Tow Advice F150 1/2 ton

rbpru wrote:
Here are some across the scales real numbers:
2011 F-150 E-boost, sticker max cargo 1411 lbs.
subtract:
2 Adults and dog. 500 lbs
Truck cap 200 lbs
Camp gear and tools in bed 100 lbs.

This leaves 611 lbs for tongue weight.

Dutchmen Dry weight 5004 lbs becomes 6200 lbs across the scales when loaded for the road.

With the WD hitch redistributing the weight, the change in axle weight shows my load is near or at the the max cargo limit.

After 23,000 towing miles in three years, including two trips to the Rockies, the desert and the OK an TX cross winds, I can say the towing combination is fine; however, there is no doubt it does increase the wear and tear on tires and shocks.

So run your numbers and I think that unless you travel very light, you will find you will exceed your max cargo rather quickly.

Good luck.

Sounds pretty close to mine too. I have a Coleman 274BH, sits right at 28' long and handles just fine. Put nearly 4000 miles on it this year driving across the states and up and down the Rockies with my 14 5.5' Screw EB, with 3.15, yes you read that right 3.15 rear end gearing.

The trick is, do your homework on what your truck can and can't do and buy the appropriate trailer for it. For my truck the math worked out to a max of 7100# GVWR of the trailer and the Coleman fits right there. For short trips of 2 hours or less, we all load up in the truck, but for longer trips my wife and mom take her Focus. I have the kids with me, only because with all of us, I exceed GVWR of the truck by 200#. I too have a cap on the back, and carry about 120# in the bed, my tools, a generator and 5 gallon fuel can.

I have zero driveability issues with the properly setup WDH and Sway control, and no issues in the giddyup and go department, though I am considering installing shorter gears only to help get rid of the drone from running in 5th.

Since the OP's truck has about 200# more payload, he can probably go with a 7400# GVWR trailer and be happy with it, but that is the limit, no more than that, less if he has a cap or hauls more than I do in the bed. My trailer fully loaded wet with all our gear comes in at 6300# and 720# TW. Drove it in some really strong cross winds and it handle them just fine, no white knuckling, but you knew it was back there when the wind hit it, but no more than when I pull my 6x12 enclosed with no WDH or sway.