Gmal53

Hello. Hoping you can help me determine what I should be looking for in a used F150.

Recently bought a 31ft TT with a dry weight of 6300 lbs. Current tow vehicle is a 07 GMC Yukon XL 5.3l 4WD.

With my weight distributing hitch, I've read that I can tow 8000 lbs. Took camper out with family on a small excursion this past weekend and definitely felt the weight behind me. While Yukon did pull the camper, I didn't like the sway going faster than 60 MPH. My hitch does have sway control and I did buy ST tires for the Yukon and bumped up the tire pressure.

Seriously thinking about getting an F150 as almost everyone I saw tows with a pickup. Problem is passenger capacity. I definitely want a Supercrew for my family of 5. Also want to make sure I can tow comfortably, so I was thinking I need a max tow capacity of around 10,000 lbs.

Problem is that I don't know much about the older 150s. What size engine? Axle Ratio? Would prefer 4wd or AWD Looking at older models as this may be an unexpected purchase and I'm trying to keep the cost down.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

johndeerefarmer

At first generation ecoboost ('11-14)- with the max tow package and a 3.73 rear axle is exactly what you need. Try and find a 6.5' bed for the longer wheelbase which helps with towing

charles_slc

With a family of 5...unless you and the wife are very skinny and the kids are 1yr olds...you may be over payload (in both your current TV or an F-150)

Unless you find a F-150 with the heavy duty payload package (HDPP).

Especially if you are looking at the older gen F-150 with steel bodies.

What's the GVWR of your TT? Dry weight doesn't mean anything...guessing the GVWR is 7500 or so? So you're looking at tongue weight of approx 975#. Assuming you & your spouse are 150# and the kids 75#... That's another 525#. Add in 100# for a WDH, and you need to find a TV with a payload available of at least 1500#.

You can find F-150s with that...but you can also find them without that much available.

gbynum

I hope you meant LT, not ST; ST are special trailer and should not be on a powered vehicle.

old_programmer

The dry weights aren't useful for determining tow vehicle needs other than if it is too high unloaded it will be too high loaded. The best is to weigh the fully loaded trailer to determine it's weight and tongue weight. These are then used to determine if you have within the truck's GCVW, maximum payload, GAWR, or hitch receiver ratings. In lieu of that when I'm shopping I use the trailer's GVWR and tongue weight when shopping as I know I will be closer to those than the dry weights.

acdii

Never go by estimated weights when looking at trailers. Always go by maximum weight ratings to determine towing capacity. Factor in 13% of the GVWR to get an idea of what the tongue weight may be, subtract that from the trucks payload and that will tell you if the truck will have enough left over for the family and gear. Just about anything with a "dry" weight as it left the factory of 6300, will top out at 8000 or more once wet. That dry weight is also before any options are installed, such as the AC and other items. If the brochure lists options, and the trailer you are looking at has them, then those items add to the dry weight, and wont be posted on the sticker as to what the trailer actually weighs.

Most F150's of lariat trim and up have a limit of maybe a 7000# GVWR trailer, anything above this and they will be overloaded. XLT with Max Tow, maybe up to 8500# GVWR, and HDPP may be up to 10K trailer, but again it depends on options installed on the truck. It's the rule of thumb I use, and has held up well.

As always YMMV.

Siskiyou

With what you want to tow and your family you really need to consider a 3/4 ton or larger. You will more than likely be over your gvw of any 1/2 ton truck.

Gmal53

Yes, I meant LT Sorry about that! Thanks!

Gmal53

Thank you all for the quick replies! I will take a look at the GVWR and post a reply. So it sounds to me that many of you are saying, that maybe I should consider an F250? Thanks!

Norotso

If you can find a truck like mine I beleive you'd be quite comfortable towing that trailer. Biggest thing is to find one with the most payload or cargo carrying capacity on the yellow door jam sticker!!