Looking for insight and experiences on towing a 30' Airstream Travel Trailer with a GVW of 8,800# WITH a 2011 F150 EcoBoost 157" Bed, 4x4 with a HD Tow Package and 3.73 Rear End.

ALL the charts say I can tow up to 11,200 pounds, but in talking with the trailer people they cannot belive it. I know it can do it on the flats, but what about in the hills of WV and western PA? I don't want to be lugging up a hill on an interstate at 40MPH.

Thanks

Bud

 

You might be but can't say for sure, but I know those airstreams are HEAVY. I've seen people pull 25 foot TTs with rangers and other similarly sized vehicles, I'm not saying they should have been allowed to do it but the truck would get the load moving. You'll be able to get the load moving. How fast? Wont know for sure until you try it. Just be careful on your temps and I think Ford recommends higher grade fuel in certain applications. Probably wont hurt to do that.

 

It may be under the max trailer rating, but it may be over one or more other ratings - payload, GVWR, GAWR.

The EB has plenty of power to tow heavy. I would use premium fuel while towing, and definitely use tow/haul mode on the tranny. You need a proper weight distribution hitch.

 

Longshot and glc I thank you. I got all that, know about equalizers etc, towed a lot up until about 18 years ago, but then a 24 footer with a 454 Suburvan 3/4 Ton. This set up has me concerned so I've talke my wife into considering cancelling the order on the Eco and going with a F250 Diesel. But love the econ on the Eco and the truck we ordered is my retirement truck, I want it to me rigth for what we want to do.

Thanks

 

Honestly, you would be much better off with a Super Duty towing that kind of load. You probably wouldn't even need the diesel, I'd bet the 6.2 gasser would tow it fine unless you go out west into the REAL mountains.

The EB gets decent mileage unloaded, but I hear it really sucks the gas down towing - expect about 8 mpg. I think a SD with either the diesel or 6.2 would do better than that.

 

I would have no problems doing that with a max trailer towing package F-150. That should have about the full receiver rating of 1150 pounds of tongue weight. Estimate the weight of you and spouse, and whatever gear you plan to put in the bed. When shopping, open the driver's door and look for this sticker. Find one with at least your minimum estimated number plus 1150 for trailer tongue. A Max tow package or HD payload package F-150 should be enough. As for the EB pulling power, just wait until you hook up a trailer. Most people have never pulled with a gas engine so strong at 2000rpm.

 

As a comparison, I tow this 32', ~7700 lb trailer (14550 CGVW on the scale) with an '09 5.4 3.55 and average 9 MPG. W/o the trailer, I average in the high 17's in the summer and low 17's in the winter. I have a custom tune with a Gryphon CTS. This trailer is particularly tall, 12'3" at the peak, 11'3" across the back.

(My hitch wasn't perfectly set up in this photo, I sit dead-level hooked up now. 2" AS leveling kit, 30 PSI in Firestone Air Springs, Reese Straight-Line hitch w/ 1200 lb bars)

 

I have a few questions that can be rolled into this thread.....

i have a 5th wheel camper that weighs in at 8100 lbs. i am curious to see if there are any members here that are dragging a load in the weight range around... i really like the torque curve this engine shows, and i can help but think it is a pulling machine at 2500-3000 rpm. i am currently running a 5.7L tundra and really like it. however, i will be due for a new vehicle here before too long and am trying my best to stay away from a diesel. while i know it would be idea for dragging the camper around...i dont pull it that far and i cant justify the extra money on initial cost, fuel, and upkeep on a diesel. my tundra handles the camper great, and has enough power to pull it. however, i am open to options (and a ford man at heart) so i cant help but look into this new power plant from ford.

-what gear can you consistently pull in (with the exception of large hills)?
-what rpm are you at when going 60-65?
-when going up small hills, with the ecu allow more boost to gain power (rather than down shift like a NA gas engine)......or is it similar to a diesel
-what is your camper pin weight? how does the rear suspension in the F150 handle it? (I've run air bags in my last two half tons, and will continue to do so in my next half ton)
-and the ever famous question, what kind of mileage. i read a few threads, but couldnt seem to find any feedback from anyone pulling an RV or enclosed trailer with this much weight.

 

Well we spent a season towing the 25 foot with the EcoBoost - However, we are either right on the gross raiting of the truck payload wise or over. Now we traded the 25' foot for a 30', much heavier and hearvier hitch weight. So, we tried the Ecoboos absolutly no issue with power et al. But when things are loaded, us included - way over payload of the truck. So, we are selling the truck to a neighbor, our one year cost less fuel and insurance $1,350.00. And we ordered a 2012 F250 Diesel Lariet, pretty well loaded.

I am one who would rather be safe than sorry.

Thanks

 

I pull with mine and it works perfectly fine. Just watch your weights and go for it...

 

I have the same exact truck. My trailer is 33' and has a gvwr of 8200lbs.Fully loaded for camping it weighed in at 7500lbs. My truck has a gvwr of
7700lbs and weighed in at at 7540lbs hooked to the trailer, full of fuel, family on board and some gear in the bed. My trailers tongue weight is around 900lbs(loaded).
This is by far the best truck I have ever owned! It tows unbelievably!!! On the steepest hills it never sees over 2600 rpm's in 4th with the cruise set at 65mph.On the flats it cruises along at 1600rpm's in 6th.
Depending on how much towing You plan on doing I see no reason why the ecoboost wouldn't do the job.When your not towing it gets good mpg and rides like a cadillac! The only complaint I have with my truck is the 26gal fuel tank. I say if your under the trucks GVWR and RAWR GO FOR IT!!!

 

Pulling my 33' 7500lb(wind sail) i have average a best of 10.6mpg and a worst of 9.8mpg on the hills.

 

I've said it here, or on other forums before...I don't want to pull a 30' bumper with a 1/2ton, let alone a 3/4 or 1 ton. They are misserable. Weight wise, you'll be fine. That little engine puts out great #'s and a very wide gasser band. And for the post above mines quoted section, diesel engines do not have engine braking without an actual engine or exhaust brake. Just friction between ground/engine/trans/etc. This is why diesels vary so much in there air/fuel ration and gasoline engines remain roughly ???/1.

 

That is what i meant" exhaust brake" . All the new diesels have them. What do you have against bumper pulling?? There are millions of people doing it. I'm assuming you just haven't had the correct setup. I picked my trailer up 5 hours from home and the ride home was all white knuckles thanks to the dealer for such a wonderful setup on the WD hitch. When i got home and took my time adjusting the setup. It's a night and day difference towing now. Amazing how much of a difference can be made by a few minor adjustments.

 

*IF* I wanted a 30' TT, I'd get a 5er and a Super Duty to pull it with. I'm not saying that a F-150 can't tow a big bumper pull, I'm saying that it's not the "right" way to go.