smokeywren

Not applicable to Snoopy49's question, but for others reading this thread, the max tow package has everything in the regular tow pkg, plus:

• 3.55 Electronic-locking rear-axle
• 36 Gallon fuel tank
• Engine oil cooler
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
• Upgraded rear bumper. NOTE The "upgrade" is to replace the center section of the rear bumper frame with a "reinforcement" that includes a slightly stronger receiver hitch than the receiver that comes with the hitch pkg or the regular tow pkg. On new F-150s that don't even have a receiver, that reinforcement is a blank piece of metal that holds the two ends of the bumper together without a receiver.

The biggest culprit is the 2.7L engine. That's the "grocery getter" drivetrain, not intended for heavy work. Note that identically-equipped F-150s with 3.5L EcoBoost or 5.0L V8 engines have a higher GVWR and payload capacity.

Deerchaser

The truck below has a 7050 GVWR and 1900 payload. I pull a 6k camper. It does good but I wouldn't want much more weight.

Sweetlou

Agreed. I tow a 7500 camper and my trucks GVWR is 7850 (HDPP).

I think length accounts for a more uncomfortable towing experience than weight. I’d rather tow a 9000lb 30ft camper than a 7000lb 35ft camper. Mine is 32ft and I’d say I’m as long as I feel comfortable. It tows great until you hit heavy wind.

Snoopy49

WOW! Thanks for all the great info guys. It is really a huge help for my trailer search.

I will be adding a brake controller and WDH. I have no interest in short cutting this process for sure. I rather be 100% safe than sorry.

Fortunately for me, I don't foresee visiting any big mountains like when I lived in Colorado. In east Texas there are some hilly areas but nothing worth mentioning. I do plan to to visit the Smokey Mountains at least once but that will be the highest elevations I will more than likely visit with this truck. Mostly my wife and I are planning to use the trailer for weekend getaways in Texas (mostly the gulf coast), Oklahoma (beaver's bend park) and some parks in Arkansas.

At the most, we will be carrying in the bed of the truck, a Weber BBQ grill, 2 adult bikes, a couple lawn chairs, a basset hound & kennel. I would guys that's somewhere around 300-350 lbs max.

bikendan

stick and tin trailers will weigh more, than a comparable aluminum-frame/filon-sided trailer.
single axle trailers will have a heavier tongue weight, than a comparable tandem axle trailer.

kehyler

Shall we do this dance again?

Apples

In reading through the replies in this thread, I don't see any mention of the truck frame itself. It was reported awhile back, here on the F150forum, that there were different frames used on some low-trim, smaller-displacement engine F150s. That is part of the reason for the lower GVWR.

Whoever it was that said, "aluminum body" is mistaken. There are 2015+ (aluminum) HDPPs well north of 7000 lb Payload Package (GVWR). My aluminum-bodied SuperCrew is a fleet XLT 5.0 with no options and a 6800 lb GVWR Payload Package and it's yellow sticker states "The combined weight of passengers and cargo should never exceed 977 Kg or 2156 lbs". I have a HD frame sticker (located under the driver door, on the frame).

Regardless. OP is best served by looking for the smallest, lightest travel trailer he can find. Less is more.