Wildbill5150

I'm new to the Ford F150 community and new to the travel trailer community. I bought my 2006 Airstream trailer "Classic" with the understanding that it could be towed with my 2002 Chevy Z71 Tahoe that has the tow package. Much like the car dealership sales people I was told my SUV could tow it "no problem". Well it does if there are no inclines, but once I hit a grade it dogs down to dangerous levels. I mean I'm going 15 mph at 5,000 rpm and the trannny shifting frantically between gears. No Bueno! So I'm in the market to get a truck that can handle towing my trailer anywhere I go with little or no issues when I go up steep grades.
I really like the F-150 King Ranch and all the sales people are telling me the F-150 Eco Boost, that says it can tow 11,500 lbs, will do the trick. I'm hesitant since its a 6 banger but want to know if you think this is the truck for me and if so what options should I make sure is included. i.e. the Max Tow package. Are there options on the gears? I'm told the higher the gear ratio the better towing capability.

Would it be better to get an F-250? or the 6 liter engine on the F-150? I just want to make sure I get the right truck. Trailer weighs 8,000 lbs. dry. Thank you!

13seth

My experience so far is that my 2011 f-150 ecoboost handles a 7,000lb 30' trailer with no problem, plenty of power for the hills. The issue we have with these trucks is the payload capacity. The hitches are rated for 1050-1150lbs and even with a max tow you could be short on payload if you have passengers and cargo in the truck. I love my f-150 but a f-250 may give you more flexibility as to what you can put in the truck and trailer.

Melbeachmoose20

Or you could order a truck with max tow and HD payload. The highest trim level available is lariat not King Ranch though. That truck will have a payload of around 2200lbs. It also has the 11000+ towing capacity. You can build it on ford.com.

brulaz

That is a heavy 25' trailer! The V6 Ecoboost would not be the problem. It has more low-end torque than the big V8. But the King Ranch would be a problem. It wouldn't have the payload you need, or the suspension, or the rear axle GAWR for a dry 8000# (9200# wet?) trailer.

You will want the HD Payload package Eco in the F150 at least, or an F250 with the 6.2L V8.

Do you know what the tongue weight is when loaded? If over 1150#, you'll want to invest in a heavier hitch receiver for the F150. A Superduty with a heavier receiver from the factory might be a better choice.

And ignore the salespeople, they usually just want to sell what's on their lot. An HD Payload Lariat F150 will probably have to ordered. An F250 King Ranch might be found on the lot.

You can check the receiver hitch ratings on the lot by looking under the receiver. There's usually a tag there. And the truck's payload is on the yellow sticker on the door jamb. If you go with an F250, be careful of the diesel models, especially the loaded King Ranch, as they can have lower payloads than an F150.

Hookedonhunting

You taught me something. Thanks! Great post.

idahoboi

I tow a Flying Cloud 25FB with my 5.0 F150 and I can tell you that I'm at my max comfort level with this setup. I can't comment on the Ecoboost because I know nothing about it, but the frame is the same so I would think you would still be over your GVWR. I'm sure the motor could handle it, but you would have NO payload capability. With that being said there are a lots folks on AIRforums that believe GVWR is a load of crap (mostly Canadians towing with minivans or cars.......crazy IMO). Nothing's worse than getting behind some knucklehead who is overloaded and climbing a grade @ 35 mph.........very frustrating and irresponsible IMO (sorry for the editorial).

You have a "classic" and it's 25'? I thought the classic was a 30' trailer. If I were towing that big of a trailer I wouldn't go any less than the F250.

My tongue weight on my 25' is at least 1000#! The truck tows well but it is working hard going up mountain grades in Idaho/Oregon (55-60 mph @ 4000+ rpm)). If I were to do it again I would definitely get the F250. Not sure I would go diesel though........I would have to research that one more thoroughly.

raisin

If I could go up 7-10 percent grades at 55-60 mph I would be happy. Only drive 62-65 on flat. '99 5.4 3.73 pulling 24' 6K trailer. Will be buying 2014 5.0 3.73 soon. I'm ok with 4K rpm pulling mountain grades. Pulled in the eastern and western mountains. Going down hill is more of a problem. Pulled 3 weeks in Colorado June '13 saw very little traffic, wasn't holding anyone back.

idahoboi

Raisin,
You'll be happy with that 2014. I also have the 3.73 gear ratio and it works well. I use the Roadmaster Active Suspension and that seems to make towing a little more stable......at least in my mind. The tow haul feature is really good for downhill, but sometimes it uses the engine braking (very high rpm) more than I would like, but it works.

raisin

Thanks "idahoboi", the best info is from someone who's doing it with same equipment.

The OP trailer is pretty heavy for 25'. I thing the ecoboost with payload and towing packages would be what I would need for that. That would be much much more than he has now.

Wildbill5150

I did some checking and I was wrong on the weight. The trailer weighs 6,000 lbs. dry. The 8,000 lbs. that i saw on the trailer is the GVW. The tongue weight is 870 lbs. I have an EZ Lift weight distribution hitch rated for 1,000 lbs.
Sorry about the misinformation but like I said i new to all this. Please let me know if the F-150 Eco will work with this correct information or do I still need the HD package? Thank you all for your help. Much appreciated!