happy? Maybe. The only thing I'd be concerned with is the TW. It lists as about 950 lbs. dry...probably closer to 1200 lbs. when done. That doesn't leave much payload left over for passengers and gear. Pack light in the truck and I'd say you'll be fine. And no, you can never be over prepared.
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Old 12-08-2013, 08:00 PM   #4
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Your Salem is pretty lite. 6575 lbs dry with a little over 11,000 lbs GCWR. What's the tow capacity of your F150?
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Old 12-08-2013, 08:02 PM   #5
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You should be able to pass anything but a gas station.

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Old 12-08-2013, 08:13 PM   #6
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Before you buy a new truck as implied, order some airbags! The 150 is a little soft for what your doing but it will do just fine. The airbags will stiffen up your butt and reduce the sway going down the road, also let those trailer brakes do some work, you should feel them pull on you slightly during a mild stop. Your within the limits....but limits and comfort are two different things. The 150 will show you what I mean when or if you hit mountains, but if your towing a few hundred miles on relatively flat grade you'll be fine.....again, airbag that sucker and feel the difference! Amazing!
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Old 12-08-2013, 08:19 PM   #7
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Just a question; If the self equalizing hitch raises your rear end to normal height, what will the air bags add to the equation?
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Old 12-08-2013, 08:24 PM   #8
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My 2006 F-150 has a Max loaded trailer weight tow cap. of 9,100 lbs
Receiver is rated at 990 lbs.
GCWR = 15,000

I think I have the Power... still cautious about the "mass" of the truck though.
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Old 12-08-2013, 08:31 PM   #9
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The Timbren SES kits are "AEON" springs and only work when the load pushes down on the rear spring, they do not act as air bags, they are mounted to the frame where the rear bump stops are. They are supposed to help with sway as well if and when the weight is applied to them... My thoughts are to prevent any sag at all.

Aeon™ Springs - Timbren Industries Inc. Ride Control Products
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Old 12-08-2013, 08:36 PM   #10
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The hitch will provide you with "sway" control more so than leveling...sure it helps, but when you hit a dip in the road your gonna flex like a wet paper bag! lol The airbags get the weight to the wheels and provide a very soft feel to the rear axle at the same time. Air ride equipped" is the way to go. I use them on my F-250 and really didn't need them, but by the time all springs are engaged on the load it's a ruff ride...so the airbags make it smooth as a cloud....and reduce dips when you hit a dip! lol
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Old 12-08-2013, 08:38 PM   #11
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The published hitch weight of the 30QBSS is 980 lbs. Looks like it almost maxes out the rating of your receiver of 990 lbs and realistically will probably weigh more once you get loaded. Maybe someone who has experience with receivers will join in. I have a 5ver so am a bit out of my element here.
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Old 12-08-2013, 09:04 PM   #12
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One of my previous campers was a Puma 30DBSS, which is a very similar setup to yours and I towed it with an 08 Lincoln Mark LT (essentially an F150 with a few "luxury" upgrades.) Same engine and towing capacity and was also a crew cab. I had the Reese Dual Cam weight distribution on it. I was probably close to capacity if not over from a weight standpoint but it handled well and I didn't have any major issues. I did wind up hauling it briefly with my F250 with the 6.8 V10 after trading in the Mark LT and the power really helped make a difference. With your mods to the truck you did you'll have more power, but like I was, you might be pushing it a little on weight.

You should be alright. I did not have any issues with my previous setup. Enjoy!
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Old 12-08-2013, 09:28 PM   #13
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What is the cargo rating of your truck ? if it is around 1,200 Lbs, with the passengers and some stuff in the bed and the trailer being loaded, you will most probably exceed the cargo capacity of that truck. That is the problem with the regular half tons, long before you exceed the tow rating, you are over the cargo or rear axle rating.

I towed a trail lite 30qbss for a few months with my old F150 4.6 liter. That trailer was 35.5' long and my truck was too short (5.5' bed) and underpowered for it. Then again, if you look at all the ratings and stay below them somehow, 5.4l will be able to move it comfortably. You are borderline in best of circumstances.
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Old 12-08-2013, 09:36 PM   #14
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I am towing a 25DS with my 01' F150 with no problems. Mine is the 7700 package Lariat with 5.4 and 3.73 gears. I have Firestone air bags on the truck and a good WD hitch with sway control. Handles it real well but I do have LT 285R16 10 ply tires as well.
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Old 12-08-2013, 09:48 PM   #15
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3850 lbs is the GAWR
990 lbs is the hitch weight rating
the Timbren SES should help distribute the cargo weight over the the rear axles better with less sag.
not sure where to find the info on the "cargo" weight.

I found the following on Ford's Fleet Web site...
Trying to fully understand.

"Note: Trailer tongue load weight should be 10-15% of total loaded trailer weight. Make sure vehicle payload (reduced by option weight) will accommodate trailer tongue load weight and weight
of passengers and cargo added to towing vehicle. Addition of trailer tongue load weight and weight of passengers and cargo cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed rear GAWR or GVWR.
These ratings can be found on the vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Label."

http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/...guideApr08.pdf
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Old 12-08-2013, 10:11 PM   #16
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You have a sticker (actually two of them) either on the driver door or low on the pillar between driver door and the passenger door, they can be seen when you open the driver's door. You can easily see the weight ratings for the front and rear axle, and the cargo weight.

And no, I do not expect you to go out and check it in middle of the night especially if it is well below 32F !
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Old 12-08-2013, 10:15 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goomph View Post
You have a sticker (actually two of them) either on the driver door or low on the pillar between driver door and the passenger door, they can be seen when you open the driver's door. You can easily see the weight ratings for the front and rear axle, and the cargo weight. And no, I do not expect you to go out and check it in middle of the night especially if it is well below 32F ! They look like this
On a 2006, he may only have the maximum cargo rating one. My inlaws 4runner is about that vintage and doesn't have a GVWR sticker.
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Old 12-08-2013, 10:17 PM   #18
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I believe my 2006 had one for the tires, a yellow one, which also had the payload capacity, and a white one which had the axle ratings etc ...


I wish my truck had the payload capacity of that truck which I attached the yellow sticker for ... sigh ...


Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad View Post
On a 2006, he may only have the maximum cargo rating one. My inlaws 4runner is about that vintage and doesn't have a GVWR sticker.
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Old 12-08-2013, 10:25 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goomph View Post
I believe my 2006 had one for the tires, a yellow one, which also had the payload capacity, and a white one which had the axle ratings etc ... I wish my truck had the payload capacity of that truck which I attached the yellow sticker for ... sigh ...
Ha. I could post mine. I think it's 4,297 pounds and 12,300 GVWR.

But I wonder if trucks had different stickers than non-trucks (my inlaws 4runner for instance). This is my first truck and I have no idea.
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Old 12-08-2013, 10:26 PM   #20
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Like I said, your tongue weight is going to be around 1200 lbs more than likely. If your receiver is rated at 990 lbs and you have a DRY tongue weight of around 980 lbs......you're over. Period. At minimum, you need to step up a class on your receiver. Everything else looks fine.
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