Need some F-150 towing advice/feedback for 40' trailer.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by kdauto

I'm not arguing, but when I state "not many", I mean by percentage. I am certain there are thousands, probably tens of thousands of commercial bumper pull trailers, but compared to the 5th wheel style 53' trailers, I suspect they are well into single digit percentages. There is a reason for that.

The reason is because of the way the load is distributed among the axles of the tractor and trailer together. We are talking specialty vehicles that are built to serve a specific purpose. I suppose a car with a 5th wheel mounted to the roof could be used the same way if the roof was re-enforced.
Most 5er RV trailer are well under 53' so not sure if we are getting off topic here or not.

Edit - Oh ok, I just checked the thread title, I think we are off topic.

[bross]

Originally Posted by 77Travco

I suppose a car with a 5th wheel mounted to the roof could be used the same way if the roof was re-enforced.

Why not?
https://images.app.goo.gl/LQFeudekuPyxCDoD7

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by bross

Why not?
https://images.app.goo.gl/LQFeudekuPyxCDoD7

Wow... just wow...

[Capacitor]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Gklein123.....Any update about what you've decided to do?

I was wondering the same thing. He didn’t get the answer he was looking for so off he went!

[varmonter]

I dont get these threads ..and there is so many of them. Someone says " I want to tow
a mountain with my ford escort..i think
If i reinforce the frame and put e rated
tires on it ..it should work whattya think?"
Then followed by 7 pages of "Dont do it..
Its a dumb idea"
My response to the OP.is as follows.
Let your wife read this entire thread and see what she thinks...that is all..

[RoyHelsing]

Don’t do it. You are going to be way over the cargo capacity of the truck even if you don’t exceed the tow limit. I have a Ford F-150 Diesel with a towing package and a two weight of 14,400. I am towing a Flagstaff BDS25 which is 25 feet and loaded about 6700 ibs. However, cargo capacity of the truck is 1365. With my wife and I and a few other things in the truck, plus the tongue weight (893) we are right at cargo capacity even though CGW is only 13,700 - well under that 14,400 GCVW. No way that trailer you are talking about is not going to overload your cargo capacity even though you are under your towing capacity. This is normal, BTW. It is almost always cargo capacity that limits you - not towing capacity.

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by RoyHelsing

Don’t do it. You are going to be way over the cargo capacity of the truck even if you don’t exceed the tow limit. I have a Ford F-150 Diesel with a towing package and a two weight of 14,400. I am towing a Flagstaff BDS25 which is 25 feet and loaded about 6700 ibs. However, cargo capacity of the truck is 1365. With my wife and I and a few other things in the truck, plus the tongue weight (893) we are right at cargo capacity even though CGW is only 13,700 - well under that 14,400 GCVW. No way that trailer you are talking about is not going to overload your cargo capacity even though you are under your towing capacity. This is normal, BTW. It is almost always cargo capacity that limits you - not towing capacity.

Your first post eh?...
I suspect the OP is well past the point of no return by now.

[CamperLifer]

Originally Posted by Gklein123

Hello folks, new to this Forum,

Looking for some advice.* I have a Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid F-150/w 3.5L Turbo truck with tow capacity or 11,000lbs w/standard tow package, 10spd Automatic, Hill Ascent/descent control, trailer brakes control and electronic anti-sway control.* I found a great deal on a new 2021 324TSBL trailer.* The towing capacity definitely falls well within the UVW (dry) limit of 8,603lbs.* The truck GVWR*is roughly 300lbs under the truck tow limit.* I need to pickup/deliver the trailer in El-Paso and drive it empty/dry with one other occupant 1,500 miles and 22 hours on the freeway over flat terrain to Tallahassee, FL.* I have some experience pulling tractors and equipment with my Ford F-150 on a 22' flat trailer with weight distribution hitches but a 40'+ long travel trailer is an entirely different animal.* I don't plan on moving this thing on a regular basis and safety is of primary concern to me.* The distribution tongue weight of the trailer is right at the limit and will definitely use a weight distribution sway control hitch or ProPride Hensley hitch.* Also plan to drive safe speeds, between 55 and 65mph max.* Really concerned about wind and buffeting from tractor trailers and large trucks.* Is this something my truck is safely capable of doing?* Are there any aftermarket things I can implement to help with safety?

Here are truck specs:
Ford F150 XLT (145in/5.5 bed) w/PowerBoost Towing:
Current tow capacity: *11,000lbs. (4x4 Version with 3.73 electronic locking axle) (Note: *the Max Tow Package version can pull up to 12,400lbs, includes sway bar and upgraded bumper.)
Payload Capacity (On door frame): 1556lbs.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): *7,350lbs.
GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating): *17,000lbs.
Class IV Hitch bumper max gross trailer tow distributing rating (sticker on the receiver bar): *11,600lbs. and max tongue weight of 1,160lbs.
Class IV Hitch bumper max gross trailer tow weight carrying rating (sticker on the receiver bar): *5,000lbs. and tongue weight of 500lbs.
FX4 Off-Road Package
Trailer Sway Control
360-Degree Camera with split-view display
Trailer Reverse Guidance
7-pin wiring harness
Class IV trailer hitch receiver
Integrated trailer brake controller
Pro Trailer Backup Assist
Smart Trailer Tow Connector
Tailgate LED
Hill Decent Control

2021 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE BLACK LABEL 324TSBL SPECIFICATIONS:
Hitch Weight: 1,165 lb.
GVWR: 11,365 lb.
UVW (Dry/Empty): 8,603 lb.
CCC (Trailer Load Capacity): 2,762 lb.
Exterior Length: 40' 5"
Exterior Height: 11' 1"
Exterior Width: 96"

DO NOT tow a 40' camper with ANY halfton pickup !

[77Travco]

Originally Posted by CamperLifer

DO NOT tow a 40' camper with ANY halfton pickup !

Too late, he's already been to Hawaii and back with it.

[varmonter]

There are folks called hot shots that will move your camper anywhere for a fee.. they usually drive 1 ton diesel duallys... if your not going to move it often than just hire it moved.
Using A 150 is just asking for serious triunle

[wsperry]

I tow a similar sized TT with the same truck. My experience was that I've always had plenty of power but the sway on the highway was way too much initially....until I purchased and installed a Hensley hitch. I keep my speed between 60 and 65 MPH and I don't have any issues any more. A bigger truck would certainly help....and that's the advice you will always get on this forum...but you with the proper hitch and keeping your speed at a reasonable MPH you can safely tow this TT with your truck.

[runamuck]

what varmonter said. hire it out to a subcontractor. there are bound to be some in a metro area the size of el paso. there is no safe way to tow that big trailer from there to florida with your truck. for one thing, a large portion of your route almost always has a pretty good cross wind and from el paso to san antonio you will be pulling several long grades and then using your brakes down the other side and some of that stretch has 80 mile speed limit and there is a lot of big rig traffic. even if you stayed off of I-10 and took us 90 it would be whippin.

[sgtstriker]

I think that this thread should be closed... It's pretty clear that the OP would be out of his mind to attempt this transfer with the listed equipment.


If he doesn't realize that now, he never will....

[CamperLifer]

I agree. Why is this joke thread still open ?