2015-2018 F150 to tow an RV-Anything I should avoid?
02-10-2019, 06:22 PM
#1
2015-2018 F150 to tow an RV-Anything I should avoid?
I am getting ready to purchase an 2015-2018 F150 to tow a medium-size RV. I am looking at RVs around 28 feet long and under 9000 pounds fully loaded (around 7000 unloaded weight). I’m concentrating on super crew models with the GVWR of 7000 pounds or greater. I would prefer the 3.5 eco-boost motor, but I think I might can also consider the coyote V8. My budget is $30,000 or less. I’m looking at trucks that have less than 40,000 miles. Are there any specific options or problems that I should be aware of in this date range for the F150. I understand that the 10 speed automatic is probably a better transmission, but would you have any issue going with the six speed?
I’m finding quite a number of trucks with the 3.5 or the 5.0 engine that are not equipped with tow packages. Would there be any issue with adding an aftermarket hitch, brake controller, and transmission oil cooler to one of these trucks assuming that it has the 3.55 e-locker axle?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
I’m finding quite a number of trucks with the 3.5 or the 5.0 engine that are not equipped with tow packages. Would there be any issue with adding an aftermarket hitch, brake controller, and transmission oil cooler to one of these trucks assuming that it has the 3.55 e-locker axle?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
02-10-2019, 06:44 PM
#2
Senior Member
If it was me I would avoid the F150 in favor of a F250.
02-10-2019, 06:52 PM
#3
There’s no doubt that the F250 would be better. However, I’m not a Rockefeller so I have to drive this thing every day. I’ll be using it to tow for a few hours several times a year, but usually I’ll be driving back-and-forth from the office. The 6.2 gets 14 combined MPG from what I’ve read. It just doesn’t seem necessary. But I could be wrong. I am being quite purposeful about staying with a trailer with a lower GVWR and shorter length. From everything I’ve read, and F150 is up to the task assuming it is properly equipped.
02-10-2019, 07:02 PM
#4
Stay away from Lariat and above if you plan to tow more than 7K real weight as they won't have enough payload. Find an XLT with either the 3.5 or 5.0, tow package, 3.55 axle and 36 gallon tank. You can go to a 3.73 for the 5.0 but it will hurt your gas mileage with the 6 speed. First thing on any truck, open the drivers door and look at the yellow sticker for the payload, anything over 1800 pounds and you are golden for what you want to tow.
The following 3 users liked this post by acdii:
02-10-2019, 07:35 PM
#6
Stay away from Lariat and above if you plan to tow more than 7K real weight as they won't have enough payload. Find an XLT with either the 3.5 or 5.0, tow package, 3.55 axle and 36 gallon tank. You can go to a 3.73 for the 5.0 but it will hurt your gas mileage with the 6 speed. First thing on any truck, open the drivers door and look at the yellow sticker for the payload, anything over 1800 pounds and you are golden for what you want to tow.
02-10-2019, 08:41 PM
#7
I am getting ready to purchase an 2015-2018 F150 to tow a medium-size RV. I am looking at RVs around 28 feet long and under 9000 pounds fully loaded (around 7000 unloaded weight). I’m concentrating on super crew models with the GVWR of 7000 pounds or greater. I would prefer the 3.5 eco-boost motor, but I think I might can also consider the coyote V8. My budget is $30,000 or less. I’m looking at trucks that have less than 40,000 miles. Are there any specific options or problems that I should be aware of in this date range for the F150. I understand that the 10 speed automatic is probably a better transmission, but would you have any issue going with the six speed?
I’m finding quite a number of trucks with the 3.5 or the 5.0 engine that are not equipped with tow packages. Would there be any issue with adding an aftermarket hitch, brake controller, and transmission oil cooler to one of these trucks assuming that it has the 3.55 e-locker axle?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
I’m finding quite a number of trucks with the 3.5 or the 5.0 engine that are not equipped with tow packages. Would there be any issue with adding an aftermarket hitch, brake controller, and transmission oil cooler to one of these trucks assuming that it has the 3.55 e-locker axle?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
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02-10-2019, 08:49 PM
#8
Senior Member
Don't trust RV or truck dealers. Do the math yourself using the actual payload on the door sticker as stated. Both dealers will attempt to confuse you to make a sale.
02-10-2019, 08:53 PM
#9
02-10-2019, 09:42 PM
#10
Senior Member
Can't stress enough what others above have said. Do the math first. Agree with staying XLT or below. My 13 Lariat 5.0 has a payload of 1501lbs on the door sticker. By the time I add myself, wife, 2 G'kids (all regular size folks), 100 lbs for a weight distributing hitch, and 13% tongue weight, I found out I can't tow very much. In fact (according to the spec sheet) a 2019 Honda Ridgeline RTL-T has a payload of 61 lbs more than my 2013 5.0 F150.
Just went to RV show and there were lots of TTs with signs that said "your F150 can tow this", some with empty weight as high 7900 lbs. They made no mentions of how your F150 had to be optioned.
Strictly my $.02 - Since you stated your truck will be a daily driver, take a little time & shop around & check door stickers for payload #s. You will find it varies more than you expect with models & options (like 20" wheels). Estimate the weight of passengers & cargo you will be carrying in the truck, shop some trailers, take max loaded trailer weight (notice the weight stickers on the TT state the MAX weight does not include and freshwater, gray or black waste) & figure 13% for tongue weight + 100lbs for WDH. How much of your door sticker payload does that eat up? It will be an eye opener.
Since I really don't want different truck now, I talked myself out of a TT after my trip to the RV show.
My daughter did offer a solution, she said if I left her my Mustang Vert, I could use her 17 F-250 PSD anytime. And surprisingly her F250 Lariat SCREW has a payload sticker of 2275lbs I believe & that's with a 10,000lb GVWR package.
I believe there are a couple of recent posts with weight figuring spread sheets in the towing section of this forum.
Good luck.
Just went to RV show and there were lots of TTs with signs that said "your F150 can tow this", some with empty weight as high 7900 lbs. They made no mentions of how your F150 had to be optioned.
Strictly my $.02 - Since you stated your truck will be a daily driver, take a little time & shop around & check door stickers for payload #s. You will find it varies more than you expect with models & options (like 20" wheels). Estimate the weight of passengers & cargo you will be carrying in the truck, shop some trailers, take max loaded trailer weight (notice the weight stickers on the TT state the MAX weight does not include and freshwater, gray or black waste) & figure 13% for tongue weight + 100lbs for WDH. How much of your door sticker payload does that eat up? It will be an eye opener.
Since I really don't want different truck now, I talked myself out of a TT after my trip to the RV show.
My daughter did offer a solution, she said if I left her my Mustang Vert, I could use her 17 F-250 PSD anytime. And surprisingly her F250 Lariat SCREW has a payload sticker of 2275lbs I believe & that's with a 10,000lb GVWR package.
I believe there are a couple of recent posts with weight figuring spread sheets in the towing section of this forum.
Good luck.