F-150 with bhbe

[Dust]

Hi all I am new to the forum and am looking to buy my first tt. The wife and I have decided on a 28BHBE and we are now trying to decide on our tow vehicle. I am looking at the f-150 with 3.5 eco boost. I have read a lot of threads on it but I am not 100% on everything and looking for some opinions. I know there are several threads on this already but the fords that have been talked about have a little lower rating then the ford I am considering. I have read that the tongue wait will be way off of what is on the website and figured you guys would have a better idea then me.

Thanks for all the input.

[Marcm157]

We towed our BHBE with a 2016 F150 3.5 eco for our entire first season. It towed it OK. I used an equalizer 12k hitch and took it easy. I had a 2003 pound payload and almost 1200 pounds of that was used up just in tongue weight. We weighed in at just under 8200 pounds loaded for camping. It didn't take much between family, dog, firewood, coolers, chairs etc to put us over our generous F150 payload.

I never felt fully comfortable pulling that much weight with my half ton truck. I loved it but reluctantly traded it for an F250. Much harsher ride when not towing but an incredible towing difference.

Much more stable and clearly handles the weight much better.

Before the negativity starts, I am not the weight police, I am simply pointing out MY experience with the same truck and trailer.

[Murff]

I think you stated volumes, Marcm.

Dust has nearly 325 pounds LESS payload than you. If he has 1200 ponds of tongue weight, I am sure he will be overweight by the time he loads the F150 with passengers and stuff.

Murff

[NewBlackDak]

I had a Titan with my '14 287BHBE. It was too much trailer for the truck. Not problem pulling it, but he truck didn't have command of the trailer. It lasted one season before I bought a 2500


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[Redwing]

I have the 2017 28bhe SLX and tow it with a 2014 f150 3.5 eco boast with the max tow package I can tow up to 9600. I have towed the tt around 2000 miles from the Detroit to northern mi and to the Pittsburg area twice. The truck has never gone below 4th gear and I am averaging 9.5mpg. Personally I feel very comfortable with tv tt combination. The only change I will make next yr is to up grade to a blue ox wd hitch just feel it will improve my towing experience over the wd hitch I currently use. My brother has the same tt and a trailer that weighs 1500 more and he has no issues including to Alaska and back last summer.

[wallacemf]

I towed my 2013 28BHBE with a 2012 F150 5.0 for 3 years. My truck had 1625# payload, and I'm sure we used every bit of it and then some. I was never happy with it, it always felt like the trailer was driving the truck. You can pull it but you will grow weary of it very quickly. Now we have a Ram 2500 6.4L with 4.10 gears- huge difference in towing, much more stable and in command.

[spoon059]

I agree with Murff. That is a LOT of trailer for that F150. If you got one with Max HD and Max towing, you would have another 800 to 1000 lbs of payload. At 1600 lbs, you have plenty of engine... but you lack payload.

I would encourage you to keep looking for heavier duty tow vehicles. That yellow sticker showing 1675 lbs of payload is important. Your wife, kids, pets, and any gear that goes in the bed all count against that number too. If you weigh more than 150, that weight goes against that number as well. At 1200 lbs tongue weight, that is 475 lbs left over for family and all the gear in your bed (firewood, bikes, chairs, grill, toys, etc).

I know the Ecoboost is an enticing engine, but its only available in the F150. I would encourage you to look at a 3/4 ton truck as well. They are MUCH heavier duty and MUCH better to tow larger trailers like yours. In fact, a 9500 lbs trailer is nothing to a 3/4 ton. However, a properly equipped F150 can handle your trailer too.

[bap]

If you are buying a new vehicle to tow your new trailer, you have the opportunity to get one that will work the best. Many times, by the time you add all the heavy duty features to a 1/2 ton, you could have bought a 3/4 ton and have much more vehicle. Having a truck with extra capacity is easier and more fun to drive than a truck that is always at it's maximum payload. Any 1/2 ton nowadays, has more than enough drivetrain to pull any trailer out there. What they lack is payload capacity in the springs, rear ends, smaller brakes, lower payload tires and so on. I have a 29BHS that we tow with a RAM 1/2 ton that we owned before we upgraded to this trailer. If we had known then that we were going to end up with this trailer, we would have bought a 3/4 ton. The truck handles it good, but there is no extra capacity for more weight.

[SouthCo]

Originally Posted by Redwing

I have the 2017 28bhe SLX and tow it with a 2014 f150 3.5 eco boast with the max tow package I can tow up to 9600. I have towed the tt around 2000 miles from the Detroit to northern mi and to the Pittsburg area twice. The truck has never gone below 4th gear and I am averaging 9.5mpg. Personally I feel very comfortable with tv tt combination. The only change I will make next yr is to up grade to a blue ox wd hitch just feel it will improve my towing experience over the wd hitch I currently use. My brother has the same tt and a trailer that weighs 1500 more and he has no issues including to Alaska and back last summer.

OP is asking about a Jay Flight 28BHBE. That is a Jay Flight model. There is no 28BHE SLX model. Perhaps you have the 287BHSW SLX? It's a lighter weight model than what the OP is asking about...

[dee]

I bought a 28bhbe and towed one trip in my ram 1500 ecodiesel. Had enough engine, but was not very reassuring even with a wdh. I traded recently for a ram 2500 cummins. Drives completely different and feels like the truck is in control again.

[dee]

I was also over on my gvwr and gcwr with little in the trailer.

[Dust]

Thanks for all the great info guys. I think I am going to look more into a f-250 or a ram 2500. I don't want to spend as much money as I am going to and end up trading it in next year.

[bap]

Originally Posted by Dust

Thanks for all the great info guys. I think I am going to look more into a f-250 or a ram 2500. I don't want to spend as much money as I am going to and end up trading it in next year.

I think you will be much happier in the long run with the 3/4 ton no matter which brand you end up with.

[TWP723]

Definitely consider a 3/4 ton. For the moolah you'll spend on a 1/2, you'll be darn close to being the same as the bigger truck. When I was shopping, I considered both and ended up with a F250 6.2 with plenty of power and just about the same money as a F150. Have your VIN ran at the dealer and make sure it doesn't have the "Payload Downgrade" package. They usually tag "Camper Package" to these vehicles just because they have a rear stabilizer bar. They do in fact have different springs all the way around compared to a "Standard Payload" package. I must have run 50 VIN's before I finally decided on the F250. Now of course, I upgraded AGAIN. But I'm anticipating a 5'er in my near future. Egads man! Does it ever really stop?

[need-a-vacation]

Originally Posted by Dust

Thanks for all the great info guys. I think I am going to look more into a f-250 or a ram 2500. I don't want to spend as much money as I am going to and end up trading it in next year.

Dust,

Welcome and congrats on the 28!!!

As for a F150, sounds like you have decided to step up. But here is pic as some food for though: If this guy can to a 28 BHBE with a Colorado/ Canyon, it must be ok.... SMH.

In seriousness, the 28 is a fine line between a properly equipped 1500/150 or a 2500/250+ truck. As mentioned, it all depends on the the trucks payload, all occupant/cargo weight loaded in the truck, and how the 28 is loaded (what the loaded tw is). Some can do it with a 1500/150 if they pack light, but it seems most exceed the payloads based on actual loaded weights posted of the 28. A 2500/250+ is definitely a better choice if you're shopping for a truck as well.

And don't rule a 3500/350 out. It used to be one wasn't much more (if any) than a 2500/250. The added payload gives you future upgrade options!!!

Good luck shopping and any additional questions, don't hesitate to ask!!!

[bluegill1]

Since you haven't purchased it yet, that's a good thing. Do some research on the internet on the manufacturers websites, I know Ram has a very user friendly site. For instance, selecting a Ram 2500 with 6.4 Gas engine, with 4.10 gears increases your towing capacity dramicatly, and if you test drive a 2500 you prob won't notice any difference in ride quality but you will have way more capacity. This will serve you well now, and well into the future if and when an upgrade occurs. I'm pretty sure the cost difference is not nearly as much as most people think it is.I know that if I needed another TV, it's 2500 3/4 class. A great majority think / see 1500/pick up so it must be ok to tow, question is most people don't know crap about towing. Your not towing a 4x8 little landscape trailer.
Take your time do your research, I'd recommend to take some 2500's at least for a test drive for comparison. And regardless of whose make you decide on,it's important to look into the proper engine matched with the proper gears (4.10) meant for towing. I'm looking at a 2017 2500 w the 6.4 engine w the 4.10 gears crew cab, and its listed on sale for 34,000, sticker is 44k. So they are out there.
Look at all your options.
Good luck in your search and don't be afraid to keep asking questions,

[JHerzog]

Originally Posted by Dust

Thanks for all the great info guys. I think I am going to look more into a f-250 or a ram 2500. I don't want to spend as much money as I am going to and end up trading it in next year.

Like many have said I started out with a F150 Eco Boost max tow package and it was "OK" but always felt like I needed more truck. Since you have not purchased a truck I'll add that my move up to an F250 diesel allows me to run 60-65 and almost forget the TT's back there. It is sooooooo much more relaxing getting to our camping sites and I no longer arrive feeling worn out.

As for ride empty, I have not noticed a significant different between my F150 (with the beefier suspension) and my new F250. Both are comfortable to me and I use my F250 as an everyday vehicle. My towing gas mileage went up from 8mpg to 14 mpg and my empty MPG only went down from 20mpg to 18mpg.

You will definitely be glad you are going with the 250 or 2500 depending on brand,

[Dust]

Ok so I think that I have found a truck that I like but I want to make sure that is ok for payload. I can't seem to find a website that will give me payload. I found one that will give me tongue weight but not total payload. Here is the window sticker. And if you are looking at the price keep in mind I am in Canada lol.

[TWP723]

You're good Dust. If you like, send me the VIN and I'll run it and see. But I can assure you, you're fine.

[TWP723]

The fact that it's prepped for fifth wheel tells me it's good.


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