Ford F150 4 wheel drive tow vehicle.

[Sjcjr]

I currently tow a 2014 30ft flying cloud with a 2012 f150 1/2 ton Lariat equipped with an ecoboost engine and max tow package and 3.5 rear end. The truck has a two rating of 9800 lbs and cargo limit of 1366 lbs. I'm thinking about trading for a new f 150 4 wheel drive Lariat with ecoboost and max tow package with an 11,500 lb tow rating and 3.7 rear end. I'm told the new f150 4 wheel dive has a 1550 lb. cargo limit. How much difference would the increase in tow capacity, cargo weight and rear end make in towing? Does anyone tow a 30 ft flying cloud with this set-up? I'm not interested in the 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton debate. Thanks to all in advance for your input.

[pappy19]

The 3.73 will be a better towing rig vs the 3.55. Both can tow just fine but the 3.73 will out-tow the 3.55 in the mountains and against a head wind. The 4 wheel drive is a good option; when you need it, you got it.

[Firedog1]

I have that same truck except 3.73 rear end, no problem towing 25 ft Classic and plan to tow new 30 ft Classic without an issue. Plenty of power and gets 13 to 13.5 MPG when towing. I did have firestone airbags installed in the rear.

[Sjcjr]

What difference did the airbags make with sway, vehicle movement, handling, etc.?

[Firedog1]

to be honest I did not notice any difference in handling, just raised rear end few inches as it appeared to sag a little.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Sjcjr

I currently tow a 2014 30ft flying cloud with a 2012 f150 1/2 ton Lariat equipped with an ecoboost engine and max tow package and 3.5 rear end. The truck has a two rating of 9800 lbs and cargo limit of 1366 lbs. I'm thinking about trading for a new f 150 4 wheel drive Lariat with ecoboost and max tow package with an 11,500 lb tow rating and 3.7 rear end. I'm told the new f150 4 wheel dive has a 1550 lb. cargo limit. How much difference would the increase in tow capacity, cargo weight and rear end make in towing? Does anyone tow a 30 ft flying cloud with this set-up? I'm not interested in the 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton debate. Thanks to all in advance for your input.

If you have a 3.55 differential, you do NOT have the "Max Tow" package on your current truck. That only comes with the 3.73 diff.

I have friends who tow a 30' Classic with a 2WD Ecoboost Lariat supercrew with max tow (which replaced a diesel Excursion) and they're very satisfied with it. Other friends with a 4WD Ecoboost XLT supercrew tow a 28' CCD. They have no complaints other than fuel consumption, but part of that is because they run about 75 mph when they travel.

[mojo]

My 2011 Lariat with max tow has a payload of 1760lbs. That changes based upon what model and trim you choose. If you can go with the full bed model, you can get the max payload package too.

[Mike-Gloria]

We tow our 27FB classic with a 2013 Lariat with max tow and other than mileage could not be more satisfied. We get around 10 miles per gallon but we can pull any hill at highway speeds. I am not a fast driver but like to stay up with traffic if possible. The truck is comfortable and I feel in control. We have a equalizer hitch. I think the truck is well matched to the trailer. Good luck maybe see you on the road somewhere.

[pappy19]

The Firestone air bags definitely help with leveling, calms the "interstate hop", and holds steadier when passed by semi's doing 90 mph.

[7GenTex]

I would bet it is not a "cargo" limit, but a "payload" limit.

Payload includes everything that goes in/on the truck.

See your yellow door jamb sticker.

I suggest you verify what the actual payload rating would be on the proposed F-150 as most of the publications available refer to the "maximum" payload and tow ratings. Higher trim packages and other options usually eat up a big piece of that..........

I would also bet on your current rig that you are exceeding the payload rating. Tongue weight, passengers, gear in the truck, etc...........

You will usually run out of payload before approaching your tow limits on a 1/2 ton.

It's not a 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton debate - it's just math that most seem to ignore.

[archiedh]

I tow a 2014 30ft Flying Cloud with a 2014 F250 (gas burner) Super Duty short bed Crew Cab.

[AnnArborBob]

I am amazed at how many people fixate on a vehicle's towing capacity vs. the payload when settling on a tow vehicle. Most of today's half ton pick-ups have the towing capacity to pull any model of Airstream, even a 34 foot model. Even a properly set up minivan can pull a 25 foot AS if the hitch is set up correctly (what that does to the minivan's engine and transmission in the long run I can't begin to imagine.)

The issue that needs to be scrutinized carefully is the tow vehicle's payload. If you look at the F150, for example, most of the configurations on dealer's lots will have a payload capacity of 1,600 to 2,000 lbs (and they vary all over the place based on the engine, cab configuration, suspension, options, etc...) so you need to know the payload capacity of the specific vehicle you are considering.

There are some "work truck" models that have payloads of up to 3,100 lbs, but those are two seater models with low end trim packages (e.g., no carpeting) that are usually bought by contractors and such who are looking for a bare bones truck with a lot of carrying capacity. Most of the trucks that a typical TT owner will obtain will be a mid to high end trim vehicle (e.g., XLT or Lariat) with a payload of between 1,600 to 2,000 lbs.

An empty 28 foot FC (i.e., no water or other cargo), has a hitch weight of 976 lbs. Add to that a full tank of gas (25 gallons = 150 lbs.) a driver and spouse (say 350 lbs.) and you are already up to nearly 1,500 lbs. It's easy to see how a typical owner would also have cargo in the trailer with some impact on hitch weight, and some cargo in the bed of the pick up and quickly use up the 100 to 500 lbs of remaining payload capacity of the tow vehicle.

Running down the highway with an overloaded vehicle is not recommended! It may be just fine until something unexpected happens. Then, the driver of an overloaded vehicle is at serious risk of a catastrophe.

If I had a dollar for every obviously overloaded TT/tow vehicle combo I've seen going down the highway, I would be a very rich man! And don't even get me started on the number of overloaded Class C's I've seen out there!

Be smart and be safe. Please check your TV's payload capacity before you take off this summer.

[Shaggy1970]

Originally Posted by DKB_SATX

If you have a 3.55 differential, you do NOT have the "Max Tow" package on your current truck. That only comes with the 3.73 diff.

I have friends who tow a 30' Classic with a 2WD Ecoboost Lariat supercrew with max tow (which replaced a diesel Excursion) and they're very satisfied with it. Other friends with a 4WD Ecoboost XLT supercrew tow a 28' CCD. They have no complaints other than fuel consumption, but part of that is because they run about 75 mph when they travel.

Maybe he meant the Max Payload package? Was max payload avail in 3.55?

OP Easy check, how many lug nuts on your wheels?

[Shaggy1970]

Originally Posted by Mike-Gloria

We tow our 27FB classic with a 2013 Lariat with max tow and other than mileage could not be more satisfied. We get around 10 miles per gallon but we can pull any hill at highway speeds. I am not a fast driver but like to stay up with traffic if possible. The truck is comfortable and I feel in control. We have a equalizer hitch. I think the truck is well matched to the trailer. Good luck maybe see you on the road somewhere.

Not to Hijack this thread.

Mike,
I got the same set up, can you tell me with your equalizer dialed in what hole on the shank is the ball mounted on? Thanks

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by shaggy1970AS

Maybe he meant the Max Payload package? Was max payload avail in 3.55?

OP Easy check, how many lug nuts on your wheels?

HD Payload also requires 3.73 gears. The diff for Max Tow may be either the e-locker or the 7-lug limited slip, HD Payload is only on the limited slip and includes Max Tow in the package.

There is an option that's just the tow package (not Max), which gets you the trailer brake controller, upgraded trans cooler, tow/haul software, etc. You don't get the extending mirrors, among other things.