Need help choosing a TT my truck will pull

kinggartk wrote:
I'm looking at TT's in 6,000 - 6500 range. I have a 2011 Ford F150....3.5 Eco-boost (Around 365 HP if I recall). It has a 3.15 rear end and factory installed Max towing package. It's rated at 8,600 max towing capacity.

Thoughts?

This is exactly where I'm at.

kinggartk wrote:
I'm looking at TT's in 6,000 - 6500 range. I have a 2011 Ford F150....3.5 Eco-boost (Around 365 HP if I recall). It has a 3.15 rear end and factory installed Max towing package. It's rated at 8,600 max towing capacity.

Thoughts?

You'll be fine - some variants of that truck can tow over 11k - they're no joke.

As far as "how much fun" it'll be in the real world, I think it has more to do with gearing.

As some of the other posts / suburban owners alluded to, you could have huge engines but 4 speeds really limited the usability of your power band.

I remember having to turn off the AC on my ex's Tahoe just to pull her 2-horse bumper pull (with one horse in it) on fairly flat ground, and the temps never stayed in the middle (100 degree summer day) still seemed odd to me.

Your 6 speed would be fine, my LR is a similar weight with 65 less HP and hauled a ~6200lb through mountains just fine. Only time I "held up traffic" is when the grades were such that there were extra truck climb lanes, which I don't think counts!

I'm looking at TT's in 6,000 - 6500 range. I have a 2011 Ford F150....3.5 Eco-boost (Around 365 HP if I recall). It has a 3.15 rear end and factory installed Max towing package. It's rated at 8,600 max towing capacity.

Thoughts?

travelnman wrote:
I pull with a 5.3 liter suburban 3.73 axel. Its OK except when you get into
wind and a lot of it. Hills it handles by pulling the trany down like those
in Branson but toss in some wind and your in trouble. Turning off the air
helps but is not a cure. The RV's UVW is 6,200lbs. I have climbed some steeper
inclines than Branson by pulling the trany down but it slows traffic behind you.
Also you have to think of how you are going to slow down on the other side
of the hill especially when you see semi truck run away ramps, this is a sure
clue to turn off John cash and give the rig your full attention. You might want
to leave the wife asleep until it is all over. If you see smoke from trucks your first guess is engine problems but no they are smoking their brakes, get
them real hot and your going to need a alternative plan. This is when a larger
tow vehicle pays off or a smaller RV, if your just going to travel around the corn stalks in flat lander states it is not as critical. Listen to the old
timers on this board I bet most have experienced some nail biting events.

Ditto!! Love the burb but, this is my situation as well. My wet weight is no more like 6500. Pulling hills can slow down traffic.

OutdoorPhotographer wrote:
I don't like using dry as the measurement. There are TT's that are 6,000 dry with a 7,000 class GVWR and ones with a. 10,000 lb GVWR.

I think you need to go back to your cargo limit and think tongue weight. I would check your hitch as well. An 8,000 lb TT will have a 1,040 lb TW. Add 100 lbs for WDH and you re at 1140 which barely leaves room for passengers and basic gear in truck.

Check your hitch too. Hopefully Ford has upgraded hitches with the newer trucks. My 2004 with max tow only had a hitch rated to 950 lbs even though I had over 2,000 lbs of payload and a 10,000 lb tow rating.

Hopefully you have a hitch rated at 1250 lbs.

Plus those propane tanks sitting right on the hitch as well. ;)

I don't like using dry as the measurement. There are TT's that are 6,000 dry with a 7,000 class GVWR and ones with a. 10,000 lb GVWR.

I think you need to go back to your cargo limit and think tongue weight. I would check your hitch as well. An 8,000 lb TT will have a 1,040 lb TW. Add 100 lbs for WDH and you re at 1140 which barely leaves room for passengers and basic gear in truck.

Check your hitch too. Hopefully Ford has upgraded hitches with the newer trucks. My 2004 with max tow only had a hitch rated to 950 lbs even though I had over 2,000 lbs of payload and a 10,000 lb tow rating.

Hopefully you have a hitch rated at 1250 lbs.

My F-150 has a max cargo of 1411 lbs. Two adults, a big dog, bikes and other camp gear in the bed and we are limited to about 750 lbs. on the tongue weight; regardless of what the F-150 can tow.

I have a 25 ft. Dutchmen Lite. The combo does a fine job.

I pull with a 5.3 liter suburban 3.73 axel. Its OK except when you get into
wind and a lot of it. Hills it handles by pulling the trany down like those
in Branson but toss in some wind and your in trouble. Turning off the air
helps but is not a cure. The RV's UVW is 6,200lbs. I have climbed some steeper
inclines than Branson by pulling the trany down but it slows traffic behind you.
Also you have to think of how you are going to slow down on the other side
of the hill especially when you see semi truck run away ramps, this is a sure
clue to turn off John cash and give the rig your full attention. You might want
to leave the wife asleep until it is all over. If you see smoke from trucks your first guess is engine problems but no they are smoking their brakes, get
them real hot and your going to need a alternative plan. This is when a larger
tow vehicle pays off or a smaller RV, if your just going to travel around the corn stalks in flat lander states it is not as critical. Listen to the old
timers on this board I bet most have experienced some nail biting events.

CoachmenKen wrote:

EstorilM wrote:

I just did a similar search and finally found a great floorplan in the Springdale 2470RL. Not exactly high-end, but it was my first TT and the GF and I have been doing a lot of traveling for work lately (event / PR photography at east coast horse shows).

BTW having trouble finding the 2470RL details

2570RL sorry!

Here's one

We got really lucky and found a 2016 "used" that was never touched, for 25% less than that price out the door. :E

Again it's our first TT and I had a budget, but it's a good bang for the buck. Was more mentioning it as a cool floor plan for people who don't need a BH or space for lots of kids, especially in this size range.

There was another brand / model VERY similar but I forget the model # (2xx RL something rather) slightly better materials, but almost $5k more and about 300# heavier.

EstorilM wrote:

I just did a similar search and finally found a great floorplan in the Springdale 2470RL. Not exactly high-end, but it was my first TT and the GF and I have been doing a lot of traveling for work lately (event / PR photography at east coast horse shows).

BTW having trouble finding the 2470RL details