My F150 & 2021 International

[SteveSteve]

Hello everyone!
I am a newbie posting here, but I’ve been researching topics on this forum for the last 3 weeks. My wife and I got excited about camping while on a road trip from the Tampa area up to Maine visiting friends and family. We have always wanted to explore the country and thought a motorcoach would be the ideal way to travel. Well, after having owned a motorcoach (another story) we decided on an Airstream. I didn’t want to buy another truck, so I searched what would fit with what I already have.

I have a 2019 F150 3.5L Eco Boost with a 6 1/2 foot bed, full towing package. It’s certified to pull 13,200# and a tongue weight of 1320#.

I decided on getting a 2021 International 27FBQ with a rear hatch. I had to drive to Tyler Texas to bring her back to Florida. Long story short, my F150 pulled her as I had hoped. I averaged 10 mpg at 72 mph on the interstates - the sweet spot speed where the transmission would actually shift into 10th gear. I tried all sorts of different speeds; 70, 65, 60, and lower. Lower speeds off the interstate was worse on the gas mileage.

I watched a few videos where a couple of guys said to try your setup for yourself and see how it goes and ignore the naysayers. Truth. So if anyone is thinking like I was, this setup is perfect for me. Happy trails and I look forward to meeting you on the road.

 

[T’sOVR&Explore]

Welcome, and thanks for relating the actual experienced results - your choices are working well!

 

[turbopilot]

I decided on getting a 2021 International 27FBQ with a rear hatch. I had to drive to Tyler Texas to bring her back to Florida. Long story short, my F150 pulled her as I had hoped. I averaged 10 mpg at 72 mph on the interstates - the sweet spot speed where the transmission would actually shift into 10th gear. I tried all sorts of different speeds; 70, 65, 60, and lower. Lower speeds off the interstate was worse on the gas mileage.

Welcome. I have a lot of experience towing a 25' Airstream with an F-150. The best I would see was 12 MPG at 62 MPH. Your International and my Globetrotter have the same frontal area. Towing a trailer with the same frontal area 10 miles a faster will increase aerodyanmic drag by 35%. So you would expect 9.5 to 10 MPG at 72 MPH. The problem towing a 25' or 27' Airstream with most F-150's is the tongue weight versus the useful load available. The lower trim level F-150's generally have enough payload available, but you need to measure your hitch weight fully loaded ready camp. It is not unusual to see a 25' or 27" Airstream ready to camp come in with 1,100 lbs or more on the hitch. If you cabin load and bed load allow it you are good. Generally a higher trim level F-150 can't carry a heavy hitch because of GVWR restrictions.

I have a lot of miles towing my 25' Airstream. I have found handling is not optimum above 65 MPH pulling an Airstream at that speed. Since you have a long bed F-150 you should be able to get a good FALR on your front tires weight distribuition hitch. Harder with the short bed F-150's.