Best Hitch for 2017 F150 5.5 box 2017 HT BHDS??

[wags999]

Bingo....not many for sure. This is why the towing capacity is really not nearly as important as cargo carrying capacity is most important. My cargo capacity is a little more than yours, we don't put much in the truck and I would not want to tow anything more than our 27 RLS. Certainly not a 5th wheel.


I don't know if the salespeople are ignorant or just liars when they say it can be towed by a 1/2 ton truck. The industry really needs to do a better job of explaining cargo capacity and matching an rv with a trucks capability. Our dealer asked for our trucks ratings before we finalized the deal.. I already knew what our capacities were but he at least double checked them.


Good Luck, better to find out now before any issues arise.

[wags999]

Yes your math appears to be correct.

[Sales_Guru]

Ok, so why does the Rear GAWR suggest the rear axle can handle 3800 lbs?

[eng45ine]

It's heartbreaking to get this news, but better to be in a situation where you can opt for a different TV or a different RV, than to be involved in an accident in which a host of scenarios can play out with consequences. This forum is so valuable, I have learned a ton of great information, you all are the best!

[cariboocreek]

Originally Posted by Sales_Guru

Ok, so why does the Rear GAWR suggest the rear axle can handle 3800 lbs?

The rear axle is already carrying close to half the weight of the truck already. Subtract whatever weight the axle is already carrying from the 3800 gawr and you have your cargo capacity. Or at least real close to it.

[Sales_Guru]

Right, that's what I was thinking. Thanks for the clarification. F250 here I come!

[Subaru297]

Don't buy anything without looking at that payload sticker first! It can be pretty eye opening. Also you might want to jump right into a F350 for the negligible cost difference. More payload capacity for your "next" trailer.

Our F250 XLT has 2700lbs on the sticker and it is a gas engine. The diesel engine 3/4 tons can be around 2000lbs of payload as the heavy engine reduces payload. So if you want a diesel look at 1 tons.

And welcome to the club! We upgraded a 1 year old F150 for our current F250 a couple years ago for the same reason. Many people here were in or are in the same boat.

[godawgs]

For just a few dollars more get a F350 SRW.

[bansai]

Originally Posted by godawgs

For just a few dollars more get a F350 SRW.

1100 dollars, but yeah it's definitely a worthwhile consideration. If you go diesel, I think it's mandatory (but that's another 9K too )

This is an expensive hobby we all have here...

We ended up upgrading to a 250 gas because the 10 grand in savings and maintenance on what will also be our stop and go daily driver. If I wanted / needed the diesel, 1 Ton truck or nothing. Payload on mine should be around 3100 lbs.

A subject of numerous other threads, but worth consideration is the actual, physical differences between a 250/2500 and a 350/3500

Get the camper package on the 250 for less than 200 bucks and you end up with the identical 350 config, yet the payload sticker changes for some reason... hmm. Once you start looking at the big trucks though, whats an extra 4 to 12 thousand dollars between friends to get what you really want

The 6.2 gas motor in 2017 is class leading... so if if you go gas, it's going to do you well. It's just shy of the torque (and has more HP) than my 2006 diesel 250 had, and it has more payload and none of the EPA stuff and increased fuel costs that ruined diesels for me.

[godawgs]

I did too and went with a 350 gas. Too many lawyers out there now chasing accidents.

[NorthPoint5r]

I just sold my Tundra and now got a 350 Chevy diesel. I showed my wife the one only short light 5er we could pull that was at the Feb RV show and then we looked at the nice ones I can't pull. We also tossed around a motorhome but economics pointed toward a 5er as the truck is company use also. A TT was out of the question. She told me that I would need a bigger truck. Did more research and found a loaded North Point then a new truck.

[JeremiahM]

Originally Posted by bansai

1100 dollars, but yeah it's definitely a worthwhile consideration. If you go diesel, I think it's mandatory (but that's another 9K too )

This is an expensive hobby we all have here...

We ended up upgrading to a 250 gas because the 10 grand in savings and maintenance on what will also be our stop and go daily driver. If I wanted / needed the diesel, 1 Ton truck or nothing. Payload on mine should be around 3100 lbs.

A subject of numerous other threads, but worth consideration is the actual, physical differences between a 250/2500 and a 350/3500

Get the camper package on the 250 for less than 200 bucks and you end up with the identical 350 config, yet the payload sticker changes for some reason... hmm. Once you start looking at the big trucks though, whats an extra 4 to 12 thousand dollars between friends to get what you really want

The 6.2 gas motor in 2017 is class leading... so if if you go gas, it's going to do you well. It's just shy of the torque (and has more HP) than my 2006 diesel 250 had, and it has more payload and none of the EPA stuff and increased fuel costs that ruined diesels for me.

The 6.2 is no where near the torque of any of the diesels offered sense the 7.3l powerstroke was upgraded in 1999. And that's only in comparison to stock tuned trucks, any with a tune would surpass it easily. Don't get me wrong, the 6.2 gas is stout, and has a great power curve, and so far as proven to be reliable.

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[bansai]

Originally Posted by JeremiahM

The 6.2 is no where near the torque of any of the diesels offered sense the 7.3l powerstroke was upgraded in 1999. And that's only in comparison to stock tuned trucks, any with a tune would surpass it easily. Don't get me wrong, the 6.2 gas is stout, and has a great power curve, and so far as proven to be reliable.

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Yeah, the diesel has a lot more torque. I was really just comparing the 570 ft lbs that my 06 diesel had with the 430 ft lbs that the gas motor has in 2017. As both motors continue to increase HP and Torque, I'm like ok... that's cool. I'd rather have more payload than the ability to pull a house off it's foundation.

If someone thinks they need over 1000 lbs of torque to tow their camper, more power to em It's available. I'd rather have more payload and save the 9000 bucks. If I had, or planned on having, a large 5er and wasn't daily driving my truck, I'd go diesel. It's more of a want, than a need for 90% of us. I have a bad history with my diesel truck, so I'm a bit jaded on the subject. The EPA has also really hurt the diesel industry to the point of completely messing up the cost / benefit equation. Fuel prices, DEF fluid, emission controls, 100 dollar oil changes, god forbid an injector goes out ( I lost 3 on my truck ).. decided that 10 grand was better spent on other things.

I talked to a few at the dealership this last week about the 6.0 disaster of a diesel, and they almost all hung their heads low and said, yes... those were the dark days for Ford. I'm glad they brought it all in house now. Their gas and diesel offerings are all really awesome now. It still came down to cost v. benefit at the end of the day. Both choices are pretty hard to beat.

[Archie]

Originally Posted by Sales_Guru

Right, that's what I was thinking. Thanks for the clarification. F250 here I come!

If your looking at a 2017 F250 you may run into a problem with leveling your 5er. I was told that the 2017 sits 4" higher than last year model. I made the same mistake as you did- ended up with a short box Chevrolet DBBL cab (fits in my garage) gas. As mentioned earlier the Diesel 2500 will run 10k more and a lower payload rating, go with a 3500 if you want diesel. Our HT 275RLS (2017) runs at 9k loaded and a pin weight of 1800 LBS. Passengers Hitch etc: run 600 Lbs- now I'm up to 2400 of payload. Door sticker says Max additional load allowed 2733 lbs. So we are 333 lbs to the good. We have the revolution pin box- very happy with setup.

[JeremiahM]

Lol, yeah injectors were expensive on the HEUI trucks, but are much less expensive now. Plus I avoid labor charges by doing the work on my own, which I am fortunate enough to be able to do so. I'll also say, once the half thought out emissions equipment is removed from most of the diesels, including the new ones, you'd be amazed how much more efficient and cooler they run, plus don't have the issues that go along with that deleted equipment. But Gas engines have come a long way, and are impressive, I would personally say if your towing 2 hrs or less each way on trips, and not going into higher elevations or up steep grades, the gas is a good option, but if your doing any combination of those things, I personally believe your better off with the diesel

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[JeremiahM]

Originally Posted by Archie

If your looking at a 2017 F250 you may run into a problem with leveling your 5er. I was told that the 2017 sits 4" higher than last year model. I made the same mistake as you did- ended up with a short box Chevrolet DBBL cab (fits in my garage) gas. As mentioned earlier the Diesel 2500 will run 10k more and a lower payload rating, go with a 3500 if you want diesel. Our HT 275RLS (2017) runs at 9k loaded and a pin weight of 1800 LBS. Passengers Hitch etc: run 600 Lbs- now I'm up to 2400 of payload. Door sticker says Max additional load allowed 2733 lbs. So we are 333 lbs to the good. We have the revolution pin box- very happy with setup.

I'm a ford guy, but I do love the looks of the new chevy/GMC HD trucks, too bad they didn't do the same front end on the 1500s. They've also come a long ways on the interiors too. That's a sharp truck you got there.

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[Archie]

Originally Posted by JeremiahM

I'm a ford guy, but I do love the looks of the new chevy/GMC HD trucks, too bad they didn't do the same front end on the 1500s. They've also come a long ways on the interiors too. That's a sharp truck you got there.

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Thanks
I have been a ford guy also- but I wanted a truck that would fit in my garage and the Chevy is a great looking truck and it's performance exceeded my expectations.

[bansai]

Originally Posted by Archie

Thanks
I have been a ford guy also- but I wanted a truck that would fit in my garage and the Chevy is a great looking truck and it's performance exceeded my expectations.

I just measured my garage, was hoping, but not optimistic that my new truck would fit. It is exactly 1/4 of an inch too long. Bummer...

It did give me reason number 47 to move.. always looking at the bright side.

[Drake]

Originally Posted by Sales_Guru

Sorry if this information has been covered elsewhere, but I've just purchased a 2017 Eagle HT BHDS and am planning on towing it with my 2017 Ford F150 Crew Cab 4X4 (EcoBoost) 5.5ft box (with Timbren SES's). The BHDS has a Revolution Pin Box so the dealer - and plenty of internet research - is suggesting that a standard (non-sliding) 5th wheel hitch is sufficient. However, I would REALLY like to hear from someone who actually has this setup because a friend is suggesting I will still need a slider for some tight spots (he bought a Demco Highjacker for his 2014 F150 5.5ft and 2017 HT BHOK).

Obviously I would tow 95% of the time in the forward position but is a slider advantageous for a newbie 5th wheeler like me when I get into tight spaces? Neither Reese nor Jayco were much help. Your thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks,


Andrew

We have a 2017 29.5 HT BHDS also, pull it with at GMC Sierra 2500HD with a 6.5ft. bed. I was also talked into putting in a slider hitch... and frankly after trying to use it a few times, determined it was too much hassle, and I did not really need it - as long as I was careful when backing into tight spaces. My slider hitch (forgot which model Reese it is), was very difficult to slide. I had to block the trailer wheels and really give the truck some gas, to get it to move and when it did it hit pretty hard at the end stop. So, for the last year we have not used the slider function - and never really needed it.

With your 5.5ft. truck bed, it is quite different geometry than mine so you may indeed need a slider...

[jamer]

One issue missed in the discussion is the axle ratios. A 3.5 eco boost with a 3.31 will not be enough to pull a 5er. I would say at least a 3.55 or even better a 3.73 axle. Than perhaps consider a 5er. My two cents says go with a 3/4 ton. You than have heavier springs, shocks and at least the 3.73 axle needed to pull between 12,000 and 15,000 lbs.