Will a F-150 Pull a 25’ Safari on Georgia Route 75 ?

Jim Clark · 07-15-2007, 09:58 AM

We are thinking about a trip Enota Mountain Retreat, the reviews are good but feel free to state an opinion. I am concerned that my F-150 will have a problem handling the road grades on Georgia Route 75 around Hiawassee Georgia. I have the 5.4 liter engine pulling a 25’ Safari. We have pulled through the area west of Atlanta on I 20 with very few problems. Yahoo maps routes us up I 65 but we can also do I 59 to I 20 to get to Atlanta it is north of Atlanta which concerns me.

wanderer1 · 07-15-2007, 10:18 AM

If your f-150 is rated for the weight you should be fine.Back in the old days,almost all t/v and motorhomes ran gas engines. you'll just be a little slower going up the hills. Make sure you have the right w/d hitch set up though....Brian

Fyrzowt · 07-15-2007, 10:25 AM

When you hit the grades, pull the trans into a lower gear as needed and take your time. No prob.
I pulled my 25' Safari into the Sierras with my GMC 1500 4.8 CID. I would guess that the Sierras are more of a pull than what you have back there. Enjoy your trip.
Dave

Jim Clark · 07-15-2007, 10:54 AM

Thanks, I have a good hitch and the truck is in good shape. I will have the brakes checked, I feel better now.

jwe63 · 07-15-2007, 10:56 AM

Greetings from the Dirt piles of British Columbia. We just purchased an '03 25 foot Safari. I tow it with the '07 Tundra 5.7L no problem. Set the cruise control on 95-100km/h (55-60mph) and relax.

I think the main thing is take your time on the really steep grades, gear down....no hurry.

vswingfield · 07-15-2007, 11:14 AM

Hi Jim,

I have a 2000 F150 with the 5.4. I believe that it would pull my 24’ Trade Wind just about anywhere. Now that I have gotten the 34’ Excella, I am considering upgrades. My previous TV was a 77 ¾ ton Dodge van with a 318, smaller than the 5.4 which is about 330. The switch to a four-barrel and dual exhaust helped, bit it made nowhere near the power of the new 5.4. Wasn’t anywhere near as nice inside either. You'll be fine.

Vaughan

Streamer1 · 07-15-2007, 11:50 AM

Jim, at the risk of starting a war or something, I'll just say "yeah a 1/2 ton will do the job" (It won't be a piece of cake though). Now if you are like me and a bunch of other folks, I like more than the ability to do "just get the job done." I'm pulling my 25' International with an 06 PSD. Overkill some may say. I however, like having the power and not using it versus needing the power and not having it. Also, with a 3/4 ton diesel there is no doubt YOU are in charge (Heavier truck, bigger brakes, etc...). I often had the feeling when I had my 1/2 ton that the trailer was "driving the TV" and telling it where to go and when to do it.

Good luck with whatever you end up doing.

Van · 07-15-2007, 12:22 PM

I have no doubts my '05 5.4 F-150 could pull a 25' just about anywhere. I currently tow a 23' all over the Oregon Cascades, Coast Range and out into the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon without any troubles. I wouldnt want to go bigger than 25' though.

In fact i have passed 3/4 ton deisels of all makes towing 28-30 SOBs climbing hills. The 5.4 is a great engine with plenty to do the job. Just be careful on the downgrades is all.

Jim Clark · 07-15-2007, 12:31 PM

Again, thanks to all I do feel better. The only time you go uphill in New Orleans is to go over a bridge. I think the world of my F-150 and will not replace it until it is necessary and more than likely it will be with a PSD. If I am lucky I will not have to do that for a few years. The more I use my 25' Safari the more I like it, it is more than I need. I often wonder how much do you need to RV when I am parked next to a huge class A or 5th wheels. I will now tell the wife to start her planning.

Thanks again Jim

mi silver · 07-15-2007, 12:41 PM

jim i've pulled a 99 safari with a 1998 f 150 with a 4.6 for the last8 years all over the south and thru the mountains many times and iam still using this rig. i do have a hensely hitch and use mobile one . your f150 should have no problems

ScottW · 07-15-2007, 01:38 PM

Jim, I pulled an 06 25' Safari with the F150, 5.4l and had no problems. Never drove on an interstate, rather took all back roads (our choice). Pulled good. Bought a 30 Classic (07) and then bought a new f350, psd. No probs, obviously.
See ya at Gonzales this Oct?

HowieE · 07-15-2007, 01:54 PM

Your going to see some hills north of Atlantia. Where you are going is just north of Brasstown Bald. I pegged my themerature guages on that one with my 87 Diesel Sub and a 34 fter.

The limiting factor on a Ford is the radiator. I assume youu have a 373 rear and not a 342. If you can latch onto a Police radiator your trans and engine will love you.

vswingfield · 07-15-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

The limiting factor on a Ford is the radiator. I assume youu have a 373 rear and not a 342. If you can latch onto a Police radiator your trans and engine will love you.

Additional cooling is an excellent suggestion.

Vaughan

nilesrob · 07-15-2007, 02:23 PM

I-75 in N. Georgia is tame - mountain-wise. There is one area coming out of Chattanooga where there is a bit of an incline, but in whole the route should be very do-able with your F-150. We used to tow a 31 SOB with an Expedition (similar to F-150) and I-75 was never a problem.