F150 Towing Concern

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Jan 10, 2015 | 10:19 AM

LoriM

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Joined: Dec 2014

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F150 Towing Concern

Hi All:

I'm buying a travel trailer with a dry weight of 6,355 and hitch 720 lbs. = 7,075

I'm looking at a 2004 F150 Lariat 4x4, 3.73 axle and 9,200 towing capacity, 15K GCWR and towing pkg/upgraded trans cooler/radiator and 200 Lb. payload package

After crunching the numbers I came up with:

15,000 (GCWR) -
7,075 (trailer/hitch) -
6,495 (curb wt of truck) -
1,000 (2 people (127 & 135) and cargo)
______
14,570 lbs.

For cross-country, will this be enough truck for us? I have 430 lbs. left on GCWR. We'll be using a WDH and sway bar.

Thanks for your help.

Lori

Jan 10, 2015 | 12:33 PM

Greg B

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You are going to be near the max for that rig. It'll do it. I towed a 20' enclosed car trailer that weighed 6800# with the car in it. I was probably running close to what you will run total weight-wise. I had an '06 F150 EC 4x4 XLT with 5.4L engine, 3.55 l/s differential and a topper that was 4" higher than the cab. The area that I found the F150 to be weak in was the rear springs and the tires. I added overload springs and that helped with stability and rear sag. E rated tires would have helped too. But I traded that truck for an '08 SD with a Powerstroke and 10,000 GVWR. Much better setup for towing. I get better fuel mileage, it's more stable, and I wouldn't be afraid to tow in the mountains with this truck. I don't think I would have been happy in the mountains towing with the F150. I probably would have been looking at 6 mpg or worse in the mountains and 35-45 mph going up some of those passes at 4000 rpm in 2nd gear with my eye constantly monitoring the coolant temp gauge. If you tow on mostly flat terrain, you'll be fine. I feel much more secure towing with a F250 as opposed to an F150. And I would be looking for an 05 or newer F250 with a gas engine if you prefer to not have a diesel.

Jan 10, 2015 | 08:10 PM

CaptFX4

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Joined: Jul 2006

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Quote:

Originally Posted by LoriM

You will be fine towing that weight. My 05 has the 3.73 gears but I added air bags to the rear and have an edge programmer custome tuned. I really like monitoring my tranny and engine coolant temp when towing.

My camper is 5,600 dry but I've taking it over the CAT scales and with all the gear I had it weighed 7000 lbs. I average 8 mpg's but have had it a little higher on a few occasions. This is towing at 60 mph taking my time from Ohio to SC, so over the hills of WV.
You'll want the OD off and don't be afraid to let the engine rpms rev. I'll let the truck downshift on the biggest of hills to second and run 4000 rpm to the top at 55-60 mph. Highest engine temp I ever saw was 212f and tranny was 208f. I've been towing like this for 3 years and have towed over 8000 miles with my current setup. By no means am I an expert but I am comfortable with my set up.

As others will say, if you have the funds to get a larger truck by all means do it.

CaptFX4