I am ready to pull the trigger on a new camper. I have been going back and fourth on a few different models but i have my heart set on one. Just not sure if it might be to much for my truck?? I know the motor can handle it just not sure about the truck? I have asked this same question on a different site and was told by a few big Diesel dully owners to buy a real truck otherwise stick to little travel trailers. So i decided to ask here. This is what im looking at.

2012 Keystone Cougar 29bhs
dry weight-6300lbs
carrying capacity-1500lbs
hitch weight-850lbs
length-32'

Tow vehicle- 2011 F150 FX4 SCrew Ecoboost
157" wheelbase with Max Tow Pkg

 

Kevin, Is that a fifth wheel or travel trailer? Either way, you should have no problems. I got that same crap from all the SuperDuty gurus. As long as you stay under your GVWR, don't worry about it. I tow a RF287RL Open Range fifth wheel, which has a dry weight of 7700#, and pin weight of 1300# with a 2009 F150 157" wheelbase with max tow and 3.73 rear end. I just completed a 2400 mile trip through the mountains and the panhandle of Texas with no problems.

 

Power wise, you should be okay as you say.. It'll be working hard, so don't think it won't..

The biggest thing is payload capacity on the truck itself. What is the GVWR of your truck? Should be at least #7200 I'd think.

You should also have a 'payload' figure on the same sticker. What does it say?

If it's in the #1200 range, you'll be pushing your payload with the hitch weight alone, plus whatever else you are hauling in the truck.

From there it's just what you feel comfortable with towing... Can you tow over your payload? Sure... I do it all the time... But, I'm comfortable with it and know my truck and it's not like I'm hauling a "Desi and Lucy" size TT!

Peoples towing performance tolerance is very speculative, so what is a good tow for me, might be the worst thing to someone else and visa versa...

IMO, as long as you still feel you have control of the rig in varying towing situations, the rest is whatever you want to deal with..

On the 'best days', you could probably tow that trailer with a Chevy S-10... On a 'bad day', it won't be so pretty.... I know you can say that about any setup, but for us to compare what we are towing to something you want to tow is going to be speculative at best and while you have an F150 equipped to tow a pretty good amount, it's more than just 'tow ratings' that make for a happy tow and satisfied driver!

Good luck with it! Towing can be fun and I enjoy it very much when it's the right combo!

Mitch

 

Honestly, your truck sounds like the perfect set-up. Just watch the weight of family members and gear that you load into the truck. Place as much of your gear in the trailer with a close eye on how you balance the weight in the trailer. The longer wheelbase is nice, but get a good WD hitch with anti-sway from the trailer dealer. You'll be amazed how well that V6 can tow!

 

The GVWR on my truck is 7700lbs and the payload is 1700lbs. I just want to make sure im not over the limits. Safety for the family is #1! When i talk to the dealer they make it seem a chevy S-10 is fine for the job! I also know you shouldn't go by the dry weight ratings. So thats why i have concerns..

 

Your not kidding about how this tows!! My camper now is about 5500lbs loaded and it pulls like its not even there! Compared to my old 2007 FX4 with 5.4L it's like night and day. The better gas mileage is just icing on the cake!

 

That's a decent GVWR and Payload figure, so you should be 'okay' for the most part IMO. Since you know what it does with a #5500 TT, you'll have a better idea of what'll it be like with the heavier one. It sounds like the new one will be around #7800 GVWR, so even if you max out the trailer, you should still be okay..

Mitch

 

You should be alright with that trailer. I'm not familiar with the maxtow package though, is it the old 7700 package with the heavier axles and 7 lug wheels or is it a standard half ton? For what it's worth I have a 7700 package on mine and it hauls and tows ridiculously well. However, make sure to do regular maintenance on the truck, use a brake controller and be aware of the differences while towing.

 

The max tow pkg consists of the telescoping tow mirrors, heavier payload, 373 gears, and a integrated brake controller in the dash just like the Super Duty. I think thats it.

 

You have margin to spare. No problem for the truck. Your tongue weight and trailer weight will be significantly higher than the dry weight, but you are so far below your truck's specs, that you should be fine. My "dry" tongue spec was 540 lbs, it actually weights 960 lbs when I weighed it.

Even fully loaded, you will be fine. It will work very hard pulling up big hills, but that is simply because you are doing a lot of work!

 

You will be fine only if you don't fill up the truck and bed with people and cargo. That will put you over GVWR and payload. Remember - payload = contents of truck + contents of bed + tongue weight. You have 1700 # to play with there. Your tongue weight could very well be over 1000 #, which will actually put you over the rating of most 1/2 ton truck hitches. Maybe the max tow hitch goes to 1200 # with weight distribution, you are gonna have to check that.

 

IN MY OPINION, that's too close to the max limit of the truck for 99% of drivers on the roads today...


unless you tow it empty and have a second vehicle follow with the gear

 

Well i think i have decided to step down to the 26BHS instead of the 29BHS.It has 2 less bunks but will set my mind at ease on those long road trips..
Dry weight-5800lbs
Hitch weight-575lbs
Length-28'

 

I dont know about the states. But here in Canada, if the DOT pulls you over and your over weight. You'll be paying for a tow truck and a nice fine.

 

I should have plenty of payload left over if i get the Keystone Cougar 26BHS. I just really wanted the 29BHS because of the 4 bunks instead of only 2 bunks in the 26BHS.