My Tow vehicle? Is it a good choice?

[Big Steve]

We have a 2019 f150 4x4 crew cab xlt. It has the 3.5 liter eco boost dual turbos factory tow package . The big fuel tank 36 gallons. The towing capacity is just under 12,000 pounds our jayco camper is just under 5k with a max of 7000 pounds . Hoping it was a great choice we drove it off the show room with 2 miles on it . Please be free and talk !

[JFlightRisk]

Congratulations! I've been told it's a great tow vehicle. I really hope so, because I just bought one, too. Not brand new, but a 2016 2WD XLT SC, same engine, and tow option. I have yet to hook up the TT to it, but am anxious to prove everyone right on its ability.

[Big Steve]

Thx very encouraging! I love the engine lol I’m a big show off so I really love pulling up next to any truck full knowing there’s nothing that can take me off the line in a pick up ! Only zr1 corvette and a new mustang gt 350 have ever challenged me in the power dept. I did how ever have too leave my truck with the dealer for 6 long weeks as it had a drive train noise that took them that long to figure it out . It was I. The planetary gears and since that rear end was brand new it took forever too get parts but it took ford too fly in a expert too set the gears correctly but that’s it for anything else on the truck nothing has when crinkled or had a issue we have children dogs and it’s a very well built truck ! Love the locking differential ! We have right at 10k miles in it and we love it my wife loves too drive it . She likes sitting high up and all that glass too see out of !

[Iraqvet05]

I think that combo should be fine. Check your payload capacity and make sure you don't load the trailer tongue too heavy. Are you in Pleasant Hill, MO?

[Siamese]

Like Iraqvet said, check your payload capacity.

Towing capacity of just under 12,000 pounds means very little. It's NOT how you determine what you can tow. Get the "payload" for the truck off the yellow sticker on the door jamb.

Once you have that figure, start subtracting:
- the people and stuff you'll carry in the vehicle
- your tongue weight, which will be about 13% of 7000pds.
- if you have a topper, subtract it.

If you end up with a positive number, good. Negative number, not good.

[rkresge]

Tow capacity is bull when it comes to travel trailers. Payload is critical. Check this video:

https://youtu.be/qwFLOBrADBs

Having said that, I think you've got a good combination there. Safe travels!

Roger

[CAG]

If you are happy with it, it is the right vehicle.

[Merrick]

Youll be good. I just got a 2019 F150 3.5L ECO with the max tow package. With the 20-inch tires and 3.73 axle ratio, its rated to tow 12,700. Payload is around 1775 lb. Good choice!

[Siamese]

I would agree that you're probably okay, but without all the information, no one can simply wave their magic wand and say you'll be fine.

We don't know if you have a thousand pounds of humans in the truck. Or whether you're putting your ATV in the bed of the truck. Or for that matter, what the payload is for your particular truck. It varies depending on cab configuration, etc..

I have the same truck, and it's fine for towing my 26BH, with two 160 lb. adults, two cats, a topper, and not much else in the truck.

The gold standard for determining whether your truck is the right two vehicle for your trailer is know your rated payload, and take your rig to the Cat Scale. You can find the procedure for that on this site. The brass standard, which provides a ballpark answer, is to use the method I described in my previous post.

[Siamese]

Originally Posted by rkresge

Tow capacity is bull when it comes to travel trailers. Payload is critical. Check this video:

https://youtu.be/qwFLOBrADBs

Having said that, I think you've got a good combination there. Safe travels!

Roger

Excellent video. Thanks for posting.

[spoon059]

7,000 lbs trailer is a great size for a half ton truck. That Ecoboost is a very strong little engine, so you'll have enough go. What is your rated payload capacity? A 7K lbs trailer should have tongue weight of 840-1,050 lbs ideally (12-15%). As long as you've got enough payload to handle your family and any gear in the truck, you'll be set!

[Big Steve]

Iowa

[Big Steve]

Payload is 2050 pounds

[Big Steve]

I purchased a weight distribution hitch with anti sway ... but my truck has built in anti sway ? Apparently it auto maticly cuts power until your back under control.

[Big Steve]

Yes I did all the research it’s recommended that I not exceed 7500 pounds behind the truck . I have had TT before but I had a Chevy 3500 dually with 4x4 dura max diesel and Allison Transmission. But a 32 foot terry tt that was older and heavier then the skid loaders I drug around !

[Big Steve]

Yes I plan on heading to the scales once we’re ready too head off I’m going with a dry trailer and plan my drives between camp grounds with full hook ups . Worst case scenario I have too head for a Walmart for a night or two too get repairs or what not I’m sure we can bounce in and outta the rest rooms and buy bottled water . No 4 wheeler I have a bed cover and spray on liner about 420 pounds of humans 90 pounds of dogs a generator in back and a hand tool box and probably a cooler with drinks in cab . My ideal is too keep tongue weight at 5-600 pounds and trailer at 6000 or under .

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Big Steve

I purchased a weight distribution hitch with anti sway ... but my truck has built in anti sway ? Apparently it auto maticly cuts power until your back under control.

IMO, you don't want to depend on the truck to control sway.

A properly configured WDH with integrated sway control is ideal. From what I understand, by the time the truck starts taking control, you're already pretty far in to a sway event.

Like has been stated many times, weigh everything, and configure your WDH per the instructions, and you should never have to take advantage of the Ford's anti-sway features.

I would look at that feature a bit like ABS or Air Bags. You're glad it's there, but you'd rather not have to use it.

[Siamese]

Originally Posted by Big Steve

Yes I plan on heading to the scales once we’re ready too head off I’m going with a dry trailer and plan my drives between camp grounds with full hook ups . Worst case scenario I have too head for a Walmart for a night or two too get repairs or what not I’m sure we can bounce in and outta the rest rooms and buy bottled water . No 4 wheeler I have a bed cover and spray on liner about 420 pounds of humans 90 pounds of dogs a generator in back and a hand tool box and probably a cooler with drinks in cab . My ideal is too keep tongue weight at 5-600 pounds and trailer at 6000 or under .

That tongue weight sounds low. Unrealistic given the weight of the trailer, and if you were to achieve a low tongue weight through distributing your payload in the trailer, you'll be inviting sway.

[Big Steve]

My jayco is a 267 bhws!

[Big Steve]

Yeah it’s why I purchased the wth with the sway bar ! As I really don’t wanna experience sway ever ! Looks scary lol!!!