I have an F150 - is a 27' too much?

[WindyJim]

I have a Chevy Silverado 1500, and three years ago I rolled a 27' AS (won't go into specifics, 6% downgrade on a curve). I now pull a 25' AS.

There is a tendency to "load up" whatever you are pulling so with water and a "housefull" of stuff it is pretty heavy. I personally would be quite cautious pulling a 27'. I wouldn't let the wife pull the 27' because it was a handful handling. The 25' pulls much easier.

Now, something I would strongly recommend with any 1/2 ton pickup is to purchase the higher pressure tires like the 3/4 and 1-ton trucks use. They take a much high pressure and as such the tire sidewalls are effectively less flexible. I swapped out my Michellin tires that were recommended for the 1/2 ton truck for the higher pressure Michellins and found it was like night and day as far as being a better tow vehicle.

[GailMac]

My book states that the 2013 F-150 EcoBoost Super Cab "Max Trailer Tow Package" can tow 11, 300 lbs.

[jimro]

We pull a 2014 FC 23D with our 2015 F150 EB with absolutely no problem including mountain passes. The 23d has a hitch weight of about 800 lbs. I've weighed all axles and am about 100 lbs over on the rear axles on the truck. The trucks payload sticker shows 1625 lbs.


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[graysailor]

Having read this thread and others the only problem the F150's seem to have is payload capacity. Towing does not seem to be an issue at all. One must be careful when buying or specing out a F150 and make sure your payload is up to carrying your tongue weight and your gear.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by gr.austin

I have a Classic Limited 27. When I run, the trailer weight fully loaded with water and all the do-dads that my wife can fit into it is between 8000 and 9000 lbs. I pull this with a 2010 Ford F150 and it is just fine on the eastern seaboard. I would be concerned if I was out west. My Ford is not an off the lot model and has several options that give the Ford the best possible chance of success. The 5.4L V-8 with the 3.73 rear end and the heavy duty tow package including the transmission cooler and oil cooler. 18" wheels are another plus. At 65 mph the engine is turning about 2100 Rpm on a flat road. However, if I have a 3% grade my RPM jumps to close to 3000 RPM a 5% grade and I'm pushing 4000 rpm.

Now for the comparison:

The 3.5L eco-boost is rated at very near the same horsepower and torque as the 5.4L

but here is the kicker, the RPM at 65mph on a flat road will be near 2600 rpm and with the 3% grade and 5% grade the RPMS will be kissing 5000 RPM. I'm sorry, but even though the engine may do the job I am not convinced that it will last for 100,000 miles and I don't think that it would ever reach 200,000 without major engine repairs. I consider my F150 with the 5.4L is certainly marginal for this duty and I have considered the 3.5L but just can't feel comfortable with the very high RPM's that the engine would be seeing for long periods of time. It looks like the F250 will have to be the replacement for me.

I am looking at the Ram 1500 with the 3.0L Italian diesel this is a snappy machine with the 8 speed transmission.

But even this diesel is just too marginal for my trailer. Would be very interested in what you end up with and how it works for you.

Gary

Hi, my Lincoln with one of the best 5.4L engines that Ford built Has 65 horse power less and 65 pounds torque less than my F-150 3.5L Ecoboost and my Ecoboost won't lose 30% of it's horse power at altitudes.

Road tests have shown that Fords tiny 2.7L Ecoboost runs all over the Little Dodge Diesel.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by GailMac

My book states that the 2013 F-150 EcoBoost Super Cab "Max Trailer Tow Package" can tow 11, 300 lbs.

Hi, my 2014 F-150 Ecoboost super crew cab, max tow package is rated to tow 11,200 lbs. And it has a GCWR of 17,100 lbs with a GVWR 7,650 lbs. So if my truck is loaded to the max of 7,650 lbs I only have 9,450 lbs left for towing.


My payload is 1,745 lbs and my trailer has a GVWR of 6,300 lbs.

[Wayne Clamp]

Going up the hills i suspect they struggle, even though people tend to defend their purchases as good choices, sometimes i question that. Coming down the hills, a different matter. No engine brakes, hope a fuse does not blow from holding your hand of the brake controller or the pads wear out, maybe the 1/2 tons now come with an anchor to drag. I picture this as most akin to the definition of a small boat, that being any boat smaller than the one, one owns.

[Wayne Clamp]

Me thinks Mr. ROBERTSUNRUS speaks wisely

[reelfastgreg]

i used to tow at the max rating of my various tow vehicles. it never felt right to me pushing the limits that way. so now i use a 1 ton, which is probably overkill, but with pretty much unlimited weight options, this truck feels way better than any 1/2 ton or for that matter 3/4 ton i have used in the past.

but sometimes, your choice is to use what you have so just watch the weight distribution and realize you are probably pushing the limits beyond the manufacturers recommendations.

[Road Ruler]

Originally Posted by WindyJim

I have a Chevy Silverado 1500, and three years ago I rolled a 27' AS (won't go into specifics, 6% downgrade on a curve). I now pull a 25' AS.

I wouldn't let the wife pull the 27' because it was a handful handling. The 25' pulls much easier.

Wow, just wondering did the pick up roll too or just the Stream? Looks like the chevy receiver broke or got ripped off.

Generally speaking Airstreams tow so well. We tow our 23 with a Can Am set up V6 sedan and it tows so well.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by gr.austin

I have a Classic Limited 27. When I run, the trailer weight fully loaded with water and all the do-dads that my wife can fit into it is between 8000 and 9000 lbs. I pull this with a 2010 Ford F150 and it is just fine on the eastern seaboard. I would be concerned if I was out west. My Ford is not an off the lot model and has several options that give the Ford the best possible chance of success. The 5.4L V-8 with the 3.73 rear end and the heavy duty tow package including the transmission cooler and oil cooler. 18" wheels are another plus. At 65 mph the engine is turning about 2100 Rpm on a flat road. However, if I have a 3% grade my RPM jumps to close to 3000 RPM a 5% grade and I'm pushing 4000 rpm.

Now for the comparison: The 3.5L eco-boost is rated at very near the same horsepower and torque as the 5.4L but here is the kicker, the RPM at 65mph on a flat road will be near 2600 rpm and with the 3% grade and 5% grade the RPMS will be kissing 5000 RPM. I'm sorry, but even though the engine may do the job I am not convinced that it will last for 100,000 miles and I don't think that it would ever reach 200,000 without major engine repairs. I consider my F150 with the 5.4L is certainly marginal for this duty and I have considered the 3.5L but just can't feel comfortable with the very high RPM's that the engine would be seeing for long periods of time. It looks like the F250 will have to be the replacement for me.

I am looking at the Ram 1500 with the 3.0L Italian diesel this is a snappy machine with the 8 speed transmission. But even this diesel is just too marginal for my trailer. Would be very interested in what you end up with and how it works for you.

Gary

Why do you imagine that the Ecoboost is going to turn higher RPM at a given speed than your 5.4l? Ecoboosts have more or less the same differential options, the current Max Tow setup is a 3.55:1 diff and the 3.73 is also available, with the same 6R80 automatic with the same internal ratios as a 2010 5.4l. In addition, the Ecoboost makes 55 lb-ft more torque (15% more) than a 5.4 liter on gasoline, and does it 1000 RPM *lower* than the 5.4l. (Supposedly the flex-fuel 5.4 does a bit more while burning way more E85, but let's compare gas to gas.) The Ecoboost also produces about 14% more horsepower, neither of which is what I'd consider "very near the same."

It's fine to say you like the normally-aspirated V8 for its reduced complexity, but I don't think there's any basis in fact for speculating that the 3.5l Ecoboost is going to be turning higher RPM in a given load and road condition than a similarly-geared V8. I would expect the opposite to be true, in fact, since the Ecoboost will be able to pull harder with the torque converter locked up in 5th than the 5.4 will be able to manage.

[Plasma800]

I personally would like the details of what led to this, and how it went down as it went down.

Originally Posted by WindyJim

I have a Chevy Silverado 1500, and three years ago I rolled a 27' AS (won't go into specifics, 6% downgrade on a curve). I now pull a 25' AS.

There is a tendency to "load up" whatever you are pulling so with water and a "housefull" of stuff it is pretty heavy. I personally would be quite cautious pulling a 27'. I wouldn't let the wife pull the 27' because it was a handful handling. The 25' pulls much easier.

Now, something I would strongly recommend with any 1/2 ton pickup is to purchase the higher pressure tires like the 3/4 and 1-ton trucks use. They take a much high pressure and as such the tire sidewalls are effectively less flexible. I swapped out my Michellin tires that were recommended for the 1/2 ton truck for the higher pressure Michellins and found it was like night and day as far as being a better towAttachment 239632Attachment 239632 vehicle.

[GailMac]

Check out the history of Ford 3.5L eco-boost engine. Be sure to read the wide range of testing, 163k miles. Now do you want another brand!

[camarobob]

I agree with all the others who advised that you should not have a prob towing either the 25' or 27' with your Ecoboost. In case you haven't already done so, check your trucks owners manual for the maximum trailer weight your 150 is rated for.
For comparison, my 2009 F150 5.4L Supercrew w/Max Tow package (3.73 rear axel) is rated to tow a trailer with a maximum weight of 11,200 Lbs (I'd never try towing anything close to that). Without the Max Tow pkg it's rated @ 9,700 Lbs. Your Ecoboost produces quite a bit more torque and hp than my 5.4L so maybe your 150 can handle more than you think.

Good Luck and happy trails with whichever trailer you choose.

[WindyJim]

Fortunately the truck didn't roll, but it was an e-ticket ride. It literally just ripped (tore) the hitch assembly from the truck. Chevy dealership said they had never seen or heard of such a happening.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Originally Posted by WindyJim

Fortunately the truck didn't roll, but it was an e-ticket ride. It literally just ripped (tore) the hitch assembly from the truck. Chevy dealership said they had never seen or heard of such a happening.

Hi, if your truck had the infamous round tube receiver. I would say all Chevrolet dealers know that they a bad. Robert Cross who worked at a Chevrolet dealer in New York replaced several at the dealer under warranty and replaced the one on his own truck when he could see the welds cracking. Maybe they never seen one come apart like yours, but I know they saw many with cracked welds.