New buyer

Well we didn't buy the Zinger, instead we got a '14 Jayco 267BHS. The trailer is 29'11" and has a GVWR of 7500 so hitch weight of about 975 @ 13%. I had the dealer load all three water tanks to simulate a full load when we picked it up. The hitch I bought is the 1000# E2. Of course it was raining and windy when I picked it up, so there was a bit of movement passing semi trailers on the highway. The only time I was concerned was going down a steep hill that also turned, the trailer did sway a bit as I went started down. I'm not sure if it was the strong winds or if having the black and grey tanks loaded which added to much rear weight or a combo of both caused this. The dealer installed the hitch.

That is a HUGE dog! No wonder you want a 30' trailer!

Right now it will be my wife and I, our 9yr old son and our 10' and bulletproof Border Collie/ Jack Russell. I have 2 older boys but if they show up they would bring their own car.

Sixgunner357 wrote:
The stickers on my door say it has a GVWR of 7650lbs, and the second one says the combined weight of occupants and cargo should not exceed 1658lbs.

Combined weight of occupants and cargo, includes anything that may have been added to the truck since it left the factory, WD hitch, and trailer tongue (hitch) weight.

You're looking at a trailer that could easily take 12 - 1300 lbs out of that 1658. Depending on how it is loaded, it could take up to 1500.

Looking at the trailer's floor plan, the number of bunks indicate, there may be a family involved. That means a significant amount of that 1658, could be gone before you hang the trailer on the back.

The stickers on my door say it has a GVWR of 7650lbs, and the second one says the combined weight of occupants and cargo should not exceed 1658lbs.

I'm guessing you have close to 1800 lbs of payload since you have the max tow package (yellow sticker in door jamb will tell you). I expect you can make it work by loading light, but one thing that was unnerving with mine, when towing a trailer that was about 33' overall, was being blown around on windy days. Pulling on calm days was fine.

Sounds like too much trailer for the truck. Keep in mind you and your family's safety when towing a 34' 9000+ Pound trailer with a 1/2 ton truck, not the ideal combo.

Sixgunner357 wrote:
Hi all, I'm new to Travel trailers and would like some help. I am looking at getting a new 2013 Crossroads Zinger ZT30KB trailer. Can any one who owns one or knows about them give me some information on them, good and bad. Does anybody tow this large of a trailer with their ecoboost? Mine is a 2012 and has the 3.73 rear and Max Tow package and it is an FX4 Screw, I'm also running the 5star 91 perf/tow programmer. The trailer weights are: 6714 dry, 9562 GVWR, 878 hitch weight. I'm also looking at getting a load levelling hitch for this set up. Any help is appreciated.

Manufacturers tow capacity rating, is not the only number that comes into play. You also need to be within ratings for the GVWR, hitch, and payload (Cargo Carrying Capacity).

First thing to bite you, is usually payload. That trailer is going to require 11 - 1200 lbs of available payload.

Ford made numerous versions of F150's. Some with payloads as low as 750 lbs, some with payloads as high as 3200 lbs, and everywhere in between. Depending on frame, suspension, drive train, power train, brakes, tires, and cab configuration, each version has it's own payload and tow capacity. Also, any aftermarket accessories, added by the dealer or end user, reduces the truck's capacities, pound for pound. ie: If you add a 200 lb bed cap, your payload and tow capacity are reduced by 200 lbs.

Tow capacity is what Ford says your truck can pull behind it. Payload is what Ford says your truck can carry. Payload gets eaten up by aftermarket accessories, fuel, passengers, cargo, weight distribution hitch, and trailer tongue weight.

When it comes to towing a travel trailer, the truck is actually carrying (not pulling) up to 15 percent of the trailer weight. Thus, the big bite out of payload. If that trailer was loaded to it's gross weight, it could eat alomost 1500 lbs of payload.

You need to find (look at sticker on driver door post) the GVWR and payload for your specific F150.

Estimate the weight of driver, passengers, fuel, and cargo, and subtract that from your available payload. What is left over, is available for WD hitch and tongue weight.

That's a pretty large TT. Especially for a newbie. You likely need to be sure the numbers you're getting for your tow vehicle are truly for that specific one, not just a general range. If you have any doubt, take the VIN# to the dealer and they will get the exact ones....in any event, you're going to have to be VERY careful about weight because you're right on the edge.

I have a 2011 zinger 26bl. It has been very good to us. After 3 yrs the only reason we are selling g ours is to change to a rear entertainment floor plan. I know many on the Crossroads owners forums that love their zingers.

As for the ecoboost, there are several different packages with very different tow ratings so we would need more info there. I can tell you that there are at least 2 members on crossroads towing heavier 5ers with it and doing fine with mountain towing but they have max tow packages and at least one has air bags installed.