First, I want to say hello because i am new here. Just found this forum and I look forward to hanging out more.

Secondly,

I am buying a toy hauler tomorrow. I have a 2010 F150 with the tow package. At least i think i do. It has the receiver hitch, the 7 and 4 pin connector. the trailer brake wiring (not the actual brake in the dash) etc. I purchased a 3rd party trailer brake because everyone said they couldnt get me the factory oem brake that goes in the dash.

Anyway, my question is on weight. I have the 5.4 engine, the XLT package and it is 2x4 S-crew. What i am buying is a 2006 toy hauler. It has a dry weight of just under 6000 lbs. Can hold 100 gallons of water, 40 grey, 40 black, 60 lbs of propane. So i hooked the thing up to my truck today just to see how it would feel and it lowered the back end of my truck all the way down (not too bad, just didnt have any play left). The tires looked like they were bulging but everything seemed pretty ok. I do have the weight distribution bars and a sway bar on it.

What I am asking is, am i pushing it? This thing is 30' long, 8.5 feet wide and 12 feet tall. I called the ford dealer and they gave me the "Ford can do anything" speech which i am not falling for. I am just not used to towing this much weight and this is my first ford.

Can anyone tell me if you think i will be fine or am i pushing it? Also, for some icing on the cake, im in Atlanta right now picking it up and will be towing it back to PHX

Any help before tomorrow afternoon when i actually pay for it will be appreciated.

Thanks a ton!

 

How much is that trailer gonna weigh when it's loaded with toys/supplies/water/fuel and the truck is full of people? These trucks are great tow vehicles but I think you're asking way to much of it.

 

The truck says it can do 9800 lbs with a GVW of 15K. I have been reading more on it and it seems I probably didnt have the weight distribution bars setup properly. This thing is only 6000 lbs right now so I dont think i should be having an issue. I have the tow package and the 5.4 so i think i should be ok. I guess i was looking for personal experiences and any pointers

Thanks for the opinion though, i do respect and appreciate it.

 

If you pick up a tow guide you'll see the 9800 is. With an empty truck- no passengers and nothing in the bed. You'll also find a trailer that tall may exceed the frontal area size recommended by Ford. I've hauled several large trailers with F-150's and more with Super Duties, and I'm sure you'll find that once you are loaded, you'll be overweight in more ways than one.

 

first off let me welcome you to the site
second who told you to get a aftermarket TBC? see my post (adding Factory TBC installation 09 + F150)
dealers will sale them to you and its so simple to put in!
third the trailer your looking at seems to be fine if you dont add **** to it or the truck but once you do your going to find your overweight!

 

You need to find out what the tongue weighs. then make sure you have a WD hitch that matches. I would go over the tongue weight by 2-300lbs. 2nd, you need to get the hitch adjusted right. with your truck sitting loaded and ready to go and unhitched measure the distance from the ground to the wheel wells front and rear. You want the measurements to be as close to unhitched as when hitched. An inch low in the rear is fine, the front should be within a 1/2 ". Also I would recomend getting a hitch with built in sway like an Equalizer or Reese Dual Cam. Thats alot of trialer for a 1/2 ton. You also need to check the yellow tread sticker on the drivers door to make sure your not overloading. Also after you get hitched up right, take your setup to a scale and weight the truck axles and make sure your not over loading the rear.
Heres a link on setting up your hitch.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...d/17730894.cfm
Good luck

 

Tow ratings are not based on Travel Trailers, especially toy haulers. They are based on flat beds carrying cargo where tongue weight is 10%.

Travel Trailers are usually 10.5' - 11.5' tall and have average tongue weights from 13% to 14%.

With half ton trucks towing camping travel trailers, the limiting factors are not tow weight or GCWR (which you sited incorrectly as GVW), GVWR (payload) is and your hitch rating. On our 2010 trucks, the hitch rating is 10500# trailer weight/1050# tongue weight for standard tow package and 11300# trailer weight/1130# tongue weight for Max tow package. This is only the hitch, the trucks ratings are according to your cab and drivetrain configuration.

So with a 1050# tongue rating your limited to a 7500# LOADED travel trailer with a 14% hitch weight. This translates into roughly a 6300# dry weight without options as speced by the maker.

Since I drive with a family, my payload (GVWR) is the limit. I can comfortably have my family in the truck with a child guest and have a loaded 6300# travel trailer based on 14% tongue weight or 6800# based on 13% tongue weight.

Your trailer weight sounds right on the edge as most load an additional 1200# with trailer options and food, gear, clothe, ect. That puts you at a 7200# trailer weight which at 14% tongue weight is 1008# or 42# under max limit.

Just weigh your rig as it's probably heavier after loaded, then a regular travel trailer. Just weigh the hitch, and after hitched, weigh your axles and the such so you don't go over your hitch, axle, or GVWR ratings.

Enjoy your truck and camper, sounds like your set.

 

Mike Up is all over it. I have lived this with three different travel trailers over three different trucks. I have found that contrary to all the calculations and "what should be" you will most likely be overweight with a trailer that large.

My trailer now is about 5500 pounds, and the tongue comes in at 650. With a family of four I run right at payload with the bed of the truck almost empty. Yes, I have a 150 pound fiberglass lid on the truck, but it shows every ounce sets you back.

I've scaled at least six times with stuff in the bed and nothing in the bed. I've run from 300 over gross weight, to under gross but over axle ratings. Bottom line, you're going to have to play with it, and if you don't maintain the 10% to 15% tongue, you'll porpoise yourself to death on the highway control joints and steering will suffer. Good luck.

 

for the sag go with Timbrens springs. They are basically a longer bump stop, but they make towing a lot safer and you won't get the saggy azz.
http://timbren.com/

My buddies and I have ran them on all our trucks. no need for pricey air bags, $200 and you're done.

 

I got AirLift airbags at Summit for just under $200. I think they went up a little since I purchased them last year to just over that, but easy to install and you have adjustability. Just throwing that out there.