2012 F150 Ecoboost Super Crew - Tow Package

If you are looking at travel trailers, your main concern should be your payload #s. Yes, it will probably "pull" something that is that size, but you need to determine the tongue weight of the trailer, add that to how much you guys weigh, plus how much stuff you will have in their and in the bed of the truck and see if you have enough payload for the trailer. We had a 2012 EB Crew Cab 4WD and we pulled our 5th wheel....BUT, we also have the HD package on ours which upped our payload by about 900 lbs.

Your truck appears to be plenty capable. But the closer you get to your max, the more stressful towing will be. It always makes me nervous to tow something heavier than my tow vehicle. But, sometimes it can't be helped. Our new trailer is heavier than our truck. So, in a few years when I replace the truck, I'll be looking at a 3/4 ton. RVing is supposed to be fun. It's supposed to be relaxing as well. I haven't found that part yet.

You may want to start with payload on your specific truck. I have a 2013 ECO 4x4 CC with same tow capacity as yours. My payload is around 1400. Yours will be different.

We also just bought a new TT in Dec. Previous TT was about 4100 empty weight. We really liked a 28' TT but the dry weight around 6900 lbs and tongue weight around 700 empty. Every dealer said " you have an ECO it will pull it ". Against my GF's wishes I opted for a 24 foot TT with a tongue weight of around 460. It is about 5150 empty, probably 6100-6200 as we camp.

The new TT pulls just as good as the old 21 footer. The ECO is a pulling beast. Probably would have been ok with the longer, heavier TT, but with two kayaks and 2 folding bikes in the back we are probably at our payload limit with just the two of us.

I feel really good about the decision although I still wish I had the bigger TT :). I will be even happier with the decision I think when we take it to the NC mountains or venture out west. If you just go short trips on flat land you may be ok.

It is a tough decision. I feel your pain.

I had a 2012 F150 SuperCrew EB with the Max Tow package. I towed my 7300 lb (dry - closer to 8300 ready to camp). It did okay but there were definitely some white knuckle moments.

Find your tire / loading sticker (on drivers door or door post). It will show tire size, tire pressure, and max cargo / passenger weight (payload).

Cargo / passenger capacity gets used up by aftermarket accessories (bed liner, undercoating, bed cover, etc), people, pets, cargo, trailer tongue weight, and weight distributing hitch (about 100 lbs). Every pound you add to the vehicle, takes away a pound from both, towing capacity and available payload.

If you know how much capacity you have available for tongue weight, divide that number by .13. That will give you a loaded trailer weight that will put you in the ball park of your max weight capacity. A 9600 lb trailer, with a WD hitch, would eat over 1300 lbs of payload.

As mentioned above, the closer you get to max weight, the less pleasant your towing experience will be.

There are versions of the F150, with payloads everywhere between 750 lbs and 3200 lbs. The one with 3200 lbs payload, could tow that 9600 lb trailer.

According to RV dealers, an RV is half ton tow able as long as there is any half ton capable of towing it. They don't tell you, there may be many that either can't or shouldn't.

I towed a 31' 7300 lb TT with a 2010 F150 Max Tow. Door sticker CCC was 1857 lbs. Tongue weight was 900-950 lbs. I had a canopy and all my gear in the truck. My GVWR was 7650 lbs. I routinely passed over the scales (Oregon) at 7600 lbs +/-.
MOST of the time I was fine. Ironically it was great in the mtns. It was out on the freeway in wide open areas where you get side winds that I had to focus harder. Upgraded to a 2500 and towing just got easier.
Here's the way I see it from my experience, if I had to do it again I'd stay in the 26' OAL and around 6000 lbs. It's just easier. Sure some will tow 8000 lbs and 34-35' OAL. Thats fine, but unless they're using a Hensley Arrow or Pro Pride hitch then I know exactly what it feel like inside the truck. It's not as easy as they say.

2012 EB, tow package (not max tow), extended cab, 7200# GVW, 1486# payload, just my wife and I.

You're falling into the newbie trap of looking at tow capacity when the more important number is your payload (found on the yellow driver door post sticker.) You say super crew - how many people are you hauling? Bicycles? Firewood? With 4 people and bicycles you'll have little payload left for actual tongue weight.

The TT in my sig comes in at 6200# empty. I don't have the weight sheet with me but in camping configuration I'm 150# over on the rear axle. I air up the "P" tires to 40PSI when towing.

Most half ton owners towing 6k dry are pleased assuming all the ratings align. 7k dry is closer to 8k loaded with 1000 pounds of TW. That's really pushing the limits of most half tons, especially for RVing with families.

As others have stated.....what you can tow is one thing. Your payload is another. I tow the RV in my sig just fine but, am right at the payload number when fully loaded for a trip. RV is 6500# dry and has GVWR of 8800#.....Tongue is 880#. The truck is my daily driver so the mileage of a 3/4 ton gas truck is not in the cards right now. I made sure to match my RV with the truck when purchasing both of them. When it's time for retirement, will consider a 3/4 ton. The F150 when towing within it's limits is a fine tow vehicle. I have no plans to get a larger TT. What I have is going to be around a long time!

Power will be good. Unless you have the HD payload then that is your limiting factor.

Also keep in mind my trailer is 7100lbs empty and 9200 loaded for a trip. I'm towing with a V-10 Excursion. I wouldn't want to tow mine even with a HD payload F150!