I'm considering buying a newer F-150 in the very near future and have a question or two on towing ability and capacities. Most likely looking at a loaded out crew cab 4x4 to replace a 13 CCSB F350 SRW diesel that I currently own. My concern is towing my fifth wheel travel trailer. A little info on the trailer is it is an 08 Jayco Super Lite 29.5 length with a stated dry weight of 6350lbs. Lots of questions so please bear with me. The "only" reason that thought I needed the Superduty was to haul the travel trailer. Other than that I do not need this large of a truck. The trailer is hauled to the beach 65 miles away and left for the summer and then same trip home. Every few years we do take it to the mountains for a week or two. I don't think from a power standpoint the F-150 will have any issues with the trailer. My concern is what bed length, engine, gear ratio, hitch availability, towing package would be my best choice. Bear in mind that I've always owned Ford diesel trucks and have towed fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers all over the country at lengths up to 48'. With the current cost of owning a diesel I would like to buy an F-150. That and I'm scheduled for a knee replacement very soon and getting in and out would be easier. I hope that I have given enough information to help me decide. So what can you guys tell me to help? I'm sure that some of you already pull fifth wheels and can shed some light for me. Thanks and if you need more info let me know. Thanks

 

It sounds like you are doing the right thing and thinking about your purchase before you buy. I know many guys who do it the other way around.

My opinion, first place to start is knowing the LOADED pin weight of that trailer. if it was me, I'd spend some time at the nearest CAT scale to get that info.
Then, look at the payload ratings of the various configurations of the F150. I would assume that you'd run out of payload long before you ran out of trailer rating.

For only a couple trips a year, I think an F150 would be a very suitable vehicle. Depending on payload requirements, you may need to get the "heavy" versions, but they will still have better manners than the F350.

Read up a few threads. For reference, I tow a 7000lb (loaded) 27' TT with my F150, and I'm very happy with the setup. If I was towing that every day, I'd want a superduty, but for ten weekends a year, I'm fine with it. Power is no issue with the EcoBoost.

Good luck with your decision.

 

Towing guide shows F150 having a frontal area of 75 sq ft or less is acceptable for 5th wheel, which is the same as the SuperDuty. 12,100 is max 5th wheel for the vehicle (4x2 RC 122 wb with 3.73 and 3.5 ecoboost, 17" wheels). 3.5 Ecoboost are all over 10k.

 

Personally towing a 5th wheel I would go with a 250.

 

That frontal area "limitation/consideration" is an interesting one as it is not for the frontal area of the fifth wheel. It is the combined frontal area of the truck and the frontal area of the the trailer or fifth wheel. Ford lists the frontal area of the truck as 36.6 sq. ft. which leaves only 38.6 for the towable. As Ford notes, however, that is only a consideration -

"Frontal Area is the total area in square feet that a moving vehicle and trailer exposes to air resistance. The chart shows the limitations that must be considered in selecting a vehicle/trailer combination. Exceeding these limitations may significantly reduce the
performance of your towing vehicle. Selecting a trailer with a low-drag, rounded front design can help optimize performance efficiency."

From this link - http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...0_r1_Jan12.pdf

Steve

 

The F-150 will tow that size of a 5th wheel just fine. The max payload option would be a good idea, but not necessary. What is the hitch weight on your 5'r?
My Travel Trailer has a hitch weight almost 900 pounds and the trailer is over 8,000 lbs. and I have the Max Tow package on my F-150, and she tows just fine. Just keep in mind that these are 150's and not Superduty's, but they are surprisingly more capable than the older F-150's ever were.

 

The F150 will tow that weight just fine. Coming out of a Super Duty you probably would prefer an F150 with the Max Tow option. That will give you a couple nice upgrades including the Trailer Tow Mirrors! At a minimum you want to make sure you have the trailer tow package so you have the proper wiring on the truck.

 

Wiring for 7 pin connector and the integrated TBC are "must-have" items.

 

I am wondering about the f150 capability as well. I would like to buy a dump trailer and haul my tractor with it. A set up similar to this:
http://www.plumbers.cc/images/kubota...-tractor-6.jpg

The tractor is a little under 3000lbs, and the trailers are around 4k. I would not be doing this commercially, just for my own properties. want to be able to haul my tractor, then bark and gravel ect. I would love a super duty diesel.But good god they are expensive, and I really dont need all that. Will an ecoboost 150 do the job?

 

Well, Plenty of guys are towing 7000lbs with their F150's, and having no problem doing it. A trailer like that can hold a lot more gravel volume-wise than the 3000 lbs that the tractor weighs, so you'd have to be careful when loading it.

I guess the main question I have is what ELSE are you doing with your truck? If you are only using it for the service you describe, I'd just go to the SuperDuty. But if you are using the truck as your daily driver the rest of the time, then you will probably be much happier with the F150.

For myself, I drive my F150 300 days a year for short trips in an urban area with nothing heavier than my own fat rear. About 20 days a year, I'm towing my 7000lb travel trailer. It's a great vehicle for that.

 

Just an FYI. I was on the Ford website and the Max tow package does NOT include the tow mirrors. Those are still an option you must purchase. The new site is a little tricky but it shows what each option includes. YMMY

 

You'd think the Max Tow Pkg. would include the tow mirrors. Kinda difficult to tow with standard mirrors.