Modern 1/2 ton tow vehicle question

[thesumners]

Hey all,

Our family was active on RV.net and camping for a while but we moved on to new hobbies. Now we're picking it back up again.

In the past we towed a heavy 30' Arctic Fox and dirt bikes in the truck bed with a longbed F-250 diesel. It was fine for that purpose.

We're looking a similarly heavy trailer again, maybe 25'. We haven't bought yet. Of course I would rather drive a 1/2 ton as a daily driver and tow with it.

A F-150 with max tow package is right at the top of the specs. Dirt bikes in the bed with humans is pretty heavy, maybe 2800lb payload and 12k towed.

So yeah the F-150 CAN do it but SHOULD it? I have not driven one or towed with a newer truck. Any pointers appreciated.

[Grit_dog]

thesumners wrote:
Thank you all, for confirming what I thought. I'll be shopping for a 250 or 350 instead of a 150. Used prices are OK for what I'm looking for, so no worries on this end.

Thanks!
Greg

I think used prices around here are ridiculous. But Oregon seems to have some deals on used cars and toys. Most of our purchases seem to be from Oregon.

Are you any relation to Rob Sumner, old T Birds coach?

[thesumners]

Boomerweps wrote:
Did you consider a toy hauler TT?
Might move the weight around enough to meet TV load capacity.

Yes, but my wife hates the toy-haulers. She doesn't care about the toys, if she's going along she doesn't want toys in her living space so I gotta live with that. Some do have garages but, I'm good with the TT.

[Jebby14]

wont get enough payload in a half ton

[Boomerweps]

Did you consider a toy hauler TT?
Might move the weight around enough to meet TV load capacity.

[Grit_dog]

Seems a bit much if loading bikes in the truck bed as well.
Personally I’d consider a HD pickup or a toy hauler and get the bike weight in the trailer.

[specta]

thesumners wrote:
Thank you all, for confirming what I thought. I'll be shopping for a 250 or 350 instead of a 150. Used prices are OK for what I'm looking for, so no worries on this end.

Thanks!
Greg

We have two newer Ford F-250s here, both 4-wd regular cabs with 10k lb GVW.
These are the hardest and worst riding trucks I've driven since driving early 60's Dodge trucks before they started using variable rate springs.

If its going to be a daily driver drive all three of the big ones.

[Groover]

thesumners wrote:
3.5L ecoboost is 13,200 towing and 3,230 max payload, in the base configuration. We'd get a 4x4 crewcab so it would decrease a bit. So yes it's right at the ceiling of the specs. I am not arguing it's a good idea.

In what appears to me to be on of the dumbest things that I have ever seen the max payload package requires 3.73 axle which for some reason drops the trailer tow rating to 11,300lbs on the 4wd version. 11,500lbs for 2wd.

Not being able to get both on one truck is insane in my opinion.

See the specs on page 19 of the tow guide, 3.73 axle.

Ford 2020 tow guide

[bikendan]

time2roll wrote:
25' ? Would seem easy to me. Check for max towing AND max payload options.

You missed that he's putting dirt bikes in the bed also. And the 25' trailer would weigh about the same as their 30' Arctic Fox, which are HEAVY trailers for their size.

[thesumners]

Thank you all, for confirming what I thought. I'll be shopping for a 250 or 350 instead of a 150. Used prices are OK for what I'm looking for, so no worries on this end.

Thanks!
Greg

[ACZL]

My opinion, go with a 250. MPG diff will be negligible, ride a tad stiffer, size much larger, BUT will handle what your proposing and then some with ease

[manley]

I have an ‘18 F150 with max tow. The answer is no... you will be WAY over your RAWR.

[JIMNLIN]

Ford markets several F150 trucks like these. They all can have the max tow option.

#1. 7850 gvwr...4800 rawr....2500 lb approx in the bed payload.

#2. 7600 gvwr...4550 rawr... 2200 lb approx in the bed payload

#3. 7050 gvwr...4050 rawr... 1800 lb approx in the bed payload

#4. 6800 gvwr...3800 rawr...1500 lb approx in the bed payload.

Max tow option
Available on XL, XLT, LARIAT, King Ranch®, and Platinum models.
Includes:
• 3.55 Electronic-locking rear-axle
• 4-pin/7-pin wiring harness
• 36 Gallon fuel tank
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Engine oil cooler
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• Pro Trailer Backup Assist with Tailgate LED
• Smart Trailer Tow Connector (standard on LARIAT and higher)
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Upgraded front stabilizer bar
• Upgraded rear bumper

Requires 3.5L EcoBoost® engine.
Does not include Trailer Tow Mirrors. Trailer Tow Mirrors are a standalone option and must be ordered separately.
Max GCWR/Max Tow achieved on SuperCrew® when equipped with 20-inch Wheels. This configuration will also come equipped with max springs, steering gear, and upgraded stabilizer bar.

RV trailers hitch weight sits in the bed which places all the weight over the rear axle. Your old F250 had 6000 lb rawr and was good for over 3200 lbs payload in the bed.
The F150 with the highest load carrying ability has a 4800 rawr. No where near the load carrying ability as your old F250.
There is no F150 that can carry 2800 lbs or especially 3200 lbs in the bed. About the most the 4800 rawr on a F150 can carry is around 2500 lbs in the bed.... depending on truck selections.
Roughly figure how much weight your going to carry in the truck and how much actual hitch load your going to add. Don't use trailers dry weights for these calculations.

[KD4UPL]

thesumners wrote:

time2roll wrote:
25' ? Would seem easy to me. Check for max towing AND max payload options.

I checked the specs and did the math. The F-150 is, looking at the spec sheet, able to do it. In practice I don't think it would be fun. I remember the white-knuckle moments in bad weather with a fully loaded F-250. That was ancient technology (1997 7.3l turbo diesel) I was hoping things had changed.

I did actually test drive a V8 F-150 at one point, maybe it was a 11th gen. Man it was fun to drive compared to a big diesel! But anyway maybe I'll investigate a bigger rigs at this point just for the additional payload and brakes etc.

I would get the 2500 series truck for sure but there's no reason to think you have to get a diesel. A gas powered 250 would be just fine for your application.

[Lwiddis]

Maxing our your TV isn’t fun. Don’t you remember?

[thesumners]

3.5L ecoboost is 13,200 towing and 3,230 max payload, in the base configuration. We'd get a 4x4 crewcab so it would decrease a bit. So yes it's right at the ceiling of the specs. I am not arguing it's a good idea.