Another Tired TV Post - Towing an Classic - F-150 3.5L EcoBoost, Limited

[afirth88]

I started out pulling our 27’ Classic with a 2015 F-150 EB max trailer tow package. Loved the truck and loved the setup. However, I often felt like the tail was wagging the dog at freeway speeds. I never experienced significant trailer sway, just wasn’t comfortable. I tried two different types of WD hitches, both performed close to the same. When towing in the mountains, the F-150 would heat up fast. On paper the truck looked perfect for the job. In the real world, just not quite enough truck for where we live and like to camp. Updated to a Chevy 2500 Duramax and haven’t looked back. Although I miss the smooth ride and creature comforts of the F-150.

[KK4YZ]

Originally Posted by JeffRadford

Hence the title of said Post, “Another TIRED TV Thread.” Haha. I knew I was opening that worm can.

You sure did. 😂 never fails. I don’t know why people get so wrapped around the axle about that subject. If you want to use a Yugo to pull a 33 footer, have at it. (Just move over to let me pass&#128526.

Meanwhile I’m happy with my choice of TV.

[RMYull]

I love the Limited it’s beautiful and considered it when we got our 27fb Tommy but when I saw the payload it was immediately dismissed. You simply can’t do much with payload. You have to go 250 and forget the Limited. It has a lot of fancy goodies that adds to weight so diminishes payload capacity. Everyone seems to have a scheme to fix payload. Amusing. Think safety, performance not frills! Eco boost is great. We miss our f150 ecoboost but when it struggled on the Siskiyou grade we said no way have to upgrade. Got a RAM 2500 a no brainer.

[cricket]

Those who overload their vehicles towing could be in for a big surprise. I have a Jeep Wrangler that has a tow rating of 3500 lbs. On one of my job ventures I was towing my ‘52 Airstream trailer that’s 26’ in length. A accident happened in front of me on the way to a job site, fortunately I wasn’t involved in it, but the Highway Patrol looked at my combination and cited me for being overloaded based on trailer length even though I was able to stop and wasn’t involved. The first thing I did was go to a truck scale and get a certified weight, as it turns out I was a 1000lbs under my tow rating. That old of a Airstream doesn’t have any holding tanks and the only wood in it is the cabinet doors, according to the scales it weighs 1895 lbs empty. I challenged that ticket and won based on the scale weights and the proof the Jeep was properly equipped to tow, had I been towing a heavier trailer even though my Jeep will tow more than 3500lbs, I would have been on the hook for a expensive ticket.

[Spaggs]

F-350 with Bilsteins. A few hundred dollars more, but more payload. Compare. I changed out my Excursion springs for F-350s with Bilsteins and yes, it is now stiffer, but not harsh. Roll, side to side, is less as well.
And whoever said overkill is a bad thing?

[dwhetstone]

For almost two years we towed a 30’ Classic with an
F150 3.5. I was very pleased with this truck. On a trip we experienced more wind than usual. It was obvious that we did not have the control that we thought we had. We are now towing the same trailer with a 2021 Chevrolet 2500 diesel. It is a pleasure beyond our expectations to travel with the new truck. I am confident that the F250 Ford, or the 2500 Dodge would have been a great choice as well. Obviously, you will get great control with the 350/3500 as well. Get more than you think you have to have.

[Life is a Highway]

I loved my 150 till I towed with it. I think you know the answers. I would suggest test driving a 3/4 ton and compare the driving experience and the capacities specifications.

I never had a love it day towing our 25 ft FC with our F-150. It was ok we traded it in.

I’ve never had a bad day towing our trailer with our SuperDuty. And have no concerns when we hook up to the new 2021 30

Originally Posted by JeffRadford

Hey folks -

Bought a 26 foot Airstream pre-covid and have towed just fine w my current Ford. I'm rated for a max tow of 10,700 lb. No problems towing at roughly 7,500 lb.

Currently considering moving into a Classic 33' Airstream Q1 this year, and that's sitting at a GCVR of 10,000 lbs. When I add the hitch weight of 1,175 lb - well you're starting to see the math conundrum. Start adding myself and additional payload and we're topping out my max tow and it's getting hairy.

I know a lot of folks are gonna say, go buy a 250, but my question is, does anyone have experience and can speak to tuning up an F150 3.5L, 6 cylinder like mine and what the improved towing capacity may be?

My options I'm seeing are this -

1. Tune - increase tow capacity.
2. Buy a used 250.
3. Buy a new F150 that's rated at 13,900 lb. max tow.

Curious to see what the thoughts are.

PS my 2019 FC is for sale if anyone's interested.

Thanks!

[suncoasteng]

Just buy one of these

[JeffRadford]

Problems solved! Haha.

[JeffRadford]

For sure - but I'm getting what I'm looking for, and that's an overall consensus.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by JeffRadford

For sure - but I'm getting what I'm looking for, and that's an overall consensus.

Congrats on the new trailer. Are you going through BT? FYI, I saved $20,000 by driving up to Chicago for our 2020GT. I’d rather do business locally, but that was just too steep.
Also, I’m on the edge with our 25 and Tundra, but safe. If I had anything bigger I’d have a 3/4 ton. I know I’d prefer diesel, but not sure I’d spend the $$ upfront. I’m in the St Louis area also. I’d say let’s meet somewhere, but I do not want my lovely wife to see a 33’ AS.

Jeff

[JeffRadford]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Congrats on the new trailer. Are you going through BT? FYI, I saved $20,000 by driving up to Chicago for our 2020GT. I’d rather do business locally, but that was just too steep.
Also, I’m on the edge with our 25 and Tundra, but safe. If I had anything bigger I’d have a 3/4 ton. I know I’d prefer diesel, but not sure I’d spend the $$ upfront. I’m in the St Louis area also. I’d say let’s meet somewhere, but I do not want my lovely wife to see a 33’ AS.

Jeff

Just shot you a PM! Sorry I didn't see your note until today!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Don’t forget to add in the tried and true, “I love my family too much to pull with a 1/2 ton!” That’s also a strong one to make your point.

Well, I’ve broken my New Years resolution about not contributing to tow threads.

Yes...but look how long you lasted.
I woke up the next morning and all mine were already in the dumper.

Bob
🇺🇸

[JeffRadford]

For those of you folks still attached and recommending the beefier truck - that's the direction I'm moving -

F250 with a 3.55 Electronic Locking Axle - (Looking at a 250 Tremor model)

Question - do we think the 3.55 is a high enough axle ratio for solid towing in those mountainous places?

Anything larger (3.73 or 4.3) I think I'm going to have to custom build out - not opposed - but kinda tired of waiting.

Secondly - any opinions on towing with "Off-Road" LT285 tires (Good, bad, or indifferent?)

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Off road tires are ...err ... optimized for off road. They do not do as well on the highway as more "normal" tires. This is true just driving around. It's even more true towing. There target is going over bumps softly and conforming to all sorts of odd things in the road. A highway tire is much stiffer.

How do I know this? Well ... we switched tires when we got the new truck ....

Bob

[JonDNC]

I use something similar but a little more versatile. Check out BF Goodrich KO2s. See if available in size and load range you need.

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by cricket

Those who overload their vehicles towing could be in for a big surprise. I have a Jeep Wrangler that has a tow rating of 3500 lbs. On one of my job ventures I was towing my ‘52 Airstream trailer that’s 26’ in length. A accident happened in front of me on the way to a job site, fortunately I wasn’t involved in it, but the Highway Patrol looked at my combination and cited me for being overloaded based on trailer length even though I was able to stop and wasn’t involved.

Wait. You're saying a cop ticketed you based on his looking at your trailer? I'd fight that immediately. Cops are not soothsayers.
"Son, you in a heap o' trouble, it appears to me that you've exceeded your payload by a hound dog's weight." <spit 'backy>
There's a reason RV's don't stop at weigh scales. Or require a CDL.

(I knew better than to jump in on a thread 77 posts in. )

[pjshier]

Originally Posted by JeffRadford

For those of you folks still attached and recommending the beefier truck - that's the direction I'm moving -

F250 with a 3.55 Electronic Locking Axle - (Looking at a 250 Tremor model)

Question - do we think the 3.55 is a high enough axle ratio for solid towing in those mountainous places?

Anything larger (3.73 or 4.3) I think I'm going to have to custom build out - not opposed - but kinda tired of waiting.

Secondly - any opinions on towing with "Off-Road" LT285 tires (Good, bad, or indifferent?)

From lurking on the Super Duty forum, the Tremor tows fine. The stock "off-road" tires vary so check the sidewall for the load rating and max inflation.

The challenges include: payload sticker is not a high as a non-Tremor Super Duty, so watch your tongue weight, etc. Suspension travel is greater and you may get some serious squat with a heavy tongue weight.

[dandiego]

Originally Posted by JeffRadford

For those of you folks still attached and recommending the beefier truck - that's the direction I'm moving -

F250 with a 3.55 Electronic Locking Axle - (Looking at a 250 Tremor model)

Question - do we think the 3.55 is a high enough axle ratio for solid towing in those mountainous places?

Anything larger (3.73 or 4.3) I think I'm going to have to custom build out - not opposed - but kinda tired of waiting.

Secondly - any opinions on towing with "Off-Road" LT285 tires (Good, bad, or indifferent?)

I hope you can find a better dealer to buy from. They attempted to pack my deal with an additional destination fee and claimed that transport from Ford isn’t included in the MSRP. [emoji849]

I only have a 25RB but my F250 w/ the 7.3 and 3.55 rear end tows great.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by pjshier

From lurking on the Super Duty forum, the Tremor tows fine. The stock "off-road" tires vary so check the sidewall for the load rating and max inflation.

The challenges include: payload sticker is not a high as a non-Tremor Super Duty, so watch your tongue weight, etc. Suspension travel is greater and you may get some serious squat with a heavy tongue weight.

Hi

I don't think you will have a problem with any Super Duty towing a 27' anywhere. My F350 with the diesel has more grunt than the 250 with the "small" gas engine. It's not night and day. You could work it out with a stopwatch. I can't tell that big a difference in normal chugging up an 8% grade for 10 miles sort of driving. All of that with a 30' that is substantially heavier than your 27'.

As far as low end, you can spin the rear tires with either drivetrain ( and no fancy rear end) while towing. Once the tires spin, more isn't going to do you any good.

Bob