Hello members, New member here first post. My family and I are looking at purchasing tomorrow hopefully a Sportsmen LE 260bhle (19k)We were looking and Almost bought a jayco x213 (28k), Starcraft 19bhs (22k)I am curious about 1. Peoples opinions of sportsmen?2. Sound ok to be pulled by my tow vehicle?We have narrowed it down to this model that fits our budget and best floorplan. We live in Saskatchewan where it is flat but plan on taking it to Montana in mountains and further. I have travelled in USA extensively by car and truck but this would be biggest thing we've ever towed. I have towed cars on a flat deck trailer a few times. Trailer will come with an equalizer hitch.2016 F150 Super crew but with 2.7 Ecoboost 3.55 gears according to Ford site my truck max tows 7500lbs 2018 Sportsmen 260bhle 4840lbs dry gvwr 7000lbsWe also really liked the sportsmen 291BHK, but it seems too heavy 8000lb gvwr and 10k more.Thanks in advance Radio

You're falling into the trap of looking at tow capacity when the more important number (especially on a 1/2-ton) is payload capacity.Look on the driver door post and tell us what the payload is. Then add up the weight of your family and any gear you'll be taking in the truck bed. Now add the hitch weight and tongue weight.And nobody tows an empty trailer. Figure 1000 more pounds of gear loaded in it.

Dry hitch weight 600Knew about the 1000lb of gear in trailer yep I'm using same number.. I don't have any gear yet.Family weight 500Gear in truck bed not sure prob a cooler full. No bikes or kayaks etc. Our kids are young.Door says do not exceed 1228lbsGvwr on truck says 6500lbs

Edit,Nope, you'll be out of payload, 6,000 * .12 = 720, add 100 for wdh = 820, add 500 for family and you get 1320, 100 over your payload capacity and you've got nothing in the bed. Lighter trailer or packing very, very light are the only way to make it work.

Your problem is not the cargo ( frame, axle, tires, etc.), your problem is horsepower. The performance pulling is basically going to suck.

troubledwaters wrote:Your problem is not the cargo ( frame, axle, tires, etc.), your problem is horsepower. The performance pulling is basically going to suck.I'm going to go ahead and suggest you read up on what a ecoboost is and whatever v8 you have let's race up the hill.

Ford 2.7 F150 & About to buy Sportsmen LE 260BHLE

Radioredline88
Explorer
Mar 21, 2017
Thanks in advance for everyone's advice.

We decided to hold off on the 260BHLE and instead go with one of the bigger models prob but I need save up a bit more dough to do that.

We upgraded our truck to a 2017 Ram Megacab 3500 with the cummins and aisin.

It has just under 4000lb payload.

Thanks
Jebby14
Explorer
Mar 20, 2017
Radioredline88 wrote:
According to Ford website with my axles and cab etc it's 7500 max tow.

We are considering changing to 3/4+ because of payload.

Dear 5.0 asshat, you're just butt hurt you didn't get an ecoboost with turbo!

Anyway yes we have a payload issue. For the trailer we picked out

im a 5.0 asshat and I don't regret. I drove just about every engine configuration from both ford and dodge and opted for the 5.0. it suits me best and I know EXACTLY what I want in a vehicle. for what its worth I was close to a 3.5 eco, and closer still to a 5.7 ram. you need to chill out. not our fault you bought a truck that has less capability than what you want. pick you pantys out of crack and stop with snarky comments.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2017
"So assuming I'm 100 pounds over payload, my trailer tires are going to blow and the trailer is going to come unhitched and roll down the mountain?"

You'll be a bunch more than 100 pounds over.
Camper_G
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
Radioredline88 wrote:
Considering cummins 6.7

Very nice truck / choice if you go for it. Good luck with your decision. Pros and cons like anything else
shelbyfv
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
Well then....:h
Radioredline88
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
Considering cummins 6.7
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 19, 2017
Radioredline88 wrote:
According to Ford website with my axles and cab etc it's 7500 max tow.

We are considering changing to 3/4+ because of payload.

Dear 5.0 asshat, you're just butt hurt you didn't get an ecoboost with turbo!

Anyway yes we have a payload issue. For the trailer we picked out

You will love the 250 6.2 if that is what you are considering! It will not give you the MPG that you are used to, when not towing. Oh well, just romp on it, the exhaust tone is worth the extra fuel. :C

Jerry
Radioredline88
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017
According to Ford website with my axles and cab etc it's 7500 max tow.

We are considering changing to 3/4+ because of payload.

Dear 5.0 asshat, you're just butt hurt you didn't get an ecoboost with turbo!

Anyway yes we have a payload issue. For the trailer we picked out
treyster
Explorer
Mar 18, 2017
Mike Up wrote:
ROBERTSUNRUS wrote:
Radioredline88 wrote:
Rear Gawr 3300 is that it?

:) Hi, that number seems awfully low. My truck's rear axle is 4050 lbs. I think maybe yours is actually 3800 lbs ??????

I just did a search and 3300 lbs and 3800 lbs were used on those trucks. So you're probably right.

That most likely is a byproduct of the 2.7L lower GVWR/Payload ratings.

BY comparison my 2010 and 2012 F150 configured just like my 2016 F150 both had 3750 lbs Front axle ratings and 3850 lbs Rear axle ratings. My 2010 weighed 5770 lbs and 2012 weighed 5768 lbs.

My 2016 weighs only 5110 lbs and has a front axle rating of 3450 lbs and rear axle rating of 3800 lbs. That's equivalent to axle ratings of my 2012 and 2010 F150 of a front axle rating of 3780 lbs and a rear axle rating of 4130 lbs using a 50%/50% ratio of vehicle weight.

Thanks for the weight info, I hadn't thought that Ford might reduce axle ratings when the truck was lightened. It makes a ton of sense to reduce unnecessary unsprug weight and specifically rotating mass if they could though.
shelbyfv
Explorer
Mar 18, 2017
Well clearly the OP's truck was not the best choice simply for towing, but I bet he had a reason for choosing it. And since he has it, that's that. I think it's been established his original choice of trailer won't work, so how about some more ideas? I can't help because I'm in the fiberglass egg camp, pretty sure those would be too small for OP.