Roo 183 tow vehicle ??

[Kalacim]

Hello,

Long time reader but my first post.

I am looking at my specs and would like some input on them. I have a 2011 Ecoboost F150 pulling a Roo 183, here goes

Weights

F150 5,688 #'s Ecoboost 3.5L with 3.55 standard 18's for tires
Roo 4,500 #' loaded - Dry is around 3,300 #'s so I am estimating for gear
Total is 10,188
GCVW is 15,500

Payload

Truck payload is 1512 from the sticker
If I take 374 for hitch weight plus 300#'s for Me and wife + 110 for children)Est high they are little) plus WDH 100#'s that leaves me with about 1,000#'s of payload left.

Does this sound like a safe and confortable setup?

[bikendan]

If you've got an Ecoboost with tow package, there's no hybrid made that it can't tow easily.
Even fully loaded.
So, get a good WDH and go camping!

[Kalacim]

The dealer installed a Husky 600/6,000 WDH and it works well I have no problem with setup. I have nothing to compare other WDH's to so I cannot say if I am having a good/bad towing experience.

However I moved from a Dodge 1500 with the 4.7 without the tow package and it could not pull this trailer at 60 MPH. The RAM was running at 5000 RPM at 60 which is why I moved to the ECOBoost to begin with.

The EcoBoost has been great so far even at 10 MPG or so pulling. I think the MPG has more to do with Frontal area opposed to weight.

[Darnutz]

Kalacim. If you are interested in understanding your weight restrictions and such you can check out my recent post on a thread titled tv's for Roo 23ss. It's elaborate and if you h e any other questions feel free to contact me. I was all worried about information on this and made sure I understood everything now.

[bikendan]

Darnutz, the OP has a Roo 183, a much smaller, shorter and lighter hybrid than the 23SS.

therefore, an Ecoboost will have no problem towing it nor any hybrid made.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by Kalacim

Does this sound like a safe and confortable setup?

No sweat!! Safe and happy camping!!

[Darnutz]

I'm familiar with that. Just put it out there to anyone breaking a sweat over their weights. Just a better understanding of ones limits. That Eco boost should actually be able to tow my trailer with a lot more ease

[Kalacim]

I was not terribly worried about weight but more about the gas milage that I am getting. The 183 seems to be a huge wind block when towing. I wanted to make sure weight was not the issue but more a frontal area problem. Has anyone noticed or found a way to divert the air coming over the truck, to up and over the camper?

[Triguy]

The bottom line is gas mileage is what it is. Driving 55mph helps the most IMHO.

Wind deflectors need to be really well adjusted to make any appreciable difference. I read more negatives than positives on the various forums I visit.

[Kalacim]

The problem with 2011 Ecoboost is the gas tank is only 26 gallons. Sure would be nice to get a few more miles out of it while towing. I should have waited for the 2012 they put the 36 gallon in as an option, but I could not wait that long.

[Triguy]

36 gallons would be nice. I have a 26 gallon, too, and the most that can be said for that is it forces me to stop periodically and stretch my legs.

Would you consider an in-bed auxiliary fuel tank? Not sure how important this is to you for the expense and loss of cargo space.

[Kalacim]

I never considered it. That might just be an option but depending on the size it could cost quite a bit for a one time stop at the gas station. But I would have to pay either way.

[Canuck_Doug]

I would love an F150 eco-boost to pull my 183, but I have to settle for my 06 Explorer EB with the 4.6 and tow package..... Pulls no problem, and the gas needle moves easily...