Anybody towing 36', 9000lb TT with F150 HD payload ecoboost

[greydawg00]

I have a new travel trailer (Cruiser Enterra 327RLS) that is 32'box, and just under 36' total length. It has a dry weight of 7500lbs and GVWR of ~9500. I am trying to decide between a 2015 F150 3.5l ecoboost with heavy duty payload package (2740 lb payload) or a 2015 F250 either gas or diesel (2700lb or 2300lb, payload).

My trailer is under all the specs of the F150 heavy duty but is very long and weighs more than the truck curb weight. Is the difference between TT weight and TV weight an issue?

Will I have any issues with the F150 or do I really need the F250? Anybody currently towing a large bumper pull with an F150 ecoboost that can give recommendations and real world MPG?

[shum02]

TakingThe5th wrote:

Also, you are relying heavily on some newer technologies that are not yet well proven. I would temper my expectations a bit to allow for any possible shortcomings.

If you're referring to the EB engine it is by now a very proven and reliable technology. Power wise it will most certainly get the job done.

[spud1957]

greydawg00 wrote:

spud1957 wrote:
Where are you getting these payload numbers for the F150? Is that from the payload label on the door post or from the brochure.

2740 is from the sticker on the door. 2015 f150 XLT Screw 4x2 with max tow and heavy duty payload.

The 2013 f250 diesel I test drove was 1940 by sticker but it was a lariat. The 2015 f250 xlt diesel 4x4 is around 2300 by sticker I think.

I will be pulling my Sprinter 295 home today with my 15 F-150. Dry weight around 7800 and loaded is around the 10,000 mark. I will let you know how it handles.

schwipps324, this would be great. Let me know MPG, type of driving, hills, wind, etc. Also what type of F150, what options.

I paid less than $4k more than your F150 price for the truck in my sig about two months ago.

IdaD, what was the config of your RAM? Do you like the 2500 better than the 250? what were your reasons for going with the RAM over the 250?

The F150 is impressive. Not surprised with the 250 diesel's.

Still think the 250/350 gasser/diesel is a better choice. Sorry.

[joshuajim]

Here's some real scale numbers for my 150 HD Eco.

Optioned truck with me, wife and Golden and Equalizer installed, camping gear in bed, Steer 3180, Drive 2960, total 6140. Empty truck scales at about 5400.

With my Wildwood attached, Steer 2980, Drive 4100, Total 14040

That puts the trailer at 7900 and available load at drive axle at 700.

It works.

[AMG1978]

I personally owned a 2015 F-150 MaxTow 6.5' bed, Ecoboost 3.5L, etc. I towed my 8500lb dry 35' toy hauler home from the dealer (40 miles or so) and even with my WDH with sway control, etc. a few big rigs came next to me and pushed me all over the damn place. It was totally diff from pulling my smaller 4000lb trailer (which the 2015 F-150 did with ease).

Subsequently, I sold the 2015 F-150 and have a F-250 PowerStroke Diesel now (2012 6.7L)

BTW, MPG on my f-150 sucked. I got 12.5-14mpg on a normal tank driving to/from work. You never get that high mpg if you ever boost. I get better MPG with the diesel now.

Also, you wont have much luck finding Max Payload, since it requires a different frame (slightly beefed up) and some other items. Ford I am told pushed off Max Payloads till 2016 now.. The Max Tow of coruse.. but if you want to do Max Tow and MAx Payload, I would recommend an F-250. You will be much happier, *I* am. I lost thousands on the switch too 😞

Here's my old window sticker - http://fordlabels.webview.biz/webviewhybrid/WindowSticker.aspx?vin=1FTFW1EG9FFA25165

[IdaD]

greydawg00 wrote:

I paid less than $4k more than your F150 price for the truck in my sig about two months ago.

IdaD, what was the config of your RAM? Do you like the 2500 better than the 250? what were your reasons for going with the RAM over the 250?

Crew cab with 6.5' bed, 4wd and 68RFE transmission. It's a Tradesman trim level but it has everyhing a base SLT model has options wise, so it's basically the equivalent to an XLT level Ford. Sticker on it was $51k. Options: popular equipment, chrome, uconnect 5.0, trailer brake controller, gear LSD, auto trans, cold weather, protection, and probably a couple of other minor things I'm forgetting offhand.

I do like it better than the Super Duty, but I did also like the Super Duty. The main thing the Powerstroke has over the Cummins is it's faster, but the Cummins isn't a slouch and I prefer its lower RPM nature.

The main three demerits I had on the Ford were (1) I don't trust the engine as much, (2) the chassis is very outdated and it's obvious if you drive them back to back, and (3) the equivalent Ford was only a little more expensive but the lower trim levels on them felt like fleet trucks to me, whereas my Ram has a nice interior despite being a lower trim level.

I've never owned a Ram before and going into it I assumed I'd end up with a Ford, but these current HD Ram trucks really surprised me. I'd recomend checking them out.

[SCcampers]

I have a very similar set up as IdaD, I tow a 30' Jayco White Hawk I'm guessing fully loaded 9K. I had a 2004 Excursion 6.0 (the motor blew at 60k) I didn't want a 1/2 ton I've seen 2 that had blown over on their sides while towing campers about like mine. I just personally don't think the 1/2 truck weighs enough pulling something that big. Too much chance of "tail wagging the dog"

My Ram is fantastic for pulling this camper. Much better than the Ex was. I didn't go with an F250 because of the big price difference and I lost trust in Ford. (personal)
I am happy to use my 2500 as a daily driver too. I get a hand calc 19.8 mixed driving and the truck has been fantastic. I guess I said that already. 🙂

[itguy08]

Close here - F150 Ecoboost with Max Tow only towing an Open Range 272RLS - 35', hair under 10k GVWR. We use the Equalizer hitch.

It handles fine - plenty of power and even in the wind, sway is under control. Brakes fine and while I can tell it's there seems in no way unsafe.

Sure, a 250/350 would be "better" but it works for us for now. It's just the wife + me + dog so our payload #'s are in check and such.

[greydawg00]

spud1957 wrote:
Where are you getting these payload numbers for the F150? Is that from the payload label on the door post or from the brochure.

2740 is from the sticker on the door. 2015 f150 XLT Screw 4x2 with max tow and heavy duty payload.

The 2013 f250 diesel I test drove was 1940 by sticker but it was a lariat. The 2015 f250 xlt diesel 4x4 is around 2300 by sticker I think.

I will be pulling my Sprinter 295 home today with my 15 F-150. Dry weight around 7800 and loaded is around the 10,000 mark. I will let you know how it handles.

schwipps324, this would be great. Let me know MPG, type of driving, hills, wind, etc. Also what type of F150, what options.

I paid less than $4k more than your F150 price for the truck in my sig about two months ago.

IdaD, what was the config of your RAM? Do you like the 2500 better than the 250? what were your reasons for going with the RAM over the 250?

[BenK]

RGAWR of approx 4K vs 6K...2,000 lb difference is only one, but the main rating difference

[TakingThe5th]

Also look at your calculations while considering the length of your trailer. That is a fairly long trailer. How well will you handle crosswinds? If your specs are pushing the limits then a crosswind might make for an unpleasant, and maybe an unsafe trip. I too like to over-engineer a bit.

Also, you are relying heavily on some newer technologies that are not yet well proven. I would temper my expectations a bit to allow for any possible shortcomings.

[shum02]

wing_zealot wrote:

TomG2 wrote:
Why buy an "Almost F-250" when the real things are easier to find and about the same price? ...

Because you can get an ecoboost in the "Almost F-250", which is a huge advantage for every day use. Not to mention more parking lot friendly.

My F350 is only slightly longer and wider than my former CC F150 with 6.5' box. Both need the same size parking spots - big!

Get the F250, no question it will tow it without being on the bleeding edge.

[CWSWine]

Before you purchase a Max Tow and Max Payload F150 you need to find one and test drive it. With just the Max Tow option the truck rode fine but adding the HD Payload package it rode worse then my F350.

[IdaD]

greydawg00 wrote:

What would your pre-tax out the door price be on the F150?

$35500 no negotiation yet.

A F150HD has a small 4800 RAWR, The trucks rear axle when empty may weigh in the 2300-2500 lb range. Now add 2740 lb payload in the bed = 5140 lbs. The trucks rear axle/suspension/wheels are now over loaded.
Fords 2740 lb payload is a GVWR payload which means 2400 lbs will go in the bed over the rear axles and the remaining 340 lbs will go over the trucks front axles.
This is a fallacy of using a GVWR based payload with some of the new high GVWR/low RAWR trucks.

So this is where I start to get confused ... I understand exactly what you are saying but then why are the F250s only 10000lb GVWR and thus around 2k payload with a 6100lb RAWR. Seems based on numbers the F150 carrys more than the F250 even though the F250 is much bigger and stronger. This makes no sense. Is there some other reason they limit the F250 to 10k GVWR?


Anybody that has real world towing experience of that weight with F150 HD and/or F250 6.2l gas? Hate that there is no way to test tow with the vehicles to see which I am more comfortable with. I now the F250 is overall better but really don't want to overspend if the F150 will be enough.

The 2500/250 trucks are limited to 10,000 lbs of GVWR to avoid certain restrictions or hoops. Higher registration, DOT numbers for businesses and etc. So the payloads are limited on paper. The truck in my sig has a 2300 lb payload rating based on the 10,000 GVWR. The combined axle rating is 12,500, though, with a 6500 lb RAWR. Gas 2500s have higher payload ratings simply because they weigh less, but in the real world they can't carry or tow any more than their big diesel brothers. As was stated previously, the payload sticker doesn't tell the whole story.

I paid less than $4k more than your F150 price for the truck in my sig about two months ago.

[Kevin_O_]

I towed our 8000lb 33' trailer for 3 years with a F150 Ecoboost Max Tow. I will admit it towed great. It had plenty of power but it's down fall was axle rating and GVWR. I always had to be careful what I loaded in the bed of the truck because when hooked to the trailer i had only 300lbs of payload left.
If your buying new I would spend the extra $$ on a Superduty. A F350 isn't much more than a F250 so I would step up to the F350 for the extra payload cushion. I have read the the 6.7 diesel gets really good mpg. Just as good if not better than the Ecoboost as a daily driver and I'm sure much better mpg towing..
I ended up getting an older 2001 F350 to get out of the truck payment and high property taxes. But I now have a GVWR of 9900lbs and rear axle rating of 6830lbs vs. F150's 7700lb GVWR and 4200lb axle rating.
And now being able to load whatever I need in the bed(firewood,kids bikes,coolers and one time a golf cart) and not have to worry about being over the trucks ratings is priceless.. Also down the road if you and the wife want to go bigger(fifth wheel) or heavier you will have plenty of truck for the job...

[schwipps324]

greydawg00 wrote:
I have a new travel trailer (Cruiser Enterra 327RLS) that is 32'box, and just under 36' total length. It has a dry weight of 7500lbs and GVWR of ~9500. I am trying to decide between a 2015 F150 3.5l ecoboost with heavy duty payload package (2740 lb payload) or a 2015 F250 either gas or diesel (2700lb or 2300lb, payload).

My trailer is under all the specs of the F150 heavy duty but is very long and weighs more than the truck curb weight. Is the difference between TT weight and TV weight an issue?

Will I have any issues with the F150 or do I really need the F250? Anybody currently towing a large bumper pull with an F150 ecoboost that can give recommendations and real world MPG?

I will be pulling my Sprinter 295 home today with my 15 F-150. Dry weight around 7800 and loaded is around the 10,000 mark. I will let you know how it handles.