How big of a truck do you need?

[WCMLSX]

Hi folks. I am new to the RV world and this will be my first purchase. I have a Ford F150 XLT (2 wheel drive) with the 4.6L V8. It has a trailer package installed. The listed gross vehicle capacity is 7800 pounds.

I have set a limit of 5000 pounds dry weight for my RV purchase. This may limit me a bit to what I can buy, but I am finding several that I like right around this weight.

Weight wise, am I setting my sites too high? Too low?

From what I have observed on the highway, it appears that most trailers (TT or 5th wheel) are being pulled by Super Duty type pickups.

Will my 1/2 ton be out of its league?

Thanks for your input.

[WCMLSX]

I forgot to mention it has the 3.31 ratio rear axel.

[WCMLSX]

My truck is the 4.6L, 3V, so it is right at 300 HP. It has the 6 speed transmission and the tow/haul switch which will lock out overdrive.

[drsteve]

harley-dave wrote:
We travel with propane full, water only 5-6 gallons for the toilet. Why carry unnecessary weight. If boon docking fill towards the destination when possible. If not boon docking we never fill the tank, run off park water.

Dave

I always fill up at home with soft water. It's easier on the plumbing in the trailer, and it delivers a better shower.

[DinTulsa]

To the OP, You will be surprised just how much you load in your trailer. Over time you will load more and more items into your trailer and the weight will creep up. Like another member stated, just lock out OD and don't get in a hurry and everything will be fine. Make sure you invest in a decent WD\anti-sway hitch and have fun!

[nohurry]

You'll be fine. The 4.6 isn't exactly a powerhouse, but It'll get you there. Having a 2WD is in your favor, as it weighs less. To those who mentioned the 6 speed; if he has a 4.6, he has a 4 speed. As for loading the TT, you don't have to pull it completely empty. Just don't over do it, and put only enough water in to use the bathroom on the road a couple times and you'll be fine. I'd load it up for camping, and do a test tow around home and see what you think. Most importantly is a good hitch set up. I towed my current trailer (7600 lbs GVWR), with a 2003 F150, 5.4, 3:55's with an equal-I-zer hitch and it did fine. Good luck.

[lenr]

We towed a 4600 lb. dry weight trailer with a 1997 F-150 4.6 2 wheel drive (many times with a 4 wheeler in the bed) until 2012 when the 350 diesel came along. The OP can do it based on tolerance for slow hill climbs--I went up many at 25 - 35 mph because I couldn't afford the diesel and the F-150 wouldn't die (sold it at 174K locally and it is still running at over 250K).

I don't see that the OP has said whether he has a 4 or 6 speed transmission--we had 4. With close ratio upper gears the 6 is much better for towing. It is very important with the Ford 4 speed to lock out OD (or use tow mode--depending on which is has) when towing. The older 4 speeds like ours unlock the torque converter when more torque/hp is called for running in 4th gear--this over heats and kills the transmission. With OD locked out third gear will provide all the hp necessary to run down the road 60 - 65 mph. IMHO (yours may differ), it is better for long term durability to run the engine at the higher rpm than let the transmission heat. Ford overhead cam engines will spin high rpm all day long. Now if the OP has a 6 speed with tow mode, just put it in tow mode.

One last thing, do not consider this setup without weight distribution and anti-sway. It can be done and good luck to the OP. Only problem will be the building desire for a new, stronger, truck.

[harley-dave]

We travel with propane full, water only 5-6 gallons for the toilet. Why carry unnecessary weight. If boon docking fill towards the destination when possible. If not boon docking we never fill the tank, run off park water.

Dave

[WCMLSX]

Thanks for the input folks. Yes I understand what dry weight is. We honestly do not plan on traveling with the TT loaded. Granted a 40 gallon water tank and full propane tanks will add about 400 pounds, but otherwise, we plan on buying food, etc, when we get to the destination. Our goal will be to keep the total traveling weight at 6000 or less.

[padre1944]

There are folks on forums who would have you towing with a Mack truck. You can't go wrong with bigger, but you might not need it. Read the specs on your truck and your trailer and do the math.

[DinTulsa]

You will be close to maxed out. I believe with the 6 speed trans the truck will pull and stop ok. More than likely you will be less than impressed with its towing ability. Where you will really notice the lack of power and stability is on longer days, you will stop in the evening and be exhausted from driving.

[afidel]

If you keep your loaded weight to about 6500 or less you should be fine, 300/320 and a 6 speed will get that kind of weight going just fine unless you have the least tow friendly gears. For comparison the fast lane truck guys took a 2016 GMC with the 5.3 (350/380) and pulled a 9,000lb horse trailer up the Ike (11,000 feet, 7 percent grade), 60/60 isn't going to make a 33 percent lighter trailer any more difficult to tow.

[MitchF150]

My TT has a GVWR of #5000... Towed it with a 97 F150 with the 5.4 in it and it did pretty good for the most part...

I only had the 4 speed trans and 3.55 gears, but I was in 2nd gear on most grades over 4 percent.. Towing on the flats, 3rd was best for all around towing. It would go into 4th going down hill or on the flats with a tail wind.. 😉

But, it towed it comfortably, no sway, no worries.. Just had to deal with the high rpms.. Not a bad thing, really, but....

Then I got my current F150.. Tow the same TT with it and OMG... What a different towing experience it is..

My wife and I can actually hear the radio or carry on a conversation while pulling a grade now.. I have never had to 'mat' the gas pedal going up a grade, or just trying to merge into traffic with the new truck.. With the old 97... Well, that pedal went to the floor at times..

JMO, but I'd stick to something in the #5000 GVWR for a TT with the 4.6...

Good luck!

Mitch

[azdryheat]

Do you understand what dry weight is?

[romore]

Forget dry weight, nobody travels with a bare bones trailer straight off the carrier. You need to be more concerned with how much it is loaded with propane, water, groceries, bedding etc. Did I mention beer and Cheetos?
That trailer will weigh 7,000 + lb ready to go. Having tried towing with a 4.0 Ranger I would suggest your F-150 won't be up to the task. Power won't be there, handling will be marginal and gas mileage will be somewhere south of Argentina.