We purchased a new Laredo 331Bh last year. After many calculations, hitch adjustments and changing tires we finally concluded that we needed to go to a heavier tow vehicle. We upgraded this week to a 2016 F250 6.2l crew cab w/ 3.73 reared. Can't wait to test it out with the trailer behind it. Hopes it ends up being more of a relaxing drive, or as close to relaxing as pulling a TT can be. Now I loved the F150 with 3.5L EB. That motor has a ton of power, but the trailer was just too much for that truck. After dealing with 30 mph winds this past weekend there was no choice but to downsize the trailer or upgrade the truck.Bottom line is if anyone is looking at a larger camper and pulling it with an F150, my advice is stay well under the published tow ratings. In my case max tow was 11,200 lbs. I scaled my unit and was around 2000 lbs. combined under capacity with the trailer, the truck could pull it all day long, but with a large box behind you and any type of side force wind it was a hold on type of drive.In case you are wondering, I use a Blue OX WD with 1500 lbs. bars.Just some advice and lessons learned to pass on.Enjoy your summer and safe travels to all.

Yep, 8100lb and a 1500lb CCC is definitely 3/4 ton territory. Not to mention its a total of 38feet long! What you will have to watch is maxing out the GVWR. I would switch out the tires for LR "E" on the trailer.

I had the same experience with a 2011 35' Outback. It towed great with no wind and even better with a tail wind. Head or side wind was a different story. I moved to a 32' FW and never looked back. The difference is night and day.

Classic example of choosing the wrong F150 platform for towing a 8k-9k lb TT. Wheelbase and the wrong/improper setup hitch platform can lead to a white knuckle experience for some. I'm not picking on the OP but we see this almost weekly where some new guy bought into Fords F150 max tow platforms. Max tow isn't the max. Max tow can be up to a F150 with 7000-7500 gvwr and small 4050 rwar/P tires. The F150HD with its 7850-8200 gvwr and 4800 rawr crew cab E tires and wheels can weigh over 6000 lbs which is 1500 lbs heavier than some year model 3/4 ton truck small block gasser. This platform is much better for towing 9k-11k TT's and smaller 5th wheel trailers. The OPs F250 6.2 package will serve him well.

JIMNLIN wrote:Classic example of choosing the wrong F150 platform for towing a 8k-9k lb TT.There are SO MANY options on the F150, it is easy to make this mistake.IMHO, if you are towing over 8,000 lbs, just get the F250 !

I have been towing on the margin since buying my TT/TV combo in '07. I've put quite a few miles on since then, and while my rig has been competent, I have had my share of bumps along the way. Namely, lack of power. Handling, braking, stability are all very good with this truck. No complaints there. Yes, more payload would be nice, as I regularly use up my GCWR of 15,300, but with only a 4 spd, getting a space at the end of entrance ramps, and climbing steep hills in traffic are still my only complaints. At the time of purchase, a heavier F-250 platform with the same engine would not have bought me anything more in acceleration for a higher sticker price. The newer versions of the 150 with 6spd and more power would probably handle my trailer better, but the same payload package would still be needed for tongue weight. I'll be upgrading in a year or so, and you can bet it will be a 250/350 with the biggest gas engine they make. Been a very interesting and educational 10 years!

F150 and towing advice to pass on | Good Sam Community

tfm
Explorer
May 03, 2017
I'm hearing that Ford is coming out with a 3.0 Power Stroke in the F-150 in 2018.
OH48Lt
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
The biggest problems with towing with the F150 is the weight, wheelbase, and P-rated tires. The newer aluminum body F150 is just too light for serious towing. Combine that with the crew cab and 5.5' bed, and that short wheelbase will get you pushed around. Add in the P-rated tires with the very flexible sidewalls, and you've created a powerful tow machine without the azz to back it up.

BTW, the Max Tow package is not the best tow package on the F150. It is just a standard tow package with the brake controller and sway control. If you want the big tow package, you have to order the heavy duty tow package. You have to get the Ecoboost to get it, and some other options. Very few people know that, and even some Ford sales droids aren't aware of it. VERY doubtful they will have one on the lot.

I'm waiting for Ford to offer a SuperDuty with a 5.0 EcoBeast engine. Probably going to be waiting a while .....like never.
JRnTX
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017
That was my experience as well. Had a 2014 F150 pulling a Forest River 27RKSS. The F150 could do it but, due to an unfortunate accident with a red light runner, the F150 and TT were totaled.

Upgraded to the F250 and pulling the new 27RKSS, is a breeze!
lbrjet
Explorer
Apr 24, 2017
Heavy long trailer pushing around a fairly light pickup truck is not at all hard to understand. Heck, my truck weighs 8500 lbs when taking long trips and I get moved by the wind now and then.
dthfsa
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017
I knew I was close on weights, the truck and trailer was within weight, but I think with the smaller wheel base and the fact that the trailer was twice as long as the truck it was a leverage issue. The tail wagged the dog. With a side wind the trailer would push the truck and the blue Ox would keep the truck inline with the trailer. It is kind of hard to explain the feeling of it unless you experienced it.
We knew we needed a new truck and we had only short trips planned last year. We will be heading to South Dakota this summer and wanted to upgrade the truck.
I know a lot of people are pulling heavy with the F150 but again I wanted to pass on my experience. This is our fourth rv we have owned, I am not new to trailer pulling. I ran the numbers and pushed the envelope.
Just stay within the limits of the F150 SC and a 5.5 bed. A larger wheelbase may have helped some.
Thanks
atwowheelguy
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017
Thanks to the OP for sharing his experience. As is often the case, the lesson here is, "Do your homework." I read A LOT.

I bought the truck first and immediately started researching a camper to fit. I found a model I thought would work, and then went searching for one. It took 53 weeks to find a good used one within 1000 miles of home. One finally turned up 20 miles away. It took some trial and error with moving cargo from the truck to the camper and adjusting the WDH, but I got it rigged so it handles pretty well now. The rear axle GAW and the whole truck GVW are loaded to 94% of their weight ratings and 71% of the payload has been used, with just the driver on board. But that's usually how I travel. The GCW is at 82% of rated capacity.

The engine and transmission have no problems. The 3.5 EB is an engineering marvel. The ABS did kick in one time when the traffic light turned yellow on me at 55 mph. I discovered that the camper brakes needed adjustment. Now that shouldn't happen again.

I am satisfied with the way the F150 is matched to the camper.
rbpru
Explorer II
Apr 22, 2017
No argument here. My E-boost F-150 does a great job with our 25ft TT.

However, our loaded for the road 6200 lb TT with 750 lbs on the tongue uses amount half of our max cargo.

Anything larger and I would go with an F-250.

I do like the Blue Ox hitch, we have towed in a lot of wind across OK and TX with no problems.

Half tons are fine TV's but folks often underestimate their total load, especially when looking at dry weights.
Lantley
Nomad
Apr 22, 2017
fireman41 wrote:
A poorly set up trailer will sway and tow just as bad behind a F250 as it will behind a F150.

True to a point. An F-250 will make up for some of the shortcomings.
Things will not need to be fined tuned quite as much.
In the end the heavier ,beefier truck will always provide more control vs. the lighter,smaller truck.
Conversely the lighter truck will always ride a little softer and use a bit less fuel when not towing.
fireman41
Explorer
Apr 22, 2017
A poorly set up trailer will sway and tow just as bad behind a F250 as it will behind a F150.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Apr 22, 2017
Guess that's why I tow a little trailer with my F150.. ;)

Too much emphasis on this whole "tow rating" deal when newb's are looking at TT's and then they go by the "dry weight" of the TT and think it's all good... Well, they might get some 'bad' advice from the sales person.. But, that's another issue..

Anyway, good post OP and hope some newb's can take some real world experience to heart..

Good luck with the new rig!

Mitch

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