I am considering purchasing a Prime Time Tracer 3150BHD TT for me and my family. However, the near-term use is to provide a temporary home for me and my family 4 hours away (~250 miles) while I undergo a double-lung transplant. The 3150BHD has a dry weight of 7000 lbs. and I currently have a 2005 F150 4x2 with a 145" WB, 5.4L V8, 3.55 GR, and tow package and the big whamy, 170,000 miles. This truck is rated for a max. TT weight of 8600 lbs. and a GCWR = 14,000. I have never pulled anything this heavy, but with the truck having so many miles I am a bit nervous about purchasing the TT. I have read many forums and have noticed that most folks who have similar vehicles recommend not towing more than 6500 lbs. packed. I have researched TT after TT and have not found many under 6500 lbs. that will serve my purpose. I need length so that I can sleep 6-8 people but I want to keep the weight as light as possible. The drive to my locations is primrily flat with hills and so it is not driving in the mountains by any means.So, my question. Do you experts think that I should forgo the TT due to the age of my truck. BTW, I cannot afford to get a TT and a new truck so I have to rely on the one I have.I would greatly appreciate any help with this as I need to decide whether to purchase the TT or not.

Firstly, I am sorry to hear about your health issues. You certainly do not need any more stress in your life. I have not very much experience but I would say you would be pushing things even if you pulled it completely empty. I am wondering if you have a friend with a heavier truck that could pull the TT to its new home? We wish we could help but we are in Canada. I would find someone to tow it for you. Good luck!

In my opinion that is too much trailer for your truck, especially if the trailer is loaded. Have you considered having the trailer moved to your long-term site by a friend or transport service? It may take a whole lot of weight off of your shoulders if you consider this. I wish you well with your procedure and hope you check back with us and let us know how it goes.

IF you were to give a specific location, or at least somewhere in the vicinity, you might have someone on here volunteer to move it for you since you are having health problems.

I would be willing to throw in something to help cover gas.

I appreciate your comments. I am also concerned about the weight as well as the length. I know I should start smaller but I would like to house my family members when then come to help or just to visit. My dad has a Chevy Silverado 4x4, but my guess is its towing capacity is not much better. I was going to have my family pack our car and drive separately in an effort to reduce the weight. I believe with nothing in the trailer or truck I am at 13,000 GCW leaving me a 1,000 to put in the trailer and/or truck. My uncle keeps telling me I worry to much as he has a friend with an F150 like mine and he pulls a camper that is 6000 lbs. dry with two harleys inside from Ohio to Florida every year. Plus, he says your only driving 250 miles on flat land, go for it and fun.I have not thought about having it shipped to my location and stored. Is that costly?????

TT Newbie - Need Help | Good Sam Community

Merrykalia
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Flagstaff 27BESS

Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 2905SS

Wildwood 272QBXL

White Hawk 28DSBH

These are just a few from Forest River and Jayco. If you get on their websites, Forest River and Jayco. If you bring up the floorplans, it will give you the weights and lengths of that specific RV.
b1martin
Explorer
Aug 22, 2014
Alright everybody.

What about if we get a trailer with a dry weight 5500-6000 lbs.

Would that be doable with my current rig. Look at my initial post for the rig info.
b1martin
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Loulou

No offense taken at all. I completely agree with you on the giving. We try to help others as much as possible as well as much as we can.

I appreciate all the kind words.
loulou57
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
b1martin wrote:
LouLou

I certainly appreciate the generosity, but I did not mention that for pity but to help explain my reasoning for the TT. Either way, I will have to spend a lot on an hotel or furnished apartment. We figured we could invest in the TT and it would cost half as much as the hotels or apartment and we could retain it afterwards for family fun.

I need no pity as I still work full-time and work hard and try to enjoy my family. We are saving for this event but just need to save as much as possible.

Thanks,

No pity intended. I went through and still have medical issues. We have been given help at times. We always said that no matter if it was needed we would always offer the generosity extended to us. Sort of keeping the faith in humanity. I certainly did not mean to offend.
APT
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
I'd tow it once there empty then load it up over multiple trips non towing. I would not tow that combo as a typical weekender RVing family.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2014
I think you can figure this out to cover the time needed near the hospital (either tow dry and slow or have someone else tow it), but after that when you want to enjoy the trailer for family camping, it will likely not be dry anymore and would be at the limits of your truck.

I don't know what tires you have on your truck, but if it has "p metrics" instead of LT, you will not be happy. The soft sidewalls (nice ride) will allow too much "wiggle".

Make sure if you do this to have enough tongue weight to keep sway at a minimum.

I'll join with others to offer prayers. You are thinking ahead to allow family to be close to hospital.
b1martin
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
To all, I am truly grateful for ur great advice. To give u an idea of my personality, I am an engineer with an PhD In Mechanical engineering and so I am very conservative and cautious. I have thoroughly researched the payload capacities for my truck for 4 weeks now and my wife is becoming very frustrated and just wants to go buy it. With that said here is the ratings for my truck from the FORD towing guide.

GCWR = 14000
Tire payload = 1700
Max loaded trailer weight = 8600

We are not going fishing or huntng or across country. My thought was to tow the trailer dry (~7000) with no cargo in the truck other than myself and gas. My wife can pack everything in the car and drive the kids. The hitch weight is 700, me 235, and 160 in gas. We can pack the trailer with what we need when we get there.

However, I do like the delivery idea. What did that cost you if u don't mnd me asking.
kgarrett9999
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
If you tow it empty or with minimal weight inside and nothing else (people or stuff) in your tow vehicle then you will most likely be under the weight limitations. I suspect that the first number you would exceed would be payload. Look at the sticker on the door of your truck for its specific payload. Subtract from that the tongue weight of the trailer plus the weight of the hitch that you will need. Hopefully, this will result in a positive number. Remember that everything you add to either trailer (ahead of the axles) or truck reduces the available payload.
wbwood
Explorer
Aug 21, 2014
Have the dealership deliver it to the destination 250 miles away for you. When we purchased our TT back in 2010, we didn't even have a truck. They delivered to a campground at the beach 4 hrs away.
2012Coleman
Explorer II
Aug 21, 2014
OP wrote:
Is it the age of the truck that concerns you or just that i need a lower weight trailer.
I'll be labeled the weight police, but a TT that weighs 7000 lbs dry is to heavy for a F150. Your not towing the dry weight as you will have stuff loaded in it. Take my advice and school yourself about payload. Don't depend on opinions alone. Not going to argue about it as there are lots of folks that have different opinions. I Googled 2005 towing guide Ford and came up with this link. Lots more info from this search as well. The posters who suggested getting it from a local to the hospital dealer and having them tow it there were excellent suggestions. Just make sure the fees to park it are more affordable. Good luck.

Forum Discussion

TT Newbie - Need Help

About RV Newbies

Related Content

Newbie power question

Newbies

Newby

Newbie Safety Guidance Requested

Newbie Tow Capacity Question