RV Towing #'s Help

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itguy08

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Looking at buying my first truck and need some help with Towing. We're planning to get an RV in a year or 2 and I want it to do it right the first time!

Looking at a 2011 F150 Supercrew Ecoboost with Max Tow. According to the Payload on the door jamb it's 1850 lbs and Ford says it can tow 11,200 lbs.

Now we've been looking at RV's for a few years now and like these:
Jayco 33RLDS
Jayco 26RKS
Lacrosse 323RST
Lacrosse 327RES
Prowler 30PRLS
Outback 316RL

All have gross weights between 8,400 lbs and 10,300 lbs. and about 30-36ft. I worked up a spreadsheet based on 10 and 15% tongue weight and it looks like at 10% we're good as we have 820 and 1010 payload left. At 15% it gets a lot closer and in some cases only 300 lbs.

Is this doable and with a Weight Distributing hitch would it make sense or should we be looking elsewhere?

Also the #'s I came up with on young weight are much different that the RV brochures. Is that normal?
 
The weights you get from the rv dealer will be without loading(your items) LP fuel water, grey and black water tanks empty. You will be towing more that the stated gross trailer weight. Some rv specs don't event include options such as air conditioning etc. Those length trailer and weights are a bit much for an f-150. You can figure and easy extra 1100lbs with gas, water and your stuff, plus the weight of the hitch.
I run the equalizer hitch , its rock steady and great in the wind, I highly recommend it. Don' forget you will need an electric brake controler, if the truck does not come with it. I run the techonsha prodigy inertia brake controller. Don't buy a time based controller.
EQ90-00-1200_1000.jpg
 
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So I have a Passport 3220 BH. It is 6280 Dry. It was 7400 lbs loaded for 5 days of camping. I have 3/4 ton truck. You will run out of payload before tow capacity.

When you say gross, you mean loaded right? You are not talking dry correct? You will most certainly require a GOOD WD hitch with some type of sway control.

So your payload is 1850...Lets say you Weigh 170, the Mrs. 125. Don't know if you have kids or dogs. Whatever you put in the bed, lets go light...200 lbs. Gas, lets assume a 34 gallon tank, that is 204 lbs, plus a 150 lbs for all your other fluids.
That is about 850 lbs. With those trailers you are at the edge of what is comfortable. Most folks on the RV board with an Ecoboost get the one with more payload. The truck has plenty of power, but payload is low.

Is it a daily driver?

My tongue weight is advertised at 680. It was about 790 on the scales.

There is, for stability sake, a rule of thumb for wheel base of the tow vehicle vs trailer.

20' of trailer for the first 110" of wheelbase. You can then add an additional 1' of trailer for each additional 4" of wheelbase.

This is my setup. I also run the Equalizer, love that hitch!
img1888qs.jpg
 
I'm pulling a jayfeather 23b . Its 23ft hybrid with a slideout. its close to 5000lbs loaded , the truck weighs 5800. Wheelbase is 130 inches. Its all I want to tow without a bigger truck.
Hills will bring out a lack of truck and remember you have to be able to stop the thing!! An emergency stop is scary.

My experience is that some dealers will tell your anything (Sure you'll be fine, you can tow that all day!!) To make a sale, they figure the truck problem is yours once they sell it.
 
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The ecoboost will pull that weight easily. Make sure you run a very good electric brake setup on the trailer. Your issue is going to be the sway and stability. If day you are pretty close to the max that truck will safely handle.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
The truck has plenty of power, but payload is low.


Agree.

Unfortunately, the "Heavy-Duty Payload Package" (8,200 GVWR) is only available on the Regular Cab and SuperCab models with 8’ box.
 
Thanks guys.

I'm basing all my calculations off the GVWR of the trailer as I think that is the maximum it can weigh and should be the "best" guessing number since weights are not known.

As far as the family it's me, the wife, and dog. Any stuff we want to take with us would most likely go in the trailer (that's what it's there for right?). I'd most not likely travel with any water in the tanks (or at least 1/2 capacity).

The F150 we are looking at is the Ecoboost Max Tow (not max payload) and from the door it's got a payload of 1850. Has the integrated brake controller.

Figuring me, wife, dog @ 500lbs total that leaves 1350 for tongue weight, right?

Since these guys may be too heavy any recommendations on something lighter so that we can look at floor plans?
 
I think you'll be better off with a 3/4 ton V8 or diesel pickup. You're very borderline with the weights you're looking at, and I'd be nervous about taxing the turbocharged V6 too much.

I've towed some heavy boats and trailers with my two work trucks; a 2011 F150 5.0, and currently a 2010 Tahoe 5.3. 10,000 lbs is not fun over any distance in a half-ton platform. I now borrow a Silverado 2500 for anything approaching those weights.
 
Ok since I didn't come out and say it.
The engine would be fine, but...
You would be better of with a 3/4 ton for those size trailers. Although my truck is not a power house it is very stable because of the larger more robust frame, suspension, axles, brakes etc etc.


Do it right the first time. You will find, if this is your first TT, you will be over what you think your payload is.

You are not taking any firewood? Bikes? Stuff adds up quick.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Although my truck is not a power house it is very stable because of the larger more robust frame, suspension, axles, brakes etc etc.


Are those 19.5's?
 
Like others have said. Things add up. Food, fuel, propane clothes, water, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, bikes, lawn chairs. In the end you will end up way heavier than what your first impressions were. Get a 3/4 ton truck, you will be much happier down the road.
 
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Ok since I didn't come out and say it.
The engine would be fine, but...
You would be better of with a 3/4 ton for those size trailers. Although my truck is not a power house it is very stable because of the larger more robust frame, suspension, axles, brakes etc etc.


Do it right the first time. You will find, if this is your first TT, you will be over what you think your payload is.

You are not taking any firewood? Bikes? Stuff adds up quick.
x2. I would not recomend a 1\2 ton truck. A 3\4 Ton has full floating axles and tires with stiffer sidewalls that wont flex and cause sway.
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Although my truck is not a power house it is very stable because of the larger more robust frame, suspension, axles, brakes etc etc.


Are those 19.5's?

Nah, just 18 inchers that I got a good deal on. After market 8 lug rims. I have load range E Hercules on them. I really like the tires.
 
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
I think you'll be better off with a 3/4 ton V8 or diesel pickup. You're very borderline with the weights you're looking at, and I'd be nervous about taxing the turbocharged V6 too much.

I've towed some heavy boats and trailers with my two work trucks; a 2011 F150 5.0, and currently a 2010 Tahoe 5.3. 10,000 lbs is not fun over any distance in a half-ton platform. I now borrow a Silverado 2500 for anything approaching those weights.

^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^^ I have been towing for over ten years. Various RV's from 4200 to my current 9600 pounder. All most every RV sales person is going to tell you that a half ton will tow their rig. I can tell you it won't, or at least it won't for very long. The point of RV'ing is to get away and relax. There were many times in my 1500 and then my F150 that I arrived white knuckled and ready to puke. Moving to an F250 was better, but the 5.4 ran really hard, and lost speed up hills. As well, take offs from stops took some time and effort. I found a great used F350 with the 6.0 powerstroke. For the purpose of this discussion, all the 6.0 haters can save their comments. That thing pulls my 9600 pound trailer, firewood, and a scooter very well, and still manages about 12 MPG while doing it. Do your self a favor, and look into a 3/4 ton. You'll always eat up your gross with firewood, grills, and all the other luxuries that RV'ers tend to accumulate. And most likely as you go along, you'll upgrade your trailer at some point, and then you'll already have your vehicle in place. As mentioned above, don't waste time with any hitch but the Equal-I-Zer. Best 500 bucks I've ever spent on a piece of gear for camping. As well, the Prodigy is a great controller, if for no other reason than you don't have to turn it down and lose your adjustment just to back up into the spot.
 
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Dumbish question: what is the opinion as to what is the upper limit of a half ton? No, I'm not after "don't go past 80% GCWR" I mean, at what point do people think it's just better to go 3/4? I am Thinking about 5k, assuming tow package etc. Sure, they are rated for more, and most trucks are used as commuters 95% of the time, so it's foolish to automatically go for a ton to pull a rowboat. But more than 5k, big wind load and long trailer...

Coworker has thought of trading his 2500, which gets 14mpg and is rated for like 11k for the 1500 which should get upwards of 20mpg and still a 10k tow rating. His trailer is 7k maybe closer to 8k (I suspect it is heavier than he thinks). I told him he would not be happy with such a trade, even if he was within payload and other ratings.
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: ls1mike
The truck has plenty of power, but payload is low.


Agree.

Unfortunately, the "Heavy-Duty Payload Package" (8,200 GVWR) is only available on the Regular Cab and SuperCab models with 8’ box.


It's also available on SuperCrew with 6.5' box, there will be one in my garage shortly.



Originally Posted By: supton
Dumbish question: what is the opinion as to what is the upper limit of a half ton? No, I'm not after "don't go past 80% GCWR" I mean, at what point do people think it's just better to go 3/4? I am Thinking about 5k, assuming tow package etc. Sure, they are rated for more, and most trucks are used as commuters 95% of the time, so it's foolish to automatically go for a ton to pull a rowboat. But more than 5k, big wind load and long trailer...

Coworker has thought of trading his 2500, which gets 14mpg and is rated for like 11k for the 1500 which should get upwards of 20mpg and still a 10k tow rating. His trailer is 7k maybe closer to 8k (I suspect it is heavier than he thinks). I told him he would not be happy with such a trade, even if he was within payload and other ratings.


I spend a bit of time on the F150 forums and this comes up pretty often. If you tow frequently and heavy, then get the 3/4 ton. If you're towing 5000 pounds on vacation a couple/three times a year and otherwise drive unloaded, then the 1/2 ton should be plenty; it all speaks to intended use.

Your buddy would really notice the difference with a 9000 pound trailer. But if he only tows once a year on vacation it would likely be worth it.
 
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Hè gets at least three or four trips in per year, and 100miles would be a short trip. 300t to 500 I think is his typical. I think after having a 3/4 it would be too much of a step back; he did do the math and figured it was not worth buying a car for commuting, as it would cost more than gas to feed the truck. And I know he is not going to take the hit on a trade. Well, at least not today, but in a few years then maybe.
 
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Unfortunately, the "Heavy-Duty Payload Package" (8,200 GVWR) is only available on the Regular Cab and SuperCab models with 8’ box.


It's also available on SuperCrew with 6.5' box, there will be one in my garage shortly


I was referring to the 2011 model year the original poster was interested in.

Yes, as of 2014, Option Code 627 is available on the XL and XLT Regular Cab and SuperCab models with 8' box and XL, XLT and Lariat SuperCrew with 6.5' box.
 
Some things to watch are gear ratio-very few half ton pickups come with a gear ratio suitable for heavy towing, and SOME 3/4 ton pickups do NOT have full float rear axles. In reference to beanoil's 6.0-the TorqShift automatic is an EXCELLENT transmission, but unless you delete the EGR, a 6.0 would not be the best choice for durability in heavy towing-they just run too hot & have a tendency to lose head gaskets & injectors. That's why there's so many "good deals" on them, and the 6.4! You'd be better off to spend a little more on a Ford 6.7 or Duramax/Cummins.
 
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
towing, and SOME 3/4 ton pickups do NOT have full float rear axles.


Which current trucks do not?
 
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