Hi everyone, I have a 1993 F150, 5.0L, E4OD, 3.55 Gears, 2WD Supercab Short box. It has a frame mounted hitch, class 3 (6000lb max weight/600 max tongue) hitch, 7 pin connector and trailer brake controller, all installed by the PO.

I want to get my family out camping this summer so I am going to look at a 1978 25' Holiday Rambler travel trailer tomorrow. I am unsure of the weight of the trailer at this time but the owner figures it is around 5000lbs, will my truck be able to handle this?

I won't be doing any really long trips with it, maybe 15o kilometers round trip on mostly flat hwy. At times I would also like to haul an atv in the box (around 590lbs).

I don't know how to calculate all the numbers so I thought I would ask you guys since you all are extremely knowledgeable.

Here is a picture of the door tag off my truck for reference (if it helps)



Thanks in advance for any help you can offer me.

 

A 25' trailer behind a F150 is way too much.

 

The Ford F-body Manual I have says on page 236 you have a GCWR of 11,500, so trailers up to 7000 lbs and 60 sqft frontal area. But its a copyright 1995, so its for a maf truck. However, earlier trucks were rated higher (I've found) so that should be a safe range. But you'll want some sway control with those slab sides.

-Mike

 

GCWR firures are found in the owners manual only and not anywhere on the vehicle, and that number defines the maximum allowed travelling weight of truck, trailer, and all cargo and passengers in both. An ext cab f150 will have a curb weight of somewhere around 4700-5000lbs.. my 4x4 is just under 5k on the dump scales so I figure a 2wd is about 300lbs lighter. Load the truck with passengers, that ATV, gas and luggage and it'll have a travelling weight close to 6000lbs which leaves 5500lbs for the trailer. The truck will accomplish the task but it's gonna look and perform like it's overloaded, expect it to sway around in the wind, use all available power to get up to speed, and generally be underwhelming. Hopefully the truck is already equipped with front & rear swaybars and LT tires, overload springs or airbags on the rear axle will help a lot as would stepping up to a larger/newer truck or down to a smaller trailer,

 

Thank you for the Info guys, I am going to look at the trailer today and will hopefully find out the weight of it all though I am seriously rethinking the whole idea.

From what you guys have said I should probably be looking for something no heavier than 4000lbs.

I am going to try and line up a few tent trailers/smaller travel trailers to look at as well. I want to be able to actually use whatever I buy and don't want to risk my families life or other travellers by being overloaded.

Again thank you for all the info.

 

is the weight of 1978 holiday rambler? What is the weight of 1978 holiday rambler?






Answer:
4500-5000 lightweight camper




Did we answer your question?

According to wiki answers.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...oliday_rambler

 

That would be a much better range. That 5k 25' trailer is right at the very max of what I'd do with the truck, and it probably wouldn't be too comfortable to drive down the highway.

Then there's "Rocky Mountain F-150" with his "North Dakota Train" at 8MPG from our "loaded up trucks" thread...

 

That is just nuts, not allowed to do that up here.

I ended up picking up a 1973 Lionel tent trailer, towed it approximately 100 kilometers home today and the truck barely knew it was back there .

It isn't the ideal trailer for my wife (no bathroom/stove/sink etc) but it fits my requirements just fine (dry and off the ground).

Now I don't have to worry about being overloaded which is better for my piece of mind. Just have to take out all the fabric that can be removed and run through the wash and give everything a good scrub, it has been sitting for a couple of years. Also going to check the wheel bearings and repack/replace as needed.

 

A realistic size would be in the 19 foot range, once you get it loaded up with water etc. that would be about max towing. I had a similar setup a few years ago and it was doable but slow on hills as expected.

 

Well since we are on the topic of towing capacity I guess I will ask. I have a 1994 F250 with a 351. It has a luverne 10" drop rear bumper. I will be pulling my families camper out to the campground before I have to go to work. The reason that I am taking it out is because my mom cannot back up the camper. The camper is a 27 ft Starcraft camper. Will my truck be able to pull the camper 20 or so miles to the campground?