HiThanks much for all the advice in helping me to decide which truck to look for. An F150 Crew Cab 4x4 with the ecoboost looks like the best choice for us. I had a look at the dealer and at least around here there are a fair number of 2014's left with the Max Tow option but none were HD. I believe the payload capacity without HD would be 2310lb. The HD option would add 500lb to that?It would be 2 adults and maybe two teens with some bikes in the back. We have a 30' light TT right now but will be getting a 5th in the near future. We have looked and ones with advertised pin weights around 1200lb to 1500lb would do nicely when we are done with the TT (post teens). The pin weight may be less in the end but these were the ones my local RV dealer had that we could take a look at - not set on anything yet. Would the F150 with Max Tow handle that pin weight or would I need the extra capacity that an HD would provide?Would beefing up the suspension with bags or something else help enough if needed - if I can't find HD?Does the HD give any more additional cooling than the Max Tow when you get both?It would be nice to not "need" HD as it would give me many more options when picking one out - whether a 2014 from the dealer or a bit older from a private sale. But if I need it I'll find it. Thanks much for your time.

The weight cops on here will tell you you need a F550 to tow that. Reality is that you will overload the factory suspension and tow ratings more than likely but look at the difference in the 2 trucks you are interested in. Same frame, same brakes, same axle, heavier springs. Will you be above the book weight? ProbablyCan you beef up the rear suspension as long as you don't go crazy with the weight and be fine? Yes. Man if Ford is smart, they will offer the Eco in the new '16 HD pickups to replace the anemic 6.2l. They'll sell a lot of them for this type of use!

What is the weight of the trailer ? While the bed of the truck may take the weight, the rest of the truck may have issues. We had to sell our 4x4 F150 as the transmission temp was heading over 240F. Luckily I had a Trans temp gauge.

The payload on the max tow (or any) will vary depending on options. Mine is 1950ish with the XLT, 6 1/2 foot bed, and running boards.

Ask the RV salesman, they usually know what your truck can tow. Your truck will tow almost any trailer. The question is, Can you stop any trailer you are towing?

I've towed two different 5er's with a regular F150, but both were lighter then the ones you are talking about.You also need to be careful as the pin-weight most dealers and builders quote is dry-empty, not wet-loaded.

F-150 to tow a light 5th - do I need HD cargo option?

60 Replies

goducks10
Explorer
Jan 24, 2015
Trailer Life magazine says you're good to go:)
TomG2
Explorer
Jan 24, 2015
The guy on the television said that F-150's are good for towing up to 12,000 pounds, so the OP is good to go. Oh wait, that is a model that he probably won't see on any dealer's lot. New or used.
CWSWine
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
Here is scale weights for Chevy 2500 Duramax
Keystone 28SGS with dry pin weight of 1485 shipping weight of 7581
This was sold to me as a 1/2 ton 5th wheel

Truck Scale Weights
Steer Axle = 4780
Dive Axle – 3220
Gross Weight = 8000

5th Wheel Scale Weight (Load to go camping)
Steer Axle = 4700
Dive Axle 5220
Trailer Axle 6840
Gross Weight 16,760
camp-n-family
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
I would definitely look at the new little dodge diesel or a 3/4 ton.

Be careful as even some 3/4 tons won't have enough payload. My '14 Ram 2500 loaded in crewcab form for example is just above 2300lbs. It does have sufficient axle ratings though.

The "little Dodge diesel" in the 1500 could pull it but you will be WAY over on payload etc. Worse than the F150. A crewcab 4x4 ecodiesel has less than 1000lbs payload.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 23, 2015
NC Hauler wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
kaydeejay wrote:
Merrykalia wrote:
I have a 2012 Ford F-150 Supercrew with the Max Tow and the HD Package. We tow a 34' fifth wheel. We have almost 2400 lbs payload and plenty of tow weight. PM me if you want info because I won't get into a discussion over what I am safely towing.
No discussion because, with 2400# payload, I'm pretty sure you are overloaded with a 34' fiver, family and other stuff.:R
I'm only just inside ratings with a 27' fiver and 2700# of payload!!
And that's with a 3/4 ton!

It could be close, but could be done.
5er specs for the 5er.

2009 Forest River Wildcat 32QBBS
Technical Specifications:
Length 33' 8"
Dry Weight 8,920#
Payload Capacity 1,837#
GVWR 11,660
Hitch Weight 1,500#

So dry you have about 900# to work with for the added pin from batteries, propane, and load. Dry the pin is about 17%, so if the fiver gains 900#X.17 = 153, so lets call it 200#, now down to 700# for passengers and fuel.

I call it close, but looks doable.

Dang I forgot the Weight Police will over rule as you can't carry/pull a 11,660# GVWR 5er with an F150.

I would rather have a 250/2500 or 350/3500 SRW, but they keep pushing the limits.

I love how some revert to name calling, (weight police), if they think someone will have a different opinion from theirs when it comes to these weight topics.

If OP has a 11,660GVW 5er, odds are their pin weight will be closer to 2,000-2200# and not the mythical, (doggone I wish that's what it was, 1500#), pin weight.

IF OP doesn't exceed his Rear Axle weight rating...then they should be good to go..(see I never said a word about GVWR)....pretty simple math...weigh the truck ready to camp, get drive axle weight and subract that number from what his door label states his RAWR is...simple, that'll show how much pin weight he can put on the rear axle....Most use this to figure cargo carrying....I do like to try to keep combo under manufacturers recommended GCWR, but those in the know tend to ignore those numbers too...

NC, Not really name calling, just a fact of life on this forum!

Many think you need a one ton to pull a Popup! :S

Most of the advice on here is good honest advice. They there are those that greatly inflate weights and their affects. That is why most of the time I like to do a little research before making a statement.
I like to look up the 5er in question, so can state real world weights.

When looking at these questions, when looking at the 5er specs, BOTH dry weight and GVWR need to be looked at. There are standard 5er's out there that have a 12,000# GVWR, but an 8,000# dry weight! It would take a real hoarder to even add 2,000# of stuff into a 30' to 34' 5er. :B

I truthfully didn't look at weights buy our current 5er. The last step before signing the papers was to drop the dry 5er on the hitch to see if the front wheels came off the ground. :B
Well the bed dropped about 1.25", still well above level, well yep over GVWR, but still well within both axle ratings, no Bags, no Timbren's, just a highly underrated TV.
gschindel
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
Thanks. Good to know. I didn't realize that only the long box crew cabs had the thicker frames. Have to wonder though if a short box with a thinner frame wouldn't hold up as well due to less potential stress of the shorter wheel base.
brulaz
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
gschindel wrote:
I read that the crew cabs already have the heavier frame.

Dunno about 2015s

But the 2011-2014s have 3 frame thicknesses.

The thinnest for the short wheel base Raptor.

Medium thickness frame used for all other trucks except those with HD Payload *and* the long wheelbase SCrew.

Thickest frame was used for the HD Payload trucks *and* long wheelbase SCrew trucks (regardless of whether they are HD Payload or not).
gschindel
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
I read that the crew cabs already have the heavier frame.
goducks10
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
Grit dog wrote:
mbopp wrote:
Hmmmmm.....
Seems I read somewhere the HD / max payload F150 had a different, heavier frame than the standard and Max Tow F150's.

Nope

Are we talking 2011-2014?

According to Fords fleet guide the HD frame is thicker.
Bottom of page 86.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckBBAS/topics/2012/12_F150_SB.pdf
ib516
Explorer II
Jan 23, 2015
The EcoBoost F150 (4x4, 3.55, Crew Cab, short bed, limited options) I drove very easy on a flat straight highway, at 67 mph, not using A/C got 21 mpg. Most of the reviews on the EcoBoost trucks there is some type of complaint about the lack of high mpg. Many expect MUCH more mpg than they (3.5L EB) actually deliver. Most say it's a V6 with impressive power, even if it was a V8, and that it gets V8 like mpg.

I would think it would be in the mid teens as a commuter vehicle - depends on the type of commuting I guess.

In any case, yes and EcoBoost F150 would get better unloaded mpg than an F250 6.2L Gas.