2010 Screw 4x4 3.31 towing need help
 

I bought a used 2010 F150 screw with 89k mikes on in the spring and I also bought a new travel trailer. The truck seems to pull great and it has never red lined while towing. I pull at 70 mph (cruise control) most of the time up hill, down hill and on flat roads no issues. Only time the truck has been over 5k RPMS while towing is when I was passing going up a hill at 75mph (northern MI has some highways that are 75mph). The truck has never over heated or made any strange noises while towing. I have only had 1 bad experience while towing and that's when there was a cross wind of about 30mph that caused me to have to drive at about 50-55mph and it was really beating on the truck causing a bit of sway and bouncing. My truck and trailer setup is as follows:

Truck:
F150, Screw, 5.4, 3.31 axle, trailer tow package, wheel base 145, 18" chrome clad wheels, Goodyear Wrangler P275/65R18 tires, 7200# GVWR package

Weight ratings:
GVWR: 7200
Truck: 5788
Cargo: 1412
GCWR: 14000
Max Trailer weight: 8100

Eaz lift 48752 recurve R3 WDH 10000lb rated

Trailer:
2017 Jayco Jay flight SLx 264bhw
unloaded: 4615
dry hitch: 485
GVWR: 6500
Cargo: 1885
length 29' 3"
width: 96"
hight: 125 1/2"

My scale weight truck and trailer loaded is right at 13500-14200 which at times is at max capacity or over. Like I said the truck has never had an issue except the one time with cross winds. I have towed this exact setup a little over 5000 miles total this past summer. This is my first truck that I have ever used for towing and this is my first travel trailer as well. I the salesman at the trailer dealership said I would be perfectly fine with this setup and I did not properly educate myself on the situation before making the purchase of the truck or trailer as far as towing capabilities/needs were concerned. I have searched the forums for towing guidance or info as far as my exact setup goes for the truck but was unable to find a thread; I appologize if one existed that I missed.

With all of the information provided do you think my set up is ok or should I consider getting a new truck? Everything except the tire s appears to be stock on the truck.

A F250 would make for a more stable tow, but what you have is fine if it's performing to your satisfaction.

Thanks glc. Do you think I am running any risks with my current weights and equipment at all?

I don't think so. 200 over GCWR isn't bad, but I would be concerned if the truck itself (front and rear axle weights) is much over 7200 on the scales.

Cross winds eff up semi trucks, so if that's your only concern while towing, that's the way it is with those kind of cross winds.. Not much else you can do. It is what it is. Head winds, cross winds suck while towing anything with anything..

You just gotta decide for your self when it's time to pull over when it gets too bad. IMO, you are basically maxed out on your combo on a good day, so adding wind will only make it that much more "interesting"..

I know, because I've done the same thing many times and sometimes, you just pull over and wait it out.. If that isn't an option, then there you go.. Do what you need to do and hope you don't end up on the 11 o'clock news.. ;) Or just slow the eff down... ;)

Good luck!

Mitch

Thanks for the advice Mitch.

I've been reduced to going 45 mph in 2nd gear towing my #5000 TT in a 25-30 mph head wind before. Cross winds are even worse. (not this truck, but an older F150 with 5.4 and 3.55 gears)

It's not so much the weight, it's the length of the trailer that gets you in the winds. It just turns into a big sail in the end.

Lot more to towing than just the "tow rating" too.. I tow a trailer way under that "tow rating" for a reason.. And that is, it tows much nicer than towing something at it's "tow rating".. I've done that before for many years and it just is not that much fun.

Good luck!

Mitch