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Old 06-19-2020, 09:37 AM   #1
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Towing capabilities of F150

I have a question about towing capabilities of the F150. I just purchased a new F150 Lariat with the 3.5 EcoBoost and 3.55 rear end. The truck has a 7,000 lb GVW and a 1,574 payload rating. Is this capable of towing a travel trailer that has a 6,995 lb GVW (dry weight 5,176), 26 ft long and has a hitch weight of 490 lbs?
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Old 06-19-2020, 09:40 AM   #2
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As I said on another thread, it's like driving on ice. Anything can get it going, it's what happens after that that gets important.

You'll hear 100 opinions here, but I've towed our 23 footer with a half ton that was 100% set up for towing - full tow package, diesel engine, 3.92 gears, airbag suspension, the works. It sucked. Now that's with no "training wheels", no anti sway, no WDH, nothing, so keep in mind you are likely going to want to invest in those items for a half tonner.
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Old 06-19-2020, 09:46 AM   #3
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Once you get your payload situated, and have have a proper hitch, sway, load distribution, etc... yes, you should be fine. Agree with the previous post, you'll get 100.5 opinions. So long as you're not spending all your time in unusual conditions. Robbie is spot on.
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Old 06-19-2020, 10:39 AM   #4
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I towed a 2008 Gulfstream Streamlite 22SLB that weighed 5,500lbs with a 2011 F-150 with a 5.0 Coyote engine and a Drawtite WD hitch comfortably. So comfortably I let the wife drive.

Now it is my thought as you go up in trailer size somewhere it will be less comfortable.

The 3.5 Eco-Boost will pull it but can it control it? I would say stay around 28' and 6,500lbs.
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Old 06-19-2020, 02:38 PM   #5
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I'd tow that trailer any day with your truck. Only concern I'd have would be loading too much into the truck and being maxed out on payload. Very few people ever tow at the trailers max GVWR. With TT's I find that about 1,000 lbs added to the dry weight is the average norm.
I'd go with it as is.
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Old 06-19-2020, 03:15 PM   #6
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Properly loaded you will have a hitch weight of 10 to 12% of the trailer GVWR.

1574 lb minus the hitch weight is what you have left over for passenger and cargo in the truck. So if you r hitch weight is 700#, you will have 874# available for passenger, cargo, actual weight of the trailer hitch assembly without over loading the truck.

Get a good weight distributing hitch with an integral sway control. I like the old style Reese Dual cam hitch. The dealers do not like it as it is a bit more trouble to install and set up correctly.

The dealer should set the hitch up for the trailer as new and unloaded. You need to get the hitch instructions and learn how to properly set the hitch up once you have the truck and trailer loaded for travel.

Seems more of the trucks are going to the 3.55 for towing, but, I'd much rather see a 3.73 for towing near the trucks limits.

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Old 06-19-2020, 11:51 PM   #7
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It’s better to have more truck then less. On level ground, a person can safely tow more then even mild hills. The driver also matters.
As said a trailer with my half ton works. With one ton a tire exploded on trailer Was barely noticeable. Over 10k tractor on trailer. I believe from past if half ton I would have had to fight to control.
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Old 06-20-2020, 04:43 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloudwalker View Post
I have a question about towing capabilities of the F150. I just purchased a new F150 Lariat with the 3.5 EcoBoost and 3.55 rear end. The truck has a 7,000 lb GVW and a 1,574 payload rating. Is this capable of towing a travel trailer that has a 6,995 lb GVW (dry weight 5,176), 26 ft long and has a hitch weight of 490 lbs?
So why dont you get the tow specs from the dealer and read it??????????
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Old 06-20-2020, 05:09 AM   #9
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I had a 2016 4X4 with the 3.5L. Towed a 27 foot TT weighing about 6500lbs total. Pulled it like it was not even there. Gas mileage dipped to about 9.5MPG. For comparison, had a 2010 4X2 with 4.6L V8 prior to the 2016. Pulled it good, but you could tell it was there and a bit of a struggle. MPG was in the 10.5 range, I think due to not have the turbo of the 3.5L. I would not hesitate, with my previous experience, to pull what you describe. I did have the anti sway and weight distribution hitch, I NEVER pulled without them.

Just bought a 2020 F150 4X4 on Monday so I can four down tow in our 37 foot DP, but I do have the max towing package in the 3.5L if I ever need it.
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Old 06-20-2020, 07:27 AM   #10
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Yes you can. Get a good wd hitch and let the good times roll.
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Old 06-20-2020, 08:12 AM   #11
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6,995 lb GVW (dry weight 5,176), 26 ft long and has a hitch weight of 490 lbs?
No way is that hitch weight right... If that's actual you'll have severe sway problems over bumps or when passing other large vehicles. Refigure it at at least 12% of trailer's GVWR.
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Old 06-21-2020, 06:43 AM   #12
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So why dont you get the tow specs from the dealer and read it??????????
Poorly worded question on my part. I did read the manual before I bought the vehicle and had the dealer verify the towing specs. I know the truck can tow the trailer safely as long as I keep the payload under 1500 lbs. My question should have been what is it like to tow an RV of that size and weight with the F150 l described.
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Old 06-21-2020, 07:34 AM   #13
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Humm, what will it feel like...you will get 9 mpg and the truck will feel the trailer. Especially when you hit road bumps. The truck may feel a bit unstable and require more steering corrections when you hit these bumps.

My F-150 5.0 coyote went from 19.5mph highway to 9.8mpg highway towing the 5,500lb travel trailer. To me the F-150 felt good towing that trailer. My WD hitch tied the truck and trailer together so it felt good.

I towed a 6,500lb travel trailer with my friends 2005 Ram 1500 5.7 Hemi and that trailer felt too heavy for his truck. Lucky we were only going 20 miles. I also towed this same 6,500lb trailer with my 2012 F-450 and I could still feel the trailer. Neither of these trucks did I use a WD hitch.

If you get a good WD hitch it will make a difference going down the road.

You have the best towing engine in any 150/1500 series truck. You have better truck than my 2011 F-150. The GVWR of the trailer is not too crazy so I think you will be fine.

More - what it will feel like.

0 - 35mph it feels like an anchor
35 - 55 mph it will feel the best
55 - 70mph it will feel ok with a few more steering corrections.
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Old 06-21-2020, 08:55 AM   #14
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No way is that hitch weight right... If that's actual you'll have severe sway problems over bumps or when passing other large vehicles. Refigure it at at least 12% of trailer's GVWR.
It's actually not uncommon to see MFG's make trailers with TW at or below 10% UVW. I had a 2010 Heartland North Trail that had a TW under 10% from the factory. They do it so buyers can tow then with less than adequate tow vehicles. It's a marketing thing.

Once the OP loads up they should be above 10% if everything's normal.
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