F150 2.7L V6 + X23B Towing

[Ctholin]

Hey All

I am browsing for TTs and doing as much homework on towing as humanly possible.

The X23B seems decent for my TV but I'd love to hear from more experts or anyone else with a similar setup. Hoping my math is right and realistic

Here is my setup:
>2018 F150
>XLT Sport 2WD
>2.7L V6
>3.55
>145"
>Class IV Hitch, no add'l towing package
>Sticker says do not exceed 1609 ppl + cargo
>GVWR 6360
>Ford Towing guide says maxing towing capacity is 7700
>Also says GCWR is 12700

I am assuming fully loaded TT for any calcs so im working with a TW of 5500. Besides, with my meager payload of 1609 i will need to put most cargo in the trailer when towing. Most of the payload is people, hitch, and tongue weight.

Thanks in advance!

[Siamese]

As you're aware, it's mostly about payload. I figured a weight of 6000lbs for the trailer and a 12% tongue weight and arrived at 720lbs. on the tongue. That leaves 889lbs. for people and stuff.

You probably have a pretty good idea of what the people weigh.

If you have a topper on the truck, figure that in.

You're even getting close on what Ford says the truck will pull. The 3.55 gears are holding you back a little, but if you have the 10 speed transmission, it doesn't matter all that much. I have the 3.5 liter f-150 v6 with the 10 speed, and I'm usually in 8th gear cruising at my usual 62 mph (note that tow mode selects a lower gear than regular mode). If I had shorter gearing, maybe I'd cruise in 9th or 10th. I'm just fine with 8 gears at my disposal, and repeated trips from Michigan to the east coast and the gulf coast seem to bear this out.

If you don't have a tow package, do you still have the "tow mode" available? I've found it to be super effective with the 10 speed transmission when towing. Makes very intelligent shifts, both up and down, and chooses a good gear for engine braking going down hills.

Another thing to factor in is your intended use. Regular trips across the country, or weekend trips up to the lake, and not many hills.

I'd say....IMO....your truck is somewhat marginal. If I were in your shoes, and I was planning on doing considerable traveling, I'd be researching lighter trailers. I tend to be conservative. For short trips in your state, I'd travel as light as possible and call it good enough.

[geezerbob]

We pulled a 2013 x23b to Ak. and back with the rig you see below.
Our truck 9,000 lbs max towing cap.
Some where I can find the tongue weight, I'll try to find it
It worked great for us
Bob

[Ctholin]

Yep, payload is the frontline of this battle,

10 speed - yes
Tow mode - yes

Plan is mainly weekend trips around so cal, maybe nor cal and neighboring states

No super long distance Or cross country, but the option would be nice. So cal is surrounded by mountains too.

I realize my limitations here. Maybe I have to step down to a 5000lb gvwr trailer

Originally Posted by Siamese

As you're aware, it's mostly about payload. I figured a weight of 6000lbs for the trailer and a 12% tongue weight and arrived at 720lbs. on the tongue. That leaves 889lbs. for people and stuff.

You probably have a pretty good idea of what the people weigh.

If you have a topper on the truck, figure that in.

You're even getting close on what Ford says the truck will pull. The 3.55 gears are holding you back a little, but if you have the 10 speed transmission, it doesn't matter all that much. I have the 3.5 liter f-150 v6 with the 10 speed, and I'm usually in 8th gear cruising at my usual 62 mph (note that tow mode selects a lower gear than regular mode). If I had shorter gearing, maybe I'd cruise in 9th or 10th. I'm just fine with 8 gears at my disposal, and repeated trips from Michigan to the east coast and the gulf coast seem to bear this out.

If you don't have a tow package, do you still have the "tow mode" available? I've found it to be super effective with the 10 speed transmission when towing. Makes very intelligent shifts, both up and down, and chooses a good gear for engine braking going down hills.

Another thing to factor in is your intended use. Regular trips across the country, or weekend trips up to the lake, and not many hills.

I'd say....IMO....your truck is somewhat marginal. If I were in your shoes, and I was planning on doing considerable traveling, I'd be researching lighter trailers. I tend to be conservative. For short trips in your state, I'd travel as light as possible and call it good enough.

[Pyrate]

Originally Posted by Ctholin

Hey All

I am browsing for TTs and doing as much homework on towing as humanly possible.

The X23B seems decent for my TV but I'd love to hear from more experts or anyone else with a similar setup. Hoping my math is right and realistic

Here is my setup:
>2018 F150
>XLT Sport 2WD
>2.7L V6
>3.55
>145"
>Class IV Hitch, no add'l towing package
>Sticker says do not exceed 1609 ppl + cargo
>GVWR 6360
>Ford Towing guide says maxing towing capacity is 7700
>Also says GCWR is 12700

I am assuming fully loaded TT for any calcs so im working with a TW of 5500. Besides, with my meager payload of 1609 i will need to put most cargo in the trailer when towing. Most of the payload is people, hitch, and tongue weight.

Thanks in advance!

My TV is a 2013 F-150 Lariat with 3.5L EcoBoost, 3.73 rear end, factory tow set up. It tows my X23E without problem, but I definitely know the camper is back there. My first thought when driving the camper home from RV dealer was that I needed a bigger truck. After a couple times out, I am more comfortable with the slightly heavier trailer, and am confident that my truck can handle it.

[Ctholin]

Yeah, but you have more truck than me. What tow package do you have?

[Retire-]

My tow package: Look below at my signature. My truck tows our trailer great. Tow haul mode, cruise set at no more than 65 mph on the smoothest of roads. Mostly 60 mph. I get between 8 to 11 mpg depending on towing conditions. I like the RV to be still in one piece when I get to my destination is why I drive the mph I do. Also, I'm not white knuckled when I get there. Dry weight 4215 lbs. Loaded 4900 lbs. Dry Hitch Weight is 460 lbs. Length 25' 6". We love the RV...and it's a plus for us...NO SLIDES to deal with or fix. It is perfect for us Couples Trailer. Good Luck in picking the right one!

[Ctholin]

VERY helpful!! Do you have the Class IV hitch or do you have additional factory tow capabilities?

May I also ask what you mean by loaded? Is that all fluids, batteries, propane, etc. Or does that also include cargo?

My truck has a payload of 1609, GVWR of 6360, and tow rating of 7700.

I should note that I love the layout of the 212 and its on my list. We have 2 kids (4 and 7) and so that back area seems perfect.

We'll likely outgrow it, but we'll know if we want to make increase financial commitments to the hobby by then (more truck, more trailer, etc).


Sorry for all the questions, I've never towed anything and since you might have a similar setup, I am zeroing in!

[Jagiven]

I'm not familiar with that 2,7L. But otherwise your numbers look good. Payload is the most important thing to consider. When looking at payload, your tongue weight, hitch weight, stuff in the bed, and passenger compartment is included. Just remember if you have small kids they bring a lot of stuff, and friends as they grow up. And they get bigger and heavier too as they age. Another thing to note, already in the calculations is a full tank of fuel, and 150 pounds for an average size driver. So payload is everything else, including add ins like toppers, and bed liners.

[Millertyme76]

I have a 2016 F150 with the 2.7 ecoboost. My TV has the #6500 payload package. It has the FX4 package, factory class IV hitch, 3.55 axle, factory brake controller, and factory sway control. I use a husky 4k-6k WDH. I am only pulling a X17Z. I purchased both this year. It is my first time owning a truck or any kind of camper. I am not experienced at pulling anything. This set up works well for me. I notice the truck has a little more front to back rocking when going over bumps. I am able to get to cruising speed easily and I almost don't notice the extra weight when braking. I get around 16-17 mpg. I know the X17Z Is smaller and lighter than what you are looking at, but wanted to add my experience.

[Ctholin]

Millertyme76 - May I ask what your stickers say in terms of Payload & GVWR?

[Millertyme76]

Payload is #1660 and GVWR is #6500. Max towing is #7500. I have the supercab with 6.5 foot bed.

[trd]

2018 F150 XL 2.7L EB 4x4 10 speed, standard cab, 8 ft bed with tow pkg and factory brake controller. Approx TV specs as yours... although # 1,900 cargo payload. Using a Pro Series WDH with a Flagstaff 25BDS TT. You can look up TT specs on Flagstaff site. 2 of us.

6,500+ miles with this rig in 2019 from MI homebase to Hunting Island, SC and Yellowstone/Tetons via SD and Big Horn Mtns (9,800 ft). Also Northern MI trips. Combined loaded wt of 10,700# and tongue st of 730# verified by CAT scales.

Pros... the 2.7 is a beast. Had no problems with any mtn. No problem pulling the 25BDS. Average 11.6 mpg for both trips. This is all-around mpg. Speed was 62 mph on interstates. Braking was good for descents, even the Big Horn Mtns in WY. I wasn't used to engine revving up to 4k rpm's with downshifting in tow mode.. also tapping the brakes solidly or using the controller paddles slowed us right down. Not an issue for us.

Cons... for us, small standard cab was not comfortable for the 2 of us. Engine shifted up/down with headwinds. 6-7 or 8 gear. Had trailer sway until we upgraded stock (chinese) TT tires to Goodyear Endurance. Reduced sway from semis by 80-90%.

FYI- just purchased 3.7L EB because we are looking to upgrade our TT to Jayco 26RB or 27RB. August rebates were too good to pass. 2019 was our first year RVing and we love it. We are former boaters that want to see the country.

[richie t]

It will work fine. I towed my 2014 X23B with a Nissan Frontier with a towing capacity of 5000lbs. Didn't even feel like I was towing anything.

[Bill Johnson]

Originally Posted by Ctholin

Hey All

I am browsing for TTs and doing as much homework on towing as humanly possible.

The X23B seems decent for my TV but I'd love to hear from more experts or anyone else with a similar setup. Hoping my math is right and realistic

Here is my setup:
>2018 F150
>XLT Sport 2WD
>2.7L V6
>3.55
>145"
>Class IV Hitch, no add'l towing package
>Sticker says do not exceed 1609 ppl + cargo
>GVWR 6360
>Ford Towing guide says maxing towing capacity is 7700
>Also says GCWR is 12700

I am assuming fully loaded TT for any calcs so im working with a TW of 5500. Besides, with my meager payload of 1609 i will need to put most cargo in the trailer when towing. Most of the payload is people, hitch, and tongue weight.

Thanks in advance!

If you had to get a different truck the basic Ram with the small 3.0 engine can tow 12,600 pounds and when not loaded gets 32 mpg hwy

[cosmosis]

Last year I was looking for a trailer to tow with my 2016 Expedition (non-EL, 3.5L with tow package, 9200 tow capacity). I ended up getting a 2010 X213 (5500lb max weight). Not exactly the same, but ballpark to what you're considering. Similar to you, I did as much research and math as possible prior to purchasing.

After going through the research (and after 1500 miles of towing), here are my thoughts:

- I upped my confidence after buying the trailer. I checked the WDH was set up correctly (by ensuring the TV front axle was even). I got the sherline tongue scale. I took the trailer to the cat scales (even replacing my wife and kids with sandbags!). Everything was in spec within a comfortable margin.

- I made adjustments to the setup. I had a front-to-back sway which was resolved with E-rated tires instead of the factory P-rated tires (note that over-inflating the E-rated tires introduced a whole new level of instability. I therefore keep the tires sufficiently inflated for the load but far from max inflation).

Ultimately, though, towing with the trailer just took practice. The beast moved differently. You feel the wind. You feel trucks pull you in as they pass. My driving habits changed. I drive 65 max, in the right hand side of the right hand lane. Always cautious of who's passing. A bigger TV would result in less learning curve and and fewer adjustments, but for me that wasn't practical.

I'd also like to mention that my TV only has six gears, but has tons of torque on the low-end. Tow-mode handles the trailer great. I chalk this up to improved technology.

Good luck on your search!

[spark of insanity]

This is why I went grand cherokee and a TT of no more then 3500. Weight factor and tow factor. Cherokee GVWR is 6500 and the TT is 3500. I get to play with more weight then naught. Just playing it safe.

[Tinkman]

Thats my exact setup. I also have a Reese WDH. Pulls great.

[Kellys]

Lighter trailer bigger drive train believe me I have similar set up just older truck

[BAC]

Originally Posted by Millertyme76

I have a 2016 F150 with the 2.7 ecoboost. My TV has the #6500 payload package. It has the FX4 package, factory class IV hitch, 3.55 axle, factory brake controller, and factory sway control. I use a husky 4k-6k WDH. I am only pulling a X17Z. I purchased both this year. It is my first time owning a truck or any kind of camper. I am not experienced at pulling anything. This set up works well for me. I notice the truck has a little more front to back rocking when going over bumps. I am able to get to cruising speed easily and I almost don't notice the extra weight when braking. I get around 16-17 mpg. I know the X17Z Is smaller and lighter than what you are looking at, but wanted to add my experience.

I have the the same setup as you but my 150 is a 2018. I have NO issues towing the X17 even up mountains. I am not however getting your mileage while towing. It's usually around 10 to 14 mpg.