Community Forums

Ruddoj · 09-20-2015, 09:12 PM

I am considering buying a Ford F-150, 3.73 gear ratio, V8 (5.0) with tow package....has hill descent control, traction control, Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler, Electronic Stability Control...ect.

Ford claims it can haul up to 11,100 pounds although I am jus looking for it to haul a TT in the 6000-8000 pound range.

I know many people are locked in to their brand and engine size and diesel over gas (ect.) but was curious if anyone had some 1st hand knowledge on the 2015 Ford F-150's .

one thing so attractive about the Fords right now is the 0% financing...

Dodge 2500 6.4L would be a bit cheaper than this FX4 model but not sure if it is a better choice.

any input would be great!!

tuffr2 · 09-21-2015, 02:51 AM

I had a 2011 F-150 with the 5.0 litre engine. I towed a 5,500 lb. TT. IMHO I cap the comfortable weight limit for a1/2 ton truck at 6,000lbs. It was a great truck to live with with my 5,500lb. loaded trailer. The truck knew the trailer was back there. Gas mileage dropped from. 20mpg highway to 10.

If you buy a heavier trailer I would go with the Ram 2500 6.4. A 3/4 ton truck will always tow much better than a 1/2 ton. If you park each truck side by side you will see huge difference.

jesilvas · 09-21-2015, 05:49 AM

Ford says that particular set up can tow 11100? Or just in general. You didn't say what cab/bed config it had and 2wd or 4wd. Those things matter.
In general, 6k is fine. 8k might be ok, not sure if I would.

marcham · 09-21-2015, 06:07 AM

I'd tow a 10000lb boat, but not more than a 5000lb trailer. Boats have a lot less wind resistance, cross-section and tongue weight. I sold my f150 (screw, 5.0, 4x4) because towing my 6500lb(loaded) trailer was unruly and I was over the rear axle weight limit.

Get an f250, you'll never regret having too much truck.

TeJay · 09-21-2015, 06:46 AM

It is generally accepted to be on the safe side to only tow at 80% of the trucks said maximum capacity. The manufacturers are well known to push the limits and they can do that. Consider not only the pulling power but the stopping power as well.

The other consideration is how comfortable will you be driving something that is on the edge of max??? We had three TT's that grossed out around 7,000 and towed with a 2010 F-150 (10,000 max). We had a good WD hitch. It was OK but not real comfortable and we never had any scary sudden stopping issues or severe wild winds to contend with.

In MHO for a 1/2-ton gas truck the F-150 is one of the best out there. With that particular truck I would have never towed anything close to 8,000 lbs. We loved the truck and so does our Daughter and S-I-L.

TeJay

CCH · 09-21-2015, 07:19 AM

I tow a 5800# TT with a RAM 1500 and a very carefully set up WDH - great combo that rolls great. My next TV will definitely be a 2500. I want a little more headroom on the overall truck capabilities and not just the listed tow capacity.

TexasTom · 09-21-2015, 08:03 AM

You might be able to get a configuration in an F150 with the power to pull it, but I would be more worried about simply handling that weight without a bigger truck. Stopping & control with 10,000 lbs would be problematic.

Loraura · 09-21-2015, 10:23 AM

Check the payload. I doubt it will have enough payload to accommodate 12% or the total wet weight as tongue weight.

If you loaded the TT to max of 10K, you'd need to be able to have 1250 pounds of available payload after putting your family and the hitch and anything else you'd need inside the truck or in the bed.

If you could squeak by the payload, I think you'd find that the lighter 1/2 ton F150 will have trouble convincing the 10K TT to behave politely behind it in less than perfect conditions.

chaps2018 · 09-21-2015, 11:16 AM

Oops

trode · 09-21-2015, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruddoj

Dodge 2500 6.4L would be a bit cheaper than this FX4 model but not sure if it is a better choice.

any input would be great!!

I have always contended that I could not live with a diesel, but approaching the weights you are talking about, I would seriously consider 2500 (250) and diesel. I used to pull about 7000-7500 with a Dodge 1500 Hemi, with lower rear and towing package, did ok, but always knew you were pulling a load close to the trucks max, close to tail wagging the dog. Paid for it at the pump too, about 8-10 mpg pulling.

I have looked, and am VERY skeptical of Ford's towing claims. Toyota too.

trode · 09-21-2015, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcham

I'd tow a 10000lb boat, but not more than a 5000lb trailer. Boats have a lot less wind resistance, cross-section and tongue weight.

Ditto, I pull a nearly 8,000 lb boat with a Nissan Titan (150, 1500, basically) and on the road hardly know it is there, handles way better than TT mentioned prior, no wind issues, and passing trucks etc, shape is everything.

runsdeep · 09-21-2015, 12:32 PM

Have you considered todays GM 2500 HD truck? I know there is a lot of dodge & fords on here but maybe take a look.? They have good deals going on now too. We run a 2014 1500 Silverado 4x4 pulling a 31' 7,400 lb. Keystone Laredo it does ok, but will soon upgrade to a 2500 GM HD 4x4. You didn't say if you are towing long or far & that can make a big diff. on any 1/2 ton regardless of brand if you are climbing hills. You will prob. exceed your payload cap., & rear axle capacities before your towing capacities. just saying...

Zac808 · 09-21-2015, 02:17 PM

My Tundra (10k tow cap) was shortlived with my TT. Handling was fine but power was a big issue for me. Entering/exting Las Vegas involves a few lengthy climbs at highway speeds. The Tundra did it, but it was not happy. MPGs was around 7-9 while towing. Now that I have a 3/4 Diesel it is a world of a difference. Non-tow mpgs are up by 5 as well. Win-win all around. Unless you plan on traveling on flat lands only, I would suggest against 1/2 ton for anything around 7k lbs and up.

SmokeyWren · 09-21-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruddoj

Ford claims it can haul up to 11,100 pounds ...

Not with the 5.0L engine in a SuperCrew 4x4. The HD payload package was not produced for 2015 model year, and so far it's not available on 2016 orders. So ignore those specs that require the HD Payload Pkg. Without the HD Payload pkg, the max tow rating is 10,300 with 5.0L engine, 3.73 axle ratio and SuperCrew shorty 4x4. But to get close to 10,000 pounds trailer weight without overloading the F-150 you must not have any heavy options such as cab steps, bed steps, or tailgate step. And absolutely nothing in the truck except a skinny driver. No tools, jacks, campfire wood, toys, passengers, nothing,

Quote:

...although I am jus looking for it to haul a TT in the 6000-8000 pound range.

About 7,000 pounds is the max TT gross weight without exceeding the payload capacity of the F-150 that doesn't have the HD Payload pkg. And even with a max around 7,000 pounds, you'd have to "travel light" without hauling more than a small family and not much other weight in the truck.

Remember that net available payload is your limiter. Most F-150s can pull a lot heavier trailer than they can haul the hitch weight of that trailer. My F-150 EcoBoost can easily pull a 10.000 pound trailer @ 65 MPH over hill and dale, but it's overloaded with my TT that grosses only 4,870 pounds when wet and loaded on the road.