What is your choice?
I have an F150 Ford. What Can anyone give me advice on what Travel Trailer to look into? Moving from a Class A to TT.
Forum Discussion
All you have to do is buy a TT that is designated "1/2 ton towable" by the manufacturer like say a Jayco, Open Range or Keystone and you will be fine. :R
Be wary if considering a "lite-weight" TT to get more trailer, because they build them with thinner, lighter and with less substantial materials which can be less durable with time and more prone to problems. Some frames on lightweights are not that good either (the one fabricated from 3 pieces of 1/8" mild steel welded together). There are some decent TTs but some not so decent ones so shop wisely and ask lots of questions.
You will get opinions ranging from no problem towing over manufacturers ratings (because they're for warranty purposes only) to it's very important to stay within the ratings. Some will also say, which I believe, it's a good idea to take your tow vehicle to a scale to find out what your actual payload capacity is and to not go by the figure on the door pillar sticker. You will find that you will run out of payload capacity well before towing capacity (unless you have a new 2015 F150 with the unbelievable payload and towing capacities).
As said above, one average, you will be limited to a 7K lb or so TT, but that may depend on the actual tongue weight, and some are closer to the higher end of the usual range of 10-15% (of the TT GVW). Do not make a buying decision based on factory TT dry weights because they always go up, and in some cases, substantially. Our tongue wt. for example went from 540 lbs dry to close to 1K lbs after going to a scale with our TT fully loaded for camping, which is nearly 15% of our TT GVW.
A lot will depend on the specifications of your particular F150. Personally, I would not want to tow near a TV's rated towing capacity as I've done that in the past and it was not an enjoyable experience at all.
Be wary if considering a "lite-weight" TT to get more trailer, because they build them with thinner, lighter and with less substantial materials which can be less durable with time and more prone to problems. Some frames on lightweights are not that good either (the one fabricated from 3 pieces of 1/8" mild steel welded together). There are some decent TTs but some not so decent ones so shop wisely and ask lots of questions.
You will get opinions ranging from no problem towing over manufacturers ratings (because they're for warranty purposes only) to it's very important to stay within the ratings. Some will also say, which I believe, it's a good idea to take your tow vehicle to a scale to find out what your actual payload capacity is and to not go by the figure on the door pillar sticker. You will find that you will run out of payload capacity well before towing capacity (unless you have a new 2015 F150 with the unbelievable payload and towing capacities).
As said above, one average, you will be limited to a 7K lb or so TT, but that may depend on the actual tongue weight, and some are closer to the higher end of the usual range of 10-15% (of the TT GVW). Do not make a buying decision based on factory TT dry weights because they always go up, and in some cases, substantially. Our tongue wt. for example went from 540 lbs dry to close to 1K lbs after going to a scale with our TT fully loaded for camping, which is nearly 15% of our TT GVW.
A lot will depend on the specifications of your particular F150. Personally, I would not want to tow near a TV's rated towing capacity as I've done that in the past and it was not an enjoyable experience at all.
