New Rockwood 2902WS

[bigmitch101]

I just bought the same 2902ws and pull it with a 2016 F-150 EB and have the 11,300 tow rating. I pulled it for the first time last weekend and didn't have any problems. I'm using an Equalizer hitch set up, and between that and the sway control on the truck I was fine. It was a VERY wind day coming back and as long as I watched my speed (60-65) it didn't feel to bad.

[RShelton]

Originally Posted by bigmitch101

I just bought the same 2902ws and pull it with a 2016 F-150 EB and have the 11,300 tow rating. I pulled it for the first time last weekend and didn't have any problems. I'm using an Equalizer hitch set up, and between that and the sway control on the truck I was fine. It was a VERY wind day coming back and as long as I watched my speed (60-65) it didn't feel to bad.

Glad to know the F150 towed it fine. We don't pick our unit up for another three weeks, but will have a similar setup with Equalizer weight distribution hitch. Also just ordered the Furrion observation camera...I really want to be able to see what's behind me. BTW, does your F150 have the trailer backup assist and if so have you tried it with your camper?

[andymil]

Here we go again.

Tow rating and GCWR must be observed but the cargo or payload rating is just as important. Tongue weight, hitch weight, everything in the bed and everything in the cab including you and passengers, is part of the cargo weight.

My F150 EB pulled my 2703WS just fine. Tow rating and GCWR were OK but my cargo rating was only 1250 lbs. I was way over.

[bigmitch101]

The back up assist is great. The set up process isn't hard, just finding a place for the stickers you need to install isn't the best. The reason is, the location of the propane tanks and tongue jack.

The towing and payload issue is definitely not the best, but it works. I'm sure everyone would love to tow with F-350, but that doesn't fit my daily driving needs. I do have the increased payload package on my truck with the tow package.

[Rivasiuk]

I almost fell into that scenario. Your 1/2 ton can pull a good amount but your cargo weight is limited. The larger trailers carry a significant tougne weight to maintain stability. Hence eats into your cargo and passenger weight. Trailer dealers don't often tell you that yeah you can tow it but just with two passengers and no other gear in the truck.

Overloaded cargo puts you in a unsafe zone in a emergency situation.

Do some research to ensure to match truck and trailer compatibility for your own and family safety sake!!!!

[Rivasiuk]

What is more important your driving needs or your safety needs? Look at a f250 not much difference in price unless you go to diesel and sits 4 inches higher.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by Rivasiuk

What is more important your driving needs or your safety needs? Look at a f250 not much difference in price unless you go to diesel and sits 4 inches higher.

Why stop at an F250? Wouldn't a 350 DRW be even safer? Who gives anyone the right to draw the arbitrary and invisible acceptable safety line? My problem with the F250 gas- and what ruled it out of my consideration- is the lower unloaded fuel economy and the fact that it actually has less torque at a higher RPM than the Ecoboost. Not to mention the fact that the EB doesn't lose power at elevation whereas the NA 6.2L would be considerably down on power at higher elevations.

[325BH]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Why stop at an F250? Wouldn't a 350 DRW be even safer? Who gives anyone the right to draw the arbitrary and invisible acceptable safety line? My problem with the F250 gas- and what ruled it out of my consideration- is the lower unloaded fuel economy and the fact that it actually has less torque at a higher RPM than the Ecoboost. Not to mention the fact that the EB doesn't lose power at elevation whereas the NA 6.2L would be considerably down on power at higher elevations.

Hope I don't rattle too many here... it is not my intention.

The difference is, you will probably exceed your payload capacity on a 1/2 ton and will not exceed it on a 3/4 ton.

In addition, 3/4 ton (and up) trucks are built so much stronger than their 1/2 brethren. I strongly believe the manufacturer ratings on a 1/2 ton truck are up-to-and-touching their safe limits. When you get into 3/4 ton and up, there are lots of other factors manufacturers use to determine their ratings... and I believe they are rated well below their safe limits.

It is night and day difference between driving a 3/4 ton and up truck at their ratings and a 1/2 ton at its ratings.

With regard to engines... yes, you will have better mileage with the F150/Ecoboost combo than with the F250/6.2 combo. The F250 is much heavier and the 6.2 is a V8.

Regarding high altitude, yes turbos vs naturally aspirated have differences. Unless you drive the Rockies on a regular basis I'm not sure I would base my decision on that. I have towed through mountain ranges before with naturally aspirated engines many times. A turbo would have been nice, but didn't ruin my day.

The ecoboost engines are sweet for sure. I'm still curious about their long-term reliability for heavy towing though. There is a big difference between running a turbocharged engine with varying boost throughout its life vs running it at/near max boost for most of its life. Although the ecoboost and 6.2 have similar torque/hp numbers, one is working at/near its mechanical limits and one is not. (The 6.2 is a pretty bullet-proof engine, working well below its abilities.)

Pulling a 10,000 lbs trailer up a grade at 4,000 RPM in my 6.2 doesn't bother it in the least. I could do that for a tank-full, refill and repeat, and repeat, and repeat...

Pulling the same with an ecoboost is going to be hard on it after a while. Things get hot and stressed at boost.

Diesels and their turbos in trucks are designed for that. Ecoboosts in F150's probably have a minute percentage that tow anything substantial... and Ford knows this. The ecoboost engines in the F150, although wonderful engines, are not truck engines.

[andymil]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Who gives anyone the right to draw the arbitrary and invisible acceptable safety line?

I'm pretty sure the government has the right to draw the arbitrary and invisible acceptable safety line.

I wouldn't want to have to explain to the police or the insurance company (who will use any excuse to deny a claim) why I was overloaded when I had a problem.

The Ecoboost will do the job. You just have to be within the limits.

[Seachaser186]

Originally Posted by andymil

I'm pretty sure the government has the right to draw the arbitrary and invisible acceptable safety line.

I wouldn't want to have to explain to the police or the insurance company (who will use any excuse to deny a claim) why I was overloaded when I had a problem.

The Ecoboost will do the job. You just have to be within the limits.

You pretty well said it all in two short sentences. "The Ecoboost will do the job. You just have to be within the limits."

[ginonut]

We own a 2902WS and F150 3.5 ECO Boost and are VERY comfortable!

[Rivasiuk]

Originally Posted by 325BH

Hope I don't rattle too many here... it is not my intention.

The difference is, you will probably exceed your payload capacity on a 1/2 ton and will not exceed it on a 3/4 ton.

In addition, 3/4 ton (and up) trucks are built so much stronger than their 1/2 brethren. I strongly believe the manufacturer ratings on a 1/2 ton truck are up-to-and-touching their safe limits. When you get into 3/4 ton and up, there are lots of other factors manufacturers use to determine their ratings... and I believe they are rated well below their safe limits.

It is night and day difference between driving a 3/4 ton and up truck at their ratings and a 1/2 ton at its ratings.

With regard to engines... yes, you will have better mileage with the F150/Ecoboost combo than with the F250/6.2 combo. The F250 is much heavier and the 6.2 is a V8.

Regarding high altitude, yes turbos vs naturally aspirated have differences. Unless you drive the Rockies on a regular basis I'm not sure I would base my decision on that. I have towed through mountain ranges before with naturally aspirated engines many times. A turbo would have been nice, but didn't ruin my day.

The ecoboost engines are sweet for sure. I'm still curious about their long-term reliability for heavy towing though. There is a big difference between running a turbocharged engine with varying boost throughout its life vs running it at/near max boost for most of its life. Although the ecoboost and 6.2 have similar torque/hp numbers, one is working at/near its mechanical limits and one is not. (The 6.2 is a pretty bullet-proof engine, working well below its abilities.)

Pulling a 10,000 lbs trailer up a grade at 4,000 RPM in my 6.2 doesn't bother it in the least. I could do that for a tank-full, refill and repeat, and repeat, and repeat...

Pulling the same with an ecoboost is going to be hard on it after a while. Things get hot and stressed at boost.

Diesels and their turbos in trucks are designed for that. Ecoboosts in F150's probably have a minute percentage that tow anything substantial... and Ford knows this. The ecoboost engines in the F150, although wonderful engines, are not truck engines.

Very good analysis of capabilities in my opinion.

[Rivasiuk]

Absolutely!

[Seachaser186]

Originally Posted by Rivasiuk

Very good analysis of capabilities in my opinion.

Like I said and a few others. The 3.5 EB (Truck Engine) is great for towing as long as you stay within your limits which includes payload. To dispute otherwise is biased opinion.

[itat]

Here's my 2 cents.

My '09 F-150 was 600# over it's GVWR with my family of 5 on board and towing my 8293SS, and about 150# over the rear axle's rating, so I decided to upgrade to my '16 F-250 with the 6.2L gas engine. I considered a new aluminum bodied EB but my long time, trusted mechanic says to avoid the turbo.

I had upgraded the F-150 with extra leaf springs and LT tires which contributed to the extra weight but it did make it more stable. The F-150 felt OK despite being overloaded but it did feel maxed out. The F-250 is significantly better and the brakes are 10X better. The 6.2's mpg sucks, literally, and you need to kick it up to 3000 rpm to get into the strong torque range, but so be it. I'm more confident that I'm not taxing my truck now and if DW wants to eventually move to a 5er I have 2X the payload capability.

[TaurusRacing]

Sorry I am late to the party. I pull my 2902 with a 3/4 ton gas. I really know it's back there and I have the weight distribution hitch. I don't think a 1/2 ton is the best tow vehicle.

Congratulations. You will love the trailer!

[Cheeze]

You can tow that easy with a half ton, I have similar setup with 1/2 ram no problems my friend pulls more weight than you with a Chevy 1/2 ton I never thought about it before than I started reading these forums and everyone wants a semi to pull a 29 foot trailer ask how many people had problems or breakdowns because they were pulling with 1/2 ton. bunch of overthinking people

[pibi]

x2. I really like the way my f150 eb tows the rockwood 2703ws. We went up some nice hills and 140 miles of freeways. No problems. Always keep the speed under 65 mph.

[RShelton]

I've now towed the 2902 three times and the F150 seems to handle it pretty well. Plenty of power and feels stable. Granted I'm not towing in the mountains. Now I'm going to set up the trailer backup assist and see how that works.

[Martsing]

Originally Posted by pibi

x2. I really like the way my f150 eb tows the rockwood 2703ws. We went up some nice hills and 140 miles of freeways. No problems. Always keep the speed under 65 mph.

X2

Marty