Big truck woes

[txmerlin]

I have been reading with interest several of the posts regarding new tow vehicles. I am on the fence about whether to upgrade the TV or update the one I have. I have an existing F150 Ecoboost with the 4x4 option and the trailer towing package. My trailer is an Autumn Ridge (315RKS) 38 footer with a Reese weight distribution hitch. The truck seems to have plenty to be able to tow and stop the trailer. The issues come in when a large truck passes and the trailer and truck seem to get sucked over. I had the dealer adjust the trailer bracket last time I was in to see if it would stop some of the front end "float", and it did. It rides down the road much better, but that has caused significant wear on the top leading edge of the trunion bar.

Is the sucking in when being passed something that can be adjusted out, or is this a case where I would be better off with a heavier truck? Or is there a better hitch option for this combo than the Reese? Any guidance on this would be appreciated.

Ken

[FishOnOne]

txmerlin wrote:
Since this post has resurfaced, I thought I would take a moment and update.

I originally had an EcoBoost F-150 pulling a StarCraft 315RKS (36' 9" box + 2' for tongue). The F-150 had plenty of grunt and brake for the 10K pound trailer, but was blown around by large rigs on the highway.

I have just finished my 2nd month with my new F-350 long bed diesel. It is everything my little F-150 wasn't. Yes, I do still feel a little push when the big trucks go by, but NOTHING like what I felt before. And actually, fuel economy has improved. The best the F-150 got in town was 12-13 mpg and 13.5 on the highway with 9.5 with a trailer. The 3.73 rear end on it and the trailer package ensured that it was never going to be a stellar performer. The new F-350 is averaging 13 in town and 15 highway and came down to 11.5 with the trailer so that is very acceptable.

BUT the F-350 has so many things the F-150 did not, like REAL trailer mirrors 🙂

All in all, I think the upgrade TV was the way to go, now I need to get out on the road more and prove that it was the right decision.

Thanks for all the help.

Ken, Marlene
Scooter, Pippa & Velcro

Thanks for the follow up... Sounds like you made a good choice.

[rhagfo]

Wes Tausend wrote:
...

I sure don't blame Ken (the OP) for considering a 250/350 truck. It won't hurt anything except comparatively poor fuel economy as a daily driver.

There really isn't a lot of difference between the F-350 and an F-150 though. Under unfavorable conditions even the 350 will fail to keep control. Check this tired old example out. I guess one might argue a Ford Ranger would have tipped more easily with the trailer, but truck damage is really luck of the draw when an RV goes over.

.........................................................
Wes
...

Keep in mind that was not sway, the trailer was blown over by a strong cross wind, you only see the passenger, if it was sway you would be seeing both sides.
That said I am sure it was an interesting ride in that 3500 DRW, once the TT went over.

[Charley67]

There are some things I like about TTs, but towing them long distance is not one of them. If that's what you've got, then that's what you've got, but when it's time to upgrade, there's nothing like a 5er for a pleasant towing experience.

[Bedlam]

I understand the feeling of towing something with a heavier truck. The 8000 lb enclosed trailer I towed with my F250 towed so well I never installed sway controls. Towing this same trailer with my 5500, I have to check the mirrors to see if it is still back there.

[Me_Again]

Nothing better than having the right tool for the job. Chris

[Searching_Ut]

Congratulations on the new tow vehicle. Something about a new truck just always seems to feel sweet. The push pull thing you mention is normal, and you get and feel it even when you aren't towing, and I've always found it to be more noticeable in a larger empty pickup than a smaller pickup or car. Should you be in the slow lane empty for some reason you can tell if a truck is coming up on you without having to look in the mirrors.

While I'm not in the camp of thinking pushing the tow vehicle hard shouldn't, or can't be done, I confess to preferring the having a vehicle somewhat larger in rating than the task requires. Having a little extra power is nice, and of course the more solid feel, and things like the "Mirrors" that are matched to the task at hand make the whole experience all the better.

Sounds like you're going to be a "happy camper" for years to come.

[txmerlin]

Since this post has resurfaced, I thought I would take a moment and update.

I originally had an EcoBoost F-150 pulling a StarCraft 315RKS (36' 9" box + 2' for tongue). The F-150 had plenty of grunt and brake for the 10K pound trailer, but was blown around by large rigs on the highway.

I have just finished my 2nd month with my new F-350 long bed diesel. It is everything my little F-150 wasn't. Yes, I do still feel a little push when the big trucks go by, but NOTHING like what I felt before. And actually, fuel economy has improved. The best the F-150 got in town was 12-13 mpg and 13.5 on the highway with 9.5 with a trailer. The 3.73 rear end on it and the trailer package ensured that it was never going to be a stellar performer. The new F-350 is averaging 13 in town and 15 highway and came down to 11.5 with the trailer so that is very acceptable.

BUT the F-350 has so many things the F-150 did not, like REAL trailer mirrors 🙂

All in all, I think the upgrade TV was the way to go, now I need to get out on the road more and prove that it was the right decision.

Thanks for all the help.

Ken, Marlene
Scooter, Pippa & Velcro

[SouthpawHD]

So did the OP ever make a decision?

[milo]

WOW! Are you an ID10T...Don't you know you can't tow anything with a 1/2 ton. :B

[Wes_Tausend]

...

I sure don't blame Ken (the OP) for considering a 250/350 truck. It won't hurt anything except comparatively poor fuel economy as a daily driver.

There really isn't a lot of difference between the F-350 and an F-150 though. Under unfavorable conditions even the 350 will fail to keep control. Check this tired old example out. I guess one might argue a Ford Ranger would have tipped more easily with the trailer, but truck damage is really luck of the draw when an RV goes over.

I did pick up a Hensley Arrow hitch too, primarily because of the original extremely light truck and fear of wind. I finally chose a larger truck myself, skipping over a full 1/2 ton, when I reluctantly decided I needed to buy something bigger than the Ford Ranger to tow our 294RLS trailer.

I think our 29.4 (30) foot RV is around 36 feet total, just as Kens 315RKS is probably rated a 32 footer (31.5 foot cabin), or 38 foot total, hitch-to-bumper. For a couple more feet, I do love his roomy Autumn Ridge bedroom slideout, which we don't have. I know some folks thought his Autumn Ridge had a 38 foot cabin but that is unlikely.

Anyway, our little mini-truck handled the 30' trailer just fine at very moderate speeds, but the main problem was the little V6 didn't guarantee enough power to maintain 45 mph up long hills on the interstate, which I found unacceptable.

My original expectation was to avoid distant travel and stick to 2 lane local rural roads, but friends soon suggested we camp at a distant site not directly available by 2 lanes. Masterplan failed. Otherwise the above linked video says it all, truck size doesn't always matter much. Note the plain hitch didn't even have weight distribution bars, but in this case, they wouldn't have helped anyway. A load of bricks on the trailer floor, or at least full tanks might have helped keep 'er down. As an apparent Park model, it probably had no fresh/holding tanks. It was a total forty-foot boxkite.

The Hensley design does positively prevent wagging sway, but in my experience the whole TV/TT rig (tow vehicle/travel trailer) tends to move sideways (as a straight unit) from passing trucks, as might well a one-piece motorhome under the same conditions. I think the Hensley design exceeds the control that 5th wheel trailers have, and matches a motorhome. Nothing is perfect, however.

Because the Hensley is occasionally a nuisance when hitching up on uneven ground, I took it off and replaced it with the cheapest, quickest WD hitch I could find (EazLift, about $206 with a friction damper) since they all operate the same otherwise (except for the Reese cam, Pullrite and Hensley types). The Hensley is a nice, serene accessory when traveling cross-country in all kinds of weather full time, and I might put it back if I do so. I did get blown over to the shoulder before I had the EazLift adjusted right. This is our second EazLift WD, the first having been sold with our previous 30' camper.

Wes
...

[slickrock_steve]

+10 !!

[IdaD]

txmerlin wrote:
Just went out this morning and test drove a F-350 with the 6.7 diesel. With the crew cab, it was rated for 14,000# for a conventional pull. If I can just get enough back on the F-150, that would sure make the decision REAL easy.

Ken

Going from a F150 to an HD diesel would be a whole different ballgame with your trailer. I'd encourage you to check out all three brands to see what suits you the best. I went into my search figuring I'd buy a Ford but ended up in a Ram. The Powerstroke is faster but I liked just about everything else about the Ram better.

[txmerlin]

Just went out this morning and test drove a F-350 with the 6.7 diesel. With the crew cab, it was rated for 14,000# for a conventional pull. If I can just get enough back on the F-150, that would sure make the decision REAL easy.

Ken

[rhagfo]

wing_zealot wrote:

rhagfo wrote:
Time to get your facts straight! Michigan max weight without a special use permit is 80,000#. See the document in the link below, I believe the Federal max is 105,000 GCVW, in Oregon they also allow triples (three trailers), but the max is still 105,000#.

Michigan Max Load document

The maximum weight limit in Michigan is 164,000 lbs on 11 axles. Your diagram on the top right of page 3 of your link shows the same thing 164,000 lbs. It is what it is. Your apology is also accepted.

clicky
here's another
You need more?
And another
Let me know if this is enough?

In the end, the point is the same, twice the length and twice the weight has nothing to do with it. Why the instance on trying to prove me wrong on the 164,000 lbs I'll never know. That ain't even the point. Whether its 80,000 or 164,000 it's still more then twice the weight and twice the length.

I do stand corrected.
That said requires 11 axles, and the TV is using a 5th wheel located over the rear axle(s) not a hitch located 4' behind the axles, which is still the main issue with towing a 38' TT with a 5,500# or so F150.

Even Mobile home movers have the hitch located right at the rear of the tires to cut down on the leverage.

#1 issues is leverage, trailer axles are likely 20' from the hitch, the hitch is likely 4' behind the rear axle of the TV, that adds up to a lot of side force on the back of the TV, which causes sway. Even with a PP or HA will be a handful in any situation other than normal driving.