SUV Tow vehicle suggestions
Hi all! New to the RV world and jumping in head first out of necessity. We bought a 35’ Coleman Lantern 314bh and are having it towed to our destination for long term living during the work week. That...
Forum Discussion
troubledwaters wrote:RoyBell wrote:Oh I beg to differ, it is "even close". You seem to indicate a F150 can't handle a trailer that "weighs almost double the TV". Change the badge to an F250 and no one says a word about "almost double".troubledwaters wrote:RoyBell wrote:Would that be equivalent of a 20-foot, 20,000 lbs tractor pulling a 45-foot, 80,000 lbs (quadruple the TV) double bottom gravel train? Done every day in Michigan at highway speeds. Some states like Ohio can have 3 trailers.
...Those light F150s weight how much? 5000 lbs? The trailer weighs almost double the TV. That's the equivalent to towing a 21' TT with a mini.
Not even close. A tractor trailer is setup and designed for that load. And also as mentioned below, it's not a bumper pull which puts the weight on the back end of the vehicle vs the entire frame and tires of the TV. Your example is more akin to a 25K gooseneck/5th wheel on a 4500, which safely places the load on the TV and is designed for such load to be safely distributed.
An F150/1500 will handle 100% of anything up to (without exceeding any) its rated capacities. "Almost double" has nothing to do with its ratings. Just like the 20,0000 lbs. tractor pulling 140,000 lbs., it's still operating within its ratings.
No need to get your panties in a twist.
It's basic math really.
F150 Super Cab, 4x4, SWB weight: 4,851 lbs OAL: 231.9"
F250 Super Cab, 4x4, SWB weight: 6,372 lbs OAL: 238.2"
Net difference: 1,521 lbs, 6.3" longer
There's more than just a number change.
With an 8500 lb trailer:
F150 weighs 57% of trailer, or the trailer weighs 43% more than the TV
F250 weighs 75% of trailer, or the trailer weighs 25% more than the TV
An F250 (equal cabs/bed lengths) gives you almost 25% more weight to pull your trailer with. Are you telling me a 25% heavier vehicle that is 2.5% longer would not handle a trailer better?
Sure, the F150 might be rated to tow it. That doesn't mean there isn't a better vehicle for the job. I have towed the same trailer with both a 1/2 ton and 3/4 Ton. The math doesn't lie.
