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Old 02-01-2016, 12:19 AM   #1
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F150 and 287BHSW TT. Am I OK?

I've learned a lot from you guys and I think I'm good to go, but I've also learned that tow capacity isn't everything, so I wanted to get your thoughts. I just ordered a F150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost and Max Trailer Tow package. According to the specs that should give me a 11,500 lbs tow capacity. How would you rate that for towing a 33' 287BHSW with a GVWR of 7,500? I feel like I should be well within my ability to tow this camper with that truck.

Also, the dealer is recommending a Husky Center Line TS hitch for this. What do you folks think about that product? Any good?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts on this and all the other great advice I've gotten from you all over the past year!
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Old 02-01-2016, 08:33 AM   #2
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I think the most experienced folks on this forum would advise you to hit the scales with or truck to figure out just how much available payload you have with the truck loaded (full gas, passengers, etc).

My 20113.5L ecoboost had a gross weight to 5980lbs with full fuel and me only. That left 1220lbs of cargo for my family and camper.

With full fuel, me, and the camper I was at my GVWR; and over weight on my rear axle. That is without my family in the truck. But hit the scales so you know for yourself if your okay. Nobody here will be able to tell you if you are 'ok', safe, etc.

I will tell you that the ecoboost had plenty of pulling power for my camper (similar weight loaded as yours). The half ton truck is capable of towing that camper; however, your hitch weight will be significantly higher than the 645lbs listed on the jayco web site. I would be prepared for a tongue weight of 1,000lbs easy. Mine was 1,160lb with WDH.

My experience towing a trailer of this size/weight was that under 60mph I had no complaints. Going down the highway at over 60mph, i would get pushed/pulled by every passing semi, and many pickups/SUV's.

Pulling power is no problem. Payload is maxed out. If you are planning cross country trips on the highway, be prepared that the driving experience could be tense at times, or all the time at highway speeds. The trailer weight is not the issue. The high profile size of a 30+ foot camper on a truck maxed out on payload is the issue.

If you trips are limited to local spots and <60 mph driving, I think you will be happy with that set up. I've read folks who say "I never know the trailer is back there" with the ecoboost. I think that is foolish with a 30' camper. And every time the cross wind blows, you will know it!

I love a half ton truck. It's capable of towing. It's not fun with a 30' high profile camper. If you ordered it and are stuck with it, you'll see what I mean. If you are dead set on that camper, but can reconsider the pick up, I would check out a 3/4 ton. The towing experience is night and day.

Regarding the hitch, I would either go with what the dealer is experience with that they can install and get set up 'properly' for you. Or, get what you are comfortable with and can set up properly. The key to a good WDH set up is knowing how it works and how to adjust it to work better.
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Old 02-01-2016, 09:47 AM   #3
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Payload will be your limiting factor and may be dependent on how you load your TT and TV. Scales provide concrete information to consider, it can be difficult to hit the scales with a truck or trailer that you do not have yet. The Max Tow package will increase your payload over a base F150 and provide a considerably stiffer ride while towing than an F150 without a max tow package (not to be confused with a tow package). Towing stability can further be increased with LT tires and airbags. You may wish to read about some actual towing experiences with Max Tow equipped F150's on the truck forums when making your decision.
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Old 02-01-2016, 10:35 AM   #4
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A lot depends on what else you plan to carry in your truck; family, firewood, bikes, coolers, etc?

The 287BHSW is a very nice floor plan, indicates you have kids, which means you will have more stuff than a typical weekend camping couple. You can safely assume your tongue weight will be 900+ lbs once you factor in batteries, propane, WD hitch and a few items in the front pass through.

Without knowing your actual weights it is only a guess, but I think you will be getting very close, if not over, your payload capacity.

Since you are ordering a new truck, why not get max payload as well as Max tow packages? That will certainly give you some advantage over a typically configured 150/1500 series truck.
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Old 02-01-2016, 10:36 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Ottawasteve View Post
Towing stability can further be increased with LT tires and airbags..
Ottawasteve: do you have LT tires and airbags? When I had my F150 I tried a couple things to improve the towing. I was shopping LT tires and airbags for the F150 before I traded vehicles.

Just wondering if you have them, and your opinion of them in your situation. Don't mean to hijack OP.
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Old 02-01-2016, 03:05 PM   #6
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Payload capacity with all of my options will be 1751 lbs. I'm doing the half ton because of budget concerns but I want to make sure what I get will handle what I'm trying to pull. We're leaning towards getting the 287 to future proof ourselves from needing to trade up in the future...I just want it to be safe too.
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Old 02-01-2016, 04:06 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Mystere View Post
Payload capacity with all of my options will be 1751 lbs. I'm doing the half ton because of budget concerns but I want to make sure what I get will handle what I'm trying to pull. We're leaning towards getting the 287 to future proof ourselves from needing to trade up in the future...I just want it to be safe too.
That payload seems a little low if your getting maxtow, unless the new generations have gone down. I was at 1832 on a '13 lariat SCREW with maxtow.

With the weight of your trailer, you will probably be within your limits I would guess but close. As others have said, go to the scale, and really watch the cargo in both the trailer and the truck. Your probably not going to be able to pull it wet without being over payload. My trailer was noticeably heavier, and i was over, but not by much.

I'll echo the higher speed towing, at 60MPH+, your gonna get pushed a little by big vehicles. Definitely recommend LT tires if you can, otherwise inflate the truck tires to max PSI before you tow. Suspension upgrade will help a lot as well, I went with the Roadmaster Active suspension, simple install, and really helped with the bounce.
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Old 02-01-2016, 04:19 PM   #8
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NO..
IMO if you are asking this question then you have some doubt or concern..
I have a half tonne truck(rated for 10,000 + towing)with a 26 Bh and i would never want to pull a bigger trailer than that with a 1/2 tonne..
Payload issues are a big problem with 1/2 tonnes. Now adays the trucks are over rated...why MAX your truck out while towing? I like to give myself a 25-30% buffer...mind you, i tow with 2 young kids and my wife in the truck and i would never put their safety at risk for a couple extra feet of trailer..
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Old 02-01-2016, 06:30 PM   #9
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I'm doing the half ton because of budget concerns but I want to make sure what I get will handle what I'm trying to pull.
Have you looked at 250/350's yet and priced them? Last time I looked, the bigger trucks can be had cheaper, since you can get them striped down. And not stripped were comparable unless looking at the diesel.

Id look at and price them before casting them aside.
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Old 02-01-2016, 06:31 PM   #10
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Buy a ProPride 3P hitch and you will be more than happy towing that TT with the new Ecoboost. The ProPride hitch is night and day difference in the way your truck will tow. You will find yourself having to to check your speed to keep it to 65 or less (due to trailer tires only). My 26Bh weighs 6800 loaded and I have absolutely no issues with any sway or wiggle from tractor trailers or any other big trucks. I can even get into the "wash" behind tractor trailers and I get not even a hint of sway. I am 100% comfortable passing by slower rigs on the interstate. My Tundra is only rated to tow 9700 or so. I am definitely over weight on cargo though. We load heavy with wood, refrigerator in bed, bikes and kayaks as well as 2 batteries on the tongue.
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Old 02-01-2016, 06:35 PM   #11
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Mystere,

I looked into the Husky CL (may have been the TS, whatever the top model is) when we got our 32 BHDS and decided against it. All the reviews I read stated it worked very well!!! But the deciding factor for me was the need to be in almost a straight line to hook up or unhook the bars. Only other complaint I read was that the hitch was "heavy". But what wdh system isn't on the heavy side??? Lol That's why I suggested the Reese DC, Reese SC, or the Equal-I-Zer 4 way system in your other thread.

As for the 287, is it the Jay Flight SLX 287 BHSW? If so, weights are as follows per Jayco's website.
UVW- 6090lbs
TW- 645lbs
GVWR- 7500lbs
CCC- 1410lbs

On average, it seems about 1000lbs is added to the trailer over the factory "dry weight" by most campers (dishes, camp chairs, bedding, food, clothes, etc). Now granted, it seems most manufactures do not inlcude the weight of some/most options (even those "mandatory options") in the "brochure" dry weight. And the propane tanks/ battery weight is not included in the "brochure" weight either. That will add ~120lbs (2-20lb tanks and battery). the options can easily add 2-300lbs alone (if not more). As a guesstimate, your loaded, ready to camp trailer could weigh ~7200lbs, You will want 12-15% tw to prevent sway. TW that is to light (not heavy enough) can and will cause sway. So your tw could range from 864-1080lbs based on 12-15% of the 7200lb loaded trailer. The wdh could weigh up to 100lbs. So you could potentially have almost 1200lbs (1080+100) of your payload capacity eaten by the tw and wdh before the family or any additional cargo is in the truck. Estimating the loaded trailer weight and tw is very tough as everyone loads their trailer different. Will the family weight and cargo keep you under the 1751lb payload of the F150 with the possible tw?

As I mentioned in your other thread, many of us have been there where we were at or over the tv gvwr. We had a '10-Chevy 1500 CCSB 4x4 5.3/6spd/3.42 with about 1550lbs payload. Depending on what was loaded in the bed we were over the gvwr by up to 200lbs. That was towing ~7200lbs with a ~920lb tw. We did have a cab high topper as well, which ate ~200lbs of the payload.

You posted you JUST ordered this truck? So it isn't a dealer trade, but factory order? Can you add the HD Payload option to the truck? That will give even more payload so if you want to take firewood with you can (within reason of course! Lol). You will still want the Max Tow package as well. Unless Ford has changed the options, these two packages will give you almost as much payload as some 250's (~2200lbs as I understand).

If you don't mind me asking, what did you mean in regards to the "budget concerns"? Is it the price of the truck, or the "after the purchase cost" (mpg)? I ask because some have posted that when they priced out a 150 w/ ecoboost/ max tow/ possibly hd payload that the price was VERY close to what a gas motor 250 was (optioned the same as far as I understood it). Can't hurt to check into it.

I know long winded, but just trying to help. Bottom line, if you watch what you pack (truck and trailer), you may be ok with the 150/287 combo weight wise. Remember (may have mentioned it in your other thread) that young(er) kids only get bigger and heavier, which is less available payload. I would bet you will never feel you need more power towing with the EB, it just all comes down to the available payload as others have mentioned here and as I did in your other thread.

One other thing to keep in mind, when you pick up your new trailer, the dealer will set up the wdh to an empty trailer. Chances are once you load it up you will need to re-adjust the hitch set up. Here is a link to wdh set up and how a wdh works.

Hopefully this helps some. Good luck!!!
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Old 02-01-2016, 08:02 PM   #12
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I have 2800lbs payload. I don't carry much in the bed just to keep at least 30% or more under payload. It makes for a better towing experience IMO.

I'd say "need-a-vacation" is right on with loaded tongue weight around 1200 or more.
And about 12%-15% tongue weight is key. One good reason you need all that weight on the tongue to keep the trailer from lifting up the rear of the TV.
It is a long trailer!

Here's a pic of the sticker on my TT door.
Loaded with 1000lbs cargo =7300lbs
7300X .15 = 1095lbs TW + WDH @100 lbs =1195lbs tongue weight
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image.jpg  
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Old 02-01-2016, 09:32 PM   #13
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I tow a 287bhsw with a f150 5.0 4x4 supercrew with DH and sway control bar and it tows fine i only drive 55 to 60 mph and have 10.5 to 11mpgs and yes when it gets very windy i can feel the tt wiggle so i just pull over n stop at any state park and camp there its better to be safe than sorry i dont carry heavy items either when i get to my destination and hook up thats when i go and purchase all my needs and yes i have also tow in the mountains of the southwest just be safe and drive slow
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Old 02-01-2016, 10:02 PM   #14
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Old 02-02-2016, 08:44 AM   #15
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Ottawasteve: do you have LT tires and airbags? When I had my F150 I tried a couple things to improve the towing. I was shopping LT tires and airbags for the F150 before I traded vehicles.

Just wondering if you have them, and your opinion of them in your situation. Don't mean to hijack OP.
Yes I have airbags and LT tires, but I haven't towed with the LT tires yet. Will have a chance to run them on a 3000 mile trip coming up in March. When I replaced my tires in December, the Michelin LTX MS2's LT were an extra $20 per tire, so I decided to go with them. The Michelin LTX MS2's come in both a P and LT tire. I had the Michelin P's on and they were much better than the Wranglers that originally came with the F150 when purchased.

I put the airbags on to reduce squat and increase the longevity of the new shocks I put on the truck. Stability was excellent before the airbags and now it is rock solid.

In my experience, the Max tow F150 rides a little harsher unloaded than a non-Max Tow F150 and results in approximately an extra 300 lbs of payload capacity. The LT tires further stiffen up the ride and riding empty with air bags filled for towing will knock loose fillings out of your teeth. I deflate them when not towing but if we park the TT and are running to get groceries or site see and we are hooking up the next day, I don't deflate them. These items which decrease unloaded comfort also increase towing comfort and stability. I have towed with a buddies 2011 F150 without Max Tow or airbags and the difference is night and day.

Many who tow in the upper capacities of their 250/2500's and 350/3500's use air bags as well not to increase capacity but rather for stability while they are within the upper limits of the rated capacities of their TVs. LT tires and airbags do not increase capacities but they do make towing more comfortable when you are in the upper limits of your capacities.
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Old 02-02-2016, 09:08 AM   #16
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Have you looked at 250/350's yet and priced them? Last time I looked, the bigger trucks can be had cheaper, since you can get them striped down. And not stripped were comparable unless looking at the diesel.

Id look at and price them before casting them aside.
+1

I upgraded from 1/2T to 3/4T last May. The 1/2T I looked at that were equipped to handle the extra weight (max tow, max payload) were VERY difficult to find, and were pretty expensive. I was able to get into a RAM 2500 gas motor for less than I could an optioned out 150/1500. It's a Tradesman (base model) but is better equipped than my GMC SLE was.

Definitely worth taking a look before you count them out.
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Old 02-02-2016, 09:16 AM   #17
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+1

I upgraded from 1/2T to 3/4T last May. The 1/2T I looked at that were equipped to handle the extra weight (max tow, max payload) were VERY difficult to find, and were pretty expensive. I was able to get into a RAM 2500 gas motor for less than I could an optioned out 150/1500. It's a Tradesman (base model) but is better equipped than my GMC SLE was.

Definitely worth taking a look before you count them out.
X2

PS- Don't sell out to the payload listed on the F150 brochure. This payload number will typically not include all the options that come with your truck on order. (ie; sunroof; side step bar; bed cover; bed line; etc.)
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Old 02-02-2016, 09:40 AM   #18
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I tow my 2015 27DSRL with my '91 Bronco and ProPride 3P and highly recommend the ProPride if you think trailer sway is a problem. As far as towing weight I changed from 3.55:1 gearing to 4:56:1 and it made a world of difference.
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Old 02-02-2016, 10:56 AM   #19
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Thank you all for your insightful comments and experience. I'm so torn...I told the dealer to hold off on the F150 order and now I'm looking at the F250. It doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles the more consumer oriented F150 has but it seems like that would tow whatever we choose better. Then again I really like the F150 and a lot of you say that would be fine. Plus 95% of the time I'm just going to be driving this to work and around town...we only camp a couple times a month during the warm months. But I'm leaning towards making the safe choice and going with the F250...assuming I like it (seeing it tonight). I'd hate to spend all that money and then discover I can't safely pull the trailer over the mountains. After all, that's why I'm doing this in the first place.

When I mentioned budget I was talking about the purchase price of the truck. I didn't even bother looking at the F250 because I just assumed it would be way more expensive and more truck than I need, but once you remove the fancy upgrades I was doing to the F150 that aren't even available on the F250 the bigger truck actually ends up being cheaper! So, back to the drawing board I guess. Anybody have a time machine so I can go see how these things tow so I can make the right decision???
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Old 02-02-2016, 11:05 AM   #20
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You posted you JUST ordered this truck? So it isn't a dealer trade, but factory order? Can you add the HD Payload option to the truck? That will give even more payload so if you want to take firewood with you can (within reason of course! Lol). You will still want the Max Tow package as well. Unless Ford has changed the options, these two packages will give you almost as much payload as some 250's (~2200lbs as I understand).
Based on your suggestion, I asked the dealer about adding the max payload option. I would need to make a few other changes to make it compatible which would end up costing me another $3000 to do that. I think I'd rather just do the F250, assuming I don't hate how it drives or looks on the inside.

Hmmm...maybe I just do the F150 and a smaller trailer. Aaaahhh! Too...many...options...
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