Towing in the NC mtns?

[Debora]

Right now I have a Jayco jay feather weighing around 5000.I'm towing with my Ford f150 Lariet supercrew 4x4 EcoBoost rated for 10,700 and have no problems pulling through the mtns but I'm wanting to get an Eagle ht rated at GW 9995, dry at 7410 and wondering if I could pull it easily or not has anyone tried this or would I have to get an f250?

[Riverman]

I go to the Smoky Mountains often and will never go without a 3/4 ton. My Jayco is less than 6000#, but I prefer the safety of a 3/4 ton when handling a trailer.

[Midnightmoon]

Welcome to the forum. Questions concerning 1/2 ton towing capability come up frequently on JOF. To summarize the common theme, you will run out of functional payload capacity with a modern 1/2 ton long before you exceed it's towing capacity.

Your best bet is to take a look at your trucks door sticker. You will find the cargo capacity of the truck. Compare that to your probable pin or tongue weight of the unit you are considering. That should give you a rough idea of where you stand.

You may want to read through some if the sticky threads in this section of the forum for more information.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f37/


Again, welcome to JOF and I hope you find the information you need.

[wags999]

Being from out west we are use to towing in Colorado etc. We did spend a little over a month in NC this summer and consider those more of hills rather than mountains. Towing with our Tundra a 27 RLS we had zero issues. As others have said, towing capacity means little it's cargo capacity that you will run out of long before towing capacity. I don't think I would want to tow an almost 10,000 lb RV with any 1/2 ton vehicle no matter what the rating. Run the numbers and figure your tongue weight at about 12% to 15% of RV weight, not listed tongue weight.


Good Luck.

[Kim Gass]

Depends on where you are towing.. We have towed in CO and also in NC and if you are sticking to the Interstates you will be fine

What is NOT so fine is those hairpin state roads that would frazzle anyone towing a trailer. a 15 percent grade is not rare..

So are you going along the ridges, on the Interstates or in the hollows. It does matter. Those NASCAR boys were from the Blue Ridge for a reason..

[2nOZ]

We have an Eagle HT that has a GVRW of 10,100 lbs. We tow it with an F250 gasser. The truck has a useful payload of 3000 lbs. Our pin weight is just shy of 2000 lbs. if that gives you an idea for weight consideration.

[Quantum]

Will your F150 tow it? YES!

Should you tow that much weight with your F150? NO!

You probably have around 1700lbs of payload on a Lariat F150.

Tongue weight on a 9995lbs trailer should be 13% = 1300lbs.

Add the weight of passengers, cargo, etc. in the truck and you'll be over your payload.

The Ecoboost is a strong engine, but braking on an F150 is...1/2 ton rated. The braking is not superb on the F150. I've had 2 F150's, and the braking is adequate, but it is nothing like a Super Duty.

I would say you're pushing the envelope with that trailer.

[RedHorse1]

Take your truck across a CAT Scale. Subtract the drive axle weight from the Rear GAWR. Subtract 100# from that number and divide by 0.25. That number is the approximate maximum GVW of a 5th that your F150 would tow and be within its weight ratings.
The 100# is for the hitch and the 0.25 represents 25% of the 5th weight is on the pin.
What I recall reading on JOF is that in general a half ton is over weight ratings with an HT 5th.

[Debora]

Thanks for replying.

[Debora]

So far I have taken it through Asheville on my way to SC beach but had to go over some big hills which it did just fine but worried about hauling something bigger is all. Trying to do some figures now since reading everyone's post. Thanks

[Debora]

My payload is 1619. The Eagle I would like to get has a hitch weight of 760.. Thanks

[Debora]

Well there are no scales where I live in the mtns but that's a good suggestion thanks. Another reason that I thought I maybe could pull a bigger camper was because the last time I went I talked with another couple at the campground who were pulling a Grand design reflection with a Ford f150 but he said it had the max tow package. Mine doesn't hav that but has 3.5L by a row mode. Thanks