Community Forums

bigdomino · 10-14-2016, 04:34 PM

I am considering an F150 to pull a new, to be bought, trailer. Trailer around 6 or 7 thousand pounds.

I am wonder what model many of you have. I have been pricing a Lariat and an XLT. Could be around 10,000 difference. Looking at a crew cab with a 5.5 foot bed. 4x4 with the 3.5 Eco Boost engine.

What models are you all buying?

Thanks.

Steve

drittal · 10-14-2016, 04:50 PM

Get max tow and payload. Not all f150 are as capable as the numbers in the commercials.

1361 · 10-14-2016, 04:54 PM

I would think that's too much trailer for that truck. If it was me, I'd pick out the trailer first, then buy the right truck to pull it. I personally, would never use a light duty truck to pull a travel trailer. You should always make sure you have plenty of extra carrying capacity in the truck. Sales people (both truck and rv) don't care and will almost always tell you you're ok. There are tons of stories on here and the net where people have bought more trailer than their trucks could carry. Be wise and good luck

drittal · 10-14-2016, 06:05 PM

It isn't too much for the right F150.

But, IMO it is for most F150.

raineman · 10-14-2016, 06:25 PM

Go to a bigger truck. Never heard anyone complain about too much truck.

Cliffy · 10-14-2016, 07:12 PM

I tow with a 2006 150 with the 5.4 and I tow about 5000 lbs. I'd be hard pressed to want to pull 6 or 7000 lbs. The truck will handle it but the engine won't. You'd be in 2nd gear on all hills.

Swerwin · 10-14-2016, 07:33 PM

Been there and done that. A 7000 lb trailer plus people and gear will stress any 1/2 ton pickup and as a result stress you also. Rving is supposed to be fun and relaxing. You need more truck. It is not just pulling the trailer but being able to manuver at speed, stop when needed, accelerate into traffic and control trailer instead of it "controlling" you.

1bigmess · 10-14-2016, 07:42 PM

Your on the very razor's edge of the very best equipped F150 for that tow weight. Your potential tongue weight is where you could get in trouble. If you have a wife and two kids, and all that comes with them, you are very likely to be overloaded. Look at the F150s knowing that at the highest your tongue weight can be as high as 15%.

And please consider a 250/2500 or even the 350/3500 in case you decide to go bigger and/or heavier for not much more money than a 3/4 ton pickup.

If your financial situation keeps you out of HD pickup territory, then maybe you need to look at used trucks, or reconsider the whole thing all together.

SmokeyWren · 10-14-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdomino

I am considering an F150 to pull a new, to be bought, trailer. Trailer around 6 or 7 thousand pounds.

As others cautioned, some F-150s can be "properly equipped" to tow that much trailer without being overloaded, but those F-150s are few and far between. You probably won't find a new one in stock at any Ford dealer. So you have to order exactly what you want (and are willing to pay for) then wait 6 to 8 weeks for delivery.

Quote:

Looking at a crew cab with a 5.5 foot bed. 4x4 with the 3.5 Eco Boost engine.

First things first. For a new F-150, you must have the heavy duty payload package (HDPP). Period. And the HDPP is not available with the shorty bed. So if the 5.5' shorty bed is a requirement, then you probably cannot tow that trailer with an F-150 SuperCrew without being overloaded.

Other that that bed restriction, you can probably get what you want if you special order the truck and wait for delivery.

Ford doesn't make the HDPP with the really fancy trim, but you can get up to Lariat base trim.

I don't have the 2017 order guide handy, so I'll quote from the 2015 order guide. (It's probably the same for the HDPP and max tow.)
HEAVY-DUTY PAYLOAD PACKAGE
Availability:
Opt. on XL, XLT base, XLT mid, and Lariat base
Not available with 145" wheelbase (5.5' bed)
Requires: Max trailer tow pkg when ordered with 3.5L EcoBoost engine

And the max trailer tow pkg requires the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. So it's good that you've decided on the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.

Caveat! Tow mirrors are no longer included with the max tow pkg. But you want tow mirrors, so be sure you order them as a stand-alone option.

CampDaven · 10-14-2016, 08:37 PM

Before experiencing the tail wagging the dog, always opt for a bigger dog.
Best wishes

IC2 · 10-15-2016, 07:31 AM

For not much more money you can own an F250 and a very powerful 6.2 gas engine. If you are feeling really flush, for another ~$8500 you can have diesel power and enough truck for your next 'really big' trailer

.

What I'm trying to say is don't limit yourself to a marginally capable truck that is barely able to easily haul a 7-8000 pounds towed load.

I found that years back, that an F150 really didn't like pulling our 7000# TT. Oh and an XLT can be fitted out much like a Lariat but will not have a few (to me, anyhow) useless bells and whistles like chrome tow hooks and self darkening rear view mirror or a blue tooth set up or adjustable pedals - which, yep, I have on my Lariat

vsheetz · 10-15-2016, 07:38 AM

Buy the capacity of a F250 and more basic level level, rather than a less capable F150 with higher trim level. IMHO.

drittal · 10-15-2016, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cliffy

I tow with a 2006 150 with the 5.4 and I tow about 5000 lbs. I'd be hard pressed to want to pull 6 or 7000 lbs. The truck will handle it but the engine won't. You'd be in 2nd gear on all hills.

You've never towed with an ecoboost. They don't have to rev to 5k to make power. They are the closest thing to a diesel you can get without going to a diesel.

A properly equipped F150 can have a maximum payload around 3k and tow rating of over 12k. For comparison my 3/4 ton gas had similar numbers and my diesel 1ton has the same payload.

The EB is a stud and can be tuned to unlock even more HP.

drittal · 10-15-2016, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdomino

I am considering an F150 to pull a new, to be bought, trailer. Trailer around 6 or 7 thousand pounds.

I am wonder what model many of you have. I have been pricing a Lariat and an XLT. Could be around 10,000 difference. Looking at a crew cab with a 5.5 foot bed. 4x4 with the 3.5 Eco Boost engine.

What models are you all buying?

Thanks.

Steve

Is that 6-7 thousand gross or empty? Use the gross weight when considering capacity. 7k can turn into 9 with water, food and camp stuff.

The biggest problem with F150 is light weight. 9k of travel trailer vs 5k of truck is, IMO, pushing stability.