Pulling power

[GHeath]

I am looking to purchase a Fleetwood 2005 30 ft. wilderness trailer that weighs approx 9000 lbs. I plan to use my F150 with tow package to pull this trailer. The F150 is rated at appro 11,000 lbs. Does anyone see any issues with this? The seller only wants $8,500.00 for this trailer.
Thanks

[RustyJC]

If you want help in running the numbers, we'll need the trailer's GVWR (on the trailer data/registration plate typically on the left front of the trailer), your truck's GVWR (on a sticker on the driver's door jamb) and GCWR (on the Monroney sticker and/or in the owner's manual) and, if you have it, your truck's laden curb weight (the weight of the truck with driver, passenger(s), full fuel tanks, cargo, trailer hitch, etc. just like it will be configured when you hit the road).

By the way, welcome to iRV2.

Rusty

[Elkhartjim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC If you want help in running the numbers, we'll need the trailer's GVWR (on the trailer data/registration plate typically on the left front of the trailer), your truck's GVWR (on a sticker on the driver's door jamb) and GCWR (on the Monroney sticker and/or in the owner's manual) and, if you have it, your truck's laden curb weight (the weight of the truck with driver, passenger(s), full fuel tanks, cargo, trailer hitch, etc. just like it will be configured when you hit the road). By the way, welcome to iRV2. Rusty

Typical mechanical engineer.

Seriously though, Rusty is the man if you really (and you should) want to know if your truck can handle the load. For goodness sakes, do not rely on some truck or trailer salesman because they will assure you you can pull it with VW bug.

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHeath I am looking to purchase a Fleetwood 2005 30 ft. wilderness trailer that weighs approx 9000 lbs. I plan to use my F150 with tow package to pull this trailer. The F150 is rated at appro 11,000 lbs. Does anyone see any issues with this? The seller only wants $8,500.00 for this trailer. Thanks

Is that 9,000# dry weight or GVWR? If it's dry weight, then this trailer will likely be too much for your truck once you get it loaded up with all your "stuff."

Remember...that 11,000# towing capacity is for a basic truck with no options, no gear, no passengers, a partial tank of fuel, and only one 150# driver. Once you start loading it up with all of these things, what the truck should actually be pulling (and stopping) will be something less...perhaps as little as 10,000#.

If it were me, I'd be looking for a travel trailer with a GVWR (note I didn't say dry weight because that's pretty much a meaningless number) of no more than 8,800# (80% of the 11,000# towing capacity).

[Batman_777]

I have an F350 Diesel and pulled a 10,000 lb trailer with it that was a lug. I think it was more like 12k lbs. Not that it couldn't do it, but was imagining going up hills with it. The F350 is rated at 16k lbs. Some pull 20k with it. The F150 1/2 ton truck is just not really meant to pull a heavy load. You take 9,000 lbs add some cargo along with and I think you've got a little too much for a 150. It may pull it, but for how long? What cost to the tranny, rear-end, etc? Climbing hills? Downhill braking? Control in wind? etc

There is a link or pointer on the right side of this page for Trailer Towing Capacities.

[wingnut60]

A 30' travel trailer with no slide should be less than 9000lbs, even with one slide I doubt it would have a GVWR over 9800-10000lbs. I can tell you my experience is that pulling that length/weight with a 1/2 ton is going to tax the truck to the point it may not be any fun doing it--but you should be ok if there aren't a lot of hills where you will be traveling.
Joe

[GHeath]

Thanks eveyone for the reply's. I am going to continue looking for a lighter trailer.
Thanks again.

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman_777 I have an F350 Diesel and pulled a 10,000 lb trailer with it that was a lug. ... The F350 is rated at 16k lbs.

That 16,000# is for a fifth wheel, NOT a travel trailer!

[Batman_777]

yep, I was just using that as a load tow/haul capacity guideline. Pulling a TT of 10k with a truck rated for 16,500 lbs (5'ver) may provide some degree of what it takes to tow a 10k TT.

[CD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60 A 30' travel trailer with no slide should be less than 9000lbs, even with one slide I doubt it would have a GVWR over 9800-10000lbs. I can tell you my experience is that pulling that length/weight with a 1/2 ton is going to tax the truck to the point it may not be any fun doing it--but you should be ok if there aren't a lot of hills where you will be traveling. Joe

I may have a heavy TT but it is 28', one slide and has a GVWR of 10400. I towed it with a 3/4 T PU for a few years and felt it was OK but when I got the 1T dually I realized how marginal the 3/4T was. Trucks etc would push it around but not now. I personally would not tow anything over about 20' because of length as much as the weight.