I have a 2011 F-150 Screw with the EB engine and max trailer tow. My TT is a 2012 Keystone Sprinter 308BHS. Total length is 34ft and dry weight is 7,300lbs. When towing, the truck has plenty of power, but I have noticed the slightest little bit of crosswinds on the interstate kinda gets the truck and camper a little wobbly. I usually keep it around 65 mph at the most. I am starting to think that maybe I should have bought a f250 or f350???? I have noticed other half ton trucks towing similar length campers. Wonder if they are experiencing the same thing? I would like to hear everyones opinion, and dont worry about offending me, just want honest opinions.

 

If it was me, i'd be in a 3/4 ton just because of the length of the trailer.

Check the towing section as there is probably better information in there.

 

You probably know this but... If dry it is 7,300lbs, then road ready she is probably somewhere around 9k or a little more.

Are you running a standard ball or some sort of weight distributing hitch? If you don't already have one, I would pick up a weight distributing hitch with sway control asap.

 

Honestly, with that weight, I would be in a 3/4 ton.

But, in the mean time, if upgrading your truck isn't an option, do you have sway bars? One? Two? If you have none, add one. If you have one, add another, and crank them puppies down tight! Another option is a Hensley Arrow hitch...they are supposed to be the grand daddy of all sway controlled hitches.

And slow down...keep it in the 55-60 MPH range. 34' is a lot of trailer...especially when it's a travel trailer! And don't tow when it is extremely windy out!

 

Way way too much trailer for that truck. I would imagine your over your trucks GVW and rear axle rating for sure. What does the door sticker say for cargo? With a dry weight of 7300lbs you could be at 8500lbs loaded pretty easy. That gives you a tongue weight around 1100 lbs. Guessing thats right near the limit with the reciever. Adding a Hensley while making the tow better will put too much weight on the tongue. I would be looking at at least a 1400lb WD setup with built in sway like a Reese Dual Cam or Equalizer 4pt sway. Also theres Blue OX. Your P rated tires need to be inflated to 44psi or better yet get rid of them and get some LT tires in either D or E rated series. JMHO though you should really look into getting an F250-350 or down sizing the TT. You could spend a lot of money trying to get the truck setup right but in reality it's just not enough truck for that heavy and long of a TT.

 

Ideally, the truck should be handle a trailer that size without any trouble but we need more info--actual loaded trailer weight, tongue weight, hitch type, total loaded vehicle weight, including the passengers, etc. but without the trailer being hitched up-- before anyone can determine why you are having problems. Also, most trailer tires are only rated for only 65 mph max so trying to go any faster than that is asking for trouble in the form of tire failure.

 

Do you have the factory brake controller?

 

i would seek a 3/4 or 1 ton even if it can handle it, its like your sister you don't need to do it just because its there and you can.

 

+1 on a bigger truck... I don't know where chick up there got her info but thats way too much trailer for a 150... and on a v6 holy strain... if getting a new truck isn't an option deffinatly get a weight dis hitch with sway bars... and I would seriously advise moving up to E Rated tires and either add a leaf or air bags for the added load... all of which will help your capasity...

 

I have a 2011 f150 screw with 5.5 bed and ecoboost. My camper is 33 ft total length and dry weight of 7800 lbs. Hitch weight 780. Was told at Ford dealer that this truck was ok for the application. I have installed airbags, new LT tires and installed 1500 lb sway bars on my Reese Dual Cam. I have been to several dealers to remedy the sway situation. Talk to the camper mfg. and they too say this truck is ok for the application. Contacted Reese and they said it should pull ok. After a year of all this... I have replaced my Reese with a Hensley. In December I went to Florida for the winter and it took me 4 days to arrive with speeds at 50-55 and white knucled most of it. Installed the Hensley before coming home 2 weeks ago and arrived in 2 days, relaxed and traveled at 60-65 mph. and could pass at 70. I also do not use the Ford installed sway control. It causes a weird feeling on mine that I don't like.

 

I tow the Keystone Passport 245RB 5k dry 6k camping. I consider that max for my comfort level. The wind cross section is worse than the weight. That trailer has a beasty profile. If towing often I would get a heavier truck. For 2-3 times a year I would slow down.

It is a given you will need to spend the money and time to get the best anti sway hitch and have it setup by a competent person in the mean time.

Keystone lists the dry tongue at 800lbs. Dry weight is before options like A/C etc...

I would install a Helwig rear sway on the truck and buy a good E load tire like Michelin LTX M/S. To stiffen up the lateral play in the truck.

My last truck was a diesel F250 and I had a 8k lbs 30ft camper. I tried it with my F150 and rode the trailer sway down the interstate. I went down to a 245RB Ultra Lite trailer and Screw FX4 F150 that works well for me.

Of course there are folks on here that move homes with their F150 and get 18mpg doing so. It is free advice after all...

 

Well 7300lbs is definitely within limits of the truck assuming you arent towing with 4 people, 2000lbs of gear in that trailer and a bunch of crap in the truck. Do you have a weight distribution hitch and sway bar, if not I would look into those, also check out air bags for the rear. I tow a 9500lb boat with ease and struggles no more than my diesel did. But like others said that trailer probably weighs more like 9k with stuff if in it which is still fine but you would have to be careful with the people that are in the truck and gear in the truck.

Trailers do act like sails and can be all over the place on any truck but even more so on a F150. Getting into a new truck probably isnt economical for you. I would ensure you have the right hitch set up, watch your loading of the trailer, and you should be fine. Also how far are you going, if you are within an hour or so Im not sure that warrants a big diesel. Also you said a little wobbly, I have towed things with cars, vans,F450, F250, they all get a little wobbly

 

Thanks for the info everyone. Here is my set up. 2011 F-150 FX4 EcoBoost. 2 1/2" Leveling Kit, 1.5" Add A Leaf. 305/65/R18 BFG A/T 10 ply. Max Trailer tow Pkg of course it has factory trailer brake. I also have Equilizer Brand Weight Dist Setup. And If I have had the truck for over a year I would trade. But as of right now, I am not in the position to trade unless I trade both my truck and my Jeep.

 

RICHF28- Thanks for the detailed info. How much is the Hensley Set Up?? It pulls and handles great, until I get a cross wind, then I have a really tight grip on the wheel. LOL.

 

you sure the leveling kit and such doesnt degrade your towing? That could be an issue there. The ace ends in trucks stick up higher for reason not to just look ugly.