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

mosseater
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017
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!
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017
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 !
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Apr 21, 2017
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.
2112
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017
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.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 21, 2017
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.

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