F150 PostedTow Capacity

[cekkk]

Mucknfuss, for years we lived near huge gold mining operation in Cripple Creek Colorado. Occasionally you would see enormous bulldozers and other earth moving equipment come up Highway 24 from I25. I have no idea what those machines Wade but it had to be a lot. They took up nearly three-quarters of a two-lane Highway.

[JonC]

I've towed a 29' 8,000 lbs fifth wheel with a f150, ecoboost for 7 years. Towing isn't an issue at all with 3.55 gears, but stopping can be hairy. I'd go super duty just for the braking ability.

[RichCarter]

Originally Posted by cekkk

An Eagle 317RLOK: Dry hitch weight 2165#..

I have an F150 with the 3.5. As fitted out, the tow capacity is 10700#. The truck is just fine towing a tow-trailer with a GVWR of 7700#. The Eagle you mention is a fifth-wheel with a heavy tong weight and a GVWR of 13000#. I think this is way too big for this truck.

[gregcass]

Just to add my perspective:

We also have a 317 RLOK. (Love it, BTW). Based on the projected pin weight of the trailer, we opted for a Chevy 3500 SRW, with Duromax.

After we put in the “stuff” we wanted to take with us, the pin weight (based on CAT scale weights) went to 2600 lbs. That took the 5th wheel right up against the 12,995 limit. After adding fuel, two people in the pickup, and stuff in the bed, we were up against limits of the pickup.

But, the truck handles the load just fine and we feel secure (and legal) to be under our limits.

Just my opinion. The pickup and trailer seem in perfect balance.

Gregcass
2020 JAYCO 317 RLOK
2020 Chevy 3500 SRW

[JonathanCP]

Part of the equation of choosing a truck is 'how do you use your trailer'. I have a 2015 Jayco Whitehawk 27DSRL. Not knowing any better when I started out (neither did the car salesman) I bought a ram 1500, it pulled the trailer ok and was in spec, just, but the tongue weight took up most of the cargo capacity. when I started going further afield and carrying more 'stuff' I upgraded to a RAM 2500, which was great untill we took my Brother in law and his wife with us one year, the extra weight again put us on the limit. So now I have a RAM 3500 long bed dually, at last I can carry the heavy stuff in the truck making it easier to load and balance the trailer and also carry a full load of water whilst keeping within all limits, as we boondock for weeks at a time, being able to carry extra weight in the truck is important to us.

[cekkk]

If you do much searching for a vehicle you soon realize you know more about the product than the car salesman. So how on Earth do you expect them to know anything about Towing ability? They spend their time in meetings, not discussing the products that they are looking to sell, but rather how to snag you once you walk in the door.

[TXJACO]

You're asking about pulling an Eagle 317RLOK: Dry hitch weight 2165#, 13K lbs. when loaded with a F150? One word NO! Let me repeat that NO! That is unless you want you, your passengers, your TV and 5'er all over two lanes of traffic plus the shoulder when an 18 wheeler passes you, or you get a cross wind > 5 mph. I have a F250 4x4 6.2 gasser and my TT is maxed at 10k lbs. It pulls my TT just fine, but I do get moved around "some." I would be looking for an F350 dually diesel if I were pulling a 13k lb. anything!

As been said, 3/4 or 1 ton has the weight, brakes, etc. set up to SAFELY tow such weights. Save yourself white knuckle driving and get a bigger TV!

[BigRedGrandPa]

Not if the trailer has brakes. Most states call for the larger trailer to have brakes that you can control from the cab. Many trucks, since 2015, come standard with it.

[jack c]

I pulled my 29’ Jayco from Louisiana to Yellowstone without any problem at all.i

[BLTravels]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

The only limiting factor with the F-150 platform is payload capacity, just like every other 1/2 ton. If you have the available payload, it will handle everything that you throw at it and then some.

I have pulled my loader with my 150 max tow. With trailer, it weighs in at over 12K#. Absolutely no issue. Granted, you need to keep the load centered over the trailer axles to keep the tongue weight reasonable, but it pulls, stops, and handles it without issue.

These are not your 1/2 tons of even 10 years ago. Amazing capabilities.

"loader"?

[BLTravels]

Originally Posted by TXJACO

You're asking about pulling an Eagle 317RLOK: Dry hitch weight 2165#, 13K lbs. when loaded with a F150? One word NO! Let me repeat that NO! That is unless you want you, your passengers, your TV and 5'er all over two lanes of traffic plus the shoulder when an 18 wheeler passes you, or you get a cross wind > 5 mph. I have a F250 4x4 6.2 gasser and my TT is maxed at 10k lbs. It pulls my TT just fine, but I do get moved around "some." I would be looking for an F350 dually diesel if I were pulling a 13k lb. anything!

As been said, 3/4 or 1 ton has the weight, brakes, etc. set up to SAFELY tow such weights. Save yourself white knuckle driving and get a bigger TV!

Ditto to TXJACO's comment! As a big fan of the F150 and their eco boost, max tow, etc, and after having one previously would never ever consider towing that FW with that truck. Payload, payload, payload! You will max out very quickly and just have too much trailer for the TV!
I know there are a couple of members here who do it but they have very specific set ups that work for them. I am very anal about all the weights but don't have the patience to lay them all out here but have done the numbers both on paper and in the real world with a long TT and just couldn't make it work with my max tow F-150 (actually had a higher payload than many 250s on the market). I even worked with Ford engineers through a local dealer on the feasibility of their truck pulling the so-called HT (half-ton) FWs on the market and they agreed only the 2wd, 2 doors, 8' bed would handle those FWs properly! But "off the record wouldn't recommend it"!
Bottom line, do your homework but it just wouldn't be safe on many fronts.

[RichCarter]

I suspect that a lot of folks buy a 3/4 or 1-ton truck not because they need a big truck like that but because they want to be the big dog. I'm not saying that's bad. I like nice things too. Be sure that you're being honest with yourself. Do you want the bigger truck or do you need it? A few years down the road after the novelty wears off but the monthly payments continue along with the extra money on fuel, you may wish you thought this out.



Here's a really good video that discusses the comparison of an F150 vs F250 for towing. The trucks they picked may not be optimized for towing so you may have issues with the figures they quote. I know that my F150 will tow more than the truck they picked but the video otherwise hits the nail on the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ-v7d2ngbs&t=307s

[Big1]

I would be more comfortable with a 3/4 ton myself but if it work for you.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Well, My dream truck has always been a 150. We had decided on a small 5th wheel, and did all the research and ran all the numbers. As bad as I wanted a 150, the numbers just didn't work. We got the 250, and are pretty close to the max payload as it is. TT and a 150 yes. 5th wheel and a 150, probably not, no matter what the dealer tells you. (There are some very small 5th wheels that could work with a 150, but most won't) And if you're like some people and don't want to tow within 20% of your limit- really no way.

Come on up to a super duty- the air's just a little nicer up here!

[JonathanCP]

I loved my 2500 in fact, to buy the 3500 I went back to basic package and lost, and miss, a few extras, it was purely so I could carry extra fuel, generator, blueboy, food and water, solar panels and when needed extra guests and their luggage on boondocking trips. The CAT scales told me what i needed, when my trailer was packed to max Gvwr the heavy items had to go on the truck, the short bed didnt have enough space or cargo capacity and the 2017 RAM 3500 was on a good deal (used). The mileage is not much worse than my 2500, street parking has not been a problem and yes, Walmart parking lot can be a bit more difficult but I have always found a space. If you only use campgrounds with hook ups then most of the extra stuff I carry you wont need, so a lighter truck will probably do.

[jfk69]

The age old question on towing forums. My personal experience is a small sample size but it’s pretty simple. We tow the older Jayco in my sig. That fiver is 7,345 UVW and 9,500 GVW. We never had it close to max gvw. Based on gear we carry, it’s in the 8,200-8,300 range. We towed it with the ‘18 Ram 1500 also listed in my sig. The minute I dropped the pin on the truck and headed out, we were roughly 400# over payload. The truck pulled it well, no noticeable issues other than when we were right behind an 18 wheeler in the turbulence, then it would shimmy a bit. I added E rated tires and rear bags to help with the sag. With that said, we towed on relatively flat ground and only once had a gusty 30mph crosswind to contend with. However, it was what we had, and we made due with it for almost two seasons of camping.

I wanted a bigger truck anticipating a larger 5th wheel in the future, and the Ram lease is coming up, so we bought the F350 also listed in my sig. Night and day difference. It’s simply “more better” in all respects. Until I pulled the trailer with it, I wouldn’t have understood. There is never the feeling of uncertainty or being on the edge of having the tail wagging the dog. It feels firmly planted, and was the first time I’ve ever pulled a trailer of any type and used the cruise control. I also arrived at the campground without feeling edgy or stressed for the first time ever.

Moral of the story, people will use what they have. And I understand that. A half ton can do a lot of things. But as the trailer gets larger, and creeps up on your max towing capacity or payload with a half ton, it becomes a situation where there’s no substitute for more truck. Can the truck do it? Maybe. Should I do it? Maybe. Will I do it? Nope. Give me the correct, heaviest duty tool for the job. Towing isn’t a finesse proposition, give me the brute strength every day. Just my opinion with my own personal experience.

[colby]

Just ran through the Build and Price on the 2021 F150s and the Max Towing now provisions the 5.0L V8; however, in the towing guide for 2021, the ECB 3.5 still has the higher towing numbers.

[Cincinnati Kid]

Originally Posted by colby

Just ran through the Build and Price on the 2021 F150s and the Max Towing now provisions the 5.0L V8; however, in the towing guide for 2021, the ECB 3.5 still has the higher towing numbers.

Don't overlook the payload. That's what will get you with a half ton.

[colby]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati Kid

Don't overlook the payload. That's what will get you with a half ton.

I'm not overlooking that, this thread is about posted tow capacity though...

[MichaelO]

My dad bought a new 38’ Jayco tongue pull TT that on paper is F150 with ecoboost could pull. After pulling it a couple times he traded it in on a F350. He could have gone with a 250, but the F350 was 2 years old, but like new and equipped the way he wanted it at the right price. Just because your truck should be able to tow it on paper doesn’t mean that you’ll feel safe towing maxed out.