Looking at a '17 F-150 Supercrew 145" wb with the 5.0. If I read the towing guide right, the tow rating on the 3.31 is 8900#, but what's throwing me is the 3.55. I see either 8100 or 9000, what's the difference?

 

Don't let it bother you - you will be over one of the other ratings before you reach that specified tow capacity. If you are going to be towing 9000#, a F150 with a 5.0 is not the right tool for the job. I'd get a Super Duty with a 6.2. The only F150 I'd tow 9k with would be a 3.5 Ecoboost with the HD Payload package.

 

I wouldn't mind the 3.5 at all, if it wasn't more expensive. I've got a buddy with 186k on his and hasn't had a single issue.

 

It's not just the engine, the 5.0 is pretty capable. It's the chassis, a 1/2 ton is going to run out of payload capacity when the trailers get that heavy without the HD Payload package. The max tow rating assumes only a driver in the truck, no passengers or cargo in the cab or bed. Tongue weight of the trailer counts as payload.

 

Ecoboost is only a $500 upgrade. If you can't afford that you can't afford a new truck anyway. Leave off some of the fancy options or aftermarket stuff if you have to but get the ecoboost.

The ecoboost is many times better than the 5.0 for towing. It tows like a diesel with torque way lower than the 5.0

 

"The only F150 I'd tow 9k with would be a 3.5 Ecoboost with the HD Payload package."

How did 9k feel behind that F150 HD truck compared to the same load on the super duty you are comparing it to?

Looking at upgrading my 26ft trailer to a 32ft, only a 1000lbs heavier. But I really don't want a SD for everyday commuting.

How far did you tow GLC? What type of terrain?

Thanks
Cheef

 

I didn't say that I actually DID it.

You are really pushing the capabilities of the chassis when you get into trailers that long and heavy. If you want to tow a 32 footer with a F150, you need the HD Payload package for the extra load capacity and stability.

 

Be mindful of the GCWR (gross combined weight rating). This is the total weight limit of your entire setup rolling down the road (truck + trailer + cargo + passengers). Look at the towing guide to determine the GCWR for your particular truck setup, then subtract the curb weight of the truck. This number is the total amount of weight you have to work with between trailer, cargo, and passengers. This is where the aluminum body comes into play - less weight of the truck equals a greater difference between the GCWR and the truck weight, which means a higher capacity for all your stuff you're hauling around.

A Super Duty would indeed be ideal for a trailer approaching the 9,000 pound mark. The 3/4 ton chassis has a higher GCWR (as stated above, it's not the engine, it's the chassis), so you have more numbers to play with. Will a crew cab F-150 with a 3.31 axle move 9,000 pounds? Probably. But it won't like it, and it won't be the safest thing you've ever done.

 

Yes I would get the HDPP, no brainer really. Just curious if you, or anyone else, had any real life experience with towing the above sized/weight trailers with both F150 HDPP and a F250. F250 is kind of a hard step to take if you only tow a few thousand miles per year and commute through the city the rest of the year. I can afford a commuter vehicle and a 250 but I don't have the room for 3 vehicles + boat + travel trailer. So I like the idea of a F150 for all around use.

 

Sounds like you need a Titan XD with the Cummins

 

Anyone actually OWN a truck with the HDPP??? I'm curious to know the differences in ride quality.

There is no doubt, i would get at minimum the 3.55 gear, I occasionally tow a 6000 pound boat, and have the 5.0 and 3.31, it's ok, but wish I had the 3.55 or 3.73 sometimes, but most of my driving is just highway driving and camping without the boat, so I don't need it all the time and the economy of the 3.31 is great.

 

You couldn't pay me enough to drive a Nissan titan. Gross. I agree crazy nip

 

Except the stupid thing is so damn heavy it has less payload than a F150. Nissan they're extremely good at screwing up a full size truck.

 

LOL so true Wookie! Fugliest truck ever, can't compare with any of the F-series.

 

Have you looked into renting a travel trailer? That would be my preferred method if I was pushing max on a vehicle limits.

Drive 500-1000 miles to destination, rent trailer nearby, drag across town to campsite and setup.


Much less wear and tear, plus it would free up maintenence and storage issues back at home