Now that we have purchased our new Ecoboost Supercrew with the Max Tow Pkg my wife and i want to upgrade to a bigger trailer. All this time all i have been concerned with was weight and never thought twice about the length of a trailer being a problem? I have been reading a few post stating that 1/2 ton trucks should not pull long travel trailers? What is considered long?? I have 2 campers im interested in and both are under my tow rating and also under the GCVWR of 17,100#'s. So should i be worried about the length of the trailer?? These are the two im looking at. Thanks for any input!

1st - Cougar X-Lite 26BHS
dry- 5808lbs
fully loaded-7800lbs
hitch- 575lbs
length- 28' 11"

2nd- Cougar X-lite 29BHS
dry-6300lbs
fully loaded- 8200lbs
hitch-850lbs
length- 32' 6"

 

What they mean is that since a longer trailer is most likely heavier, a 1/2 ton shouldnt tow it. so basically just get a trailer that weighs less than what your truck is rated to tow

 

Anything much over 28 feet is getting out of 1/2 ton territory unless you have a really long wheelbase. It's more a stability issue than weight, with a long trailer the tail wants to wag the dog. That's why the Super Duty has the electronic sway control integrated with the trailer brakes - the sway control on the F-150 only works with the truck brakes as a supplemental system. You will need a quality weight distribution hitch with sway control.

 

What formula do you use (and where did you find it) to come up with 28 feet for a 1/2 ton? I have read a number of opinions on what should be towed by 150/1500 series trucks but no published limitations. The vehicle manufacturers have weight limits on almost every piece of their running gear but no specifications for max length.

 

you said "Super Duty has the electronic sway control integrated with the trailer brakes" i belive that all ford trailer brakes are intergrated with the the sway controll hence the integreated part that is if your truck has sway control in it.
am i wrong?

 

I don't. I'm simply giving you MY opinion.

Not the way I read it, but I may be wrong. I read it as the F-150 sway control is not integrated into the trailer brakes, just the truck brakes.

 

That's the way of man.

We want a truck, so we get it.

Now we want a trailer, so we get it.

Now we want a bigger truck to better tow the trailer, so we get it.

Now we want a bigger trailer since truck tows so nice, so we get it.

I can see it now .... here comes the F-350 Dually Screw 4X4 and then the 43 footer with triple slide outs !

LOL ..... J/K

Longer trailer means more momentum in the two ends when a slight sway is initiated as they tend to sway around a center near the trailer axles. A F150 will pull it, but the weight and bulk of a larger truck will better dampen and thus control the greater momentum.

 

Wheelbase length of the TV becomes the issue with longer trailers if you are within the trailer weight and hitch weight limits. A longer wheelbase is more stable with longer trailers. Insist that the TT dealer let you try towing both so you can see if you feel any sway.

 

There are many people happily towing 32-35' trailers with 130" wheelbase Suburbans. You have at least 144" wheelbase. I would not have a problem with either of those TT's and your truck.

My TT is 32' feet overall and it tows great behind my 138" wheelbase F-150. Get a quality hitch (Reese Strait Line, Equal-i-zer or one of those $2-3k hitches) and you'll be pleased.

 

Thanks guys!!

 

Kevin O.

Since you have the max tow and 6.5' bed, why not look at light weight 5th wheels? I tow a 7700# dry weight Open Range RF287RL 5th wheel with my 2009 F150 max tow, 6.5' bed. Just got back from a 2400 mile trip around Texas, including the Davis Mountains, and had no trouble towing whatsoever. Also with a 5th wheel, you don't have to worry about sway at all!

 

I Have checked out a couple of light weight 5th wheels but i need bunks for the kids and there isn't that many bunk houses in fifth wheels that are light weight. Just seems like i would end up being over my payload without even trying to hard. That is a very nice looking trailer you have!!

 

You are right about the bunkhouse 5vers. Since it is just me and my wife, we do fine with this one. Just thought you would be happy with the way a 5ver tows. I had 3 TTs before this 5ver, and there is a world of difference. I would never go back to a TT.

 

http://www.openrangerv.com/light/floorplans.php

CHeck out the open range Light LF305BH. Has dry weight of 7940, with pin weight of 1400

 

Curt, even with the max towing package, that's only about 1800 pounds of payload for an XLT Supercrew 6.5' bed truck. Family of 4 plus 250 pound hitch plus 1400 dry is over the GVWR. And people put a lot of stuff in their basement storage which adds to pin weight. 5th wheel RVs are generally not practical for even the most capable half tons.

I tow a 32' TT, about 6500-7000 pounds loaded for a trip with full fresh water. The only time I had a problem with sway is when my WD hitch was not adjusted correctly. The dealer I purchased the TT from set it up great, then I made some changes to my truck, which cause the WD system to require adjustment again. I have passed opposing semis (at above the ST tire speed rating) without sway issues. I'd let me wife drive and take a nap if the kids let me. No one needs a 5er for stability.