You'll be well under your max towing capacity, you'll be close to the payload capacity which was 1700ish, payload is basically everything you load in your truck plus passengers, so while 1700 sounds like a good amount you'll be close to it esp if you're camping with your family. Plus remember the hitch weight is dry, it'll go up once you add stuff to your camper. Next time I go camper shopping I will be looking at the loaded weight instead of dry to ensure I'm good.

 

I know. I failed to properly run all the numbers and got caught up in my wife’s excitement. I know my truck can pull it but just nervous about pushing the limits.

 

I think it is a bit too much for your truck. Getting the wdh set-up correctly will be key, most dealers don't get it right. Keep it much slower than you normally drive, my bigger worry with these longer trailers is the F150 5.5 bed simply does not play well with a big box and side winds.

 

There is a whole range of WD systems, from really cheap and barely adequate to very expensive and very capable. Be sure that if towing close to your limits that your WD isn’t one of the lesser ones, a WD system with built-in sway control will be superior to one with add-on sway control. And DO NOT rely on the RV dealer to properly set the WD up, they are notorious for not having a clue, read the manual for your WD and follow it to get it setup right and visit a truck scale to verify the setup and combination weights.

 

Long story short, your truck will handle it fine. Get your hitch set up right for the best level height (with camping gear), brakes set up right (whatever controller number works best) and WDH adjusted as best as possible. Head on over to the RV forums and they'll have a fit that you're not towing a 12' aluminum boat with a F450.

 

I saw where you said you fill the water tank. I'm assuming you made allowances for the water weight as well. Where is the water tank on the trailer? Front, Middle, or Rear? That may make a bit of difference on how the trailer tows. Our water tank is closer to the front so it will add additional weight onto the hitch to an extent. Our tank is 60 gallons. I don't travel with near that in it. Usually 10-15 gallons in case we need to stop and use the toilet etc. (Recommended by the manufacturer). Going shorter distances might be ok for more water. From my understanding, the water tanks are not "locked" into place per se'. The lay in between the cross members with a couple of rubber or metal straps underneath. Definitely hit a Cat Scale at some point. I first weighed my truck with just myself, whatever I normally carry on an every day basis, and a full tank of gas. Then went back with the trailer prior to leaving for a weekend trip. Gives you a good guideline of how to adjust your weight.

Addendum: Just read Seventyseven250's answer about weighing the rig and read how he does it. Will need to change my process up a bit.

 

Agreed, but its the same people who tell the 1/2 ton truck guys that their trailer is to heavy, long, etc for them to tow with, yet they tow with a SRW truck and tow 15k+ pounds and its ok for them!

I towed a 33' long Keystone Outback 293UBH which had a GVWR of 7600 pounds, with a 2003 Expedition for a few years and it towed just fine. Kept it to 65MPH or under, never towed with water and had a Techkonsha/prodigy brake controller along with a Eqaulizer E4 WDH and never had an issue! The F150 will be just fine, just get a Good WDH like Equalizer, Blue Ox, etc... and a great brake controller. Have tbe WDH set properly, get water at the campground and all is good. I never understood why people tow with water in them unless they are boondocking. If you have to stop to use the bathroom, stop at a Wayside or when you are getting fuel. Just my $.02.

 

I like to remember what we towed and what we towed with in the late 70's and early 80'. Travel trailers were heavier than now for the same length and we did it using a 150 HP 350 and a three speed auto. Think we've just been too spoiled with all this power and now everything else is unsafe.

 

Picked up the trailer yesterday. Aside from the “tech” having no idea how to set up my eaz-lift whd it actually towed like a dream compared to my Fleetwood 18ck. As I loaded all our gear I estimated the weight to be around 400lbs. We generally go full or partial hook up so don’t need to carry very much water. I never tow above 55mph and keep an eye on the winds so I think we are going to be just fine.

 

Smart man. Speed gets you in trouble with sway if it were to happen. Enjoy your recreational time.

 

Unless you're packing REALLY light, nearly nothing, you're well over 400 lbs over dry weight. Remember dry weight does not include batteries or propane tanks or anything else. That's an easy 100 lbs assuming you have two full propane tanks and a battery. Your stuff adds up quite a bit more than you think it does.

 

Took the new trailer out for a shakedown run this weekend. Yes it is heavy but it’s under the trucks rated capacity. Truck performed beautifully and got 12.5 mpg average so I can’t complain. It’s definitely true that the big trailers don’t play nice with the shorter bed but keeping the speed down below 55 kept it in check even with the winds gusting around 25mph.