Hi all,

I have been looking around the site the last couple days. Got a lot of great info.

We are about to buy are first Travel trailer.
We have a 2010 F150 4x4 SuperCrew, 5.4 L, 3.73 electronic lock RR Axle, 7350# GVWR package, FX4 157"WB StyleSide.
We narrowed it down to 3 trailers we like.

Outback 312BH
Shipping weight 7585
Carrying capacity 1415
Hitch weight 765

Hornet 31RBDS
Shipping weight 7995
Carrying capacity 1625
Hitch weight 820

Puma 31-BHSS
Shipping weight 8,183 lbs
Carrying capacity 2,788 lbs.
Hitch weight 812 lbs

Would the F150 be-able to tow any of this trailers? I know I would need a brake system installed, and a WD hitch?
We also have a 2010 Expy, with a 5.4L. Not for sure of the other stuff, don't have the window sticker for it like the F150.

Thanks,

john

 

My .02, ALL those trailers should be towed by a super duty or better. With a 7350 gvw you'll be out of available payload in a hurry. Not to mention those trailers are really too long for a half ton pickup. Yes you will need a good WD hitch and a good brake controller

 

Your tongue weights will be close or over 1000 pounds when loaded. If you have any passengers going and anything in the bed of your truck you will be overloaded. If you have rear storage, you may be able to offset the tongue weight with some load in the back, but as said many times to others, you will run out of payload well before max trailer weight or GVWR.

 

If those shipping weights were your loaded weights, you'd be better off, but still pretty heavy IMO.

Once you load up your truck (SuperCrew = Family), put some stuff in the bed and add the LOADED tongue weight on your truck, you'll likely exceed one or more of your trucks other weight ratings.. Namely, GVWR and rear GAWR.

You may not like the towing performance of that combo either.. That's very subjective of course, but I know I wouldn't like it....

I'd be thinking smaller trailers or a truck with at least #2400 of payload and a full float rear end!

Mitch

 

If you are going to buy any one of those 3 trailers, I'd trade in one of the vehicles for a Super Duty. You don't necessarily need the diesel, but you DO need the stronger chassis, etc. I'd probably get a SRW F-350.

If you want a TT that you can tow comfortably with your F-150, I'd look for one that has a dry weight more in the 6000# range and a length no more than 28'.

 

ok, thanks.

Later,

John

 

Hi all,

Thanks for the reply's. I was afraid of that, to much trailer and not enough truck. Have to go back and see what smaller trailers we like.

Later,

John

 

Hi,
You talking dry weight of under 7000#? Would a 6500# TT be ok?

Thanks,

John

 

This will help you with your calculations.

Fill up the gas tank and load the truck the way you would to go on a trip - all the people, luggage, tools, whatever that you will be carrying in the *truck*. Go run it over a truck scale and subtract the weight from the GVWR listed on the door jamb sticker. This will give you the maximum tongue weight allowed. A 6500# "dry" trailer is going to be considerably more than that loaded and ready to go. Tongue weights can vary from 8% to 15% of the trailer weight.

 

A couple of things...

Put in the oem brake controller, not aftermarket brake switch to get the integrated sway control. Without this, don't pull near the limit.

You can likely tow any of these without issue, but you will need to load them lightly and tow with your tanks empty. If you get a good hitch (reese strait-line w/ 1200 lb bars), you shouldn't have any sway issues.

You may want to consider air springs to prevent squat, but setting the hitch takes more care.

You will be a little slow pulling large hills. Just move to the slow lane and take them in third. No need to scream up them in second.

I tow a 32' tt with my 09, and have no issues. You have more gear (mine is a 3.55) and more payload (my gvw is 7200) than I do.

 

Too much. Can you live without the outdoor kitchen? That adds a lot of weight. Lightest one I found was Coachmen Freedom Express 292 with optional OK at about 5800 pounds dry. How many bunks do you need? Something like my TT, the Heartland North Trail 28BRS or several others that are similar like Rockwood 2702SS would be better, 5k-ish dry, 6000-6500 pounds loaded, 900 pounds on the tongue, 500 left for family and bed gear.

 

Have you looked at the Keystone Cougar X-Lite TT?? That's what we are getting next season. The 26bhs is only 5910#'s dry with 1890#'s of carrying capacity or maybe the 28RBS which is 6387#'s and 1813 carrying capacity??

 

Hi all,


Thanks for all the reply's. we are now looking at the light weight Travel trailers. some good floor plans that are around 5500 lbs.

I'm sure I will have more questions. Keep a eye out for me on here.

later,

John