Best trailer to tow behind F150

With a 1/2 ton, you're likely to be at or near the trucks GVWR when you camp,(ie, used all the payload) unless you get the HD payload package. Figure you, passenger or two, options, cap or tonneu, cooler, tools, maybe a couple bikes, add that to the possible tongue weight of a decent sized trailer, say 800-1000 lbs and presto! You're maxed out with 1600 lbs of payload. Might as well just subtract the trucks GVWR from the combined truck and trailer weight rating (GCWR) and make the differenc your LOADED max trailer weight to shop for. That should get you started, then fine tune the numbers from there. Not like you're going to have extra payload capacity most of the time, like you would with a 250/350 series. I have 2200 lbs and it goes up to the wire every trip. Additionally, you may want to shop for a trailer that allows extra stowage in the rear to help take a little off the tongue weight. If you're going to tow maxed out, every drop counts. Ask me how I know.

I have the 2012 SCREW eco 150 and pull a Kodiak 242RESL. Just returned home from a 3000 mile plus trip from Saskatchewan through Alberta and the rockies to BC then down to Washington, across the Cascades to spokane and then to Yellowstone and finally north through Montana returning to Saskatchewan. The F150 performed flawlessly.
Mine has the 3.73 and max tow package. Wonderful truck. So far I have towed almost 15000km in the last 15 months.

I have a 2013 F150 SCREW 4x4 Ecoboost with the 3.31. Pulls my 6300 lb camper just as well as my 2011 Ecoboost with the 3.73 did. May have slightly less towing capability according to Ford, but you will most likely go over payload first with a camper anyway.

pappcam wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
In truth. The limiting factor is the rear gear. MANY EcoBoosts come with a 3.06 rear gear. Not good for towing much of anything. You need at the very least a 3.55. that will get you up to 9500lbs depending on 4x4 or 4x2. A 3.73 would be much better. A 3.73, 4x2 can get you to 11,000lb tow cap.

I know of course the salesman told you it would tow 11K. They told me that as well. I just laughed and told him he didn't have one on the lot that would tow 11K. The most he had was ONE 3.55. the rest were 3.06

Hmmm... The vast majority of F150's sold up here are 3.55 4WD units. I see a pretty even split of the Ecoboost and the 5.0L V8.

I'm just going by the trucks I looked at on the 4 dealer lots I checked out. Only ONE of all of them had a 3.55. The rest were 3.06, or 3.31. It seems the dealers / Ford, are pushing MPG over truck performance.

You need more information to determine maximum RV tow weight. Do you have the HD towing package with upgraded trans cooler? What axle ratio do you have? That can be decoded from a sticker on your driver's door under "Axle Code" and a quick internet search.

Assuming you have something with at least 8k tow rating, your likely limit is payload or receiver limit. Payload as equipped from Ford is listed on this sticker on your driver's door. Note what your lists where mine says 2051:

We have an Outback 250RS that we tow with our 2012 Ecoboost FX4. Seems to be a good fit for us. We use it mostly for short boondocking trips and save the MH for snowbirding and longer trips.

Outback is well built. It has a king bed on the back slide that can be a bear to change the sheets on. We use the top front bunk for storage. The bottom bunk folds up and with a baby gate make a great space for the dogs.

Check your booklet for axel ratio and such. If you are having trouble figuring it out. Go to Ford's website and type in your VIN and get a build sheet.

Then, check your pin weight, wet weight of trailer, add weight of passengers, dogs, everything in the back of the truck. When we boondock and add generators, gas and extra water, we are very close to the max cargo capacity. We have an equalizer hitch and anti-sway bars which help a lot.

The performance of the Ecoboost with its twin turbos and torque is deceptive. I see people towing larger TTs and even small fivers that I know is over capacity for the F150.

One that's not too heavy or too long.

Terryallan wrote:
In truth. The limiting factor is the rear gear. MANY EcoBoosts come with a 3.06 rear gear. Not good for towing much of anything. You need at the very least a 3.55. that will get you up to 9500lbs depending on 4x4 or 4x2. A 3.73 would be much better. A 3.73, 4x2 can get you to 11,000lb tow cap.

I know of course the salesman told you it would tow 11K. They told me that as well. I just laughed and told him he didn't have one on the lot that would tow 11K. The most he had was ONE 3.55. the rest were 3.06

Hmmm... The vast majority of F150's sold up here are 3.55 4WD units. I see a pretty even split of the Ecoboost and the 5.0L V8.

In truth. The limiting factor is the rear gear. MANY EcoBoosts come with a 3.06 rear gear. Not good for towing much of anything. You need at the very least a 3.55. that will get you up to 9500lbs depending on 4x4 or 4x2. A 3.73 would be much better. A 3.73, 4x2 can get you to 11,000lb tow cap.

I know of course the salesman told you it would tow 11K. They told me that as well. I just laughed and told him he didn't have one on the lot that would tow 11K. The most he had was ONE 3.55. the rest were 3.06

How many people are going to travel with you and sleep in the TT?