As the subject line indicates, wy wife and I have decided to finally pull the trigger on a trailer. We are still in the process of researching trailers, but first need to address the issue of a tow vehicle, as we feel our trailer needs exceed the capabilities of my wife's 2011 Sequoia. As a result, I am truck shopping. Here is the rundown:My wife and I are considering purchasing a 2015 F150 Super Crew short bed with 3.5 Eco and 3.55 Gears. Ford's trailer guide indicates 10,700 towing, a payload of 2,060 and a GVWR 700o. My crew of five weighs in below the 650 mark and will likely add less than 100 lbs in the coming years. I am thinking even with a couple hundred pounds of bikes and beach gear in the bed there is still plenty of cushion for tongue weight. I want to err on the safe side. That being the case I would appreciate thoughts on max SAFE trailer and tongue weights. Is 7000 lbs or so and the associated tongue weight reasonable? I am second guessing myself after reading about inflated tow ratings and the often overlooked payload issue with 1/2 tons. Thank you for any and all thoughts.

You got it backwords.Pick the trailer first! People almost always under estimate loads and end up with too little in the tow vehicle department.

donn above is right..pick the trailer first - THEN - pick a truck that will be big enough to handle the next even bigger trailer that you will soon be buying.That's the way it works.

I agree that you should pick your trailer first. The F-150 with eco boost you are looking at will haul a lot of different trailers. The Ford Dealer (I think Townsend Ford) can give you a lot of information. I have a 2014 F-150 that is 8 cylinder and pull a 24 ft. White Water Retro built by Riverside Mfg. It does great. I want to welcome you, from my hometown, to the wonderful world of camping. It is a lot of fun. Enjoy your travel and may God Bless you and your family with safe trips.

As donn0128 stated above, select the camper first, then match the truck. You will find yourself limited with an F150, (or 1500 of the other brands.)Far too many try to get a truck they deem more important to use as a daily driver, because a heftier truck costs more up front, and will cost more as a daily driver for fuel, insurance, and everything involved. BUT! You really should dismiss the idea of a daily driver and ask yourself, what is a truck that will safely tow with comfort, and will not produce a white-knuckle experience, or awful sway from the trailer, or break down, or struggle on hills when towing! First and foremost should be the vehicle that will tow. Then use it as a daily drive, remember the REAL reason you got it in the first place... you needed something to tow!Also, more than likely, in the next 2-3 years, you'll be trading the trailer for a different one. A 150 - 1500 will truly limit your next move up. Get the truck right the first time, and you won't have to do it again later.We went from a 1500 Suburban to a 3500 duly when got our first trailer. Not know where our future would lead us, I decided I wanted something that would provide enough tow power, that if we changed our minds about campers, we'd not have to switch truck. Well, I've been through 3 - 3500's now, and don't regret any of them.So, what I'm saying is, find the camper first, then match the truck and go one step heavier! (really), you'll not regret it!

You can't buy too big a truck, too small? Yes! Buy a 3/4 ton and be safe.

Newbie Truck and Trailer Shopping | Good Sam Community

Wanderlost
Nomad II
Feb 03, 2016
Another thought, this also from personal experience:

Depending on the trailer length, it may well be far easier to maneuver in and out of refueling stops if you have a pickup with a diesel engine. The gas pumps are too often very tight spaces to try and get a full-size pickup (especially with a double cab) plus trailer safely through.

We pulled our Rockwood 2906WS home with my 2015 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat with 3.7L Ecoboost, Max tow package, etc. It did just fine, but as we passed gas station after gas station, I began to consider the refueling issue. A diesel could move through the truck diesel refueling area a whole lot easier.

So, since it's time for WLToo to get a new vehicle, we're looking for a used F-250 diesel SuperCrew Lariat.

I'm with the others: choose your trailer, then get the tow vehicle. If your trailer from hitch to spare tire is much over 30', strongly recommend you get a diesel engine.
Gambit80
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
Agree with all of the above. I purchased the trailer first to go with the truck I had. (2006 Ram 1500 w/ 4.8 V8) and it was not even a year before I upgraded to current truck (2006 Ram 2500 w/ 5.9 CTD).

When I upgraded the truck, it was overkill my my TT back in 2010. However, I just upgraded this year and did not have to worry about truck at all. Pick the ideal trailer first, then the truck to exceed.

I know it's not cheap, as I found out, but it's the best way.
IdaD
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
BamaTrav wrote:
Thanks again for so many great responses. Based on the themes I'm hearing: 1. Identify the trailer 2. Go bigger than you think, I am starting my research anew. Just wanted you to know I am hearing you. :-)

I will keep you posted.

Good thoughts. I think it's worth test driving each of the heavy duty models. To me they're no less comfortable as daily drivers than half tons, but your opinion may differ. If you could live with one, they don't really cost much more so I'd go for it to give yourself a better towing experience. If you really don't think you want the stiffer ride or extra step in height, just plan on limiting your trailer accordingly. Half tons can tow fine within their limitations, but you need to be realistic about those limitations.

Since you're open to heavy duty trucks, I think you should also give some thought to fifth wheels versus travel trailers. They have different pros and cons, and there are lots of threads you can find that discuss them in detail.
DinTulsa
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
Like the other threads stated, you can buy too small of a truck. If I was buying new, I would look at the Ram 2500 with the 6.4 hemi. Cost will probably be pretty comparable to your F150 EB. I currently drive a F250 6.7, but if I had to replace it today I would pick up the 6.4. If this is your first trailer, I would suggest a larger truck for sure. Most people progressives get bigger after their first purchase. My wife and I were a little different, we had full use of a class c motorhome over the last 3 years so we knew what was important to us. That being said we purchased a TT with a over all length of 37' 3" and a gvwr of 11,300, well out of range for a F150. If I had any advice to give, try to buy your 3rd trailer first and buy your 2nd truck initially. It will save you time and money.
BamaTrav
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
Thanks again for so many great responses. Based on the themes I'm hearing: 1. Identify the trailer 2. Go bigger than you think, I am starting my research anew. Just wanted you to know I am hearing you. :-)

I will keep you posted.
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 03, 2016
Your family of 5, will need a fair size trailer to meet your needs in comfort. You mentioned 7,000 lbs. Be aware, when trailer shopping, that a loaded to camp trailer will be much heavier, than the brochure shipping weight will indicate.

Although a better tow vehicle, the F150 you will likely see on a dealer lot, will not have much more payload than your Toyota. Look at the yellow tire loading sticker on the exact 150. It would be a rare find to see one with a 2,000+ payload.

Yes, find the trailer first, then find the right truck for it.

Jerry
wing_zealot
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
is it friday yet? wrote:
BamaTrav wrote:
Thanks for the warm welcome and responses. You all have clearly been down this road before. For clarification, we have been looking at trailers like the North Trail 28 BRS. I know most people fairly quickly move up or change to different types of RV's. While the idea of an F250 makes me grin, I am struggling envisioning sandwiching it into my university parking deck between the college kid's BMW's and the professor's Passats. The thought continues to put a grin on my face. Much to think about. I welcome additional thoughts. Thank you.

Parking an F250 isn't any different than parking an F150. I can park my Dodge 3500 in any spot that you can an F150. They may be a bit taller but that's about it. Now, if you get a dually, that would be a different story.
Before you go buy that F250 you better measure the clearance on that parking deck and the height of the F250. That grin may quickly change to a frown. You think parking a F250 is no different than parking an F150? You would be wrong, especially when it comes to parking decks. In some cases it makes a big difference. Ask me how I know this.
mbopp
Explorer
Feb 03, 2016
Yes, forget Ford's brochure weights. I'll second the notion to look at a specific truck and find out what its yellow tag says for payload.
IMHO for the NT trailer and family the F150 is marginal.
2112
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2016
BamaTrav wrote:
...While the idea of an F250 makes me grin, I am struggling envisioning sandwiching it into my university parking deck between the college kid's BMW's and the professor's Passats. The thought continues to put a grin on my face...
Get the BIG truck and a cheap secondhand economical commuter for work. I rarely drive my F150 to work. I drive 50 miles a day in an old beater getting 30mpg. The truck gets 18.

As stated above pay close attention to the number below on any truck. There can be three identical looking trucks on the lot sitting side by side and the payload may be 100's of pounds different. Go for payload.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2016
Pay more to payload that tow capacity which ever direction you go. With a family of 5, your going to need it. When looking at TT models, take the gross weight and multiply by 13% to calculate tongue weight. Add another 100 lbs for a WDH hitch setup. Then add the weights of people, pets and cargo. This is subtracted from payload.

I'm another in the boat of needing to up-size my TV after TT purchase. It comes in just under my capacities, but it aint fun towing with it. Good luck and welcome to the forum!