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I have a 31ft toy hauler with 7,260 UVW & approx. 9500 GVWR. I've owned a 13' F150 FX4 with 3.5eco & 3.55 gears, a 14' F250, and my current 17' f150 XLT w/ 5.0 & 3.55 gears. Obviously there is no comparison with the F250 but both the F150's haul it just fine at 65-70mph on the highway. I prefer the 5.0 over the 3.5eco. 3.5 was nice but had to be in the turbo to have any power and the fuel mileage reflected that
Went from a 2011 f150 screw 5.0, 6 speed, 3.55 pulling a approximately 7400 lb (loaded) 29ft trailer to a 2018 f150 (max tow) screw 3.5, 10 speed 3.55 pulling about 6800 lb (loaded) travel trailer. While the older rig dig very well, the newer truck with 3.5 and 10 speed really shines both in power as well as fuel mileage both towing and general driving. If your getting over 8000 lbs loaded you may want to consider either a bigger truck, suspension upgrades on the f150 or pay very close attention to loading. Unless you get either max tow or HDPP packages you may run out of tongue weight.
While I really love my new truck either will do the job. Live in the Northwest so we do have lots of hills/mountains which doesn’t slow me down.
My mileage sucks, im lucky to get 16-17 indicated, 14-15 mpg actual at 70mph. towing is 7-9mpg at 60-65mph. my average over 16k is 14.3mpg, but like 5k of that is towing.
xlt max tow should do you fine, HDPP would be ideal but they are unicorns.
That pile of crap trailer is a heartland sundance 283rb. 34' overall, 6900 "dry" 9600 gross so loaded is in the middle of that. TW is rated at 950lb we load everything in the camper minus us and the kayak if it goes. Pulls fine, you can tell the axle spacing on the trailer is terrible but it behaves. Rear shocks were not up to the task of towing so replace them asap, i don't use my airbags because of my hitch but the truck still sits level.
Never, ever let either an RV dealer, or truck dealer spec out anything for you. Remember, they want to sell something to you that's on their lot. You had better educate yourself, and then make your own decisions.
unfortunately, you can not even believe an Ford salesman, either. Salesman told me 7,000lb towing, but come to find out that was with a 372 gear, not a 355. I’m to be good for 5000lbs? But love the MPG. But no upgreat to my boat.
I have a 2015 F150 Lariat Screw with 3.5 eco and 3.55 rear end. It has the maximum tow package and a payload of 1790 lbs. According to Ford it will tow 11900 lbs. I currently tow a 5500 lb. travel trailer with ease and get about 11 mpg while towing. As others have stated you need to pay close attention to the payload. Most travel trailer forums will tell you to count on about 15% tonque weight when fully loaded. 15% of 9000 lbs. is 1350 lbs which will eat up most of your payload. You should probably look for something 7000 lb. max.
By the way mine gets about 23 highway at 65 mph.
02-12-2019, 04:37 PM
