2010 Ford F150 with tow package

[valtrent]

New to the forum, but it looks like a great place to learn.
Have a 2010 Ford F150 Crew 4/4 with tow package.
Empty weight 5400. GVWR 7200. 5.4L engine with 3.55 limited slip axle and tow brake package.
The Ford site says my combination can tow up to 9600# with a GCWR of 15,500#.

Question is the travel trailer I'm looking at. The EW of the trailer is/was 5430 and GVWR is 7680#. 2008 Keystone Springdale SG267BHL.

Anybody close to my specs? I haven't bought the trailer yet. Just about to make an offer but I think I'll hold off till I hear from some of you.
Too much trailer or with the tow package, keeping the trailer light, is this doable?
Thanks much.
Val Trent
Seattle

[Mekanic]

with a weight distrubting hitch, and of coures a brake controller you should be all set up. The lastest 1/2 tons have the capabilitys of the 3/4 tons did 25 years ago.
(Much bigger brakes, frames, HP and TQ, and of course more curb weight.)

[hooverbill]

Remember ACTUAL tow capacity is GCWR minus the weight of the tow vehicle when ready to tow.

[TXiceman]

The 9600# is a MAXIMUM and based on the base model truck, no cargo, no passengers, no hitch, no accessories and only a 150# driver. For every pound you go over the base weight, you reduce the towing capacity accordingly.

So load up the family and normal travel cargo and head for the scales and get your weight.

GCWR - loaded truck = max loaded trailer weight (not dry weight).

GVWR - loaded truck = max loaded trailer tongue weight.

A typical TT will have a tongue weight of 10 to 15% of the loaded trailer weight.

With the 3.55 axle and the 6 speed you will be spending a lot of time in 4th or 5th.

Ken

[Superslif]

Just checked my 2010 trailer Life "Guide to Towing". Yes, it does list your rig at #9600 with the short bed truck. It looks like that trailer would be fine.

We all load our RV's differently. I also travel as light as I can.....Each spring, I evaluate what I really need. I think I'm at about 4500-4600 pounds. And my limit on my TV. is #7200.

[NLOVNIT]

I see this is your 1st post. . You've come to the right place for answers.

You're probably awfully close. You'll be surprised how much your truck weighs with it loaded for travel.

Your 1st assignment as a new member: Take Ken's advice & load your truck up the way you would if you would be towing a travel trailer.
Full tank of gas
All passengers - i.e. you, wife, kids, dog(s), cat..etc.
Bikes/skateboards in the bed of the truck
And throw in a bunch of firewood equal to a couple nights cooking campfire

Now, head to your nearest scales to get your actual loaded truck weight & report back to us what your numbers are. We'll have a much better idea of where you're at rather than going by the base weight numbers.

Lori-

[Hikerdogs]

I have a 2010 Expedition with all the same specs (except no limited slip diferential). It's used regularly to tow a 4 wheel trailer (no weight distribution hitch) loaded with either a small end loader or tractor. The weight is usually between 6,000 lbs and 8,000 lbs depending on which machine and what accessories are being carried along. It pulls the load without any problems regardless of the road conditions.

This truck replaces a 1999 Expedition that pulled the same load for several years without a single problem. I have to admit the new truck pulls it easier (325 hp vs. 260 hp) than the old one. I especially like the tow/haul mode for steep grades and slogging through the mud and crud. I also like the easy access to the port for installing the electric brake controller. It took all of 5 minutes to transfer the controller from one truck to the other.

[Ray,IN]

We are glad you joined us!

After you have physically weighed your truck, loaded up ready to go camping, use this Tow Vehicle/Trailer Calculations Demonstrator to accurately match your truck to a trailer.

[valtrent]

Thanks to everyone who replied. Good, practical information! I look forward to reading your posts on other subjects now.

[TXiceman]

There are lots of folks here on iRV2 with over 20 years RVing experience. This forum tends to provide answers based on facts and sound engineering decisions. Some of the other forms tend to have lots of people that respond based on passion and not much in the way of facts.

Ken

[Cat320]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman There are lots of folks here on iRV2 with over 20 years RVing experience. This forum tends to provide answers based on facts and sound engineering decisions. Some of the other forms tend to have lots of people that respond based on passion and not much in the way of facts. Ken

Anybody with only 20 years experience is a rookie and probably has not yet learned the secret hand shake!

[hooverbill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superslif Just checked my 2010 trailer Life "Guide to Towing". Yes, it does list your rig at #9600 with the short bed truck. It looks like that trailer would be fine.

All those tow capacities are with an empty truck. That's why the actual tow capacity formula posted earlier is important. Anything you put in the truck (tongue weight) reduces the tow capacity.

[Grodyman]

I think your truck can handle it no problem. If you find you need more power for hills/maintaining overdrive, you might consider re-gearing your truck to 4.10 from the 3.55. It will cost a grand or so, but might be worth it if you are going to pull at 7500 lbs. or more. Good luck.

Gman

[aspeyrer]

i had a f 150 last year, i now have a f 250 cc 4 by 4 turbo diesel, i would not pull anything with a truck less than my f 250, if anything i would go even bigger. I pulled some small trailers with my f 150, and it did not pull worth a crap! gas engines suck for towing, and get horrible fuel mileage, get a turbo diesel f 250 or f 350, and you will never want to drive a smaller truck again