NEW TO TRAVEL TRAILERS HELP

[GRUBBY85]

DID CAMPING WEN I WAS YOUNGER BUT NEVER TOOK MY WIFE AS MUCH AS THE CAMPING TYPE TEN SE DECIDES SHE WANTS TO START (GREAT FOR ME ITS A NEW TOY) BUT I JUST BOUGT A NEW 2014 F 150 WITH THE 5.0, I DONT WANT TO GO AND HAVE TO TRADE IT IN ALREADY BECAUSE I REALLY LIKE IT AND IT TAKE ME FOREVE TO FIND WHAT I WANT, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A TT FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW AND DECIDED THAT WE WANT A RL OR A RE AND WAS WONDERING WHAT EVERYONE WOULD SUGGEST AS FAR AS THE BEST FOR THE WEIGHT I FOUND A PASSPORT YESTERDAY AND KINDA LIKED IT AND THE BEST PART IS IT WAS ONLY 5500LBS ANY HELP IS GREAT TOWARDS THIS SUBJECT

[tomkaren13]

That is a beauty. Love all the features. Envy that Dinette. Best wishes and thanks for the update!

[GRUBBY85]

Thanks to the people that did answer the question, it did help with what I was looking for, as to the people that just want to start crap, if I post anything again please don't post anything on my post again.
I think we are going to go with the passport 2890rl, its a nice setup and at 5500 lbs just what I'm looking for, but like always we are still looking until we commit

[APT]

Grit dog wrote:

Maybe you don't but I found it to be woefully under sprung in the rear. I guess as long as you don't put much weight in the bed, the wdh will take care of the trailer.
As well, with $50-100k into a rig and camper I don't see less than $200 and an hours time as a significant waste of time or $.

Air bags mask overloaded conditions (GVWR, rear axle) which if you have your WDH adjusted per your owners manual is quite easy to do on every half ton. My prior TV was an F-150 that was overlaoded each trip. It looked and towed great with a properly adjusted WDH, providing about 1.5" rear end drop over unhitched. My opinion is that if it looks so bad to need rear suspension aids, then you are overloaded by more than a little or your WDH needs further adjustment.

For example: 8000 pounds loaded TT, 1000 pounds of TW, bed full of bikes, coolers, games, maybe some firewood, cab holding a family of 4, and 1500 pounds of payload.

[Grit_dog]

pappcam wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Hey Grubby, some people here have way too much time on their hands to be nit picking stuff like this. Must feel pretty self important to chide someone about their grammar. I'd think it embarrassing to pick on someone just because they couldn't spell very well........

To your question, I had an '11 F150 5.0 and it was a towing machine for a 1/2 ton.
You'll want something to shore up the rear springs like Timbrens, airbags or add on leaf springs.
Keep the trailer to under 8klbs, the lighter the better if you plan on towing long distance, lots of miles.
Air up the tires to max psi, throw er in tow/haul mode and go! The new crop of F150s are fine tow rigs. Congrats on the new truck!

Not sure why you said the bolded part. A properly adjusted WDH will transfer the weight up front and there's no need for any beefing up of the rear suspension. I also have an '11 F150 5.0 and I tow a TT that weighs about 6300 lbs loaded and I have no need to waste time and money on airbags or additional leaf springs.

Maybe you don't but I found it to be woefully under sprung in the rear. I guess as long as you don't put much weight in the bed, the wdh will take care of the trailer.
As well, with $50-100k into a rig and camper I don't see less than $200 and an hours time as a significant waste of time or $.

[Grit_dog]

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
OP, I have a '10 F150 5.0 and tow a TT that weighs about 5200 lbs empty and can carry 7000 lbs loaded. I have not added airbags or leaf springs, just careful to stay under my payload (per sticker on truck). The thing that I have to pay most attention to is the tires. My truck came with P265 tires on it and they are just too soft without some extra air. Sticker recommends 35PSI, but I have found for towing bumping the pressure up to about 40 makes it feel less squirmy in the back. When I buy new tires (next year), I will probably buy a different load rating and get some with a stiffer sidewall. Just gotta decide if the amount of towing I do justifies the stiffer ride I will have all the time.

The ride with D or E load tires will be just fine. Keep them aired down when you're running empty. FWIW I couldn't pop the little Hancooks on my F150. Hauled close to 1klb in the box most of the time and towed heavy as well. Ran 50 psi plus in the rear tires and it helped but nothing like adding some LT tires.

[Bucky_Badger]

wannavolunteerFT wrote:
OP, I have a '10 F150 5.0 and tow a TT that weighs about 5200 lbs empty and can carry 7000 lbs loaded. I have not added airbags or leaf springs, just careful to stay under my payload (per sticker on truck). The thing that I have to pay most attention to is the tires. My truck came with P265 tires on it and they are just too soft without some extra air. Sticker recommends 35PSI, but I have found for towing bumping the pressure up to about 40 makes it feel less squirmy in the back. When I buy new tires (next year), I will probably buy a different load rating and get some with a stiffer sidewall. Just gotta decide if the amount of towing I do justifies the stiffer ride I will have all the time.

a '10 with a 5.0? Damn I didn't think they came out untill'11

[wannavolunteerF]

OP, I have a '10 F150 5.0 and tow a TT that weighs about 5200 lbs empty and can carry 7000 lbs loaded. I have not added airbags or leaf springs, just careful to stay under my payload (per sticker on truck). The thing that I have to pay most attention to is the tires. My truck came with P265 tires on it and they are just too soft without some extra air. Sticker recommends 35PSI, but I have found for towing bumping the pressure up to about 40 makes it feel less squirmy in the back. When I buy new tires (next year), I will probably buy a different load rating and get some with a stiffer sidewall. Just gotta decide if the amount of towing I do justifies the stiffer ride I will have all the time.

[pappcam]

Grit dog wrote:
Hey Grubby, some people here have way too much time on their hands to be nit picking stuff like this. Must feel pretty self important to chide someone about their grammar. I'd think it embarrassing to pick on someone just because they couldn't spell very well........

To your question, I had an '11 F150 5.0 and it was a towing machine for a 1/2 ton.
You'll want something to shore up the rear springs like Timbrens, airbags or add on leaf springs.
Keep the trailer to under 8klbs, the lighter the better if you plan on towing long distance, lots of miles.
Air up the tires to max psi, throw er in tow/haul mode and go! The new crop of F150s are fine tow rigs. Congrats on the new truck!

Not sure why you said the bolded part. A properly adjusted WDH will transfer the weight up front and there's no need for any beefing up of the rear suspension. I also have an '11 F150 5.0 and I tow a TT that weighs about 6300 lbs loaded and I have no need to waste time and money on airbags or additional leaf springs.

[Grit_dog]

Hey Grubby, some people here have way too much time on their hands to be nit picking stuff like this. Must feel pretty self important to chide someone about their grammar. I'd think it embarrassing to pick on someone just because they couldn't spell very well........

To your question, I had an '11 F150 5.0 and it was a towing machine for a 1/2 ton.
You'll want something to shore up the rear springs like Timbrens, airbags or add on leaf springs.
Keep the trailer to under 8klbs, the lighter the better if you plan on towing long distance, lots of miles.
Air up the tires to max psi, throw er in tow/haul mode and go! The new crop of F150s are fine tow rigs. Congrats on the new truck!

[toedtoes]

No one has been rude to the OP since he came back without the all caps except one person. So let it go already.

[2012Coleman]

You wouldn't want me as a moderator...

[Bumpyroad]

beemerphile1 wrote:

I attempted to explain WHY all caps doesn't work and WHY the OP got the response he did. The only criticism in my post was regarding the OP's attitude. Maybe you should read my post again.

Looks like we have some wannabe moderators on the forum today.

perhaps they should also re-read the OPs original posts.
bumpy

[beemerphile1]

2gypsies wrote:
...so let it go already!!!

2012Coleman wrote:
...People just love a chance to jump all over somebody from the privacy of their keyboard. Takes a bigger person to restrain from doing so. Lost respect for a few of you.

I attempted to explain WHY all caps doesn't work and WHY the OP got the response he did. The only criticism in my post was regarding the OP's attitude. Maybe you should read my post again.

Looks like we have some wannabe moderators on the forum today.

[2012Coleman]

Yes please let it go - and only one person needs to polietly ask for the caps to be turned off - everyone piling on is unnecessary and is worse that the original offense - it it even is one. People just love a chance to jump all over somebody from the privacy of their keyboard. Takes a bigger person to restrain from doing so. Lost respect for a few of you.