Too much RV for my Truck?

HeavyPuller · 02-23-2017, 09:54 PM

Wounder if any longtime rv'ers have any first hand information on this: I have a 2015 Ford XLT, 4 x 4 EcoBoost with a 2.7 liter engine with twin turbo's, 325 horsepower, automatic 6 speed. Crew-cab (not a true 4 door) has a towing package and rated at 12,500 pounds tow rating.
QUESTION IS: Do you think a
832-IKBS, FlagStaff (GulfStream) that dry weights at 8,100-+ and tough wt of 900lbs will be TO much weight for the small 2.7 V6, 2015 Ford XLT, EcoBoost. It has a 6 foot bed. I know the book says it's tow rating is 12,500 pounds. But seems to be an awful small engine for that size travel trailer at 35 feet.

**bikendan** · 02-23-2017, 09:58 PM

Don't think your truck has a 12,500lbs towing capacity.
Maybe the GCWR rating.

What the truck's payload capacity?

Kimber45 · 02-23-2017, 10:07 PM

I dont think your truck has that large of a towing capacity. My 5.7 hemi ram is rated at 10,500 and that was the highest of any 1/2 ton truck I could find.

I wont knock ford or the eco boost but I hear alot of people saying it's a dog when it comes to towing, and have heard others say its great. I dont think turbo anything (except diesel) replaces cubic size for power and towing.

PS my ram towed an 8k pound 4th wheel all day long with no problem.

HeavyPuller · 02-23-2017, 10:12 PM

Not sure about payload but the tag inside the door says GVWR is 6500 lbs. You are right the GCWR is 12,500.

HeavyPuller · 02-23-2017, 10:14 PM

I will say the Ford dealer told me the truck would not have a problem pulling the tl at 8100 lbs but not sure I trust his knowledge about towing a tl.

Mars · 02-23-2017, 10:18 PM

You will be at your max towing capacity which is 8,000 with the 3.73 rear end. Will it tow it yes, but you will be at full boost most of the time.

Blackhat6mike · 02-23-2017, 10:19 PM

You can only squeeze a small engine just so hard, I don't care who makes it. Horsepower isn't what you should be most concerned with when towing, its torque and tiny engines do not produce the torque necessary.
You can tow a trailer with a riding lawnmower if you try. There is no substitute for cubic inches of displacement and this is where torque lives.

Scrapper · 02-23-2017, 10:26 PM

I have the 832IKBS Flagstaff Classic Super Lite and it weighs in excess of 8100#. I don't think it would a good idea to pull with your truck. My Silverado 5.3L has a GVWR of 7000#. I might pull it 20 miles to my house from my seasonal site but I would never pull it the 60 miles to the dealer. Too many curves and too much traffic after I get past where I live.

Cowracer · 02-23-2017, 10:30 PM

A friend of mine towed a 21ssl Roo at around 7K lbs for a couple hundred miles with his ecoboost f150. It did it, but he said he needed more truck. He also has a F250 diesel, and he decided to try the F150 and he said never again.

Tim

HeavyPuller · 02-23-2017, 10:37 PM

Kind of what I was expecting - looks like there will be a 250 diesel (something) in the near future. Thanks for your imput. That's what I like about this forum.

BamaBob · 02-23-2017, 10:44 PM

*Chuckles*

Love hearing what a EcoBoost CAN'T DO

Until we upgraded we towed a ROckwood 8289wS all over the southeast with zero problems.

The only thing that you have against you is the 4x4 - I specifically avoided that options for more towing/cargo capacity

HeavyPuller · 02-23-2017, 10:51 PM

I understand and love my truck but thinking it's going to be a little lite on towing that much weight for really long trips.

SailorSam20500 · 02-23-2017, 11:01 PM

I think it will depend on where you want to go and how fast you want to get there. My suspicion is that you will be okay. Flats and minor grades will probably be handled in stride. You will probably suffer a little more in MPG than the 3.5 EBs. You will need to pay more attention to acceleration. Hitting >5% grades will probably mean you have to slow down. The 3.5 can handle 7% grades at posted speeds, even at altitude. Your 2.7 may mean you stay in the slow lane with the big semi's and maybe run a lower gear (3 or 4 instead of 5 or 6).
With that said, you are in the upper limits of the trucks capability. Be extra careful on down grades, go down a bit slower than you go up.
A probable benefit to you, having XLT trim and smaller truck may mean you have a higher payload (yellow door sticker number).

Hopefully you will get a couple of replies from folks who have a 2.7. The rest of us are just speculating.

As one last thought, think about calling the people at Can-AM RV in Ontario. They have a history of setting up rigs that many don't think are acceptable. Those who use them seem to have nothing but praise and respect. One of their best is active on the Airstream Owners forum. I'm sure any advice you get from them will be on target.

JLud · 02-23-2017, 11:02 PM

Something to keep in mind....a gas f250 will have considerably more payload should you ever trade up trailers. Plus if you are in cold weather you don't have to worry near as much. I had an F250 6.7 diesel with my 35 foot toy hauler and it was nice, however for that weight gas would have been ok as well.

HeavyPuller · 02-24-2017, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaBob

*Chuckles*

Love hearing what a EcoBoost CAN'T DO

Until we upgraded we towed a ROckwood 8289wS all over the southeast with zero problems.

The only thing that you have against you is the 4x4 - I specifically avoided that options for more towing/cargo capacity

Oh I understand completely. We just got back from Florida. Made the round trip without any issues except - stayed in 5th gear about 80 percent of the time rest of the time in 4th and 3rd. Stayed on back roads all the way down and back (hwy 231 to Panama City). I know it was all the little 2.7 wanted and I felt the need to stop at a truck dealer and trade up. Like some of ya said it's be a learning experience - NOW I KNOW. Have a good one and thanks again
.

OldCoot · 02-24-2017, 05:22 PM

The weight police say I can't pull a 2012 Flagstaff 8528RKWS with my 2005 1500 Silverado Ext Cab with a 3.23 Rear end and a 5.3L v8, but I've pulled it over 40k all over the mountains from the east coast to the Mississippi with no problems. I would not attempt the Rockies, but no problems anywhere else.

HeavyPuller · 02-24-2017, 05:59 PM

Right I know the little 2.7 liter engine is really stout but I just think the 8,100+ pounds and 35 ft is just to much. Don't get me wrong I love that truck but just think I got to much trailer for it. We took our time from our home south of Nashville to Panama City and stayed on hwy 231 all the way down and back but there's some really big hills on that hwy and few times I was in 2nd gear doing 30 mph and the turbo's were screaming. But we made it. Thanks

BamaBob · 02-24-2017, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger D.

Right I know the little 2.7 liter engine is really stout but I just think the 8,100+ pounds and 35 ft is just to much. Don't get me wrong I love that truck but just think I got to much trailer for it. We took our time from our home south of Nashville to Panama City and stayed on hwy 231 all the way down and back but there's some really big hills on that hwy and few times I was in 2nd gear doing 30 mph and the turbo's were screaming. But we made it. Thanks

Look at your near-mid term RV future. Do you like the lifestyle? Are you enjoying RVing? Do you foresee going out west (Rocky Mountains)? Do you see a upgrade to your TT? ( a LOT of TT owners get 5th wheel lust after a year or two - don't ask me how I know

)

If you are nodding your head and saying yes to any of the above, you may want to strongly consider getting a Diesel. More-so take a hard look at a 1 ton (maybe even a dually) At least if you do the truck will never be a issue!

A LOT of folks on this forum will tell you the tale of thinking there current RV was their forever RV. (Yeah, Right

) and then next year you see them in a new 35' 5er

HeavyPuller · 02-24-2017, 07:11 PM

Lot to consider and to be honest we have considered looking at 5th wheeler but knew I didn't have the truck for that but - and then who knows. Only live once.

jaherbst · 02-24-2017, 07:30 PM

Don't know where you are all getting your information. I have a 2013 F150 Titanium Eco Boost with Twin Turbos. 3.5 L engine with tow capacity of 11,200. Didn't know they made a 2.7 L eco Boost engine. I have a Work and Play 25WAB (30'). 7000+ pounds dry with 1200 pound hitch weight. Loaded with Can Am Spyder or Maverick I am about 10,000#-10,800#. I have 67,000 miles on truck and 25,000+ on trailer. Most use is in the west with lots' of mountains and coast to coast several times. Added Air Bags in rear and Weight Distribution Hitch. This combo works very well. Plenty power etc. This is a fantastic truck and it will do what ford tells you it will do. Highway/freeway cruise at 65-70 MPH. This is a true Crew Cab with four full size doors and the Max Towing Package. IMO the Max Towing Package makes all the difference in the world with the 3.50 rear end and the extra radiators. Transmission or engine never heats up.

Jack

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