Can my F150 pull this 5er?

[havnfun]

Have a 30K miles 2009 F150 SuperCab, with 5.4L V8 and 3.73 axle. It's well equipped with max tow package and heavy duty payload package, 163" wheelbase, 36 gal. gas tank 17" 7-lug steel wheels. It's called the "Unicorn". Payload is 2405 lbs. and max 5er weight is listed at 11,300 lbs. It was special ordered by original owner to pull her 5er. Currently pulling a Jayco 24FBS at 7500 lbs. GVWR.
So here's my issue ..... I'm looking at moving to a Jayco HT 5er, 26.5RLDS. GVWR is listed at 9995 lbs. with a dry hitch weight of 1550 lbs. The GVWR is 88% of the max towing capacity and I have always used 80-85% for my TTs. I'm a little over that....will this be acceptable? Would you hook this one up with a loaded F150 like mine? Or does a 5er not have the same margin of safety?
My F150 is strong and I can't afford to go to a F250 -- retired guy with fixed income.
Thanks for all your comments and opinions as I really value the information I get from this forum.

Jeff,
Happy RVing

[rdlouks]

You are within the ratings for your vehicle. I would not have any reservations about pulling it with your current vehicle. J.M.H.O.
Also from what I have read that is what the HT stands for in the model number "Half Ton"

[DavidJay]

I have no problems going to 90+ percent of rating.

But your problem will more likely be your rear axle load carrying capability and total payload. It is not unusual to end up with the pin weight taking all your payload, leaving nothing for driver, etc. You need to go through those numbers (typically on the drivers side for frame).

[Colorado]

I personally would not tow that kind of weight and or camper profile with a 1/2 ton. Will it pull it? Probably. Will your f150 control it in a SHTF moment highly unlikely. Since you can’t afford a F250 then you can’t afford another F150, so take care of the truck you have.

[vcbice]

Sounds fine to me. Typical pin weight is 15-20% of GVWR so you would be up to 2000lb pin and with careful loading you can make it less. I would weigh the trailer and pin weight before loading it and then after to see where you need to shift weight (if any).

Don't listen to the gloom and doom types. If you are within weights you will be fine. FYI, when we had a Tundra and a 7000lb fiver I had a couple of instances of 'emergency stops' and one case where I was in the mountains with no trailer brakes. Every time the rig did fine despite being at the max weights for the truck.

I would ask how much towing you will be doing. If towing a lot at max weights then things like transmissions and axles can have a shorter life. Now, maybe that means you get 100k out of the truck instead of 200k miles. Or maybe 200k instead of 300k depending on how the truck is built.

[Jim Smyth]

I had almost the same setup as you do. But I didnt have the heavy duty payload package so my weights were more restrictive than yours. Mine towed a 8000# 5er OK. I was over rear axle weight by a few hundred pounds. Was over payload by a few hundred pounds. Was over Max vehicle weight by 400#.



Its big problem came from Bow Wave upset with Large Prevosts smoking past me and upsetting the trailer which in turn started wagging the Tow Vehicle. Scared the you know what out both me and the wife. So much so I got rid of a beautiful setup because it was unsafe. Traded the F150 in for a F350 and havent looked back.

[havnfun]

Thanks for your responses but I still don't know if I'm good. Payload capacity is 2405 with 1550 hitch weight. That leaves 855 lbs. for "all else". To calculate the "all else" pounds I include body weight, cargo in TV and in TV bed. Do I also include 36gals. of fuel and other things?

I don't want to be over my 2405 payload but can I be right under the max and be okay? Is there an 80% or 90% rule for payload safety? I am a conservative guy and don't want to push the limits.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

[NYMarty]

In all the literature I've read Ford includes full fluids and a 150 lb driver in their payload capacity number.
My concern would be the actual pin weight vs. the advertised pin weight once loaded.
If you pack careful you should be within your numbers.

[2edgesword]

Originally Posted by havnfun

Thanks for your responses but I still don't know if I'm good. Payload capacity is 2405 with 1550 hitch weight. That leaves 855 lbs. for "all else". To calculate the "all else" pounds I include body weight, cargo in TV and in TV bed. Do I also include 36gals. of fuel and other things?

I don't want to be over my 2405 payload but can I be right under the max and be okay? Is there an 80% or 90% rule for payload safety? I am a conservative guy and don't want to push the limits.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

Curb weight would include full fuel so fuel wouldn't be included in your calculation of payload. I didn't see any mention of a driver being included in the curb weight so payload would include the driver, passengers. cargo and tongue weight.

[NYMarty]

"... Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight assumes a towing vehicle with any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load of
10-15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15-25% (fifth-wheel trailer) and driver only (150 pounds). Weight of additional options, passengers, cargo
and hitch must be deducted from this weight. Also check Required and Recommended Equipment on page 15."

From page 16 of the 2009 Ford Towing Guide
https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...9RVTTguide.pdf

[vcbice]

FWIW, you will feel a significant difference when towing the fiver. Huge.

My first trip with a Tundra and 7000lb fiver was in 35-50mph winds across the NM desert. I could see the trailer 'wiggling' (not swerving) in the rear view mirrors and noticed very little 'push' in the truck. Even when a semi went by on the two lane roads I barely noticed a change. When on the freeway I felt the bow wave but that was it.

Have fun with your new rig.

[triplebvalp]

Originally Posted by havnfun

Thanks for your responses but I still don't know if I'm good. Payload capacity is 2405 with 1550 hitch weight. That leaves 855 lbs. for "all else". To calculate the "all else" pounds I include body weight, cargo in TV and in TV bed. Do I also include 36gals. of fuel and other things?

I don't want to be over my 2405 payload but can I be right under the max and be okay? Is there an 80% or 90% rule for payload safety? I am a conservative guy and don't want to push the limits.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

Now you're thinking in the proper direction havnfun. The advertised dry weight and the pin weight are rarely accurate. You can easily add a couple hundred pounds to both. Then, add in the hitch weight of 150 pounds at least (unless youre planning on a Anderson hitch), you and passanger(s), food, clothes, incidentals ... all of a sudden you are at or over your payload capacity.

[nighthawk87]

I don’t understand why do it with a 1/2T? It’s your safety and your families safety? Why not just get the proper truck for the job and not be worried. It’s supposed to be a vacation after all and be relaxing.

[Jim Smyth]

Like others have mentioned all the advertised weights are just best guesses. I would use the manufacturers numbers as the very low end of weight possibilities and it will most likely be higher.



You wont really know until you CAT scale the setup with and without the 5er attached. Then you will know exactly what your Payload is and where all the other weights are. I would do this with full propane, full fuel and loaded how you plan to run (wife, dogs in cab etc).



FWIW you have some of the best F150 numbers I have seen. You have 800# over all my F150 numbers and I was only over by 400# with a similar set up.

[goducks]

Payload aside I'd never tow anything that heavy with an 09 F150 5.4 3.73. I towed 7300 lbs with my 2010. I hated it. No way to lock out OD. Tranny was constantly shifting. Had I been able to lock it in 5th or even 4th it would've been a much more pleasant towing experience. Problem is that the 5.4 is under powered and it needs to shift down often to compensate.

[Doubleheader]

The payload should be within your GVWR per your description. As was mentioned verify your axel ratings and the GVCWR. The GVCWR Is the max weight rating, as measured against the actual loaded weight for your truck and trailer together.

[vcbice]

Please keep in mind that the OP's truck is not a standard 1/2T. Ford designed it with what many used to consider 3/4T weight capacities. He is not endangering anyone and is probably safer than some with 3/4T setups.

I can't imaging that the 5.4L engine is that much weaker than the 4.7L that was in my old Toyota. It handled 7000lb just fine in the western mountains. Yes, it downshifted a lot. Don't know why you can't put the tranny in manual select mode and hold whatever gear you want. That is a safety factor since you may need to manually downshift when descending hills. The power of that setup should do fine. No, it won't cruise up a steep hill at 65mph, but, it will probably maintain 55mph.

[Packerbacker_TX]

Sounds like you'll be just fine since you're already driving the "Unicorn" truck! I doubt many people have the max tow/max payload package to start with. The sticker on your door will give you the payload. It's not likely you'll have the 5'r maxed out in weight either. I would have done the same thing in my 15' F150 3.5 TT but I would have been over on payload. Have fun!

[wags999]

Originally Posted by vcbice

Please keep in mind that the OP's truck is not a standard 1/2T. Ford designed it with what many used to consider 3/4T weight capacities. He is not endangering anyone and is probably safer than some with 3/4T setups.

I can't imaging that the 5.4L engine is that much weaker than the 4.7L that was in my old Toyota. It handled 7000lb just fine in the western mountains. Yes, it downshifted a lot. Don't know why you can't put the tranny in manual select mode and hold whatever gear you want. That is a safety factor since you may need to manually downshift when descending hills. The power of that setup should do fine. No, it won't cruise up a steep hill at 65mph, but, it will probably maintain 55mph.

FYI Toyota corp, does not recommend towing a 5er with any Tundra. Most likely you were well past cargo capacity. I have a good friend that works in Corp and asked all these questions. It puts undue stress on the whole truck. Just because you can drag something down the road, doesn't mean you should and certainly doesn't mean it's safe or not doing undue damage to your vehicle.

[havnfun]

Thanks all for your comments. I seem to be within the weight limits all around as several have suggested. I know the naysayers have some good points but I feel I'll be okay.
Today I put a deposit down on an Eagle HT 26.5RLDS. Got it for 70% and also added 2-6V batteries, Anderson hitch and 2 slide toppers (all installed).

5er is on the lot so I may get it sooner than later. Hope so.

Happy RVing,
Jeff

PS- Now the mod list begins again.