I have a 2018 F- 150 XLT 2.7 liter eco, 4x2 crew cab with 3.55 axle. I do not know if I have a max tow package, how ever I do have a trailer brake controller. How much can I realistically tow if I’m typically not in or around extreme elevation changes for extended periods. I live in California and am purchasing a travel trailer that has a dry weight of 6200 lbs?

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

I would start with first taking a look at your payload sticker on the door jamb. That number will usually be your limit.

It needs to include the trailer tongue weight, weight distribution hitch (needed for towing over 500/5000), truck accessories, cargo and passengers.

13% of 6200# is 806#, however, your actual tongue weight fully loaded with batteries, propane, etc will likely be around 1000#. That would leave you whatever’s leftover for passengers, cargo, accessories, WDH.

That said, unless your truck is an HDPP, you likely will run out of payload.

 

I would pack very light considering what was said above.

That aside, since you have 3.55 gears, you won’t have the 2.7 EcoBoost Payload Package.

https://rvsafety.com/images/pdf/FordTG2018.pdf

 

There is no Max Towing package with a 2.7L.

 

Your maximum is probably 7600 pounds. Your sane capacity is substantially lower. Consider several criteria:

Overall tow capacity: 7600 pounds. Subtract all gear that rides in the truck (400?) Subtract all humans and pets other than the first 150 pounds of the driver (400?). So 7600-400-400=6800.

Now look at the trailer. Dry weight of 6200. Add propane (2 twenty pound tanks, 72 pounds), add batteries (2 group 24: 110). Add all food, bedding, cookware, and camping gear (500). Add water (250). So your loaded trailer weighs 7132. That puts you 332 over weight.


Let's consider tongue weight, now. You are allowed 500 without a WDH, or 1050 with WDH. Start with a loaded tongue weight of 713 to 1070 (10% to 15% of your loaded trailer weight). Now add your 400 pounds of stuff riding in the truck bed. 1113 to 1470. You are almost certainly OVER your max tongue weight.

Then there's payload. That's harder to calculate because you have to factor in how the WDH distributes weight, but let's take a stab at it being 60% trailer, 40% truck. Trailer tongue is 713 to 1070. Truck bed cargo is 400. Humans/pets are 400. Oh, and the hitch is 100. So 1613 to 1970. It is highly likely that 1613 is above your max payload capacity. But it is certain that 1970 is over your max payload.

So how do you make a 6200 pound trailer work? First, realize it's not a 6200 pound trailer, it's a 7132 pound trailer. If you want to stay within payload, and tongue weight, and overall tow capacity, you have to be vigilant about keeping the trailer down to 7000 pounds loaded and filled up. You have to be vigilant about keeping your cargo in the back of the truck down to, say, 250 pounds. That includes generator and cooler. And a somewhat ugly tradeoff; always keep tongue weight over 10%, but try not to let it get above 12.5%. Here's how that changes the math:

Loaded trailer: 7000
Tongue weight: 700-875
Human/Pet: 400
Truck cargo: 250
Hitch: 100
Total payload: 1450 (that's my truck's max payload) to 1625 (that's well within the limits of a lower-optioned truck).
Apparent tongue weight: 950-1125.... well, at the high end you're still overweight.
Total capacity: -50; you're still 50 pounds over capacity.

So where do you make up the difference? You go for a trailer that weighs 6000, not 6200, and start adding from there. My point to this post is that you are going to be OVER payload, and OVER tongue weight (even with a WDH) with this trailer. And you really shouldn't be cutting it that close, anyway. You would be a lot happier towing a trailer in the 5000 pound range. It's always best to stay below 80% of tow capacity in each of those metrics, anyway.

Here's an example of my setup. My truck is overly capable for my trailer. And as such, it tows like a dream.

3250 pound GVWR trailer. So, loaded, my trailer is at 3250 or less (I've weighed to confirm). Tongue weight is 485. I've also weighed to confirm. Cargo in the back of the truck is 250. Humans: <600. Now we can add it up:

Tongue: 480+250+100=830. Well within spec with a WDH.
Payload: (480*.6)+250+100+600=1238. Well within the 1450 payload capacity I'm allowed.

Even if I went up to a 5000 pound trailer, and backed off the tongue weight a little, I'd still be within my limits. I tow with my 2014 super crew with a 6.2L v8.

 

Keep in mind, "towing numbers' in Ford Brochures do not take in account frontal and side winds, and elevation changes. IMO, with what you have given, I'd likely stay around 25' trailer and 6000# gross weight, max.

 

Engine, radiator and transmission can pull that weight. Since you'll be going 55mph most of the time (California) it's substantially easier on the powertrain than going 65mph. I'd tow with 91-93 octane to help keep things cool (and boost your hp/torque compared to 87). Learn to lock out gears or use Manual mode and select for whatever puts you at 2200-2600rpm, that is the true sweet spot of towing with the 2.7eco. On hill descent do not hesitate to allow the tow/haul mode to select for engine braking at 5000rpm, it is fine and nothing will explode.

You will most benefit from suspension upgrade in the rear axle. Personally I can vouch for HD RAS (roadmaster active suspension) fixing my squat issues and making the whole rear feel much more sturdy than the squishy feeling you will experience. Source: former 2020 F150 2.7eco 4x2 owner with 53a tow package, 1600 payload, 6360 GVWR, towing a Grand Design 2400BH 7500 GVWR trailer in eastern TN and Appalachian mountains for ~10K miles.

 

2.7's typically have a 6600lb Gross Weight Rating. With a payload several hundred pounds less than 5.0 or 3.5. But you do have a great engine. Your payload is on the B pillar drivers side, probably 1400-1600lbs depending on spec.

A trailer with dry weight of 6200 is going to be pushing the limits of the 2.7, when loaded, but if you have towing experience, you'll do ok. Pro tip always empty the tanks before you leave a campground.

 

I towed a 5K lb, loaded weight, with a 2.7L and 3.31 rear end for a number of years without problem and with good performance in the mountains. The trailer also had a fairly low profile sitting on a torsion suspension. When we upgraded to our current higher profile trailer the loaded weight went up to 6K and the truck performance was ok on the flat coastal plain but did not perform up to my expectations in hilly areas and mountains. I was aware that this would probably be the case and upgraded to a 3.5L Ecoboost FX4 with the Max Tow package. I didn't really need the FX4 and Max Tow for this trailer but wanted the stiffer suspension for quality of ride while towing.

You do not mention the length of the trailer but at the dry weight you mention trailers can be reaching lengths I would not consider advisable for 1/2 ton pickups. Personally my maximum length for 1/2 ton trucks is in the 25 - 27 ft range. Some folks will go up to 30 ft and most agree anything over that and its time to start considering a 3/4 ton truck.