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Old 07-11-2020, 06:38 AM   #1
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RV shopping for a newbie couple

Hello All,
My wife and I are really interested in the Forest River Rockwood Mini lite 2205S with theater seating. One of the things that concerns me is the weight of the coach. I already own a 2017 F150 2.7L 3.55 gears.
The Coach UVW is 5,004 GVWR 6,690 hitch weight is 530
I am not sure what the approximate real world weights are for this coach.
Full propane, battery, food & gear... Will my hitch weight go up significantly?

My truck as stated is a 2017 f150 lariat 2.7 liter 3.55 gears
The GVWR is 6,500
Payload sticker says 1,282 (not loving this number)
The GCVWR is 13,900 Towing capacity is 7,600 according to the ford towing guide online.

Please see the attachment, I found an online calculator to use.
I feel I am on the high end of payload capacity for sure, towing capacity looks ok.
Thanks for the help.
Tony
Click image for larger version

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Old 07-11-2020, 07:19 AM   #2
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Hello, and welcome from western NJ!

The dry hitch weight is pretty much meaningless, as it is without options, battery, propane, etc. Your payload is a bit light, it must be a heavily optioned F150.

Without buying the camper, loading it up for a trip and bringing it to the scales it is hard to determine if you’ll be above payload. I would take the gross weight of the tt and multiply it by 13-15% for a general idea of what the tongue weight will be. Add a weight distributing hitch (~80#), passengers, things you will carry in the truck and anything you’ve added to the truck and you’ll have an idea of where you are regarding payload.

You might want to consider a lighter trailer. I towed a smaller trailer with an suv with similar payload and never had a problem.

Good luck!
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:19 AM   #3
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You'll be real close if not over in payload. Add the actual weight of the hitch to your calculations 75-100 lbs. Your real world hitch weight will likely be closer to 750lbs loaded. 12% of the loaded trailer weight (including water if you're dry camping)
So 750 tounge weight 100 for the hitch, puts you about 850 before passengers and gear in the truck.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:27 AM   #4
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You’ll be close but if you really like that model trailer I’d go for it. Just don’t skimp on your weight distribution hitch, buy a good one and you’ll be fine.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:51 AM   #5
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This is a F150? Heck, my '07 and '17 Expeditions are more capable in both cargo and towing capacity. And they don't ride like a truck the other 330 days of the year the trailer is not behind.

You're gonna be right at max capacity but you should be OK meaning you can get away with it for a while until you get a competent truck. As a charter member of the Weight Police I would never recommend your "truck" for towing but you already own it and with a lightly loaded trailer weight of (say) 6000 pounds you'll have somewhere between 600 and 900 pounds on the ball meaning your cargo -- including passengers -- will be limited. This will work but the hassle will have you looking at a new truck -- or an Expedition -- in a couple of years.

Highly recommend the Equalizer (brand) WDH.

(I avoid pretentious terms like "RV" or "coach" for campers. It's just a trailer. )

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Old 07-11-2020, 08:34 AM   #6
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Good fit for your truck. Your TW will be in the 650-700 range after you load up the trailer.
Enjoy.
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Old 07-11-2020, 09:13 AM   #7
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I owned a 2014 Eco and our payload was basically the same. My dry hitch number was 850 lbs trl was just under 10k loaded and was 36’ long. I was able to pull at speed and stop my trl with eco. The springs were very soft so I had to add timbrens, even with the Timbren I couldn’t move the TT until I put the bars on. I had the 3.5 and I am not familiar with your engine. However you seem to be in range of your numbers close but within so you have to decide. Can the truck do it yes will you enjoy pulling it, I never really had white knuckles when driving mine but others have. Your experience might be different
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Old 07-11-2020, 09:41 AM   #8
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Clayshooter71

That’s a very nice trailer love the layout. I have a 2104s kind of similar in weigh to the one your looking at. I had a Chev. 2018 Silverado 1500, 5.3 and it pulled the trailer so so because of the 3.21 rear. The payload capacity was a big problem as it will be with yours. My GCVWR was only 12,000 pounds. No matter how I loaded everything I was still over in all areas and there was no safety margin as recommended 15-20%. I had to purchase a new truck to satisfy my inner self in respect to safety but that’s me. There will be many opinions here about the capability of your setup. Just keep in mind safety those numbers have a reason behind them!
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Old 07-11-2020, 09:55 AM   #9
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2017 2.7 scares me. https://www.motorreviewer.com/engine.php?engine_id=146
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Old 07-11-2020, 11:15 AM   #10
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You must be easily frightened.

The 2.7 is certainly less competent than the 3.5 though, especially in SUV/truck/towing applications. The 2018 F150 got the improved 3.5 with port/direct injection and better timing chains. Expedition didn't get this engine until 2018 (I don't have it).

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Old 07-11-2020, 11:29 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck_S View Post
You must be easily frightened.

The 2.7 is certainly less competent than the 3.5 though, especially in SUV/truck/towing applications. The 2018 F150 got the improved 3.5 with port/direct injection and better timing chains. Expedition didn't get this engine until 2018 (I don't have it).

-- Chuck
Can you clarify this? You said that the F150 AND expedition both got the improved 3.5 in 2018, but you phrased it as if the F150 got it earlier. Do you mean the 2017 F150 got the improved 3.5? I have a 2017 and I thought we got the improved engine and 10 speed so I’m guessing a typo?
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Old 07-11-2020, 11:35 AM   #12
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Congrats on coming having done your homework, a picture of the door sticker will really put most of the questions to bed.

I’m actually surprised at the weights you mentioned for 22 footer, I think our 25 footer (2004 model) is close to 2000 less, but i’ll have to check that figure when I’m near it again. I think as long as you are careful not to over load both the camper and the truck you will be within the limits. You specifically said “couple” so it sounds like it’s not a family of four and all the accompanying accessories that go along with that so you may be able to run a little lighter than a lot of people. One year when we were bringing in everything from the trailer for the winter we weighed it as it came in and it really added up.
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Old 07-11-2020, 12:05 PM   #13
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That is a nice TT. While we have a 2109S on order my wife is looking hard at this one. We just don’t know why we would want a fireplace. The theater seats would be nice to have.
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Old 07-11-2020, 12:09 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clayshooter71 View Post
My truck as stated is a 2017 f150 lariat 2.7 liter 3.55 gears
The GVWR is 6,500
Payload sticker says 1,282 (not loving this number)
The GCVWR is 13,900 Towing capacity is 7,600 according to the ford towing guide online.Attachment 233644
The F150 equiped with a 2.7EB is built slightly different than the 3.5EB or 5.0L V8. The 2.7 F150 equiped with a "Payload Package" gets you higher numbers than the 1,282 thats on your door sticker.
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Old 07-11-2020, 02:08 PM   #15
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Door sticker(s) will show the as built capabilities.

The Expedition typically lags a year behind the F150 as far as the engine and gearbox are concerned.

2017 Expedition still has the "first generation" 3.5 Eco Boost and the 6-speed transmission which were upgraded in 2018 to the new dual injection second generation 3.5 EcoBoost and 10 speed transmission that the F150 got in 2017.

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Old 07-11-2020, 02:27 PM   #16
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2.7 and 3.31 Gears 2205s

We pull our 2205S with a '16 F150, Supercab 6.5 bed, factory tow, 2.7 EcoBlast! And, 3.31 axle.

Runs like a rocket. I have an ARE MX tall cap on the bed, (must have for camp equip IMO)

Now gas mileage in the hills is about 8mpg, but on the flats I have gotten 11 mpg not going over 65 mph.

We run Equalizer 10k hitch and AirLift 2k air bags.

Rides smooth as all get out, plenty of power in hills, mountains of East Pa, down through Ky.

No complaints, runs cool 6 sp trans shifts great we run in tow/haul mode.

You will be ok with the 2205S.
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Old 07-11-2020, 02:30 PM   #17
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Welcome from SoCal!
As has been said above, you deserve kudos for having done the homework before spending the money. My personal inclination is to have plenty of safety margin; i.e., more truck than is required. The more mountainous your expected terrain, the more I would look at a more capable truck, especially if there is family involved.
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Old 07-11-2020, 02:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lswartz View Post
That is a nice TT. While we have a 2109S on order my wife is looking hard at this one. We just don’t know why we would want a fireplace. The theater seats would be nice to have.
Hi, jus' sayin if your wife is looking hard at the 2205S...

Get the 2205S with theater seats.

We traded our 2109S for the 2205S... No comparison between the two but for the open floorplan.

The theater seats ARE two beds as well... the fireplace is very cool to look at, BUT, the built in heater with thermostat will keep trlr warm with outside temps in the 40's.

Check it out if you can, you won't be sorry.
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Old 07-11-2020, 06:25 PM   #19
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Thanks for all of the input

Just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to give us some feedback..











Quote:
Originally Posted by Clayshooter71 View Post
Hello All,
My wife and I are really interested in the Forest River Rockwood Mini lite 2205S with theater seating. One of the things that concerns me is the weight of the coach. I already own a 2017 F150 2.7L 3.55 gears.
The Coach UVW is 5,004 GVWR 6,690 hitch weight is 530
I am not sure what the approximate real world weights are for this coach.
Full propane, battery, food & gear... Will my hitch weight go up significantly?

My truck as stated is a 2017 f150 lariat 2.7 liter 3.55 gears
The GVWR is 6,500
Payload sticker says 1,282 (not loving this number)
The GCVWR is 13,900 Towing capacity is 7,600 according to the ford towing guide online.

Please see the attachment, I found an online calculator to use.
I feel I am on the high end of payload capacity for sure, towing capacity looks ok.
Thanks for the help.
Tony
Attachment 233644
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Old 07-12-2020, 04:56 AM   #20
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Payload sticker

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Towed View Post
Congrats on coming having done your homework, a picture of the door sticker will really put most of the questions to bed.

I’m actually surprised at the weights you mentioned for 22 footer, I think our 25 footer (2004 model) is close to 2000 less, but i’ll have to check that figure when I’m near it again. I think as long as you are careful not to over load both the camper and the truck you will be within the limits. You specifically said “couple” so it sounds like it’s not a family of four and all the accompanying accessories that go along with that so you may be able to run a little lighter than a lot of people. One year when we were bringing in everything from the trailer for the winter we weighed it as it came in and it really added up.
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