I have a 2011 f250 and am looking to replace it. While looking at the ford dealer the we're pushing on me the new f150 with 3.5l eb with the max tow package telling me it can tow 22,500lbs. I have a travel trailer camper weighing in at 10,000lbs. Does anyone know if this f150 can tow the camper and how it would do, especially on hills. Any comments are greatly appreciated.

 

They aren't telling you correctly. An F150 cannot tow 22,500lbs.

 

That's what I thought, but with the research I'm coming up with, as long as you have the max tow package it will tow up to 12,500lbs.

 

12,500 yes, 22,500 no. And just like you said that is UP TO 12,500. it would all depend on options, trim level, etc for your payload capacity for that specific truck. You are right at the range where you could certainly get a F150 and it would to 10K fine with the 3.5EB or you can step up to the f250 with either gas 6.2 or the monster Diesel. If you never plan on going over 10,000lbs get an F150 that you like and it will handle fine as long as you remember you have 10K hooked up behind you.

 

Looking at the towing guide it actually looks like every 3.5 Eco boost is rated to tow over 10,000lbs

All you would need to do is look at the payload sticker on the door of one you like and make you aren't going to go over that capacity.

https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/...50_r1_Oct2.pdf

And just like i thought, the 12,200 rating is only for the Regular cab 4x2

 

That was my mistake, I meant 12,500, not 22,500. I'm just confused how the f150 can tow as much as my f250 I have now. I am not planning on going any heavier or bigger with a camper that I have now. How will the f150 handle hills and stopping with the size camper I have? That's my main concern. travelling with the camper , will I have a problem with hills or towing long distances?

 

You won't have problems with the eco boost. I have a friend with one and he tows a camper that is at least 7K and he's been known to do 80ish. Although this is texas. Look at it this way

Ford Eco Boost 365HP @ 5,000 420 lb.-ft. @ 2,500

Ford 7.3L Diesel 275 hp @ 2,800 525 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm

Old old 5.4L rated to tow 9,300 260hp @ 4500 RPM 350lb-ft @ 2500 RPM

Nest years ecp boost is slated to push 375 hp (280 kW) and 470 lb·ft (637 N·m).

If you're never going to tow more than 10K then the F150 will be fine as long as you follow the aforementioned payload advice above.

 

The other thing i am concerned about is if the suspension will handle the weight or will it squat?

 

Payload capacity is the limiting factor for most trailers with the F150. Yes, it will squat more than an F250, but it's designed to do that. Yes you will require a weight distributing hitch. Yes it's a little more picky in how you set it up compared to the heavy F250.

Power is no issue.

In the end, you need to weigh the factors of your own situation. How often do you tow? How important is unloaded ride quality and unloaded fuel economy? How much gear are you planning to haul in the bed while you are towing?

Each truck has its niche, and its drawbacks.

 

I dont put anything in the bed, the only extra weight would be the family in the cab. I usually tow about 4 to 5 times a summer. As for the weight distributing hitch, The camper has it.

 

Sounds like your use is similar to mine. For me, a properly equipped F150 is a far better choice than any of the super duty lineup. The better fuel economy and ride comfort when unloaded is a big deal since I'd unloaded most of the year.
My trailer is only around 7000 lbs, but in terms of power, the ecoboost has all you could want.

Because your trailer is heavier than mine, you should make sure any F150 you get has the higher payload and/or tow capacity options. You'll need to be a little more careful with how you load the trailer, and it's always worth your time taking the entire rig across a set of CAT scales to get true axle weights.

But overall, you should have no issues.

 

When towing the camper, tanks are always empty and always loaded the same. I am just worried about power and handling and also braking, I was told as long as the truck has the max tow option, it can handle the 12,500 towing capacity.

 

Handling will be very strongly effected by loading, so if you always load the same way, it's still worth getting axle weights and considering CHANGING how you load it. The downside to towing a heavy trailer with a lighter truck is that it's considerably more susceptible to instability.

And remember that being rated for 12,500 lbs doesn't mean it can handle EVERY 12,500 trailer. some have higher tongue weights than others, and you could go over your payload numbers in some cases.

 

I know my hitch weight is 760lbs. I am not sure of what the max weight on the f150 is though.

 

That's not going to be a problem. You'll need a weight distributing hitch, but your Super Duty also requires one for that much tongue weight. My '15 has 1,830 lbs of payload, which is only 150 lbs less than my '08 F250 had.