F150 Towing Question

Jbalmoria · 09-10-2020, 01:17 PM

Hi All,
I am a Greyhawk 27U New Owner.
We just purchased 2 weeks ago and have done 1 short trip. All went well.
I am iterested in being able to Flat tow my 2015 F150 SuperCrew Shortbed.
Does anyone currently do this and have there been any weight issues?
Thanks

Atlee · 09-10-2020, 01:22 PM

Is your truck a 4x4? If it isn't, you will not be able to use it as a 4 down Toad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbalmoria

Hi All,
I am a Greyhawk 27U New Owner.
We just purchased 2 weeks ago and have done 1 short trip. All went well.
I am iterested in being able to Flat tow my 2015 F150 SuperCrew Shortbed.
Does anyone currently do this and have there been any weight issues?
Thanks

Camper_bob · 09-10-2020, 01:38 PM

Also, what year is your Greyhawk? There was a time when they only had a 5,000 towing capacity, but later models have 7500 lb capacity.

Check the manual on your F-150 closely to determine the procedure for flat towing (Often called "RV towing" or "Recreational Towing").

As for weight, that seems like a lot of truck to tow behind a Class C, but I've seen it done. My Grand Cherokee was on the heavy side in my opinion, but my Greyhawk towed it fine. By the numbers, I could have towed my 2015 Ram 2500, or even my wife's 2018 Tahoe (both completely unloaded of course). But I'm not sure I'd WANT to do that...

I learned towing my travel trailer that just because the numbers work, doesn't mean it's a pleasurable experience or a good idea. That being said, it could work out just fine for you.

Jbalmoria · 09-10-2020, 03:08 PM

Hi
Yes, it is a 4 wheel drive. Owners manual specifies that it can be put into a towable mode.
Our Greyhawk is a 2021 model.
I did a little online research and found that an F150 is a decent vehicle to flat tow, https://www.caranddriver.com/researc...tow-behind-rv/
but no real good answer if the Greyhawk 27U is a compatible matchup with an F150.
So, i am looking for anyone with experience towing one.

Thanks

**norty1** · 09-10-2020, 03:18 PM

google 2015 dinghy towing guide. Most all will be listed there.

wmurphy · 09-10-2020, 05:38 PM

We have a 2019 29MVP and have been flat towing our 2019 F150 4x4 for over a year. Our F150 weighs less than 5000 lbs and other than on really long grades it tows no worse than when we tow a 14 foot car trailer with a SxS and gear. We went with a V8 shortbed as it is the lighest crewcab F150..

Jbalmoria · 09-11-2020, 11:33 AM

So,
Based on the 27U specs:
Weight Towing Capacity7,500 lbs
https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2021-...an-27u-tr48361
And my F150 Specs:
Curb weight: 5532 lbs
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford...ew-first-test/

Flat tow should be a simple.

Thanks for all the advice

Camper_bob · 09-11-2020, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jbalmoria

So,
Based on the 27U specs:
Weight Towing Capacity7,500 lbs
https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2021-...an-27u-tr48361
And my F150 Specs:
Curb weight: 5532 lbs
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/ford...ew-first-test/

Flat tow should be a simple.

Thanks for all the advice

I might weigh it, or at least check the weight on the door pillar, just in case. The door pillar will give you the weight as the vehicle left the manufacturer. "Brochure" numbers such as "curb weights" listed online may not include specific options on your specific truck. That being said, it looks like you'd be good to go by the numbers.

I wonder (curiosity) if the profile of the F-150 is detrimental at all? My Grand Cherokee was very aerodynamic; my Wrangler not so much. But then the Wrangler is a lot lighter than the GC was...

Anyway, now all you have to do is decide how you want to set up the F-150. Personally I like my Blue Ox gear, but it seems most people like what they use. It also seems most people chose very carefully at the outset, which is I'm sure a contributing factor to their satisfaction with their particular setup. LOTS of options out there to fit LOTS of different preferences.

Let us know what you end up going with...

salukee · 10-29-2020, 09:22 PM

Setting up my new 2020 Greyhawk 27U to tow my 2016 F150 4x4. Roadmaster base plates due to arrive tomorrow. Probably gonna go with the Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar. I will wire the lights myself.

Any recommendations on an easy to install, quality, brake system?

Robbbyr · 10-29-2020, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salukee

Any recommendations on an easy to install, quality, brake system?

I have used the Roadmaster Even Brake for years. There is some installation required but it isn't too tough. Easy in, easy out. I have setups in my Edge and my Focus and it works great in both.

Camper_bob · 10-30-2020, 08:19 AM

I use the Blue Ox Patriot 2 and like it. It's easy to "install" as you only have to run the emergency brakeaway line from the front to the driver's side passenger compartment. It has always worked well for me.

2 disadvantages:

1) It's one more piece of "kit" to remember during setup. I keep my tow gear in a bag in my garage, and my brake module sits right next to it. I've been known to grab the bag, but not the brake. Other systems stay "permanently" attached/installed in the vehicle and thus are a lot more convenient.

2) My GC had 8-way adjustable power memory seats. So after I adjusted the seat to accommodate the brake, I was able to hit the recall button and my seat would automatically return to my pre-specified driving position (or DW's; it had 2 programmable memory settings). My JL is all manual, so that's a little inconvenient.

One advantage is that I can use the brake in different vehicles, and all I have to have is another breakaway switch installed. That makes it easy if I want to tow my YJ instead of my JL that day.

salukee · 10-30-2020, 10:53 PM

I received the base plates today, they are installed.

I placed an order for the Nighthawk 676 tonight.

I am still reviewing brake info. Thanks to Camper_bob and Robbbyr for the feedback on the brakes.

Bruceter · 10-31-2020, 08:51 AM

We pulled a 2019 F150 with our Seneca and used the RVi3 brake system and it worked very well. Also used the RVi3 battery charging unit on the F150. Good choice on the Roadmaster Nighthawk!

Bruce

salukee · 01-27-2021, 09:41 PM

So, Roadmaster base plates installed, Nighthawk tow bar is in the house. Purchased the RVi 3 brake system and received 4 free TMS sensors as part of a Christmas special RVi had going on.

I installed the base plates on my 2016 F150 even though I was having some electrical issues with the truck. Finally fed up with the truck issues, removed the base plates, and traded it in for new 2020 F150. The base plates are now in the new F150.

I purchased a Blue Ox wiring and diode kit and installed them tonight. I wired the aux power wire to the engine compartment and safely secured it in case I want to install a charger/trickle charger.

My new question, do I need the charger for the toad. I expect to drive no more than 6 or 7 hours a day. Does the F150 use much battery power when being towed? Does the RVi brake system use enough battery power to warrant the charger?

Some day I will get the Greyhawk back from the dealer and make my maiden voyage with the toad along for the ride. Hoping that day is coming soon. Been in the shop for warranty service since October.

AzGreyGhost · 06-21-2021, 04:06 PM

So... Did we ever get the Greyhawk out of the warranty obis? How are things working out?

salukee · 06-29-2021, 06:43 PM

YES. Finally picked it up in April.

I dropped it off with the dealer in OCTOBER due to the CO monitoring constantly alarming, even though the propane was never in use other than the very first time it went into alarm. In my driveway, on shore power, nothing turned on anywhere but the main power switch to the RV house, and CO alarming. The propane alarm never went into alarm. I bought a CO monitor for Lowes and sat it side by side the installed one. The Lowes model keeps the highest CO value measured during the past 24 hours, it never recorded a CO level. I bought a can of "test" CO and sprayed both monitors, both went into alarm. I messed with this for 2 weeks in my driveway before I took it to the dealer.

After a couple of weeks the dealer answered one of my calls and said my furnace needed replaced (leaking unburned fuel into the cabin) and my propane tank needed replaced (leaking at the valve thread area). Side note - the first day I had the new camper home (7/29/20) the fridge stopped working, returned to dealer on 8/3 and after two weeks at the dealer the dealer said they had to rewire the fridge to a "better" power source and that they had to replace the propane tank valve because it was leaking thru???

April 7 I picked up my unit from the dealer. I heard the COVID COVID COVID excuses for 6 months. Towed my F150 home using my new towing equipment. It is a 45 mile ride and went pretty smooth. I suspect my F150 is as much weight as I should tow. It was sluggish on some inclines and the truck whips the camper a bit on the curves.

After getting home I immediately hooked up the shore power and started filling with water. Before I discovered the leaking hot water heater the CO monitor went into alarm. Nothing fixed and the unit was drained of water, but not the hot water heater. The hot water heater tank was split into.

I have disconnected the CO monitor and now just using the Lowes unit. I bought a new hot water tank and installed it myself. I doubt that I ever enter the dealers maintenance shop again.

I can learn most of what I need to know by searching the threads on this site and others. I will try and fix most issues myself, even if it is a warranty issue.

mini4mw · 02-03-2022, 01:00 PM

How has the towing been going on the f150? Looking at the new Broncos at 5,500lbs. Curious what you think pulling the 150 after a few months.

I think your Greyhawk has the new v8 where mine has the old v10.

salukee · 02-03-2022, 04:39 PM

My Greyhawk has the Triton V10. I have now logged about 12, 500 miles towing the 2020 F150. The first 10k of those was fine but I was pretty fatigued after 400 miles in a day.

I then installed the Roadmaster beefed up front anti-sway bar and the front Sumos. I just completed a 2500-mile road trip to Texas and back. We traveled through some steady 20+ mph winds and some heavy-duty rains on several of the travel days. I drove 700+ miles on a couple of those days with little issue. No fatigue and no fears with trucks passing. My mileage has suffered about 1 mpg, but I now drive 70-75 mph versus a maximum of 65 mph pre-modifications.

mini4mw · 02-04-2022, 09:51 AM

Thanks. I'll look around the forum for the sway and sumo. I know I've seen them mentioned before around handling improvements.

I thought about it some more and I suppose I've been doing this for a while, just with a dolly rather than 4 down. I've pulled a Honda Odyssey or Pilot for 15,000+ miles. Between the dolly and car its 5,000lbs+. I guess it wouldn't be much different 4 down vs dolly outside setup time to move.

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