Went from 2009 f250 to a '17 f150 - Pulling a '17 28rls - weighed in today

[domotang]

I decided to replace my diesel f250 with a new 145' wheelbase f150 SCrew w/3.5EB and Max Tow to pull our Jay Flight 28rls we bought last year. I did my three stage weigh in today(numbers posted below), since I had a full crew of 3 adults, 1 child, 2 60lb standard poodles, and all of our gear (including food) packed in the bed of the truck in containers (reason being so we can routinely drop off TT on the way home). The f250 didn't have an issue with this, but I almost hit the f150's max payload capacity. Also, I realized that I'm at only 9% of my hitch weight to TT weight with full propane. I imagine moving cargo from the TV bed to the front of the TT will help resolve both of these discrepancies, although it will certainly create a heavier trailer and lighter truck, which might change how I feel about my findings so far.
We changed to the f150 after totaling our f250, as my wife is going to use it as a daily driver now. So far, I don't find it too bad, and actually am enjoying the 3.5EB over the diesel. I only tow below 60mph, and don't find the turbulence created by semis and wind too distracting, even during very gusty days, although it shakes the f150 just a bit more.
Braking feels the same and the f150 certainly rides better unhitched. The f150's back seats fold up, revealing a large flat floor perfect for the poodles. 90% of the time, it will be just my wife, dogs, and myself. I've been getting 9mpg in 14mph headwinds, and 12mpg without wind.
I thought I might share this info with those considering a newer f150, as I haven't had any regrets so far in my choice. I'll keep you guys posted on my findings after switching cargo from the TV to the front of the TT.

Truck Ratings
Payload Capacity 1923
GVWR 6800
Front GAWR 3225
Rear GAWR 3800
Unladen Weight 4877

Trailer Ratings
Cargo Capacity 2133
GVWR 8750
Unladen Weight 6617

(wt/r = actual weight vs rating)
Loaded Tongue wt/r 800/1150
Loaded Tongue wt % of TT wt 9%
Loaded Hitched TV wt/r 6740/6800
TV Cargo wt/r 1863/1923
Loaded TT wt/r 7160/8750
TT Cargo wt/r 543/2133
Loaded Steer Axle wt/r 3140/3225
Loaded Drive Axle wt/r 3600/3800

[Desert RVers]

Congrats on the new truck! We hope no one was hurt when the old truck was totaled. Post some pics if you like of the new one, we'd love to see them.

[domotang]

Nobody was hurt, thankfully; And thank you for your consideration.
Here are some picks from our first outing. Wife and I really appreciate the 28rls! We turn the recliners around facing back to watch birds and nature through that picture window.
The f150 is still on trial BTW. I don't mean to oversell it over the f250; I just want others to know my current, and future, experiences in it's utilization as a TV for a 28rls camper, which might apply to 28bhbe users as well.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bya...w?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bya...w?usp=drivesdk

[genxrainman]

I see you chose the blue pill, welcome to the dark side. Half ton towing comes at a steep cost on forums so it's best to stay low and watch out for the one ton/diesel sentinels, they will be hovering over head soon. Real nice rig and setup, you have done your home work and towing safely Happy trails!


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[RPreeb]

You are towing 3000 pounds heavier and 9 feet longer than I am with essentially the same vehicle, aside from the 10 speed tranny. I'll be interested in seeing how well it does, just as a point of interest - we have no intention of ever going that big, so in a practical sense, I have no horse in this race.

[Big1]

That is a awesome setup.

[smurfs_of_war]

Originally Posted by genxrainman

Half ton towing comes at a steep cost on forums so it's best to stay low and watch out for the one ton/diesel sentinels, they will be hovering over head soon.

And I find that so unfortunate. I am in the HD crowd and I can say without a shadow of a doubt if I could go back to my half tons I wouldn't even blink, I'd do it in a heart beat. So much nicer for every day duty. But with my family of giants and my stone work hobby (which is getting increasingly expensive) and now the farming, looks like I'm stuck with it for now :/

OP, great to hear you're enjoying the one fitty. Very capable trucks. Enjoy!

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[domotang]

Thanks for the kind words and wishing me congratulations.
I created a new load plan for towing, and will re-weigh upon my first tow utilizing it.
My goal is to be at less than 80% of all of my ratings (hitch, payload). I really like this f150, and am aiming to make it work for us safely.

[2nOZ]

Glad no one was hurt and sorry about the truck. I too am in the HD group now but thoroughly enjoyed my F150 ecoboost and would get one again in a heart beat. Fantastic truck in every way. I do miss it. Enjoy it!

[TaftCoach]

My DW and I follow the KISS philosophy, keep it simple stupid. We aren't that many years removed from a backpacking tent. Number one was keeping the 1\2 ton. We didn't consider anything close to maxing out the truck.

I do like seeing someone safely tow much more with a similar truck. Although I went with the V8 instead of the ecoboost.

The views expressed may not be mine in five minutes.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by genxrainman

snip.......Half ton towing comes at a steep cost on forums so it's best to stay low and watch out for the one ton/diesel sentinels, they will be hovering over head soon......snip

On some forums this may be true..., but I think you will find that JOF members tend to be a little more realistic on the subject.

Bob

[qstott]

I just typed 5 paragraphs and got logged out before i could submit the post.

You have a nice truck and trailer. I have almost the same. My F150 is a 2015 3.5 eco boost and I have a 28 RLS. I had an '03 F350 7.3 from 2005 to 2015.
I bought a new F150 not planning to have another trailer, but things changed.

Two weeks ago I went over the scales. My truck is heavier than yours and my gvwr is 7050 pounds. The weight on my truck axles was a combined weight of 7180 pounds. I was 130 pounds over my gvwr.

The F150 is a fine truck with plenty of power to pull. However, I work at a Ford dealership and when I returned from our trip walked in and ordered a '17 F350 with a 6.7. I didn't need much convincing, the new super duties are AWESOME!

For ten years I felt I could tow anything I could hook to. The F150 is capable, but I wanted more cushion. Besides they say here to buy a TV for the next TT😊

I have a friend with a new '17 super duty, and his fuel mileage is better than mine, both back and forth to work, and when pulling the trailer.

I'm very close to retirement, and I feel like to super duty with give me better service for a longer period of time.

I really like the 150, I'm sure you will too. I am one of those people that will say " this is the last new truck I'm going to buy"😉

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by domotang

snip...........

Truck Ratings
Payload Capacity 1923
GVWR 6800
Front GAWR 3225
Rear GAWR 3800
Unladen Weight 4877

Trailer Ratings
Cargo Capacity 2133
GVWR 8750
Unladen Weight 6617

(wt/r = actual weight vs rating)
Loaded Tongue wt/r 800/1150
Loaded Tongue wt % of TT wt 9%
Loaded Hitched TV wt/r 6740/6800
TV Cargo wt/r 1863/1923
Loaded TT wt/r 7160/8750
TT Cargo wt/r 543/2133
Loaded Steer Axle wt/r 3140/3225
Loaded Drive Axle wt/r 3600/3800

Just curious, does you Loaded TT weight of 7,160lbs include your loaded tongue weight of 800lbs ?

I agree, a 9% loaded tongue weight is on the light side for a 32ft TT, ideally a 13% to 15% range would enhance TV handling.

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by qstott

I just typed 5 paragraphs and got logged out before i could submit the post.....snip

Welcome to JOF

When you log in to JOF, check the box next to "Remember Me?", this should keep you from getting logged-off prematurely during a session.

Bob

[A2Z_Adventures]

Congrats on the F150! I am a huge believer in "Roll in what works best for your family"

I too recently went that route, going up from a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Have not had a chance to pull anything with the truck, but the space inside is amazing!

[domotang]

Bob - Yes, the 7160lbs includes the tongue weight. We only have around 500lbs of common camper payload gear (dishes, fans, camp lights, etc). Coming from the X23b, where traveling with lightweight CCC was necessary, translated to our RLS.

[domotang]

I'm still in a great comfort zone pulling our 28RLS with the new F150. I did manage to get the hitch percentage at 11% this time with my new load plan.
We're getting 11MPG towing on calm wind, and couldn't believe any more impressed with the 3.5EB, which hardly sounds stressed, even on uphill pulls.
I feel as though the new f150s are the new 'tweeter compromise between a typical half ton of yesterday, and the 3/4 ton trucks.

[Rustic Eagle]

domotang,

Thanks for the follow-up.

Originally Posted by domotang

Bob - Yes, the 7160lbs includes the tongue weight. ....snip

If that's the case, wouldn't a 7,160lb TT gross inclusive of your stated 800lb tongue weight represent 11% of TT gross (in lieu of 9%)? 800/7160 = 0.111, x 100 = 11%

I wasn't sure how your original 800lb and 9% related, unless I overlooked something in your original data. You may have had a better tongue weight to gross weight ratio then you originally thought...., thus your "new load plan" may be even better yet.

Bob

[domotang]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

domotang,

Thanks for the follow-up.



If that's the case, wouldn't a 7,160lb TT gross inclusive of your stated 800lb tongue weight represent 11% of TT gross (in lieu of 9%)? 800/7160 = 0.111, x 100 = 11%

I wasn't sure how your original 800lb and 9% related, unless I overlooked something in your original data. You may have had a better tongue weight to gross weight ratio then you originally thought...., thus your "new load plan" may be even better yet.

Bob

The tongue weight ratio is derived utilizing the formula 7160/800 = ~9%
Thank you for correcting my oversight!