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Old 01-08-2011, 02:47 PM   #1
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Flying Cloud 25 FB and a 2006 F-150 4x4 TV

Hi, we currently have an F-150 we tow our teardrop camper with (yes, it's overkill ) but we're considering someday getting a 25' Airstream (new) and from reading the posts here I think I'll be ok with this truck but may need to get a couple of mods. The truck is a 2006 F-150 5.4L V8 4x4. I am not sure of the axle ratio and the tow capacity I'm pretty sure is 8800 lbs. The AS weighs in at 7300 lbs so should be good there. What I'm seeing on here is I will need to get a WD reciever hitch since the stock receiver that's on it is only rated to 500 lb tongue weight and the Tongue weight on the AS is 837 lbs. I'd also have to get electronic brakes. Other than that I think I'm good to go. Can anyone back me up on these assumtions?

Lot's of great info on here! Great site!

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-Alan
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Old 01-08-2011, 03:29 PM   #2
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I tow a similar trailer with a similar setup. Mine came with the tow package which upgraded the receiver and added the transmission cooler. You might want to make sure you have the transmission cooler.

Since the Airstream is 8.5 feet wide, I bought and installed Ford's extendable tow mirrors. F-150 Extendable Tow Miirors Thread

The tow combination is very comfortable and a pleasure to drive.

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Old 01-08-2011, 03:45 PM   #3
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Is the 500 lbs for a straight tow with out the WD bars? The receiver hitch on our 97 ford was rated 500 without the wd hitch and 1000 with the wd hitch. Just suggesting that you re-read the weight information in the manual. Towed a 25' that weighs about 7000 with it. Towed and handled fine. Slow and downshifting on hills. About 9-11 mpg.
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Old 01-08-2011, 03:50 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill M. View Post
our 97 ford was rated 500 without the wd hitch and 1000 with the wd hitch.
I think you may be right. I haven't re-read it but I do remember that WD hitches do up the tongue weight capacity. So I guess I don't need a new receiver just the WD set up.

Thanks,

-Alan
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Old 01-08-2011, 04:11 PM   #5
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You should be correct - you can use your existing receiver and just purchase yourself a WD hitch - now the $1000.00 question is which one?
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Old 01-08-2011, 04:47 PM   #6
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think about gears and tires

Will be a nice rig Alan.

Switching to 4:30 gears and Load range "E" tires really improved towing experience with my F-150. I run 33" tires, but with stock tire size, 4:10 gears should be 'bout right.

As in comment above, if your F-150 does not have one, get as big a tranny cooler as you can and switch over to Redline synthetic transmission fluid.

Here are f-150 axle codes - you can find your 2 digit code on your door sticker:
19 – 3.55 Non-LS
18 – 3.08 Non-LS
H9 – 3.55 LS
B6 – 3.73 LS
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Old 01-08-2011, 04:51 PM   #7
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The standard 4x4 is up to the job - the FX4 has heavy duty suspension and you can feel the difference in improved handling. E rated tires improve things further.

The hitch is rated to 500 lbs standard hitch, 1000 lbs with weight distribution, and the 8800 lbs towing limit is conservative - the previous year model identical truck was rated 9,300 in the same configuration you have.
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Old 01-08-2011, 05:05 PM   #8
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Dave, I think that 9300 lb tow rating is with a different axle ratio than I have if I remember correctly. I checked all this out when I bought the truck expecting to upgrade trailers some day and the 8800 lbs tow capacity is coming to mind.

The truck does have the factory tow package so I believe that includes the upgraded cooler, radiator, brakes, 7 pin connector, etc., etc.

Thanks for all the input everyone!

-Alan
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