So while looking into travel trailers, I’m also looking into the trucks to pull it. I’m applying the same rule of weights that I was applying to truck campers when I was looking into them; whatever the listed dry weight, add 2,000#. The truck must exceed that. Enter the 2018 F-150. Equipped with 20” wheels, the 3.5l V6 EcoBoost, and the “Max Tow” package, it is said to have a maximum tow capacity of 12,200 pounds. Which puts my adjusted trailer weight at 75% (~9K#). So what am I missing? Seems to be a no brainer but I was looking at F-350/450 for a ~6/7K# truck camper. I know towing and hauling are a bit different, but I’m surprised a relatively modest truck could tow 9K#.

Figures don't lie, but ....... Check out the tongue weight and frontal area of that 12,200 pound trailer in the ads for starters. Ask, ask, ask before you buy truck or trailer.

The frontal area limitations for the F150 (with payload package) are exactly the same as they are for the F250.F-150 Base Vehicle Frontal Area (36.6 sq. ft.) Without Trailer Tow Package or Payload Package55 sq. ft. Any Powertrain with Trailer Towing Package or Payload Package andTrailer Towing Ratings Between 5,001 and 7,700 lbs.60 sq. ft. Any Powertrain with Trailer Towing Package or Payload Package andTrailer Towing Ratings 7,701 lbs. and Greater75 sq. ft. All 5th-Wheel and Gooseneck Applications with Any Powertrain withTrailer Towing Package or Payload PackageF-250/F-350/F-450/F-550 Super Duty 75 sq. ft. All 5th-Wheel and Gooseneck Applications60 sq. ft. All Other Applications

Payload's usually the biggest concern with 1/2 tons. My 2010 F150 Max Tow was rated at 11,100 lbs for towing. LOL, no way would I or could I tow that. I had 1857 lbs for payload. My tongue weight was 900-950 lbs for my 31' 7300 lb TT. With the gear and a canopy on the truck along with the DW and I, I was 50 lbs under GVWR of 7650 lbs @7600. If you want to tow 9,000 lbs get a 3/4 ton truck.

So the 13,200 configuration is the long wheelbase 2x4 SuperCrew with the max towing package and the gen 2 ecoboost 3.5. It looks like the max payload for that configuration is 2,870 (if also equipped with HD package, but the max tow is for the max GCWR config so I assume it implies HD) so tongue weight shouldn't be a big deal except for the fact that the class IV hitch maxes out at 1,320 if they keep to the same rating formula they've used for the last few models. I've not seen a class v hitch for the F150 so you'd have to have a custom one made if you want to exceed the 1,320 tongue weight.Then again at 9k gross weight you'd have to be really close to 15% to exceed 1,320 so just add some weight behind the axles to get it down a tad =)

Turned it on and got it poppin, only takes a few minutes.

2018 F-150 hype....believe it or not? | Good Sam Community

K_and_I
Explorer
Dec 08, 2017
AllenTC2 wrote:
mountainkowboy wrote:
rbpru wrote:
Wow 19 pages. Okay next we get to discuss "How many Angles can dance on the head of a pin". :)

push pin, straight pin, hat pin???

Obtuse angle? Acute angle? Right angle? :B

How about a cute obtuse right angle (I think I just described myself,
except for the cute part)
sgfrye
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
kcfissel wrote:
I think I've decided on the F250.
The rest, from now on, is up to management to approve. ;)

you will love the f250, i have a 2000 f150 5.4 gasser 4x4 that i still drive daily. i pulled our 33ft 7300lb loaded for camping with it for the first 4 months we had it. pulled it fine but upgraded to 2017 f250 2 months ago. 6.2 gasser. world of difference. the engine is a beast, and tows the TT like its a utility trailer. having 28 years experience with a company using ford e350 gas vans and e350 diesels. the gassers are almost impossible to wear out. we always got 300k plus miles out of them with routine maintenance hauling heavy loads. the diesels were fine up to 100k but after that they are ****. ford makes a great product but not up to par on higher mileage diesels.
mountainkowboy
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
AllenTC2 wrote:

Obtuse angle? Acute angle? Right angle? :B

Hahahaha
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Dec 07, 2017
But I do have a legit question, does tire size (17" v 18") play a role at all?

Looking at Fords fleet spec websites shows the F250 and F350 srw both with the 6340 rawr comes OEM with 17" tires at 3195 lb capacity which covers the rawr.
The 18" tire at 3640 lbs covers the F350 srw 6780 rawr package.
The 20" tire at 3750 lbs covers the F350 srw 7230 rawr package.

The 18" and 20" tire and wheel package is a option on the F250 as many comes with them.
Remember a fawr/rawr rating is basically the lessor of the tires/wheels/spring packs and of course very rarely, the axle itself.
AllenTC2
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
I coulda swore I saw something on one of the 2017 tow guides about “with 20” tires”. The 2018 F250 XL only had the 17” or 18” as options.

Well, I guess now that I can build one on the Ford site, I’ll start looking around for one with what I want.
TomG2
Explorer
Dec 07, 2017
AllenTC2 wrote:
....snip.... B does tire size (17" v 18") play a role at all? Other than getting properly rated ones, does it matter?

Ford will make sure that the original tires they install will meet the gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) of the pickup.

I have a preference in brands (somebody else can argue about that). I like to have a popular and commonly available tire size and brand for when it becomes necessary to replace one or more. I am a stickler for keeping tires matched as closely as possible. Since I do mostly highway driving these days, I like a street tread more than a noisier off road pattern.
AllenTC2
Explorer
Dec 06, 2017
mountainkowboy wrote:
rbpru wrote:
Wow 19 pages. Okay next we get to discuss "How many Angles can dance on the head of a pin". :)

push pin, straight pin, hat pin???

Obtuse angle? Acute angle? Right angle? :B

Seriously though guys, no need to get testy (is it too late to say that???).

So........gas or diesel? :p I keed, I keed. But I do have a legit question, does tire size (17" v 18") play a role at all? Other than getting properly rated ones, does it matter?
mountainkowboy
Explorer
Dec 06, 2017
rbpru wrote:
Wow 19 pages. Okay next we get to discuss "How many Angles can dance on the head of a pin". :)

push pin, straight pin, hat pin???
kcfissel
Explorer
Dec 06, 2017
I think I've decided on the F250.
The rest, from now on, is up to management to approve. ;)
TomG2
Explorer
Dec 06, 2017
kcfissel wrote:
Let's get back to the worthwhile, nutty topic, please.

We have a 26 ft. trailer and it weighs 6500+/- lbs. loaded.
It's a little heavy in the tongue since I added a giant 12V battourery.
(didn't change WD links.

I want to buy a new Ford truck to replace my 2012 F150 (steel body) and I want an F250, with marker lights, to drive our trailer to Alaska, and back. Or an F150 HD?

Prolly be on the road 5-6 months.

It will most likely be my last truck.

It's a "peskier" want.
What is the correct answer, please?

As the others have said, a F-250 will work great now and be there for a bigger trailer if needed. Nice not to have to even think about the impact of a heavier battery or taking Uncle Bill along in the bed of the truck. Let us know how things work out for you either way.