Towing a camper????
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Towing a camper????
So I'm thinking of buying a camper trailer to live in for a while full time. The truck I have to tow with is my 1990 F150 with a 5.0 and Mazda 5 speed m5od transmission. Now I know what the factory tow ratings were but this is 24 years later and the truck has 201k miles. Overall, the engine, transmission, and rear end have been rebuilt by me. The truck is in great shape but I want something manageable to tow.
Right now I am looking at a 23 ft. trailer with wood construction and an aluminum frame. It's dry weight in 3662 lbs. Between my stuff, propane, and water, I add on another ~1500 lbs of weight, is that too much for the truck? Could I go bigger? I'm worried about having only 185 hp factory to deal with trailer sway and doing 55 on the interstates
Right now I am looking at a 23 ft. trailer with wood construction and an aluminum frame. It's dry weight in 3662 lbs. Between my stuff, propane, and water, I add on another ~1500 lbs of weight, is that too much for the truck? Could I go bigger? I'm worried about having only 185 hp factory to deal with trailer sway and doing 55 on the interstates
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
With at least 3.55 gears in the axle it'll tow it OK as long as you stay off the freeway, and by OK I mean it'll get the job done but you will be one of the slowest vehicles on the road.
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I have 4.10 gears. I know it's not ideal but I can't afford to buy a newer truck right now. I'm just flirting with the idea of it right now. Want to make sure I won't tear apart my truck. I have a hemi durango that I could probably borrow to move it that would work better
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If I chose to do this, it would only be every once in a while, whenever I have to move. I would be moving it up and down the East Coast most likely, no farther than 700 miles north or south of Washington DC. This is my alternative to renting an apartment so I wouldn't be moving too often.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cleveland, TN
With the 410 gear you shouldn't have too much problem pulling it, but as already said you WON'T spend much time in the fast lane... and you shouldn't try!!!
But, your biggest problem is going to be stopping, make damn sure the trailer has working brakes, and be sure they are adjusted properly at all times..
It might be OK for the occasional move of the "hut" but I sure wouldn't want to strike out across country.. Just go easy on it because that Mazda transmission ain't gonna like that kind of work, it will probably be your weakest link....
But, your biggest problem is going to be stopping, make damn sure the trailer has working brakes, and be sure they are adjusted properly at all times..
It might be OK for the occasional move of the "hut" but I sure wouldn't want to strike out across country.. Just go easy on it because that Mazda transmission ain't gonna like that kind of work, it will probably be your weakest link....
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Senior User
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With the 410 gear you shouldn't have too much problem pulling it, but as already said you WON'T spend much time in the fast lane... and you shouldn't try!!!
But, your biggest problem is going to be stopping, make damn sure the trailer has working brakes, and be sure they are adjusted properly at all times..
It might be OK for the occasional move of the "hut" but I sure wouldn't want to strike out across country.. Just go easy on it because that Mazda transmission ain't gonna like that kind of work, it will probably be your weakest link....
But, your biggest problem is going to be stopping, make damn sure the trailer has working brakes, and be sure they are adjusted properly at all times..
It might be OK for the occasional move of the "hut" but I sure wouldn't want to strike out across country.. Just go easy on it because that Mazda transmission ain't gonna like that kind of work, it will probably be your weakest link....
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Mi'kma'ki
your not going to have any trouble towing 5k lbs with a 300/6, f150, 55 mph down the hwy.if it's brakes,and your trucks brakes are good,you wont have any trouble stopping it either.people have used that combo for far more,year after year.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Cleveland, TN
As you well know by now, with a load either in the truck or on a trailer you need to drive waaaaaay ahead of yourself.. Plan your stops and give the idiots room so you can get stopped or slowed down in time when they try to cut you off, because they WILL....
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Get a trailer brake controller on the truck and you'll be fine. One of out Rangers has the 5-speed 4.10 combo and it tows a loaded dump trailer(3.5-4k) like a champ.. and it's only got a 3.0 V6.
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Senior User
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Great idea. I'll do that. I think I should do just fine with the truck
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
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From: Gilbert, PA
So I'm thinking of buying a camper trailer to live in for a while full time. The truck I have to tow with is my 1990 F150 with a 5.0 and Mazda 5 speed m5od transmission. Now I know what the factory tow ratings were but this is 24 years later and the truck has 201k miles. Overall, the engine, transmission, and rear end have been rebuilt by me. The truck is in great shape but I want something manageable to tow.
Right now I am looking at a 23 ft. trailer with wood construction and an aluminum frame. It's dry weight in 3662 lbs. Between my stuff, propane, and water, I add on another ~1500 lbs of weight, is that too much for the truck? Could I go bigger? I'm worried about having only 185 hp factory to deal with trailer sway and doing 55 on the interstates
Right now I am looking at a 23 ft. trailer with wood construction and an aluminum frame. It's dry weight in 3662 lbs. Between my stuff, propane, and water, I add on another ~1500 lbs of weight, is that too much for the truck? Could I go bigger? I'm worried about having only 185 hp factory to deal with trailer sway and doing 55 on the interstates
Dont believe for one minute that a 23' trailer only weighs 3600lbs. That is a Load of crap. Figure at least 5000, then 1500 for all your stuff.
Then factor in the find drag (like a parachute) of the camper. Your truck MAY do it, but it will HATE you
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: The Golden State
Mr.Fordneck, if it was my call, I'd tow that trailer with an F-250 or F-350 with the ZF 5-speed (the full-floating rear-end would also be desirable). Might I ask what kind of house trailer you're wanting to pull around?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: The Golden State
I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing it was a 2-horse trailer.