Tow Vehicle Size Question

[tld]

I currently own an F250 6.5L Diesel that I use to pull my Jayco Eagle. I also own a 25-foot bumper pull ( 4,800 lbs and 480 lbs hitch weight). I am, however, selling the Eagle and keeping the bumper pull. I had no intention of selling the F250, but I've had a lot of interest from potential buyers in purchasing both the F250 and the Eagle as a package. If I sold the F250, I would of course need to replace it and I would probably look at the Ford F150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. Although not opposed to considering Chevy or Ram. Just looking for comments from those of you that have some experience regarding this issue and wondering what you would do. Thanks

[Midnightmoon]

Any properly equipped modern 1/2 ton should be able to handle a ~5000 lb travel trailer. I say properly equipped because there is so much variation in suspension packages, equipment, etc.

Verify your tongue weight on your travel trailer with a trip to the CAT or other certified scale. Once you have that number, you can verify if the 1/2 ton you are looking at will have enough payload capacity.

I personally have a 3.5L Ecoboost F150 (my wife's truck). We've towed our similarly sized 22BHM with it for the last 5 years. It handles it very well.

[tld]

Are using a weight distribution and anti-sway on your F150 when pulling your trailer?

[Midnightmoon]

Yes, I use an Andersen WD hitch system. It has integrated sway control.

[Marcm157]

I towed my 28BHBE with my F150 3.5 3coboost and it had all the power I could ever want but in my opinion it was just slightly too little truck for that camper which weighed in at just under 8k loaded for camp as well as the 35 foot length. I loved the truck and hated getting rid of it...

As far as answering the OP what year is your 250 and are you sure it has a 6.5?

[Jerry713]

I used to pull a 28’ travel trailer that was 6800 lbs loaded with a 3.5 ecoboost. Had plenty of power but the truck was too light for that trailer. I believe your trailer though is within 1/2 ton limits. You will need a quality weight distribution hitch with anti-sway but I it should work fine.

[JFlightRisk]

We have an F150 SC 3.5 twin turbo with the Max Tow option, our TT is a tad smaller at 4400 dry, with a max of 6200, and does pull it easily. Using an Equalizer WDH. with integrated 4-point sway control

[tld]

My typo. Engine is a 6.7L Power Stroke

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by tld

snip......I also own a 25-foot bumper pull ( 4,800 lbs and 480 lbs hitch weight).......snip

Just for confirmation, the 4,800lbs is the TT's GVWR (?).

Bob

[LuckyDuck]

Our Jayco is slightly heavier than yours but sounds very similar. I’ve never regretted having a 3/4-ton and the diesel, even with a WDH. I can’t speak to the capabilities of a lighter truck with your trailer but others will and I suspect a half-ton would work fine. If it’s a 6.7, it’s at least a 2011. If you know your truck, it’s problem free and runs well, do you really want to get rid of it? Like they say, you can’t have too much truck. (You can have too many truck payments, though).

[tld]

The 4800 lbs is dry weight. GVWR is about 6300

[wordsmyth]

I'm pulling our 224BH (GVWR 5600 lbs, ULVW 2230) with a '17 Nissan Titan, 5.6L gasser. Towing capacity on the truck is 9,310 and it pulls the bunkhouse fine for our purposes around the southeast USA.

That said, we have friends who are on a once in a lifetime road trip taking in all of the USA national parks, to include a jag up to Alaska over the summer. They are towing a 40' 5th wheel and just two weeks ago had to replace their truck after it died on them in northern Idaho. Bottom line: they had too much camper and not enough truck for that type trip.

So I agree with those who are asking, "Why get rid of your truck if it is problem free and you are happy with it?"

[tld]

I asked the question and I'm giving consideration to selling my truck along with the camper because potential buyers are offering a significant amount above the actual value of the truck for the convenience of buying both the camper and truck together. And, since I won't technically need the 3/4 ton after selling the fifth wheel, I have to at least consider the feasibility of selling the 3/4 ton for more than it's worth and then buying a half-ton, which is all that I will really need to pull my smaller trailer.

[DocBrown]

Take a look at your GVWR for the 25' trailer. Is the GVWR 4800# or is that the "dry weight". If that's the dry weight, potentially your GVWR could be 6000# or more. Dry weight is a myth and you will never tow it at that weight. More likely you'll be closer to the GVWR when ready to camp. The F150 should still handle that fine, but make sure you know what you are really towing.

[tld]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

Take a look at your GVWR for the 25' trailer. Is the GVWR 4800# or is that the "dry weight". If that's the dry weight, potentially your GVWR could be 6000# or more. Dry weight is a myth and you will never tow it at that weight. More likely you'll be closer to the GVWR when ready to camp. The F150 should still handle that fine, but make sure you know what you are really towing.

Right, my dry weight is 4800. GVWR is 6300.

[wordsmyth]

Originally Posted by tld

I asked the question and I'm giving consideration to selling my truck along with the camper because potential buyers are offering a significant amount above the actual value of the truck for the convenience of buying both the camper and truck together. And, since I won't technically need the 3/4 ton after selling the fifth wheel, I have to at least consider the feasibility of selling the 3/4 ton for more than it's worth and then buying a half-ton, which is all that I will really need to pull my smaller trailer.

Roger that. I understand the motive to sell, and in a similar circumstance I would likewise be tempted.

That said, owning a known, reliable tow vehicle is huge - especially in today's bizarre automotive market. As a local friend is fond of saying, "I'd just rather deal with the devil I know, than have to become acquainted with another one."

Different topic - the edit button disappears after a few minutes, and I didn't catch a typo in my earlier post until after it had vanished. The correct ULVW on the 224BH is 4230.

[tld]

Originally Posted by wordsmyth

Roger that. I understand the motive to sell, and in a similar circumstance I would likewise be tempted.

That said, owning a known, reliable tow vehicle is huge - especially in today's bizarre automotive market. As a local friend is fond of saying, "I'd just rather deal with the devil I know, than have to become acquainted with another one."

Different topic - the edit button disappears after a few minutes, and I didn't catch a typo in my earlier post until after it had vanished. The correct ULVW on the 224BH is 4230.

Wordsmyth, Point well taken. And I do really love my F250!

[LuckyDuck]

Originally Posted by tld

Wordsmyth, Point well taken. And I do really love my F250!

Not to beat a dead horse, but that “above value” price you’re offered for the 250 may be gobbled up by the “above value” prices dealers are asking for new trucks. A year ago, they were crazy high. I think they’ve started returning to earth but not like the old days. One hand taketh, the other hand giveth…

[Cincinnati Kid]

Easy- The F150 is the ideal truck overall- It's my goal to own one some day, and I really wanted one when we got this trailer.
BUT- We are towing a 5th wheel all over the country, and a 150 is just not heavy duty enough for this. It's not even something to argue about.
So if we were still working, and I wanted a daily driver/work truck to occasionally pull a small trailer to the county campground, the F150 would be perfect.
But for long distance towing, you're going to be happier with the Super Duty.

[bucko]

My suggestion would be to view the tow posting (pamphlet) of the truck and engine size prior to purchase. I would not necessarily trust what the salesperson says, but get it in the writing.

If you do a Google search on F0rd F-150 tow specs, you will find the Ford official specs. Then do the same for any other truck manufacturer you are considering, then go shopping for best price/deal.