mybuddy

We're looking into purchasing a new travel trailer and we're concerned about not pushing the truck to the limits, mountains, heat, etc.

We have a 2013 F150 Supercrew Platinum, Ecoboost with max tow package.
It also has a tuner, sway bar and GoodYear Duratracks.

The trailer were looking at spec's are below.

Overall Length: 34' 4"
Unloaded Weight: 6975 lbs
Cargo Capacity: 2351 lbs
Hitch Weight: 845 lbs

What do you think?

Eric0508

As with any 1/2 ton, you're limiting aspect is going to be your payload. I know loaded platinum crewcabs can be light on payload. Come back at us with your payload sticker information and we can give you a better estimate.

That said, 34' is a long trailer for a F150. I'd definitely be wanting some good sway control, and WD hitch. Maybe a combined system like the equalizer? The ecoboost won't struggle to pull that much weight, you're only issues are going to be exceeding your payload, rear axle capacity, and maybe your GVWR.

Also, those are probably dry weights, expect your hitch weight to be above 1000lbs when you include propane, batteries, and cargo. This might exceed your hitch capacity too.

acadianbob

Check out your payload. It is on a sticker on the door. That is the single most important piece of information for you to consider. Out of payload comes your family, dog, misc. stuff in the bed of the truck, tongue weight (remember to factor the "wet" weight, not the published trailer dry weight), weight of the hitch.

If you have a platinum, your payload may be down around 1,300. Then you may be pushing your payload. And that is a pretty long trailer. Pushing payload AND length may not be a good idea.

smurfs_of_war

Duratracs for towing was my single most expensive mistake. The lugs are like little tentacles that grab every little imperfection on the road and pull you *****-nilly. Really soft and just plain uncomfortable. With a trailer that size- you may have to pull your upholstery out of your crevasse a couple times.

I won't speak to weight because I would be a hypocrite then. I will only add that your driveline is rated and thoroughly tested up to its GCWR, that will determine your performance in mountains and hills without your driveline trying to eat itself.

smokeywren

Assuming 5.5' bed and 4x4, your GCWR is 17,100 pounds. Your GVWR is probably about 7,650. Those are your real-world limiters. Payload is a limiter, but it is based on GVWR, so ignore the payload number and use GVWR minus actual wet and loaded truck weight to get your real world max hitch weight. Tow rating is a limiter, but it's so optimistic that you should ignore it and use GCWR minus actual wet and loaded truck weight to get your real world tow rating. Then use the real-world ratings that results in the lightest trailer as your limiter.

GVWR is almost always the limiter on F-150s. Here's how to compute the max trailer weight you can tow without being overloaded:

1] Load the pickup with everyone and everything that will be in it when towing - driver, passenger(s), pet(s), tools, extra fluids, weight-distributing hitch (but no trailer). Go to a truckstop that has a certified automated truck scale, fill up with gas, then weigh the wet and loaded truck.

2] Subtract the weight of the wet and loaded truck from the GVWR of the truck. The answer is the max hitch weight you can have without being overloaded. In other words, the answer is the maximum payload capacity you have available for hitch weight without being overloaded.

3] Divide the max hitch weight you can have by 0.15 (15 percent). The answer is the max GVWR of any TT you should consider.


Unloaded weight plus cargo capacity = 9,326 GVWR
Wet and loaded hitch weight = as much as 1,400 pounds

Your computation of max hitch weight in the earlier steps above probably resulted in a lot less than 1,400 pounds of payload capacity available for hitch weight. In other words, I think you're going to be overloaded with that trailer when on a camping trip.

BV Geezer

smokeywren has run the numbers and is correct. I just go by the seat of the pants and a couple of decades of towing. That is too much of a mouthful for a little F150 no matter if it is max tow, etc. It will eat your lunch.