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

[Smari]

We're getting ready to pull the trigger on an Airstream. We had decided on a 2015 International Signature 25'. We can get a really good deal on the same Airstream in 27' and are seriously considering going that route.

I have a 2015 Ford F150 with the Ecoboost. GVWR is 7000 lb.

The 25' lists GVWR at 7300, and the 27 is 7600.

Will I have issues with either, or both units? Is the 27 going to be too much for my truck?

Thanks!
Smári

[KJRitchie]

3.5L Ecoboost is powerful enough for either AS. What trim level do you have? What does the yellow payload sticker on your F150 drivers door frame show for available load? Figure about 1000lbs hitch weight for either trailer.

Does your F150 have the tow packages and integrated brake controller. 23 or 35g fuel tank. 4x2 or 4x4?

Kelvin

[lsbrodsky]

I have a Chevy 1/2 ton with the 5.3 V8 and the towing package and have no problem with our Serenity 25. I have been through the mountains of North Carolina with no trouble. On paper I am probably near the capacity limit for truck cargo, but with some room to spare. Plenty of people tow these with 1/2 ton pickups. many threads on this subject.
Larry

[ckottum]

The truck is fine for either trailer, the question is always the load expectations of the owner. Inventory your "must-haves" to see if it meets yours.

A quality, capable weight distribution/sway control hitch is needed. Learn how to set it up, how to load the truck and trailer within their limits, and how to use the transmission climbing and descending steep grades. Take your time learning.

cheryl

[PharmGeek]

I recall that some of these models like the 27 or 28's have in some cases even greater tongue weight than a 30....

Yeah, I would check the payload sticker...add weight of full fuel tank, all passengers, all expected gear projected weight within the tow vehicle, add to that the projected tongue weight (I see it is 770 lbs pretty much totally dry, so 1K after hitch probably is ballpark and conservative).

I suspect it depends on what and how much stuff you pack into the TV/TT as to whether or not you are either marginal or over stated payload?

Let us know what you find out.

[MacPDX]

The EcoBoost will pull either trailer. There are lots of ways to reduce the effective tongue weight: proper WD hitch setup, careful loading of trailer, etc. You just have to be careful on what you load into the truck and trailer and where it is placed.

The GVWR between the trailers is negligible, so go with the one you like the best.

Just keep in mind that when your trailer is closely matched in weight to your TV or heavier, more care needs to be taken when towing.

[ckottum]

Originally Posted by PharmGeek

I recall that some of these models like the 27 or 28's have in some cases even greater tongue weight than a 30....

Yeah, I would check the payload sticker...add weight of full fuel tank, all passengers, all expected gear projected weight within the tow vehicle, add to that the projected tongue weight (I see it is 770 lbs pretty much totally dry, so 1K after hitch probably is ballpark and conservative).

I suspect it depends on what and how much stuff you pack into the TV/TT as to whether or not you are either marginal or over stated payload?

Let us know what you find out.

Not that simple. You can load your trailer to effect more or less hitch weight, 10% of loaded trailer weight is enough. Some don't stop there, AGM or Lithium batteries are commonly moved back within the trailer, spare tire removed. The load in your truck bed behind the rear axle must be lifted by your w.d. hitch, stow it forward. The w.d. hitch will distribute 1/4 to 1/3 of the trailer hitch weight to the Airstream axles, the remainder split among the truck's axles.

To many the truck's payload rating is a recommendation, the axle and tire ratings are never to be exceeded. Overloading an axle or tire rating may be possible without overloading payload rating, that would be dangerous.

The 1340 lb payload rating on our truck is after the driver, a passenger, and a full load of fuel as I recall, not before. Check your own truck, it may be different.

cheryl

[Moflash]

Ford trucks are payload rated with a 150lb allowance for a driver and full of fluids (including gas).Anything after that is subtracted from the payload limit posted on each individual trucks door post or jam.

[Smari]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

3.5L Ecoboost is powerful enough for either AS. What trim level do you have? What does the yellow payload sticker on your F150 drivers door frame show for available load? Figure about 1000lbs hitch weight for either trailer.

Does your F150 have the tow packages and integrated brake controller. 23 or 35g fuel tank. 4x2 or 4x4?

Kelvin

Kevin,

The sticker states 3450 LB front axle and 3800 LB rear axle. I have the maximum tow package, integrated brake controller and I believe, the 35g tank, 4x4.

[Plasma800]

Get the 27 for the good deal, you won't regret. I'd hurry though as I feel the '15's are about to get some pressure (due to the price increase of the '16)

[HeadWest]

You should have no problem with the 27. I pull a 28' International with 2013 F150 Ecoboost, Max tow. The 27 has slightly less tongue weight then the 28. My F150 has a lot of options and our available payload is about 1650. We don't carry much in the truck and we know we are limited with payload with the heavy tongue weight.

The transmission has been great in the mountains using tow/haul mode. Only downside mechanically we have had with the F150 is the brake rotors are paper thin so the do warp easily even though I don't ride the brakes down mountain passes, etc.

We are using a Propride hitch which is very stable even in many miles of heavy winds. One big plus with the Propride is it pushes the trailer back a bit further so the tailgate is easy to open.

So far, about 16k miles with the truck and trailer. Overall very happy with the towing performance.

Hope this helps.

[graysailor]

The critical point here is to check your payload rating on the door of your pick up. I am currently pulling my 30' Cloud with a 2015 Platinum F150. Normal pulling is just fine but in the steep hills I can tell that it is working. Still pulls the hills with no problem. The higher end models such as the Platinum usually means less payload while the lower end models give you more payload. Don't ask me why but that is how it works out. The best I could get was about 1300lbs of payload on my Platinum which is not enough. I just carry to much junk around. At this point I am considering a 2016 or 17 F250 diesel. With these F205's there is no more guess work involved as they just plain have the power and the payload to handle any Airstream with no questions asked.

[m.hony]

1/2 ton Tundra pulling a 30' Classic with no trouble. I have heard it said that the 27' has more tongue weight than the 30'. I still think your Ford will tow any Airstream made.

[m.hony]

Know a couple pulling a 2014 FC 30 with a Ford F150 EcoBoost. Know another couple pulling an sob 5th wheel with a Ford F150 EcoBoost. Many "Forums members pulling with EcoBoost Fords.

[TLBIJOU]

Bottom line is the rated towing capacity of the vehicle!

[carl2591]

have you check out the Ike Gauntlet tow test from Fast Lane Truck.

Ike Gauntlet: 2013 Ford F-150 Ecoboost 4x4 - Extreme Towing Test - Truck News, Views and Real World Reviews

give it a look see, it very interesting and worth a look, plus the scenery is amazing.

Ike Tunnel aka Eisenhower Tunnel is some 60ish miles out of Denver on I-70 going west. The elevation is 11,200 ft. The tunnel allows the road to be below the Loveland Ski area..

[PharmGeek]

I honestly feel overwhelmed by this topic - technically challenged

I just started adding up weights of passengers, dog, bikes (2 adult size, two kid size), chairs, 20lb propane tank - weber babyq grill - and for boondocking generator and extra gas.

As I looked at all the figures including projected tongue weight it seemed I needed more payload buy a substantive margin.

I looked up for website (ford) payload calculator - they did not include any weight of any passenger - only the full tank of gas btw although I would hope the sticker and manual will stipulate for more certainty.

The whole business of this is confusing in my opinion and as I glean what is said online I am often left confused about what is what

Good luck figuring this subject out and making your choice.



Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Sbb]

I pull a 19' with a 2500 Burban, my total combined max pull is 16k with Burban. The sticky wicket becomes my pop up shop and two tulles on top I haul around 22k miles a season. I take out middle and third row seats buying weight, and travel mostly alone( I am over 150#). I use a Reese WD on link 5 to even her up. But when empty and on pleasure trips I use only sway control. Total weight 11k when loaded, water, fuel, and my pop up shop.

[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

[Gmoore]

We pull a 2014 30' International with our 2012 F150 Ecoboost and have no problems. Beautiful ride.
However it is very important to get the hitch set up properly for your particular tow vehicle, whichever one you choose. I'd advise to go to an expert rather than work it out yourself. After all this is the critical connection between you and your new baby! And you'll spend nearly as much time driving as sleeping so you want it to be a comfortable experience!
Have fun!