27' TT 5,800lb & '07 F150 Screw 4x4

booze123 · #1 06-27-2010, 11:02 PM

I have a dilemma with purchasing this new Outback TT (250RS). 5,800lb dry weight and a Max Capacity load on TT at 7,550lb. I believe the TT will be around 6,800lb going down the road. I live in Denver, Co. area and we camp mostly in the mountains, 7,000'-10,000' elevation. Truck will carry minimal additional weight, mostly the wife and I and maybe another 100lbs. I did the math and figure I'll be ~1,700lbs under GCWR. I wouldn't hesitate if I lived and camped in a flat-land state, but with WD hitch in Colorado, will I totally dread getting this trailer with this "Great" F150? "love the truck!!"
Note: I weighed my truck with only me in it, weighed 6,020lb. Has 3.73 rear end.

tbear853 · #2 06-28-2010, 12:50 AM

The truck will pull it and do it just fine as long as you don't push it. To many hook a heavy load up and feel they have to drive with heavier feet, especially that right one. Even maxed out on my older '77 which has towed some heavy loads .... some while hauling one too ... and it only has a 351M with only a mild cam and Torker intake and 600vac Holley, 3.50 gears and C-6 with a shift kit I put in in 1987 .... is I still rarely used more than half throttle. Just use the same throttle as when empty and let the motor bring it up to speed at it's own rate. If on a hill, instead of driving in high, I downshift and use less throttle and just accept the lower speed.

I've seen the guys driving them like they are empty, hard on equipment they are.

APT · #3 06-28-2010, 07:43 AM

That floorplan was high on my list as well. KZ makes a little bit lighter version, but it does feel a little cheaper too. I went with a Heartland North Trail 28BRS instead.

Anyway, you should be good, if not quick. Hopefully you have stock sized tires. Get something to monitor trans temps, like a programmer or Scangage. Don't be afraid to let the engine rev. Peak torque is in the 3500-4000rpm range and it will sing all day long at that speed.

booze123 · #4 06-28-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APT

That floorplan was high on my list as well. KZ makes a little bit lighter version, but it does feel a little cheaper too. I went with a Heartland North Trail 28BRS instead.

Anyway, you should be good, if not quick. Hopefully you have stock sized tires. Get something to monitor trans temps, like a programmer or Scangage. Don't be afraid to let the engine rev. Peak torque is in the 3500-4000rpm range and it will sing all day long at that speed.

I like the Outback 250RS as it comes standard with the King Bed. That's a must for us. Thanks for the information, but I have a question; what is the temp range on the transmission while towing?

APT · #5 06-29-2010, 07:48 AM

I emailed KZ about the dimensions of the Spree equivalent bed size and got:
The dimensions of the King bed are 75”x75” and the u dinette is 60” X 75”.

Many front queen bed mattresses can be changed to larger ones, which is what I want to do for my 6'4" frame.

Keep trans temp below 200* F is a good goal. I think 180-190 is the normal operating range.

Colorado Osprey · #6 06-29-2010, 08:14 AM

This person is obviously going up I-70, west from Denver is they want to be in the mountains.

Have any of ever driven that?? It is tough without any trailer at all!!

Your truck will be passed by a mo-ped on the I-70 ascent pulling that trailer.
Ok, maybe not a passed by a mo-ped, but it will be SLOW... like 20-30mph. The only real rigs for pulling in the mountains at altitude with weights over 4000lbs are turbo diesels.
If you said you normally just camp out on the front range or plains I'd say your F150 will be just fine.