2018/19 F150 Towing

cyrilrogers@hotmail.com · 01-04-2019, 06:42 PM

Anyone have experience towing a 5th wheel with the Aluminum body F150?
I have a 2014 with heavy duty payload and max towing packages and it pulls my 8000 lb (dry) trailer with no issues. I’m worried about the lighter frame in the newer models. Considering upgrading to a 250.

Notanlines · 01-05-2019, 06:20 PM

Cyril, most members don't think very highly of towing with ANY 1/2 ton. That doesn't mean it can't be done safely. It simply limits your choice of 5v'ers. Why not just go to a one ton rather that the 3/4?

**wingnut60** · 01-05-2019, 11:53 PM

If you are doing just fine with a 150 now, the newer ones should not pose a problem due to the aluminum body--if anything, still better technology since 2014. Just what could be a bother with a +/- 400lb lighter truck with newer towing tech? Just get a new one, if you like 150s, and get the best towing package available.
And, welcome to the forum.

fjr vfr · 01-06-2019, 11:14 PM

A bumper pull is a very different animal than a 5th wheel. Even a small 5th wheel expect your payload between the hitch weight, hitch, passengers, cargo to be at least 2,600 lbs. No 1/2 ton truck is rated for that weight.

On another note, dry weight is a meaningless number as well as the hitch weight they list on the trailer. Once out the factory door the trailer will never again be that weight so it's meaningless. It's the same for the pin or hitch weight. My trailer is advertised as half ton towable. My 5th wheel lists the hitch weight at 1375 lbs but when I weighed it loaded for travel it came in around 2,000 lbs. So I'm carrying around 2,700 lbs of payload.

IMHO, If you plan on a 5th wheel don't even think about a 1/2 ton truck. If I were starting from scratch I'd go straight to a 1 ton. You can't have too much truck.

Plhunkele · 01-14-2019, 05:15 PM

We have a 2016 (aluminum) F150 3.5 turbo boost super cab, 8’ bed with the payload and tow packages. Had to have it built. Initially ordered in April and got rolled over to the next year, so order early if you go that route.
Payload is rated at 2710, tow at 11400. GVWR is 7850. GCWR is 17100. Could have had a tad more, but I wanted the 8’ bed.

Our 2014 32’ (31’ 11”) Rockwood Signature Ultralight 5th wheel #8289WS has a dry weight of 8125, 1337 on the pin and 1208 cargo cap.
We had the full rig weighed tire by tire loaded and wet by the RVSEF at the FROG rally and were under all safety margin. The tires and axle still had room. The closest safety margin was the GVWR as we were at 7800. We did have other stuff in the bed, but nothing super heavy.

We get 8-9 mpg pulling, but get 20+ mpg freeway otherwise. Very happy with the truck. No problem in the Smokies or merging. It’ll get up and go. Granted you can’t fill your bed with firewood and pull the camper. You’ll need a different truck for that.

grafton guns · 01-14-2019, 06:16 PM

Fjr I Don't know where you got these numbers from but my 2017 Jayco HT 27.5 hitch weight is no where as high as you describe for a 1/2 ton. I towed it with my 2016 F-150 with ease. The pin weight, hitch, and cargo weighed in at 1721 lbs. BTW, (The only "cargo" in the bed of the truck was some firewood). Where do you get these 2600 lb. numbers from? I'm curious. I will agree more truck is better.

Plhunkele · 01-14-2019, 07:17 PM

https://www.fordtruckzone.com/thread...ations.657279/

scroll down to Payload Package Selector (close to bottom)
SuperCab
3.5L EcoBoost
7850 GVWR
Far right column 163.7” Wheel base 4x4: 2710 lbs payload with Heavy Duty package and 18” wheels.

Notanlines · 01-15-2019, 05:00 AM

Grafton, FJR hardly needs me to back up his statement, but here are the real figures. Your pin weight from the factory STARTS at 1520. Your hitch in your truck is a minimum of 120 pounds unless you have a heavy duty. Probably not with the Jayco. Add in yourself, your wife, a little firewood, propane, battery, and no telling how much in personal effects already stored in the RV. My money says you can't stay under the 2600 mark.

Plhunkele · 01-15-2019, 12:42 PM

Interesting - my response did not post - trying again:
https://www.fordtruckzone.com/thread...ations.657279/
scroll down to Payload Package Selector (close to bottom)
SuperCab
3.5L EcoBoost
7850 GVWR
Far right column 163.7” Wheel base 4x4: 2710 lbs payload with Heavy Duty package and 18” wheels.

Hanr3 · 01-25-2019, 05:44 PM

Yes, I tow a 5er with a 2016 F150.

2016 F150 Supercab, 6.5' box, 2wdr, 3.55 gears with electronic locking rear axle. 6,900 Gross Truck weight. 2078 Carrying weight.

I have no issues towing my KZ 231RK 5er, and a 2,300pound 16' Deep-V behind it.

Hanr3 · 01-25-2019, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyrilrogers@hotmail.com

Anyone have experience towing a 5th wheel with the Aluminum body F150?
I have a 2014 with heavy duty payload and max towing packages and it pulls my 8000 lb (dry) trailer with no issues. I’m worried about the lighter frame in the newer models. Considering upgrading to a 250.

FYI- the frame isn't lighter, the body is lighter. The frame was fully boxed, actually it's stronger than the old C-channel style. The frame and suspension carry the load, not the body or box. Sure the box contains a load of goods, but the 5er hitch is bolted to the frame.

The key to any towing is matching capacities between the tow vehicle and trailer. Stay within the capacities.

The biggest challenge for a 1/2 ton towing a 5er is the carrying capacity of the truck. Things like 4x4 subtract from carrying capacity, so does crew cab, long box, and the upscale trim packages all add weight to the truck and subtract it from its available carrying capacity. You don't need the heavy duty towing package, and yes you can find properly configured 1/2 tons on the lot. They aren't the rule, but the exception. Next time your out and about, stop at a Ford truck dealer and open the driver doors. Take notice of the max capacity and the carrying capacity, then look at the trucks configuration. Most times the Crewcabs, 4x4 and upscale trim packages have the least available carrying capacity. I avoided the regular cabs. Even with a long box they have a short wheel base. The best configuration is the XLT Supercab 6.5' box, 4x2 with locking rear axle and Ecoboost 3.5 twin turbo'd V6 engine.

With that configuration there are 5 or 6 capacities, gross and carrying. My truck is the 2nd lightest configuration, in that there are 3 or 4 capacities that can carry more than mine, and that includes the max. tow. My max gross is 6,900 and 2078 carrying. I have no trouble staying under those numbers. granted there are only a few 1/2ton towable 5th wheels have less than 1,500-1,600 pound pin weight. I needed a short 5er, 25' so I could tow my boat behind it and be under the 60' length limit in Illinois.