Clarification on tow capacity

I've always wondered if my 2013 EcoBoost with Max tow and HD payload can actually tow a RV trailer. Although it's "rated" for 11,300#, the owners manual limits frontal area of the trailer to 60 SF. I don't know of any hard side that is 60 SF!

I bought my TT when my kids were 1/3/5. We set up a pack and play on top of the jacknife sofa, not on the floor.

What are your preferences? You favor Japanese vehicles? You favor half tons? You want a pickup? You only want to spend $10k?

Going to almost any 3/4 ton gas engine truck from 2009+ means you can tow nearly any TT you want and some 5ers. But that is overkill for non towing uses and a compromise some people do not want. It also means only domestic brands which some people do not want. My 2011 3/4 ton drives better with far more power and better fuel economy than my 2003 half on ever did. It is our primary family vehicle now and wife's daily driver. They aren't so bad and compromises were right for us.

Shorteelaw wrote:
If a vehicle says it's tow capacity is 9,000 lbs what does that 9,000 pounds include? Obviously the TT plus whatever we have in it and the water in it... But what else?

Unfortunately, you are looking at the most bogus, fictitious, misleading number that the various advertising departments can come up with. It is like quoting fuel mileage going downhill at fifty mph. Tow numbers have more fine print associated with them than the tax code.

Like others have suggested, ask about specific tow vehicle/trailer combinations to get the experience of others. Then throw out the best and worst of those to get to the middle.

There are 25 ft 3 season ultra lites that have a slide, queen walk around bed and bunks under 5000 lbs. Ameri-lite has two as I am sure other makers do to. Ours has the queen bed and bunks but no slide and it weighs 4200 lb dry.

They are more utilitarian than fancy. So if you are into marble sinks and granite counter tops, get a bigger truck and look elsewhere. We didn't want to pay for the fancy stuff we didn't need or the truck to pull it. So at $11,500 new, the sinks hold water and my Expedition with a 9000 lb limit does just fine.

Shorteelaw wrote:

MitchF150 wrote:
What is the tow vehicle you have or are considering? What's it's drive train and GVW specs?

What kind of trailer are you wanting to get?

Mitch

That's my issue... We are buying both in the near future so I'm trying to find a good combo. We really like Nissan Titan's but I'm having a hard time figuring out if we can "afford" (weight wise) a TT with a slider. We ideally would have bunk beds for when our kids get older but I guess we could buy a different one down the road when we really need it. Do all of the ones with a slider weigh 5,500-6,500+ pounds? We need the wide space to put pack n plays for our kids to sleep.

Sorry for all the questions... I'm just so confused and all of you are amazing help.

It's not really as complicated as many in this forum make it out to be. Generally if your TV is a newer half ton (less than 6 years old) and a decent engine, you can safely tow up to about 6500lb max dry weight with your trailer as long as you using a decent WDH. Depending on your TV options, you may be a little over on your cargo. I know many people that tow way over on their cargo weight without any issue at all, but personally I would never go more than 400lb over. Just know if you are going to buy at the upper end of your weight ratings or slightly over, you will need to take it slow to be safe (under 65 on the freeway). Again this is just my opinion, but it is based on many years of driving trucks with heavy loads and what many people are actually pulling with their half tons these days. Now if you are buying both your TV and trailer at the same time and can swing the cash, I would go with a 250/350 series truck hands down. More truck is always better, just not always necessary.

I feel for you as there are so many locked in cement opinions here. I was and am totally dismayed at some of the responses.

I have been towing RV's for over 50 years and admittedly used mostly 3/4 tons with large engines and in some cases, more springs/better radiator/transmission cooler and a hitch rated to pull out stumps by our heavy equipment welder.:B

Pulled a 40ft Mobile home with a GMC 2500/454 adapted by me for the weight and never had an issue. Pulled a 35ft Jayco fifth wheel for several years with a '76 Ford F-250/390 V8 with a GVWR of 7200lbs without issue and again adapted to the job with towing extras. Ran a 8ft Lance on that same 3/4 ton easily but it appears to have been way over for the rules here.

Since I have a lowly F-150 rated only to 9200 lbs towing, it's time to trim the load and leave the wife's purse and water bottle at home along with the dog food and I'll be okay.:S

My advice to you is to call Titan and ask them there opinion if your worried about it. There the ones that know that vehicle the best and are under obligation to keep you safe, not us opionated internet hero's (laughing).....

Good luck on your trailer and truck choices. Just my personal opinion, nothing more.

If you really want to do it right from the start, decide today exactly how much trailer is going to be your limit. 25 feet? 30 feet? Then get started looking at those sizes of trailers. Pick the worst case scenario and go buy a truck that matches that criteria. Personally I quit looking at 1/2 ton trucks years ago. Buying 3/4 ton trucks is not that expensive and you are ensured of having an adequate platform for towing any TT and some smaller fifth wheels. Besides I really like the stronger frames, better axles,tires,wheels you get with the bigger truck.

It means is a prefect world the easiest type of trailer you can tow 9000 pounds. Does that mean you can tow a 9000 pounds RV? Not likely as other limits are often exceeded. So for RVing it is good to understand all your ratings and limits for picking a match that will make the driver and family safe and happy.

I actually hate "tow ratings". Towing a 9000lb travel trailer and a 9000lb boat and a 9000lb load of lumber are different things. It is a good guide to go by, but there are many other factors, too. The biggest is payload capacity of the vehicle. You can easily be over payload and not be close to the so called "tow rating".

Many out there that are lighter than that range. Check out the CruiserRV lines, FunFinder and Shadow Cruiser.

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans