Help with towing set-up

[minihub67]

I have a 2011 F-150 with 3.55 gears 3.5 liter turbo 9,600 lb tow capacity.

I am looking at the following situation considering new travel trailer and could use some opinions if I should be ok.

I just weighed my truck full of gas with me in it... I'm at 5,830lb my GVWR on the truck is 7,100lb. If I add the wife dog and son I'm at 6,145lb leaving 955lb for tongue weight.

Trailer below: unloaded vehicle weight shipped is 5,900lb It has the kitchen over the rear axle and I suspect I would be around 6,600lb loaded.. I would think adding batteries and filling tanks with equalizer hitch, would add lets say 120lb. Now dry hitch wt (I know not loaded) 630+120=750lb.. Even assuming the trailer were at 6,800lb loaded, I would say using the example of 12% that's used to assume tongue weight I would be at 816lb o the tongue. I should have 955lb to play with so I would think I would be ok..

Any thoughts on my assumptions?

Thanks,

Jayco Whitehawk 27DSRL

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs)
5,355 (should be 5,900 shipped)
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs)
630
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs)
7,500
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)
2,145
Measurements
Exterior Length
30' 11"
Exterior Width
96"
Exterior Height with A/C
129"
Interior Height
81"
Queen Bed
60 x 74
J-Steel Convertible Sofa
42 x 60
Hide-A-Bed Sofa (Optional)
54 x 74
Wheel Base
241"
Tank Capacities
Fresh Water Capacity (gals) includes water heater
46.2
Gray Waste Water Capacity (gals)
30.5
Black Waste Water Capacity (gals)
30.5
Other
Sleeping Capacity
4-6

[fla-gypsy]

If you can stay within all the trucks maximum ratings then you are fine. If not then you are overloaded. Its always your choice but I never recommend exceeding established ratings.

[minihub67]

Hey goducks10.. second rv, first was 2011 Gulfstream Visa 23rbk.. great trailer but a little to small.
We only have one kid 10 year old boy... we will mostly be less than 400 miles each way..often less. The goal is maybe trade up in 4 years or so to a bigger truck and get a smallish fifth wheel. (for the sake of easier towing)

Thanks 911golf... I am n Atlanta Georgia and have had a couple of ice storms where I felt like I was in canada.. but looking at 65-70 degrees in a few days.

Safe travels to you...

[goducks10]

IMO just hitch up and go. Watch your loading since you say you will only add 700lbs of stuff. I really think that's low having kids to pack for. Most people pack in the 1000lb+ range. Being that it's your 1st RV you'll be surprised at what you really need to take.

[911golf]

You will have no problems IMHO. I tow my 30 foot Crossroads (7100, give or take loaded) with my 13 Supercrew F150 Ecoboost. Non HD but with 3:73. Family of 4 with bikes in bed. Mostly mountain climbs through Alberta too on every long weekend/and as many other weekends we can plus we did what will be an annual two week trip through northwest USA. Our other family friends joined us almost every time with a 2011 5.0 F150 towing a 33 foot Rockwood loaded to about 6600, family of 4 with bikes in the bed. They have been RV'ing for the past three years without concern. Add the Alberta wind to some of the trips and these trips could have the potential to be a tough drove. What I am saying is that these trucks are awesome and tow fantastic especially if you get a quality WDH hitch/sway control and take the time to set it up properly.The only limitations I see is if you ever want to upgrade to a heavier trailer or a big fiver, then you would need to move up in a truck. Thinking things through is great and responsible but sometimes we over think these things. I know I did at the beginning of 2013 when I was shopping for a truck and trailer and the right combination. Jump forward to today, I have no regrets and am certain I made the right choice for my family. Can't wait to get out there camping........except all this cold and snow and this inconvenient season known as Canadian winter.

[minihub67]

Man I am glad I found this forum..... this is some great info.

Thanks to all for the feedback!

[Caveman_Charlie]

You also didn't say where you were going and how fast you want to get there. 50 miles from home at 55 MPH is easy in anything. 1000's of miles from home going down the interstate is a whole different kettle o fish.

[lbrjet]

You should be fine with that setup IMO.

[minihub67]

thanks handye9... did not realize that.

[handye9]

minihub67 wrote:
I also added a roadmaster active suspension.. I feel like this will help with the rear end sag and suspension issues.

I suppose the bikes if any added could go on the bumper "rack' that comes mounted on the trailer.. I would hope they are safe enouh not to just fall off.

Thanks for the feedback gents..

The problem with adding cargo on trailer bumper is, most bumpers are made out of a thin metal material, and they are welded onto the ends of the frame rails. There is no rail support under the bumper. What happens with added weight, either the thin wall of the bumper tears, or, the welds break off.

There are a few makes / models that do have the additional support, maybe yours is one of them, Some folks have had additional supports welded to the frame.

Even though you're so close to being over on GVWR / payload, I think your best place to store a couple bicycles, would be in your truck bed. You'd only add 50 - 75 lbs.

[minihub67]

Thanks Drew.. I have the roadmasters on mine.. yes they were kind of a pain.

So you liked them pretty well?

[Drew_K]

I used to have basically the same truck you have: 2012 F150 Ecoboost with 3.55 gears, although mine was the long wheel base (Crew Cab with the 6.5 foot bed). I used it to tow my enclosed car trailer that is 29 feet overall length, around 7,500 pounds. I now have an F250 diesel that definitely tows the trailer better, but my F150 pulled it just fine.

You won't have any problems with power just expect to take a big hit in MPG when towing. That Ecoboost engine is pretty awesome. I used to get 20+ mpg on the highway when I wasn't towing.

Also make sure you're properly balanced and use a WDH. On my F150, I installed a Roadmaster Active Suspension, which helped stiffen and plant the rear end. Took 2 hours to install.

Personally, even if you're right at or over the 'paper' limit, I think you'll be fine having personal experience owning the same truck towing a similar load.

[jaycocreek]

I use the ladder rack for chairs or bikes. I don't trust the trailer bumpers other than putting the spare there, doesn't seem to bother it. I have a hitch haul for the bumper but I'll never put it on unless I get the bumper reinforced.

Modern 1/2 tons are great tow vehicles within there limits, which in a lot of cases, is the same or better than the older 3/4 tons that had the big blocks,like the 454 and 460.

[minihub67]

I also added a roadmaster active suspension.. I feel like this will help with the rear end sag and suspension issues.

I suppose the bikes if any added could go on the bumper "rack' that comes mounted on the trailer.. I would hope they are safe enouh not to just fall off.

Thanks for the feedback gents..

[minihub67]

Thanks Jerry...

I thought I was pretty respectfull in my post and my rebutall.

I was alluding to the fact that many are towing with an ecoboost f-150 with the 3.5 turbo with a tow capacity of 9600lb with no power issues with 8-10K in weight.

I did not mean to offend anyone or make them feel like their input was not appreciated..

Thanks,

Doug