Comfortable Towing Size/Weight F150 Raptor

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

I’m not so sure about that. The OP mentioned a Globetrotter specifically. You can’t buy a new Globetrotter 23 any longer (Airstream stopped producing them), so let’s look at the specs for a 2020 model. Airstream lists the tongue weight at 591 lbs. Once loaded for camping, it’s going to be higher, perhaps as much as 20%. This brings the tongue weight to 709 lbs. On average, a weight distribution hitch weighs about 100 lbs. Some are more and some are less. That brings us to a little over 800 lbs. If we assume that the truck is exactly as it rolled off the factory floor (no tonneau cover, no other modifications), then that leaves about 225 lbs. of capacity for passengers and cargo.

It is theoretically possible that this combination will work. Maybe the OP is a small person who travels alone with no gear in the truck. Even then, it will be close to the maximum limit and isn’t likely to provide an enjoyable towing experience. If you add another passenger and some luggage, then you’re over the limit.

Personally, I wouldn’t tow a 23 footer with limits listed above for this Raptor.

You’re right Dennis on the actual tongue weight. Our 2018 FC23FB came in around 700 lbs. loaded. If the OP can find a used 23’ GT and take it to the CAT scale to get an accurate measurement on the rear axle max. and it comes in a few hundred pounds under I wouldn’t be as concerned even if the payload number was close.

I know it’s splitting hairs but I would have kept our 1/2 ton tow vehicle for our 27’ GT if I had enough buffer on the axles. As it turned out we were over by 100 lbs.

We never took the Touareg to the scales; looking back I wish we had just for reference. That was a great tow vehicle with 4 wheel independent suspension and six piston calipers.

I’m not a gambling man hence the 3/4 ton TV with almost 3K in payload.

[SYC2Vette]

This might be useful if you have not seen it already.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSkP4rF56kE&t=27s

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

On average, a weight distribution hitch weighs about 100 lbs. Some are more and some are less. That brings us to a little over 800 lbs.

Some say that SAEJ2807 takes weight distribution hitch weight into account such that you count its weight only if it exceeds the assumed weight range of 55 to 75 lbs. See Myth 7 at:

https://askthervengineer.com/the-big...ution-hitches/

[Dennis C]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

Some say that SAEJ2807 takes weight distribution hitch weight into account such that you count its weight only if it exceeds the assumed weight range of 55 to 75 lbs. See Myth 7 at:

https://askthervengineer.com/the-big...ution-hitches/

I’ve seen that before. It’s interesting. Thanks for the link. I’ve thought about it when I considered A Hensley or Pro Pride hitch.

For the Raptor discussion in this thread it doesn’t matter much. Even if you subtract that weight, you’re still pushing the limits.

[Capt who]

The Raptor is a nice truck, a sport truck so to speak. They are not built to tow very much though.

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

Some say that SAEJ2807 takes weight distribution hitch weight into account such that you count its weight only if it exceeds the assumed weight range of 55 to 75 lbs. See Myth 7 at:

https://askthervengineer.com/the-big...ution-hitches/

The way I read it is that the WD hitch weight is assumed only in the tongue weight and tow capacity calculations. Nowhere does it say that a WD hitch is assumed in any payload calculations.

Do still need to consider the weight of the WD hitch as payload?

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by jeffb831

The way I read it is that the WD hitch weight is assumed only in the tongue weight and tow capacity calculations. Nowhere does it say that a WD hitch is assumed in any payload calculations.

Do still need to consider the weight of the WD hitch as payload?

Read on after the ad. He gives an example of using a 195 lbs ProPride saying that you would need to subtract 120 lbs (195 - 75) from your payload and hitch capacities.

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by DCPAS

Read on after the ad. He gives an example of using a 195 lbs ProPride saying that you would need to subtract 120 lbs (195 - 75) from your payload and hitch capacities.

Before the ad it says:

For instance, the ProRide 3P hitch weighs 195 lbs. If a “typical” WDH weighs 75 lbs, then you need to subtract 120 lbs from your tow vehicle payload capacity and hitch capacity.

After the ad, it doesn't mention payload capacity at all, only the hitch capacity.

It says:
… except you’re towing with a 200-lb WDH, so you should really subtract an additional 125 lbs. Since your actual hitch capacity is 900 – 125 = 775 lbs, you’re actually overloaded!

I feel that payload doesn't consider the base weight of a WD hitch because payload may or may not be used by users towing trailers. It wouldn't make sense to account for a 75# WD hitch in the payload limit if the user is only ever going to haul stuff in the bed.

[DCPAS]

Originally Posted by jeffb831

Before the ad it says:

For instance, the ProRide 3P hitch weighs 195 lbs. If a “typical” WDH weighs 75 lbs, then you need to subtract 120 lbs from your tow vehicle payload capacity and hitch capacity.

After the ad, it doesn't mention payload capacity at all, only the hitch capacity.

It says:
… except you’re towing with a 200-lb WDH, so you should really subtract an additional 125 lbs. Since your actual hitch capacity is 900 – 125 = 775 lbs, you’re actually overloaded!

I feel that payload doesn't consider the base weight of a WD hitch because payload may or may not be used by users towing trailers. It wouldn't make sense to account for a 75# WD hitch in the payload limit if the user is only ever going to haul stuff in the bed.

This is what i was referring to: "For instance, the ProRide 3P hitch weighs 195 lbs. If a “typical” WDH weighs 75 lbs, then you need to subtract 120 lbs from your tow vehicle payload capacity and hitch capacity."

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Crashcourse

Wow, thank you for all of the great advice. Great community here! I pulled the numbers from my door tags:

Max Cargo Weight 1033 lbs
GVWR 7050 lbs

Hi

All manufacturers on all models have a *wide* range of capabilities. A 150 / 1500 can have numbers that are quite low or numbers that would be well into the 250 / 2500 range not that long ago. This means you always need to dig into the grubby details.

Assuming these are the normal door tags done the standard way, you have 1033 pounds for everything you put in the truck. If you have two passengers at 200 pounds each, you now have 633 pounds left. Toss in your tool box and spare parts bin at 200 pounds and you have 433 pounds left.

What you will need to add is a shank and a hitch. How much they weigh depends a lot on what you buy. You might be under 100 pounds, you could be over 200. There isn't a lot left at this point.

Many folks have reported tongue weights of over a thousand pounds on their fully loaded 25' trailers. That's obviously off the table with this truck.

How well you can handle even a 23' with this TV depends a *lot* on your passenger and gear load. Simply staying under the limit with tongue weight + driver + hitch / shank sounds problematic. Obviously, it *very* much depends on your exact situation.

Keep in mind that the magic "max cargo" assumes that it is ideally distributed between front and rear axles. Making sure that is the case will involve playing at the local CAT scale. If you are right at the limit, this may be a stop you make at the start of each trip. At least to me, that sounds like a massive hassle.

Being "in spec" on the numbers simply means that it is safe under some specific conditions. Finding out *what* those conditions are isn't exactly easy. Best guess is it's at sea level and 45 MPH. If you are going over the Rockies, the numbers may well come down by 20% .... ( so you just lost another 200 pounds ....).

Being safe is not quite the same as being comfortable or having a manageable lash up. There are a lot of "safe" rigs that are exhausting to drive. There are also some hot rodded "unsafe" setups that are much more pleasant.

So lots of variables and lots of numbers. This only focuses on the one payload number. There are other numbers that get into it as well.

Bob

[streaming52]

Without getting into the numbers, I've towed a Flying Cloud 28 FBQ with my F-150 V8, traveling over 75K miles throughout USA and Canada over the past 4 years. Never a lick of trouble. Although slow and steady across the Continental Divide and Eisenhower Highway (can't go fast through switchbacks and hairpins, anyway), I never felt that I was in the weeds or underpowered.
I now tow a Globetrotter 28 FBQ with an F-150 hybrid (more HP and torque) and an 7.2K watt onboard generator. I'll know more about this new configuration as I take to the road this summer.
But hauling a 23' or 25' should be easy breezy with your Raptor.

[water007]

We own a 2020 Globe 27FB and used a company GMC1500 w/ a 5.3L gas engine briefly and it pulled it ok, but anything higher than flatland would be an issue. So, we ended up with an F250 6.2L gas and it does fine. Although if we spent a lot of time out West or in the mountains, I would change to a diesel. Keep in mind, towing and hitch capacities are just a part of the equation, the 3/4T trucks have much more braking capacity and frame structure. But, for a 23 ft, you should be ok. Good luck finding a campground!

[Hpadron33]

Originally Posted by Crashcourse

I have done the research on the towing capacity and tongue weight etc on my 2020 Ford F150 Raptor, but I wanted to see if anyone in the community had actual first hand experience of towing with one. I am looking at a 23' Globetrotter, but wanted to see if anyone had experience with a larger trailer as well.

Not sure if I want to consider anything larger at this point since I don't want every trip to the mountains to be stressful.

Thank you for any information!

I’m pulling a 30’ International just fine with my 2021 F150 3.5 eco boost. AirStreams are great towing with cross winds.

[Dick tracy]

Coolest truck on the planet, designed to jump. Love that truck. I test drove a 2020 hooked up to my 2017 FC23FB.

You will hear and have heard a lot of conjecture from well meaning people, but they don't know your level of skill/experience towing AND they have never seen your rig set up they way you travel on a scale. So load it up, hook it up and take it to the scales and weigh it at each axle (truck and trailer) unhook it weigh the trailer alone and the truck alone. Then you will know for yourself and then can decide based on FACTS and not conjecture. FACT inform feelings

It was fine hooked up with Blue Ox when adjusted to move 20% off the rear axle back to the front axle. Don't worry about how the rear suspension squat looks, weigh your axles and make sure you have about the same amount of weight on the front axle hooked up as unhooked. RAPTORS have a softer suspension so it will squat a bit, but as long as your front axle has the proper weight back on it, it will drive as it was designed. Make sure you are under your axle limits and Gross vehicle and total combined limits.
I pulled my FC23FB all over the west, over the Rockies into SD with a 2002 Range Rover, no issues.
1/2 ton IMHO is the right choice for a 23'.
I bought a 2021 27FBT and a new F150 for pull it, 43 nights last season, perfect,, love it, weighed it as described above, no issues.
Enjoy both your super cool truck and a beautiful Airstream

[SnowWanderer]

Originally Posted by Crashcourse

I have done the research on the towing capacity and tongue weight etc on my 2020 Ford F150 Raptor, but I wanted to see if anyone in the community had actual first hand experience of towing with one. I am looking at a 23' Globetrotter, but wanted to see if anyone had experience with a larger trailer as well.

Not sure if I want to consider anything larger at this point since I don't want every trip to the mountains to be stressful.

Thank you for any information!

How new or old is the trailer you are considering? My 1972 25 foot Airstream Trade Wind has a base weight of 4220 pounds, if I am not mistaken. I understand newer Airstreams of the same length have a much heavier base weight.

[dwhetstone]

We towed a 30’ Classic with a F150. All the numbers were good, and it pulled much easier than expected. If you can travel on none windy days with no trucks on the road you will love it. The truck is simply not heavy enough. You will enjoy traveling with something heavier.

[Capt who]

When looking at the payload #'s you Raptor only has 33 lbs more than my Tacoma. Something to think about.

[mckenej]

We have a 2020 Ford F-150 and we tow a 25 Ft Flying Cloud all over the country. This includes the mountains of Colorado, Utah and even the White Mountains of New England. I have weighed the Airstream several times on a Cat scale and find the 25 foot flying cloud front bedroom twin fully loaded for a 30 day trip is right around 6000 pounds gross , the tongue weight with a weight distribution system is right around 925 pounds. We average between 11 and 12 miles per gallon and then in the mountain that will drop down to around 9

[Jim Pona]

Originally Posted by Crashcourse

I have done the research on the towing capacity and tongue weight etc on my 2020 Ford F150 Raptor, but I wanted to see if anyone in the community had actual first hand experience of towing with one. I am looking at a 23' Globetrotter, but wanted to see if anyone had experience with a larger trailer as well.

Not sure if I want to consider anything larger at this point since I don't want every trip to the mountains to be stressful.

Thank you for any information!

I don’t have a Raptor but have towed our ‘07 Safari 25SS FIR GOING ON 13 years with (first) an ‘07 F150 5.4L and (now) a ‘13 F150 XLT Extended Cab 5.0L. 5,400 lb gross trailer weight. Both vehicles have pulled my load very nicely through MO, IL, MI, MS, GA, Fl and other states. I don’t think he will have a problem!

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Jim Pona

I don’t have a Raptor but have towed our ‘07 Safari 25SS FIR GOING ON 13 years with (first) an ‘07 F150 5.4L and (now) a ‘13 F150 XLT Extended Cab 5.0L. 5,400 lb gross trailer weight. Both vehicles have pulled my load very nicely through MO, IL, MI, MS, GA, Fl and other states. I don’t think he will have a problem!

Hi

The Raptor is a *very* different truck than the other F150's when it comes to towing. It is set up and targeted for off road use. Most of what you do in rigging a vehicle for that kind of use is the opposite of what you would do for good towing performance.

Bob