Purchase Advice

[FR27]

Originally Posted by 67L48

Fair enough. I said >1/2 ton. You said 1/2 ton is OK. Neither provided any data or arguments. I suspect you're correct and I'm wrong, but let's walk through the data for fun.

Let's start here: 2015 Ford Towing Guide.

OP stated 2015 F150 SCrew with the Ecoboost V6. I'll assume 4WD and no max tow package.

We have the following ratings:
GVWR: 7,850 (mine is only 7,700)
GCWR: 16,100 (mine is only 13,500)
Tow Capacity: 10,700
Payload: 1,718
Curb Weight: 4,800 (mine is 5,500)

Let's start with easy math: GCWR - GVWR = 8,200 lbs. What does this mean? Like most vehicles, it means that one cannot both maximize the truck and the trailer. This is a common mistake. People think they can put 7,800 lbs on the truck and tow 10,700 lbs. Nope.

What is actually on the truck? Well, there's 5 people. Let's figure 600 lbs of clothed human. There's 100 lbs for the WDH. Let's assume another 300 lbs of stuff -- options on the car, entertainment items, computers, maybe campfire wood, bikes, grill guard, pets, illegal human organs that you're trafficking, and other stuff. Total of "things" on the truck are around 1,000 lbs, which is conservatively high.

So, we have 5,800 lbs on the truck (probably less). So, GCWR - Truck Weight = 10,300. Note that this is still less than the theoretical tow rating. Again, it's important that in light duty vehicles, almost always (but not strictly always) the tow rating can only be achieved in an otherwise empty vehicle. That is why the GCWR is maybe the single most important rating, but the one that almost always gets omitted from the discussion.

But, it's still well within the 8,000 lb larger trailer weight. By my calculations, the OP is fine with the F150. I would not be able to tow it with my 2005 5.4 V8 F150 SCrew 4WD.

Hope that helps and feel free to point out calculation errors.

Thanks for the input. Your calculations are similar to mine. My payload is actually 1910 lbs. and with a WD hitch my max tongue load is 1110 lbs. Also, all five of us together only weigh about 425 lbs. We also travel light, so I'm fairly confident my truck can handle the 2706WS.

[ben31]

This is racing off the rails. Becoming a TV debate.

[FR27]

To get this thread back on track I will provide an update. I put a deposit down on a 2706WS that we will be going to look at this weekend. I will be doing a thorough inspection and if everything looks good we will purchase this unit. It has everything we want and a floor plan that will work for the five of us. The other unit we were considering (2509S) is a great unit too, but might get crowded for us over time. My boys are ages 11, 9, and 4 and it's nice at times to have a little space.

[itat]

I hope the inspection goes well, FR27. Rockwood makes an above-average quality unit and your 12K Equal-i-zer hitch will serve you very well with the 2706WS. I also have the Equal-i-zer 12K WDH on my Rockwood TT.

I hope you don't think that this thread went "racing off the rails" when the discussion about weights came up. So many people come to this forum excited and ready to buy a trailer knowing nothing more than what an RV salesperson told them about what their truck can tow. You asked for purchasing advice and the TV capability is one part of the decision making process. When we bought our Roo in 2012 and the 8293SS in 2015, both times I bought with full knowledge that a truck upgrade was likely going to be needed if we went ahead with the purchase - and it was, both times.

With a 1900# payload, you should be fine with the 2706WS for several years as your family grows. If it has regular "P" passenger tires, consider upgrading to "LT" tires when it comes time to replace them.

Hope you make great family memories with your new camper.

[timfromma]

I too use the 1000lb number to account for passengers and stuff in the truck. My cargo capacity is 2500lbs which leaves me 1500lbs for trailer tongue weight.

[wildcatter]

Originally Posted by llr

Personally I would not have another camper with only dinette seating. Especially for the bad weather times.

X2 on this. You will find it very uncomfortable real quick.

[67L48]

As stated several times, though, none of the trailers discussed in this thread feature only dinette seating.

[Moosey1]

My 17 F150 tows 1200olbs, but the payload capcuty added from the trailer and with a family of fivet will tow the trailer, I have the same truck. Message me if you want the low down on the weights for payload capacity limits that you need to know

[Moosey1]

I have a 17 F150 with the economy boost and it tows max 12000lbs. 1/2 ton or 1 ton you will hear all kinds of stories., but 1 tons do have better suspensions.

As 67L48 stated, the weight distribution will add weight to your total payload and would make putting anything in your truck bed exceed the capacity.

To keep this thread stay on point, just Message me and I will give you the low down on your limits on your F150, very important not to exceed the trucks payload capcity, if you get in an accident, and the crash investigation determines you went over, your insurance will not pay no matter who is at fault, just something to think about.

Once you know the numbers of the limits of your truck, then chose your trailer wisely

[itat]

The OP has a good handle on his trucks’ limits and seems to understand how tow limit and payload are separate things.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by Moosey1

I have a 17 F150 with the economy boost and it tows max 12000lbs. 1/2 ton or 1 ton you will hear all kinds of stories., but 1 tons do have better suspensions.

As 67L48 stated, the weight distribution will add weight to your total payload and would make putting anything in your truck bed exceed the capacity.

To keep this thread stay on point, just Message me and I will give you the low down on your limits on your F150, very important not to exceed the trucks payload capcity, if you get in an accident, and the crash investigation determines you went over, your insurance will not pay no matter who is at fault, just something to think about.

Once you know the numbers of the limits of your truck, then chose your trailer wisely

I'm not too sure what additional information you're adding to this thread that others, myself included, have already provided. The payload of my truck is 1910 lbs. According to my calculations taking into account the tongue weight of the camper with a WD hitch, the weight of my family, and the weight of what we load into the truck when we go camping I'm still under that payload number. Our trucks might be able to tow 12,000 lbs, but if you exceed your payload what difference does it make.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by itat

I hope the inspection goes well, FR27. Rockwood makes an above-average quality unit and your 12K Equal-i-zer hitch will serve you very well with the 2706WS. I also have the Equal-i-zer 12K WDH on my Rockwood TT.

I hope you don't think that this thread went "racing off the rails" when the discussion about weights came up. So many people come to this forum excited and ready to buy a trailer knowing nothing more than what an RV salesperson told them about what their truck can tow. You asked for purchasing advice and the TV capability is one part of the decision making process. When we bought our Roo in 2012 and the 8293SS in 2015, both times I bought with full knowledge that a truck upgrade was likely going to be needed if we went ahead with the purchase - and it was, both times.

With a 1900# payload, you should be fine with the 2706WS for several years as your family grows. If it has regular "P" passenger tires, consider upgrading to "LT" tires when it comes time to replace them.

Hope you make great family memories with your new camper.

Just an update! The inspection of the 2706WS went well, so we went ahead and purchased the unit. Everything was perfect and the craftsmanship was excellent. It had the wifi booster and all the other extras we were looking for. It will stay inside at the dealer until we pick it up in the spring.

[itat]

Congrats. Be sure to read everything you can here about the PDI process including downloading a copy of the PDI checklist from the Library.

Make sure everything is perfect before signing and handing over your big check or committing to any financing (you'll find advice here about financing too). You have the power until you sign and hand over the money. After that you're relying on the quality of the dealer to rectify any problems - big or small - in a timely manner.

You said you've owned campers before so this may be a familiar process for you.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by itat

Congrats. Be sure to read everything you can here about the PDI process including downloading a copy of the PDI checklist from the Library.

Make sure everything is perfect before signing and handing over your big check or committing to any financing (you'll find advice here about financing too). You have the power until you sign and hand over the money. After that you're relying on the quality of the dealer to rectify any problems - big or small - in a timely manner.

You said you've owned campers before so this may be a familiar process for you.

Thanks for the advice and information! I completed the PDI under my own terms following a similar checklist. The dealership we dealt with is great. They gave us all the time we needed to inspect the TT. I paid TTL and some out of my own pocket and financed the rest through my CU at 3.24%. The dealer will store it for us inside for free until we pick it up in the spring.

I'm still up in the air about the TV. On paper my TV can handle this TT, but an F250 6.2 V8 might be a safer option in the long run.

[itat]

Sounds like you've got everything well in hand. Assuming you want to be within your F-150's specs, the only way to know is to take it to a CAT scale and weigh it while towing the new TT. You could do that on your first trip when you're fully loaded. The other factor is your "seat of the pants" comfort level pulling the new TT.

[pojp58]

Congrats on your purchase. I also chose the 2706WS after many months of thought.
In the same situation except we have grand kids now.

The dealers will tell you that trailer is 1/2 ton tow-able and it is but the 1/2 ton is going to work hard.

We pulled ours home from the dealer 100 miles unloaded and you could tell the truck was working hard. I have a 09 GMC 1500 Crew Cab with a 2.42 rear end with a WDH.
If the rear end was a 3.73 the truck would be much better for towing.
With the 2.42 the trans shifts to much, you have to manually put it in 5th which makes everything run hotter and at higher RPM's.
Ive towed for a lot of years and find the 3.73 is best over all. JMO though.

Most people don't bring up the gear ratio but I think it is very important when it comet to towing.

I decided to look for a 3/4 ton truck for towing the TT. I wasn't looking for it but ended up getting a 2004 Chevy 3500 dully with a 6.6 Durmax which only had 109,000 miles on it. Lucky catch, the truck is spotless.
As stated above though I might have trouble fitting into some parks but ill live with that.

This truck has a 3.73 rear end which I love for towing and I have to say, this truck don't even know the TT is back there. And it still get good gas mileage. That's how much of a difference it is.

We looked at all the TT like you did and I think you made a good choice. Pull it with what you got and if you don't feel comfortable then move up.

[ben31]

Congratulations and happy camping!

[pojp58]

Thanks.

[FR27]

Originally Posted by pojp58

Congrats on your purchase. I also chose the 2706WS after many months of thought.
In the same situation except we have grand kids now.

The dealers will tell you that trailer is 1/2 ton tow-able and it is but the 1/2 ton is going to work hard.

We pulled ours home from the dealer 100 miles unloaded and you could tell the truck was working hard. I have a 09 GMC 1500 Crew Cab with a 2.42 rear end with a WDH.
If the rear end was a 3.73 the truck would be much better for towing.
With the 2.42 the trans shifts to much, you have to manually put it in 5th which makes everything run hotter and at higher RPM's.
Ive towed for a lot of years and find the 3.73 is best over all. JMO though.

Most people don't bring up the gear ratio but I think it is very important when it comet to towing.

I decided to look for a 3/4 ton truck for towing the TT. I wasn't looking for it but ended up getting a 2004 Chevy 3500 dully with a 6.6 Durmax which only had 109,000 miles on it. Lucky catch, the truck is spotless.
As stated above though I might have trouble fitting into some parks but ill live with that.

This truck has a 3.73 rear end which I love for towing and I have to say, this truck don't even know the TT is back there. And it still get good gas mileage. That's how much of a difference it is.

We looked at all the TT like you did and I think you made a good choice. Pull it with what you got and if you don't feel comfortable then move up.

I'm still on the fence about my TV. I like my truck and on paper it should work just fine with a little wiggle room in the payload department. I'm also considering the comfort of towing the 2706WS. I'm trying to find an F250 6.2L that would be equivalent to my 2015 F150 XLT sport package. Unfortunately it's not apples to apples. For instance, the F250 passenger seat is not powered...not sure why this is the case considering the cost of these trucks. Anyway, I might have to search for a clean used lariat trim F250.

[pojp58]

My 1500 looks good on paper to but it works to hard for my liking so I found me a diesel that would do the job.
I know the 3500 dually is a over kill but I like over kill.
It sure makes pulling a lot more fun and relaxing.
I would have settled for a 3/4 ton but stumbled across this deal.
One more thing about a diesel when pulling a trailer like what you got, the truck won't even know it's back there.