Just purchased a 2005 Forest River Wildcat 25RKS Travel Trailer this last weekend and am planning on going camping every single weekend all summer long (maybe even all year long).

Can anyone tell me if I'll need to worry about anything, taking into consideration the stats below:

2002 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat FX4
5.4l Triton V-8 / 3.55
Towing Package w/tranny cooler
1000# Weight-distributing Hitch
Primus Digital Brake Controller

2005 Forest River Wildcat 25RKS Travel Trailer
Hitch Weight - 650#
Dry Weight - 6260#
Fresh Water - 43gal (345#)
Propane - Dual 7gal (120#)
Wet Weight - 6725#
1000# of Cargo (assuming the worst)
Fully Loaded - 7725#

According to lengthy conversations with both the Ford Dealer and the Trailer Dealer, I should be just fine and dandy, but somehow I hold the "end user's" opinions in high regard as opposed to the "stealerships."

So, tell me guyz and galz, will I run into any trouble down the road?

Thanx.

 

You also need to add for black and gray water, plus passengers and other things loaded in truck.

There are those that pull with similar and say it's fine, probably wish you had more pwer on those steep grades but take thjings easy and have fun.

FM

 

Well, you have a GCWR of #13000 assuming you have the 16" wheels. If you have the 17" wheels, it's #12500..... This also assumes the stock tire size too....

You gotta whole lot O trailer there at #6260 dry....

I ain't saying your truck can't tow it, but it ain't gonna win any races. You might also be hating life up any long grades....

Going back to your GCWR numbers...... You might be OK, if your truck weighs in at around #5300 if your loaded trailer weight figures are correct.

The problem with the "tow rating" you see for your truck and what the dealers love to quote is that it's based off of the curb weight of your truck.... That's a zero optioned (other then tow package) truck... You seen a "work truck" before?? That's what they are talking about. No additional passengers, no additional stuff.... Not even a six pack of beer!!

Just to put a little "real world" perspective on this, my truck is rated for #12500 GCWR and the manual says my "tow rating" is #7700..... Ok, that's great.... But, in the real world, my truck is maxed out on it's GVWR of #6250 with a little #4500 travel trailer!! That's right, I have a little 22', #4500 camper and when I'm all loaded up and ready to roll, it weighs just a tad over my #6250 GVWR.... I don't worry about it, because it does tow very well.... I live in Washington state, and I go East all the time, but that requires going over the Cascades..... Not too bad really, but it's got some long 6% grades that reduce me to second gear and 3500 rpms going about 50 mph.... I'm only 1/2 way into the gas pedal, and I can go faster, but it's really not necessary.... I suspect if I had a #7000 trailer in tow, I'd be "pedal to the metal" for sure.....

Now, your '02 has a bit more hp/tq then mine, but it's only 30 more hp and 20 more tq.....

Anyway, what I consider a "comfortable tow" and what you consider a "comfortable tow" might be two completely different things.... I would invest in a REAL water temp gauge and get a trans temp gauge too.... I have both and it's nice to see what your fluid temps are..... That tells me how hard I'm really working my truck.

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Yeah, it'll be a pretty good tug. I've got a truck like yours(only an XLT though), and I pull a 24' Westwind that's about 1000lbs less than yours and I definitely feel it on the hills. Those 3.55's are great for running empty, but as soon as you put a load on them your mpg is going to be cut in half. I had a 99 F250 light model(basically a heavy half F150) with the 3.73's and the 4R100 tranny and that truck handled the same trailer much better, but, at the expense of poorer fuel economy when empty. Your Screw will handle it fine, but you just can't push too hard.

 

You'll be way over GCWR and the tow rating. FX4 = 17" tires = 12500 GCWR and 7100 tow rating. Most people recommend 20
% under those numbers and you'll be closer to 20% over when loaded up with people can cargo.

 

I have a similar vehicle with the 3.55 gear. Towing a 5,500 lb trailer with 4 people and gear was no problem. I did not tow with either water and would always empty grey and black tanks. Your set up would be right at the high limit with little to no margin. I'd be concerned about the tranny temp, I think this is the weak link in the F 150 set up.

 

You'll be over all your weight ratings. However, not by too much. If you're going to be towing it as much as you state, I would definitely swap out for some 4.10 gears and you'll thank the Lord you did every time you tow the trailer.