I'm looking to get a travel trialer about 30 ft. 4085lbs (dry weight)I have a 2000 V6 f150 xlt sport with a 355 rear. can i tow this trailer I will have a weight distributing hitch set up.

should I up grade any of the trucks equipment other then the hitch?

thanks

joeone

 

GCWR/Towing Capacities.

I'll leave it up to someone experienced in towing this much to give you detailed advise. But, I would definitely plan on a MONSTER sized transmission cooler and temperature gauge if I pulled this much weight with my truck.

 

I've seen a rig similar to this going down the road with a V6 and it was struggling to keep up with traffic.

Thats a good load, I'm sure you can pull it but its certainly not doing your tranny any favors, and have patience.

 

With a 5 speed, you will be over the rated maximums.

With an auto, I think you will also exceed either the GCWR or rear axle rating by the time you account for fluids, passenger weight and all the other gear you will be hauling over the dry weight of the trailer and truck.

IMO, that's too much trailer for the V-6. You might be able to do it safely and happily, but it would not be within my comfort zone.

As far as other mods, LT rated tires would be an improvement over your stock Passenger (P rated) tires. A superchip will improve your automatic shifting and give a needed power boost, but would require premium fuel.

 

See this is where I get lost every thing I have read seems to lead me to think I can pull up to 5500lbs this is what is in the book and a couple web site pages (trailerlife)for one. But you know what they say don't beleave every thing you read. Has anyone used a f150 V6 to pull a 30ft 4085lb trailer?

 

joeone1039,

That "max tow weight" is based off of the factories listed curb weight for your particular model/engine/tranny/rear end combo subtracted from it's GCWR.....

So, unless you are driving in a stripped down 'work truck' and you weigh about #150 and don't put anything else in the truck, you can tow that much......... Well, actually, your truck will physically tow that no matter how much it weighs. It'll physically tow #10,000 too, but it won't last too long.......

Figure that #4085 DRY weight for the trailer will grow a good #1000 (or more) once you add some options to it and pack it up. That's usually the weight of the trailer as it left the assembly line. It gets a lot more 'stuff' added to it after and even after it ends up at the dealer.

To give you some perspective, I tow a 22' #4500 soaking wet travel trailer (that's packed and ready to camp). I have the 5.4 and 3.55 gears too. It's a very comfortable tow, but I could not imagine towing it with any less engine and still feel comfortable doing it.

It works going up hills, but I can usually keep it in third. It will drop into second if the grade is long and 5% or more. I have the e40d tranny and tow with OD OFF for the most part. I also have a tranny temp gauge and it runs at about 150* on level ground, but goes up to 180* on the long hills.

The tranny is usually the weakest link in most towing situations. It hates heat, and the heavier the trailer, the more heat it produces.

IMO a V6 is just not enough to tow the trailer you are considering.

Good Luck!

 

I think your insurance is VOIDED if you have an accident and over your tow limit.

I must agree a V6 is not enough for this much weight. If your sold on the F150 a 5.4 is your best alternative but thats $$
Good luck

 

already have the truck there's that 20/20 again I plan to only move this maybe 2-3 times a year but I guess I should look at a small trailer

 

There are some very nice "ultralite" model TTs on the market now that you might want to look at. I know Fleetwood has a line, as does Forest River. I think most manufacturers do with the resurgence of camping as a more acceptable family getaway.

 

JDMnAR ,

Yep the trailer i was lookink at was a utralite fleetwood wilderness yukon model 829 s 4085lbs dry weight.

 

if it's bunks you need, you might check out the 725H model of that same make. Wilderness 725H

It's smaller, lighter, but has no couch....... Still has the queen size bed.

I have the Prowler line and the 722F. I really wanted the 826M, but just felt that it was a bit too much and it cost about $4 grand more then the 722..........

Anyway, just a thought.

 

It would be really easy to get yourself in a bind if you were to max out the GVWR on that model. How many folks are you wanting to take in that 29' camper? If you can go smaller (given your truck), you might want to look at the one that Mitch mentioned, or maybe take a look at some of the hybrids (like the Jayco Kiwi line here ).

 

we just bought a rockwood tent trailer; weighs about 2,000 pounds. pulls like it isn't even there. doesn't push much air so we actually get 17 mpg @ 70 mph with a 4x4 4.2L 5 speed using overdrive 5th.