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BigGrey · 07-21-2018, 07:34 PM

I am considering buying an F150 3.5 , will it tow a 25 foot flying cloud ok ?

thiel · 07-21-2018, 07:47 PM

Have both. Works a treat. Go forth!

thiel · 07-21-2018, 07:47 PM

Get Max Tow, Tow mirrors, 36 gallon tank. Watch your payload number closely and get max payload if you can.

BigGrey · 07-21-2018, 07:53 PM

Thanks I do have 36 gal tank and tow package, what kind of mileage are you getting

**DKB_SATX** · 07-21-2018, 08:06 PM

I tow a Flying Cloud 26U (26' 11" and around 6500 lb loaded for travel) with a '17 Lariat SuperCrew short box with Max Tow, 4x4 and the tow mirrors. I get around 20 highway without the trailer, around 11 towing (generally at about 68 mph.) If your FC is a front-bed model it may have a heavy tongue weight, I've seen some crazy reports on those. My 26U runs around 950 lb on the tongue, and I hitch it with a Blue Ox Swaypro with 1000-lb bars.

I'm very satisfied with the F150 both towing and dead-heading. It doesn't quite offer the entertaining handling of my "fun car" but it's way more comfortable, has lots of useful tech and I've had no trouble in 16k miles, 8k of that towing.

BigGrey · 07-21-2018, 08:11 PM

Thank You

Paprika · 07-21-2018, 08:15 PM

I second what DKB_SATX said. I've been towing an International 27FB for a year now with a 2017 F-150 Lariat (3.5 L EcoBoost, Max Tow, 36 gallon tank, Trailer Backup Assist, etc.). Gas mileage is about what DKB_SATX cited: 18-19 mpg around town, 12 mpg when towing. I've had zero problems since day one, and it pulls like a champ up hill and down.

My only complaint about the truck is that the tow mirrors (electric retractable) should be longer. I don't have as good a view behind the trailer as I'd like. I'm having a Voyager rear-view camera installed next week to at least partially remedy that.

BigGrey · 07-21-2018, 08:17 PM

Thank You

brick1 · 07-21-2018, 08:38 PM

It will tow it fine. Watch the payload capacity.
brick

gsp_ · 07-21-2018, 11:25 PM

Should be fine. A 2018/19 f150 3.5L ecoboost with the max tow package AND 20” wheels will max out at 13,200# towing, and over 2,000# payload. If you don’t the select max tow package AND 20” wheels, both payload & towing capacity will be reduced.

daleyocum · 07-22-2018, 12:37 AM

I have a 25’ FC and the truck you are considering. It works well for me with the Blue Ox hitch. I am fine with standard mirrors but have a rear camera on the trailer.

RandyNH · 07-22-2018, 05:14 AM

20" wheels are NOT conducive to max tow anything...

They are ONLY an appearance package

mixedpuppy · 07-22-2018, 10:04 AM

If you're going new, do your research (see f150forums) and really seriously consider ordering the truck with the heavy duty payload package. There are various specific limits to the truck options, but our 17 Lariat Screw 4x4 has 2284# payload. You'll know by the GVWR of the truck which maxes out around 7850# (what we have). You'll have 18" wheels, 6'5" bed in most configurations (I think some 2-door non-cab models might require 8' bed), and you can only get it in base configurations of XL/XLT/Lariat (201/301/501 IIRC). The package has a thicker frame, upgraded suspension, tires, cooling, etc. plus everything max tow has. We went from a max tow Lariat to this one, and the difference in towing stability is noticeable without much effect on the daily driver aspect of the truck.

gsp_ · 07-22-2018, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyNH

20" wheels are NOT conducive to max tow anything... They are ONLY an appearance package

Have a look at ford’s towing guide, page 19 where it shows that 20” wheels extend the max towing capacity: https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r8_May15.pdf

Look for all those #11 footnotes connected to towing capacity and 20” wheels

raidergal · 07-22-2018, 11:15 AM

We have both as well, tows like a dream. 36 gal tank, max tow package. Couldn’t be happier. Go for it!!!!

thiel · 07-22-2018, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsp_

Have a look at ford’s towing guide, page 19 where it shows that 20” wheels extend the max towing capacity: https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r8_May15.pdf

Look for all those #11 footnotes connected to towing capacity and 20” wheels

FYI... I looked at Ford's numbers in EXTREME detail and there's a lot of weirdness there. For example, the front wheels (like, the rims and tires) are rated for less weight than the rear... which doesn't make any sense of course since the wheels get rotated. That's just one of like 10 strange bits of math I found when reviewing the specs.

gsp_ · 07-22-2018, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thiel

FYI... I looked at Ford's numbers in EXTREME detail and there's a lot of weirdness there. For example, the front wheels (like, the rims and tires) are rated for less weight than the rear... which doesn't make any sense of course since the wheels get rotated. That's just one of like 10 strange bits of math I found when reviewing the specs.

That’s wonderful. I hope you noticed the specific item we were talking about: there are different towing ratings for 17, 18, and 20” wheels - and how you can only reach the 13,200 towing limit with 20” wheels. I’m sure you can have a long, interesting conversation with ford engineers about all the unrelated items you saw.

RandyNH · 07-23-2018, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsp_

Have a look at ford’s towing guide, page 19 where it shows that 20” wheels extend the max towing capacity: https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r8_May15.pdf

Look for all those #11 footnotes connected to towing capacity and 20” wheels

I stand corrected, according to that chart, which I've been reading for years along with the rest of the brochure it used to be that you couldn't combine the max packages with the 20" wheels.

I'll have to dig to see how they accomplished that. Check any tire specs and you'll see that 20" tires are usually rated for quite a bit less carrying capacity, it's just a matter of lower air volume and sidewall strength.

Interesting...

RandyNH · 07-23-2018, 04:48 AM

Okay, not that interesting.

It seems that I forgot part of the discussion was about PAYLOAD, that brochure is Ford's general trailering brochure, not the F150 brochure, therefore it does not specify configurations. The Max package, to get to that number is only available on an XL trim and is only good to achieve a pulling number, not a carrying number (the whole "best in class" thing)

Review the F150 brochure and you'll find that you can't get and make all your claims with the same vehicle, once you cross check all the footnotes across both towing, payload and available options pages

JayTheCPA · 07-23-2018, 06:34 AM

Only thing to watch with the 3.5L EcoBoost is downhill speed control and slowing the load with the motor. Saw a commentary in another thread where the MY18 with the 10 speed transmission was better at this than prior model years with the 6 speed.

If it turns out that the computer is not aggressive enough with downshifting, a few easys flicks of a switch to downshift and get the RPM's above 4,000 will help.

Toward overall capability of the vehicle, a friend just crossed both continental divides with his with his '17 Expedition (3.5L and 6 speed) and ~7,500# trailer on the way to International. Uphill climbs were in 3'rd gear and down were in 2'nd. I can state from experience that a '17 Expedition is very capable with a ~8,200# trailer in 5% - 6% grades.

As others mention, just watch the payload numbers to make sure the trailer, tongue weight, and goodies in the bed keep things within the ratings.

Simply put, this F150 is nothing like the 1/2 ton from just a few years ago. It comfortably gets into the 3/4 ton territory and rivals fuel economy of a 3/4 - 1 ton diesel. Like all trucks it has limits, so just run the weight numbers.