Tow comfortably

[barry21]

I have a 2016 F150 3.5L eco boost with a 3.15 gear ratio. Can anyone tell what weight and size travel trailer I can tow comfortably. I am looking at one that is 7770lbs. and 34 feet long?

 

[L884593]

I have a 2016 F150 3.5L eco boost with a 3.15 gear ratio. Can anyone tell what weight and size travel trailer I can tow comfortably. I am looking at one that is 7770lbs. and 34 feet long?

I had a F150 3.5L twin turbo, and tried pulling a 30'keystone(~6800dry wt). I talke to a LOT of RV's who had a lot more experience than me and still had to find out for my self. The truck 'wants' to tow it, but, it's not meant for it. I had researched it, ad nauseam, and even got specs from Ford that indicated towing capacity was 12,000#, GVWRC was 17,000#--my wife and did a 'test' run to Florida(we had a big trip scheduled for Yellowstone)and we had gone less than 100miles when my wife says "your gonna need a bigger truck". It's not stable, my opinion, for anything that size. I can tell you i wasn't comfortable with the way it pulled at all---not to mention the 7-8mpg. I've upgraded to a 2015 F250 6.7L diesel; maybe over-kill but the truck doesn't know the trailer back there, very stable, and i get 12-13mpg. Just my opinion, DO NOT go by Fords' towing guide, definitely don't go by any RV Dealership guidance.

 

[L884593]

I had a F150 3.5L twin turbo, and tried pulling a 30'keystone(~6800dry wt). I talke to a LOT of RV's who had a lot more experience than me and still had to find out for my self. The truck 'wants' to tow it, but, it's not meant for it. I had researched it, ad nauseam, and even got specs from Ford that indicated towing capacity was 12,000#, GVWRC was 17,000#--my wife and did a 'test' run to Florida(we had a big trip scheduled for Yellowstone)and we had gone less than 100miles when my wife says "your gonna need a bigger truck". It's not stable, my opinion, for anything that size. I can tell you i wasn't comfortable with the way it pulled at all---not to mention the 7-8mpg. I've upgraded to a 2015 F250 6.7L diesel; maybe over-kill but the truck doesn't know the trailer back there, very stable, and i get 12-13mpg. Just my opinion, DO NOT go by Fords' towing guide, definitely don't go by any RV Dealership guidanF

I have a 2016 F150 3.5L eco boost with a 3.15 gear ratio. Can anyone tell what weight and size travel trailer I can tow comfortably. I am looking at one that is 7770lbs. and 34 feet long?

Kevin Pem out there has a lot of good towing info, might check some of his posts. Very informative, as are, so many others out there.

 

[Fatboy2004]

Maybe 5th wheels are different, but I have no problem pulling ours and getting 10 mpg

 

[Amoque]

Often the question is, "How much can I pull?" when the question should be, "How much can I stop?" I had V8 5L (mine was "cab and a half") version. I could pull a 27' Komfort - 7200#, I think, without issue, but breaking on a downhill curve or making a short stop gave me the heebie jeebies - the truck just wasn't heavy enough, just couldn't get comfortable in traffic, on winding roads, or inclines. It wasn't terrible, but neither was it comfortable. I remember saying to the wife, "You know, once in a while, when everything is just right, I can almost forget the trailer is back there." It wasn't the pulling, I was most comfortable on the uphill pull!

I finally upgraded to a 1 ton Ford and a 33ft OutdoorsRV; the difference is phenomenal. When the wife asked how it was to pull, I answered with a smile, "You know, once in a while, when everything is just right, I can almost tell the trailer is back there." The best part is the confidence I have in taking the trailer whereever. Used to be I was concerned about curves, hills, and missed turns, but with a suitable rig, I don't worry. If I need to back up, turn around, pull over or take an alternate route... I just go.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Often the question is, "How much can I pull?" when the question should be, "How much can I stop?"

This!!!

TJ

 

[L884593]

Often the question is, "How much can I pull?" when the question should be, "How much can I stop?" I had V8 5L (mine was "cab and a half") version. I could pull a 27' Komfort - 7200#, I think, without issue, but breaking on a downhill curve or making a short stop gave me the heebie jeebies - the truck just wasn't heavy enough, just couldn't get comfortable in traffic, on winding roads, or inclines. It wasn't terrible, but neither was it comfortable. I remember saying to the wife, "You know, once in a while, when everything is just right, I can almost forget the trailer is back there." It wasn't the pulling, I was most comfortable on the uphill pull!

I finally upgraded to a 1 ton Ford and a 33ft OutdoorsRV; the difference is phenomenal. When the wife asked how it was to pull, I answered with a smile, "You know, once in a while, when everything is just right, I can almost tell the trailer is back there." The best part is the confidence I have in taking the trailer whereever. Used to be I was concerned about curves, hills, and missed turns, but with a suitable rig, I don't worry. If I need to back up, turn around, pull over or take an alternate route... I just go.

Yes-that is the perfect question!!!

 

[L884593]

Maybe 5th wheels are different, but I have no problem pulling ours and getting 10 mpg
View attachment 7299

Yes it is somewhat different pulling a 5th wheel in some of the weight is transferred, from the trailer, to your 'payload". I don't know how much; as Amoque stated it's more "how much can i stop". Bottomline i just wasn't comfortable using it thru the Rockies/Yellowstone, but that's more on me than others.

 

[MapNerd]

https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=F-150&year=2016&api_key=0d571406-82e4-2b65-cc885011-048eb263

Page 29-30.
Find your truck.
Stay under 80% of the rating.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Yes it is somewhat different pulling a 5th wheel in some of the weight is transferred, from the trailer, to your 'payload". I don't know how much; as Amoque stated it's more "how much can i stop". Bottomline i just wasn't comfortable using it thru the Rockies/Yellowstone, but that's more on me than others.

One needs to know the pin weight of the 5th wheel. It is this weight that is transferred directly to the tow vehicle. Inside the door of the truck is a yellow sticker indicating the "maximum cargo capacity". Thus you need to add pin weight, plus fuel weight, plus passengers weight, plus "stuff" you'll load in the tow vehicle. Just don't exceed the maximum cargo capacity. Likewise for towing, the rating of the tow vehicle is stated in the manual depending on engine, transmission, and rear end gear ratio. The trailer will have a gross maximum weight which includes water, greywater, black water, and "stuff" you'll add to the trailer. Again, don't exceed the gross weight as this is what you'll be towing. Again, it is not what one can pull, but "what one can stop". Just do the numbers and see for yourself.

 

[Gronk]

I have a 2016 F150 3.5L eco boost with a 3.15 gear ratio. Can anyone tell what weight and size travel trailer I can tow comfortably. I am looking at one that is 7770lbs. and 34 feet long?

In my opinion, you are WAY, WAY under trucked for that trailer. Is that 7770lbs the dry weight? If so throw that number away. Don't even think of it. Go by the GVW of the trailer and use a minimum of 12% for tongue weight. Then subtract that +100lbs for the hitch, the weight of your spare tire, tank of gas, anything else you throw in the box, THEN the weight of the people you will have in the truck from the cargo capacity of the truck.