Scratch47

Just purchased a 2014 4X4 F150 XLT SCREW with towing package including 3.55 gears and 7350 GVWR. Per the Ford Truck web site, my truck can pull a maximum load of 7,700 lbs.

Previous towing experience includes pulling a 10K lb. 5th wheel a few years ago with a 2012 F250 and, prior to that, towing a V-Lite travel trailer with a 2011 F150 geared at 3.31. As you would expect, the F250 towed effortlessly, but the F150 and V-lite was not a good match resulting in significant sway and white-knuckles.


We pick up a new 5220 dry-weight (7,000 gross) RV trailer tomorrow. I reviewed the RV pulling picture thread and there seems to be an abundance of heavy trailers pulled with the F-150. Most, I would assume have 3.73 gears combined with the max tow package. Hoping to hear from 3.55 geared folks with experienced advice.

Anyone with similarly equipped experience? Hoping this setup works; I'll know first hand tomorrow afternoon when I pick up the RV.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks in advance...
Scratch sends...

Mg05

I have a slightly lighter 4880 dry weight travel trailer. My truck is the 5.0 3.55 super crew. Power wise it handles the trailer well. I pulled it through the wv turnpike this year, and I was always able to maintain the speed limit. Although this did require 3rd gear often, as there are some pretty long 6% grades. The suspension is a little soft like a half ton should be so I would recommend some type of helper spring set up to firm up the ride.

Meathead

iTrader: (2)

I pull a 7,000lb+ travel trailer with my 3.5 ecoboost with 3.31 gears without issues. I think you will be fine with your set up.

smokeywren

"Pull", yes, but carry the hitch weight of a 7k TT, along with the normal weight of people, pets, tools, jacks, campfire wood, and whatever else will be in the tow vehicle when towing? Probably not without exceeding he payload capacity of your F-150. That 7,350 GVWR is your limiter as to how much trailer you can tow without being overloaded.




Dry weight is meaningless. Your limiter is hitch weight of the wet and loaded trailer, plus the other weight in the tow vehicle. Assuming a wet and loaded trailer weight of 6,500 pounds, that's tongue weight of about 845 pounds plus 113 pounds for the weight of a good weight-distributing/anti-sway hitch - or about 958 pounds hitch weight.


With your 5.0L V8 engine, then 3.55 gears should be plenty as far as pulling power is concerned, provided you keep the trailer weight down to less than 7k. Your pulling power is not your problem with an F-150 50L. Your problem is the weight capacity of your suspension. IOW, the payload capacity of your F-150.

The key to comfortable towing of a travel trailer, including with an overloaded tow vehicle, is the WD hitch. Don't even think about trying to tow that trailer with a cheap hitch such as a Reese Pro Series. As a minimum you want a Blue Ox SwayPro, Equal-I-Zer, or Reese Strait-Line trunnion-bar hitch. Or if you literally want it to tow and handle as good as a 5er, then you want a ProPride hitch, or a Hensley Arrow, which is an earlier design of the current ProPride. Yes, as my sig indicates, I tow my TT with a ProPride, and I tow my 7k cargo trailer with a Reese Strait-Line.

Ricktwuhk

Posting at 8:30 at night that you're picking up a trailer the next day...?

Hoe you read the responses first.

lewisra

I think it was only 6:30 at his house.

Scratch47

Picked it up yesterday and brought it home. About 12 miles interstate and 28 or so on hill country roads. Handled well, all things considered. Significant improvement over my last bumper pull. Minimal sway with big rigs on I-35; very little cross wind to contend with. Fully agree on the hitch as the big cog in the machine, and will most likely swap out my old 600 - 800 lb. WD bars for 800 - 1,000 lb. bars. Need to get it to the truck scale for a good read...

Will update as experience dictates.

Thanks for the replies...

Mg05

Looks great. time to hit the road...

humblerb

I've got the same set up - 3.5 EB and 3:31.
I pull a 7200# bumper pull and have no issues.
I have the round bar WDH with friction sway bars.
A year ago, I installed a second sway bar, which virtually eliminated the 18-wheeler suck in.


EDIT to add: I have the standard P-rated tires on mine. I air them up to the max (44 PSI) before towing the trailer. Takes some of the softness out.
The EB will pull it up a fairly steep grade.
I don't tow on gravel, so I have no experience to offer advice there.

rasecarz

I'm looking at getting a truck tonight and have been feverishly wondering the benefits of 3:31 and highway cruising ,but with intentions of occasionally pulling a small toy hauler. 2016 3.5eco, scab,4wd superlight toy hauler maybe 22ft? 2 dirtbikes, just me and girlfriend. maybe 10 times a year on weekends or long weekends 4-5 hundred miles round trip. the 3:31 is on the lot, or do I hold out for 3:55, 3:73???

This is the truck

Jayco superlite 22 ft