I recently bought a 37 ft. Grand Design Reflection TT that's 8600 lbs dry with 11,000 GVWR. I can't imagine any scenario in which I'll load it down to the full 11,000 capacity. My beloved Ford Explorer isn't going to cut it. My fiancé drives a gazillion-ton HD Chevy that can pull it without blinking, but I don't want a big bulky truck for myself. I'm looking at the Ford F-150 and am thoroughly confused about whether a 3.5L V6 will do the job without struggle or if I need to go with the 5.0L V8. I'm not married to Ford, but I do like the brand. Recommendations?

You need to read carefully in the Ford towing guide before selecting a vehicle. You will need the HD package at least, and you may be pushing the limits there.F150 brochureFord towing guides

You should just use hers to tow it with.I have a 2013 5.0, and while the `18's have more HP & torque than mine, I'd go for the 3.5L. You're gonna have to find one with max tow/payload package.

patperry2766 wrote:You should just use hers to tow it with.I have a 2013 5.0, and while the `18's have more HP & torque than mine, I'd go for the 3.5L. You're gonna have to find one with max tow/payload package.We both need to be able to pull it for various reasons that are too boring to go into here.

coolmom42 wrote:You need to read carefully in the Ford towing guide before selecting a vehicle. You will need the HD package at least, and you may be pushing the limits there.F150 brochureFord towing guidesYes, I have read it. That's where I'm coming up with 3.5 vs 5.0 - it's what the conventional towing matrix showed. My fiancé thinks the 3.5 will do the job - if I travel at 40 mph without heavy braking. He thinks the 5.0 is best. It's all very confusing, IMO.

I'd suggest to keep the Explorer and buy a used 3/4 or 1 ton to pull the trailer. A new F-150 may get the job done but an F250 or bigger will be a better hauling combination. For engines, the 3.6 has plenty of power and offers good MPG when used as a commuter. You'll need HD payload and the trailer packages, as has been said. The 5.0 is a reliable engine and well regarded for towing. I have the 5.4 modular and it's also a reliable engine, I have 200K on the counter.

3.5L V6 of 5.0L V8 | Good Sam Community

Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2018
TexasBorn wrote:
That is a lot of trailer. I would look into a 3/4 truck I think you would be happier.

She did.

DoberGirl50 wrote:
I pulled my TT with my new-to-me 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 this weekend. That thing pulls and brakes like a dream. I was more than paranoid about all of it the first day to the point my hands, arms and shoulders ached from gripping the wheel. By the second day, I was relaxed with one hand on the wheel feeling in complete control. I even navigated several tight turns without removing the front end of the car at the intersection or mowing down any light poles. I tried to back it into the spot at the campground. Yeah - gonna need to practice backing a whole lot more. Epic fail.
TexasBorn
Explorer
Jun 14, 2018
That is a lot of trailer. I would look into a 3/4 truck I think you would be happier.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 12, 2018
Congratulations! Find a big empty parking lot, put out cones or lawn chairs or something and practice backing. It will be second nature before you know it.
richclover
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
DoberGirl50 wrote:
I pulled my TT with my new-to-me 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 this weekend. That thing pulls and brakes like a dream. I was more than paranoid about all of it the first day to the point my hands, arms and shoulders ached from gripping the wheel. By the second day, I was relaxed with one hand on the wheel feeling in complete control. I even navigated several tight turns without removing the front end of the car at the intersection or mowing down any light poles. I tried to back it into the spot at the campground. Yeah - gonna need to practice backing a whole lot more. Epic fail.

You go! Glad you like the Dodge!

You’ll get the backing, no worries.
Samsonsworld
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
DoberGirl50 wrote:
I tried to back it into the spot at the campground. Yeah - gonna need to practice backing a whole lot more. Epic fail.

I think we've all been there at some point. I managed to knock over an electrical/water pedestal about 20 years back. Now THAT was a fail. Practice makes perfect...and then you get cocky and fail again. ;)
Bayoubass
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
I agree with 2112......
DoberGirl50
Explorer
Jun 11, 2018
I pulled my TT with my new-to-me 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 this weekend. That thing pulls and brakes like a dream. I was more than paranoid about all of it the first day to the point my hands, arms and shoulders ached from gripping the wheel. By the second day, I was relaxed with one hand on the wheel feeling in complete control. I even navigated several tight turns without removing the front end of the car at the intersection or mowing down any light poles. I tried to back it into the spot at the campground. Yeah - gonna need to practice backing a whole lot more. Epic fail.
Fordlover
Explorer
Jun 07, 2018
DoberGirl50 wrote:
OK my new RV friends - I've kind of rejected the Ford altogether and am looking at a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4WD with a 6.7L 6-cylinder I6 diesel engine. Will it do the job? Reminder: I'll be towing a 37' TT with a GVCR of 11000 lbs. According to the towing guides I'm seeing, it can handle over 13K lbs, but it doesn't specifically say anything about whether the brakes will work.

What is the payload? If you have 1200 lbs of tongue weight and 100 lbs of hitch, etc. and anything in the bed you might start approaching your payload capacity of the truck.

I drove a 2018 2500 Ram Cummins that was a stripper model, and it had 2200 lbs. of payload. A nicer model would have less.

For reference, my F-250 gas has just shy of 3,000 lbs. of payload available.
bnkrtstk
Explorer
Jun 07, 2018
DoberGirl50 wrote:
OK my new RV friends - I've kind of rejected the Ford altogether and am looking at a 2013 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn 4WD with a 6.7L 6-cylinder I6 diesel engine. Will it do the job? Reminder: I'll be towing a 37' TT with a GVCR of 11000 lbs. According to the towing guides I'm seeing, it can handle over 13K lbs, but it doesn't specifically say anything about whether the brakes will work.

Yes it will do the job very well. The brakes will be fine. Good choice( and this is coming from a Ford guy)
richclover
Explorer
Jun 01, 2018
Bobbo wrote:
Just for information's sake, what is the payload rating of the RAM?

For my 2009 2500 Heavy Duty, psgrs and cargo is 1907#.