My 2018 F150 Towing Experience

manley wrote:
As referenced here (link), I recently joined the Ecoboost club by buying an '18 F150. Many have said, "that's not enough truck," but I believed those who said otherwise...

After driving back from Georgia to Texas over the last three days, I have a question:

Who wants to buy a 2018 F150 XLT?

The truck drives great, wonderful gas mileage, great power and braking ability, etc. However, when you put it in a crosswind, it's game over! The truck is simply too light to handle anything more than perhaps about a 6,000 pound trailer. I don't care what the SAE tow ratings say!

I'm done...

Knocks on the head taken, fixing to lose my rear end on trade, and crow eaten. For all those who said "I told you so," I say "yes, you did. I was wrong, and you were right. I'm sorry I didn't believe you."

I have been towing trailers for 20 years now with half tons 1 ton duallies etc. Right now I have a 2018 F150 Max Tow with the ecoboost and tow a 7200lb 30ft trailer and have had this rig all over the eastern US through the mountains for 3k now on the 2018 previously was 40k with a 2011 F150 Eco. I know how the crosswinds can feel but there is a def difference between the entire rig moving and trailer sway. Do you have the 6.5 crew? or 5.5 crew? Either way You are within the limits of your truck with the tongue weights you have stated if they truly are what you stated. Let me give you a scenerio and this is based off of you having the Hensley Hitch also which puts your trailers pivot point at the rear axle of your truck unlike the other WDH's out there other than the pro prode being the same. Lets say your trucks GVWR is 7050 and your avail payload is 1827. So you truck weighs 5223 with noone in it yet or tongue weight added to it. A 1 ton SRW diesel has a GVWR of 11500 and avail payload of 3200lbs so that 1 ton weighs 8300lbs. You see those 1 tons all the time pulling 15000lb 5th wheels meaning the trailer weighs 6700 more lbs than that 1 ton truck. Now your truck weighs 5223. Your trailer is 9500lbs roughly. So your trailer weighs 4277 more lbs than your truck. See where I am getting here why would your truck not be able to handle a trailer that weighs 4277 more lbs than it when a 1 ton can easily handle a trailer that weighs 6700 more lbs than it. Now alot of people will say a bumper pull is alot different towing wise than a 5th wheel and yes it is but you made that difference negligable when you purchased the Hensley. Your pivot point of the trailer you have is **** near the same as the pivot point on a 5th wheel because of that hitch you have. I've towed that 15k 5th with a 1 ton and now 7200lbs with a F150 with the 4 point equalizer hitch and honestly fells just as good towing as that 1 ton did with the 5th wheel. I think you need to start from scratch with your hitch setup get it and get it right. If you do have P rated tires LT are better but not necessary. With Ps you will feel more wiggle but remember that wiggle is not sway and those crosswinds hitting your truck and 30ft box behind you probably is not sway but just the push from the wind. The same as you feel driving any high profile vehicle in heavy winds. Also remember when towing you're on vaca there shouldnt be any hurry to get there sit back relax and enjoy the scenery on the ride to the destination. If winds are so bad you must slow to 45 on the highway because the push is so bad so be it and enjoy the trip!