Forum Discussion

thesumners's avatar
thesumners
Explorer
Jul 14, 2020

Modern 1/2 ton tow vehicle question

Hey all,

Our family was active on RV.net and camping for a while but we moved on to new hobbies. Now we're picking it back up again.

In the past we towed a heavy 30' Arctic Fox and dirt bikes in the truck bed with a longbed F-250 diesel. It was fine for that purpose.

We're looking a similarly heavy trailer again, maybe 25'. We haven't bought yet. Of course I would rather drive a 1/2 ton as a daily driver and tow with it.

A F-150 with max tow package is right at the top of the specs. Dirt bikes in the bed with humans is pretty heavy, maybe 2800lb payload and 12k towed.

So yeah the F-150 CAN do it but SHOULD it? I have not driven one or towed with a newer truck. Any pointers appreciated.
Tow Vehicles
  • thesumners's avatar
    thesumners
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2020
    time2roll wrote:
    25' ? Would seem easy to me. Check for max towing AND max payload options.


    I checked the specs and did the math. The F-150 is, looking at the spec sheet, able to do it. In practice I don't think it would be fun. I remember the white-knuckle moments in bad weather with a fully loaded F-250. That was ancient technology (1997 7.3l turbo diesel) I was hoping things had changed.

    I did actually test drive a V8 F-150 at one point, maybe it was a 11th gen. Man it was fun to drive compared to a big diesel! But anyway maybe I'll investigate a bigger rigs at this point just for the additional payload and brakes etc.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jul 14, 2020
    With the bikes and a big family, you will have to watch the payload on some of the 3/4 ton trucks.

    Our 2008 F250 is rated at 2750lb payload per the sticker, so 2800lb would be just over the limits.

    If it's only a few short trips on relatively level ground, a 1/2 ton properly spec'd could do the job but I think you will be happier with a 3/4 ton.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2020
    Add up what you think is the payload and then find the truck on a lot with enough at least that amount on the tire and loading sticker:
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Jul 14, 2020
    A used diesel will last you many, many years, and get similar mileage as the F150.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jul 14, 2020
    25' ? Would seem easy to me. Check for max towing AND max payload options.
  • JAC1982's avatar
    JAC1982
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2020
    Nope. Our first camper was a 30' Raptor bumper pull toyhauler and we did one trip with it with an F-150 EB and got a F250 after that. Never again.
  • bikendan's avatar
    bikendan
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2020
    thesumners wrote:
    Hey all,

    Our family was active on RV.net and camping for a while but we moved on to new hobbies. Now we're picking it back up again.

    In the past we towed a heavy 30' Arctic Fox and dirt bikes in the truck bed with a longbed F-250 diesel. It was fine for that purpose.

    We're looking a similarly heavy trailer again, maybe 25'. We haven't bought yet. Of course I would rather drive a 1/2 ton as a daily driver and tow with it.

    A F-150 with max tow package is right at the top of the specs. Dirt bikes in the bed with humans is pretty heavy, maybe 2800lb payload and 12k towed.

    So yeah the F-150 CAN do it but SHOULD it? I have not driven one or towed with a newer truck. Any pointers appreciated.


    I own a F150 Ecoboost with Max Tow package and my answer is NO!

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