Towing question

[J&P RV]

Hello, we have a Jayco 322FKS that we have been keeping in a seasonal site in PA. We are thinking about taking it to Florida to a seasonal site since we have family there. My truck is a F150 ecoboost with the max tow package (11,300lbs). Do you think this truck is capable to tow it that distance? I know it is rated for it, but I am concerned about the weight difference between the trailer and the truck. We do have a WDH. Opinions, advise? Thanks in advance!

[jlechmanik]

Originally Posted by J&P RV

Hello, we have a Jayco 322FKS that we have been keeping in a seasonal site in PA. We are thinking about taking it to Florida to a seasonal site since we have family there. My truck is a F150 ecoboost with the max tow package (11,300lbs). Do you think this truck is capable to tow it that distance? I know it is rated for it, but I am concerned about the weight difference between the trailer and the truck. We do have a WDH. Opinions, advise? Thanks in advance!

Forget tow capacity and look at cargo capacity. Get the ACTUAL weight of the trailer then figure 10% (min) to 15% of that weight is going to sit on the back of your truck. Then find the cargo capacity of your truck. MOST add fuel and 150lb driver already but good idea to verify. Then subtract any passengers, WDH, add on items (nerf bars etc), junk in the truck and/or bed from your cargo capacity. How much is left? Is it more than 15% of your trailers Gross weight (fully loaded as pulled)?

[wags999]

Search for a thread on Tow capacity and cargo capacity. Tow capacity is typically moot, as you will hit your cargo capacity long before your tow capacity.

[Rustic Eagle]

J&P RV,

Most 1/2 ton's don't have enough "available" payload capacity to support the loaded tongue weight of a Eagle 322FKS. Also, front kitchen TT's tend to have a heavier tongue weight then similar TT's without.

The 2011 322FKS has a GVWR of 10,250lbs, "published" dry hitch weight of 1,160lbs, and a "published" UVW of 8,875lbs......, and I bet the as-shipped UVW was around 9,200lbs.

IMO a hypothetical 2011 322FKS conservatively loaded at 9,700lbs would put the loaded tongue weight in the 1,300lbs to 1,500lbs range with the front kitchen (BIL had one).

I would run your loaded F-150 over a CAT scale and subtract the CAT weight from your TV's GVWR......,the remainder is your "available" payload capacity.

Just food for thought.

Bob

[2edgesword]

Based on what I've read the 2017 3.5L ecoboost has a max. payload around 3,200 lbs. If you use 15% tongue weight on the a max. trailer weight of 9750 lbs (2008 trailer model and close to the numbers referenced for the 2011 model) it's 1,400 lbs. Add 400 lbs for passengers and 300 of stuff in the vehicle you're at 2,100 lbs leaving you around 1,000 lbs of payload to spare (again, based on all the assumptions I've made).

The max combined weight (truck and trailer) on a 3.5L ecoboost with max. tow package is around 17,000 lbs. The curb weigh of the truck is about 5,600 lbs so truck and trailer as referenced above don't exceed the max. combined weight rating.

These are approximations since we don't know the gear ratio, the year of the truck or trailer and the actual weights. Ideally, as Rustic Eagle said, finding a scale to weight the truck and trailer as they will be configured for the trip would eliminate the uncertainty.

That said it's still a lot of trailer to be pulling with an F-150 so even given the buffer in the numbers I wouldn't be zooming down the highway at 75mph and I'd make sure that tire pressures on the truck and trailer are appropriate for the load.

[Rustic Eagle]

2edgeswood,

Your correct, there are a number of variables that come into play estimating a TV's actual payload capacity.

Originally Posted by 2edgesword

snip...... as Rustic Eagle said, finding a scale to weight the truck and trailer as they will be configured....snip

Please note that I was referring only to his F-150 to confirm the "available" payload capacity at the CAT........., that way he knows what he has to work with.

Bob

[rodro123]

My TT is about that weight, I would never tow with less then a 3/4 ton truck. Have you ever been in a thunder storm with high winds? If not try it being close to your max tow weight it's no joke. I have and it's no fun with a boat and a 1/2 ton truck several years ago. 8 and 9 percent grades are fun at 55 to 60 mph.

[K2tiger]

Like the others have stated, I would think long and hard about trying cover that distance (any distance really) with the F150 and that trailer. I don't think I would want to tote anything too much larger than the trailer in my signature. Yours is MUCH larger.


Maybe look at renting a 3/4 ton for the trip?