Buying first travel trailer...need advice

Depending on how the truck and trailer are loaded, you could be pushing the limits on the truck.

Your 8500 lb "advertised" tow capacity, allows for weight of the driver only. It does not allow for weight from aftermarket accessories (bed liners, bed caps, undercoating, etc), passengers, pets, or cargo. As these things are added, your available payload and max tow capacity are going down, pound for pound. If for example, you have a fiberglass bed cap, bed liner, and family that have a combined weight of 800 lbs, your max tow capacity would be 7700 lbs., and your available payload would be reduced by 800 lbs. Your weight distributing hitch would take another 100 lbs.

You're probably not going to load that trailer to its max weight, but, it would not be unusual to load it with about 1000 lbs. That would put the trailer at about 6600 lbs loaded, with tongue weight in the area of 850 lbs. Add 100 lbs for the WD hitch and this is about what your truck will need to carry.

Load your truck with family and cargo as if you were going camping, then go to a scale and weigh it. Subtract that weight, from your trucks GVWR, and see if you have enough capacity left to carry another 950 lbs. Leave your self some cushion.

swhite005 wrote:
We are looking into getting our first travel trailer to upgrade from our popup trailer. I have two young kids and want to make sure I am being cautious. The trailer we are considering is a 2007 Fleetwood Mallard 26RLS. The GVWR of the trailer is 7,900 (5,523 Dry) with a hitch weight of 802.
My truck is a 2004 F150 Lariat Supercrew 2WD 5.4L 3.55 rated at towing 8,500 maximum loaded trailer weight and a GCWR of 14,000. My truck has the tow package and an electronic brake. I also have a weight distribution hitch.
Given the above information, would it be reasonable to tow the Fleetwood Mallard or should I look for something lighter?

No, you won't be a happy camper !

From experience

Jack L

swhite005 wrote:
We are looking into getting our first travel trailer to upgrade from our popup trailer. I have two young kids and want to make sure I am being cautious. The trailer we are considering is a 2007 Fleetwood Mallard 26RLS. The GVWR of the trailer is 7,900 (5,523 Dry) with a hitch weight of 802.
My truck is a 2004 F150 Lariat Supercrew 2WD 5.4L 3.55 rated at towing 8,500 maximum loaded trailer weight and a GCWR of 14,000. My truck has the tow package and an electronic brake. I also have a weight distribution hitch.
Given the above information, would it be reasonable to tow the Fleetwood Mallard or should I look for something lighter?

IMO that is too much trailer for the truck. Usually your max hitch weight is 10% your towing capacity. In your case, 850 lbs. The trailer seems light, but must balance a lot of the weight over the front of the axles. If you start loading up front storage, you will exceed your hitch capacity in a hurry.

Whats max payload for your truck? I would imagine in the 1500lb range since it's a half ton. With a 800lb dry hitch weight, that leaves 700 lbs for passengers/gear in the truck. I decided to get a slightly lighter trailer because I usually camp with 4 people and a 50lb dog and didn't want to overdo my payload. My My trailer is 6000lbs on the sticker and 745lb hitch weight for comparison. I would had thought a 5500lb trailer would have a hitch weight closer to 600lbs, not 800 for a 26' model. The quad bunk (what I have) usually has an extra 100lb hitch weight from what I have researched. is 5500 listed weight or actual weight (sticker on the trailer)? Mine is 300-400 lbs more than the brochure "due to options".

We had a Fleetwood from 1999 - 2014 and enjoyed every minute of it. In all that time, with regular maintenance, we did not do a single repair. We sold it with original everything, except the five sets of tires, two awnings, 4 bbqs, two picnic tables, and countless bottles of propane. We replaced it this year because our kids are all launched and we got ourselves a perfect for two luxery TT that we will be towing cross country starting June 14. ??

All that having been said... I think you are all set and ready to go if you decide on the mallard. But considering your request for advice.... Depending on your climate and destinations, have you considered an ultra-lite? Not a suggestion, just something to consider. Also, if you don't have one I would suggest a friction anti sway arm. Lastly, with the Fleetwood, make sure you have enough ground clearance for driveways and such. Mine was tight but I do believe they took care of that by 2007.

Good luck, be careful, and have fun!!!