F150 Ecoboost for a 34'?

[slowmover]

Who understands the tradeoffs. And carries 2000-lbs of gear in the truck. Every day. Before hitching. Who used to use cars to pull approximately the same trailer. And, unlike you, knows what the hell he's talking about. Practically and theoretically.


1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

[Moflash]

To compare a 1/2 ton with some heavy springs to a F250 or F350 is ludicrous.There are many more components involved in the equation.
Put a 1200 lb tongue weight toss in a few passengers and a driver over 150lbs then add some essential gear in the box.You are near the payload limit.Sure you can jack the rear end up with a wd hitch and everything looks fine again but your suspension is taxed along with its braking system.wait till you hit your first pot hole.That bang and jolt is you suspension screaming for help.
Built to pull the larger trucks have hd transmissions,rear differentials,axles,bearings,coolers for engine and transmission.Higher capacity wheels,tires and stabilizer bars along with progressive load springs to smooth out the ride.
The ability to pull a stated rolling weight does not mean that the trailer that you have selected tongue weight and cargo placed on the vehicle will make for a comfortable and safe experience.
You see the reason they build different size trucks is for different applications.The more you tow the more you appreciate these features that were engineered to pull more,carry more and do it more comfortably for longer.
I have ordered thousands of vehicles in my 42 year automotive career and am still learning.

As for me I am a member of Chevrolets Legion of Leaders and also a member of Chevrolets Truck Hall of Fame.I was awarded product knowledge champion for our 5 state region twice.I am a ASE certified tech.I am certified in medium and hd truck applications.Consultant for Mercedes Benz,Ferrari,Lamborghini Automobili.

Please tell me more about your automotive technical background.
You seem to enjoy quoting Andy at Can Am in Canada.Am I correct?

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[jcanavera]

Most vehicle manufacturers publish a trailer towing guide for their new vehicles. I've always asked for this when shopping it because it gives you the straight scoop. I find that very few salesmen are truly knowledgable about towing. It's interesting that many sales people are completely unaware of these guides and in many cases the dealers may not even have the guide. In that case you have to go the manufacturer and ask for one. While looking at the 2011 E350 I happened to find the guide. This will probably give you most of the information you need. https://www.ford.com/resources/ford/...eriesNov18.pdf

I did look at an E350 when initially looking at vans before settling on my GMC 2500 Savana van. To get the towing capacity up to 10,000 lbs which was what I was looking for I checked out and drove the E350 V10. The E350 was a pretty rough ride with the GMC 2500 riding much smoother. Mileage with the GMC was better towing and in the city and I was able to equip it with the 6 liter gas engine and 4.10 rear axle. Towing capacity on my vehicle is rated at 9,900 lbs.

Keep in mind that in some cases the 3/4 ton vehicle may have better tow ratings than the 1 ton vehicles. You pay a penalty in towing capacity due to the heavier frame and other components which may require a larger engine to compensate with a fuel penalty.

Hope this guide helps.

Jack

[Silver Pony]

I tow a FC 26U that weighs 7600 lb dry with an F150. Add propane, and everything my wife can stuff in it probably weighs close to 9000. I have the 3.5 engine, 6 speed trans. 3.55 rear and the tow package. The salesman told me my truck can tow 12,000 lbs. I live in FL so, now big hills to test it on, but so far, I have had no problems towing our trailer

[jayseejay]

Originally Posted by Silver Pony

I tow a FC 26U that weighs 7600 lb dry with an F150. Add propane, and everything my wife can stuff in it probably weighs close to 9000.

Hi Silver Pony. Are you sure about those weights? I thought Airstream lists the max weight of the FC 26U at 7600 pounds, with the dry weight listed at just under 6000.
Best,
Joe

[crunch27]

I wouldn't do it. I moved my daughter from London, ON to Ottawa this summer and instead of getting a U-Haul and spending a couple of nights in a hotel in Ottawa, we loaded up the 24' Argosy and camped out at a nearby park. I bet that there was an extra 700 or 800 pounds in the trailer. I really noticed the difference in the towing and the mileage. Normally, the truck runs at 13.4L/100km. When I tow the Argosy normally, we average about 16L/100km. This trip, fully loaded up to Ottawa, was about 20L/100km. Pulling from a dead stop was very noticeable, as was stopping.

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by TheHandyDan

Not to derail the thread but since its on the topic of what can tow what, I happened to catch "The Long Long Trailer" with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on TCM. It was from 1954. Anyway, they were pulling a big ol' trailer with a convertible sedan into places like Yosemite. A lot of the vintage ads show cars pulling trailers too. How did these old cars manage to pull what today is such a hotly discussed topic?

With heavier trailers there would be a " Road Dolly" attached under the front of the trailer and it carried all of the tongue weight. It had regular car tires mounted much like the front wheels on airplanes.

[RinconVTR]

Simple answer - Dont even think about it.

I can point the OP to numerous people with white knuckles towing 28-32' campers with max payload F-150 EB's who wish they bought a bigger truck.

I can only point to a few towing TT's that large that are happy, without using a Hensley or Propride.

I can point to more who are VERY happy towing 5th wheel trailers, but not over 32'

[Moflash]

Originally Posted by franklyfrank

With heavier trailers there would be a " Road Dolly" attached under the front of the trailer and it carried all of the tongue weight. It had regular car tires mounted much like the front wheels on airplanes.

The trailers were actually lighter then and the cars were heavier with full frames,big differentials with lower gear ratios.They were also built built on long wheelbases with hd components compared to what is built today.Still it would be a white knuckle ride.



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[dmslawson]

We're a former owner of a 27' Flying Cloud towed by an F-150. Not a happy experience for the the TV or its driver. Moved up to an F-250 diesel and had such an easy time towing! Now have a 30' Classic and the F-250 handles semi's on interstates, mountain grades, and gives us piece of mind everywhere. My advice is to get a smaller AS if you really want the Ecoboost or whatever. Otherwise, join the trucker ranks and get a big diesel: you won't be sorry.

Best of luck in your choice!

[Zeitlupe]

Originally Posted by slowmover

You might wish to learn the technical background. It's illuminating. Clears the air.


1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

I sure wish I knew it all.

Your suggestion to "clear the air" totally works for me. I am clearing out of this forum. There are a few posters that take it upon themselves to be all knowing. So many vehement opinions for queries that don't necessarily have one answer. So much grandstanding. If I read all this crap before I bought my unit I probably never would have gotten an Airstream. Enjoy your throne.

Done.

[kb0zke]

I talked to one of the construction supervisors at break today. He drives a 2012 F250 4x4, gas, and tows a fifth wheel once in a while (not as often as he'd like, he says). The weight of his trailer is about what a 34' Airstream's gross weight is. He says his truck handles the weight easily. When I mentioned what the local Ford dealer said he laughed. The dealer is well known in the area for trying to sell you what THEY want to sell - never mind what you want/need. People here regularly drive to Texas to buy their vehicles. We'll be in Texas in a couple of weeks, so I'll look again then.

Meantime, I've pretty much decided that an F250 will be our next vehicle. From what he and others have said, an F250 sans trailer will be about as fuel-efficient as our Jeep Liberty, and towing an Airstream will have about half the fuel consumption as our MH towing the Jeep.

[Countryboy59]

If I needed 34' of camper I would buy a motor home. No, I wouldn't tow a 34' with an F150. Too many unexpected things happen on the road and a trailer that large can't be turned or stopped on a dime no matter what you pull it with. That 34' will flip an F350 easily in the right situation.

When I upgrade, it will be 23' or maybe 25'. Will pull it with my F350. But I'm not gonna kid myself into thinking its 100% safe. Driver error is the #1 consideration, not big pickups or fancy hitches. I've responded to several wrecks to find big Fords or Dodges on their sides with small trailers or no trailer behind them.

I did driver training in trucks for awhile. I would have to see someone drive before I judge what they can tow with what. The way some people drive with a trailer (or without) I would cut up enough licenses it would start to affect the economy.

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by jayseejay

Hi Silver Pony. Are you sure about those weights? I thought Airstream lists the max weight of the FC 26U at 7600 pounds, with the dry weight listed at just under 6000.
Best,
Joe

I concur.
My 30 ft. FC lists 8800 lb. As a gross wt.
I generally tow around 8K. loaded up. with full fresh water.

Trailer Trash.........."

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by n2916s

The 3.5L is very torquey and capable. What you need to look at is payload. The sticker on the driver's door jam will tell all. Then, find out which rear end is in the truck -- 3.55 or greater for a 34', IMHO.

There are 150's with heavy payload and max tow that will do what you want but most aren't so configured.

By the way - the best way to tell if a car salesman is lying is to check if his lips are moving...

My F-150 3.5 ecoboost handles my 30 FC pretty well, but a 34? THAT would be 'pushing' it. I wouldn't!

Trailer Trash........"

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by DavidLawson

We're a former owner of a 27' Flying Cloud towed by an F-150. Not a happy experience for the the TV or its driver. Moved up to an F-250 diesel and had such an easy time towing! Now have a 30' Classic and the F-250 handles semi's on interstates, mountain grades, and gives us piece of mind everywhere. My advice is to get a smaller AS if you really want the Ecoboost or whatever. Otherwise, join the trucker ranks and get a big diesel: you won't be sorry.

Best of luck in your choice!

For what its worth,
In 2012 we bought our first Airstream, a 28' International Signature. To tow it we bought a 2012 F-150 Ecoboost. The combination worked well and did not have any noticeable issues.
In 2013 we decided to trade up to a 30' international because the 28' was a bit tight with 2 Sheppards, however we kept the F-150. I noticed right away that the F-150 was shoved around a bit and it became a job to be on the road for 3 or 4 weeks at the time. I also had to be real creative with how I would load the truck and ran mostly with empty tanks, specially out west. So recently we decided to trade it for a 2017 F-250 Diesel to place more heft front of the trailer and be able to keep the water tank full. I found it stabilizes the trailer significantly.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by MelGoddard

My F-150 3.5 ecoboost handles my 30 FC pretty well, but a 34? THAT would be 'pushing' it. I wouldn't!



Trailer Trash........"

34' is easier. Not harder.


1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by slowmover

34' is easier. Not harder.


1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

I don't know how it would be, but I'll take your word for it.

Trailer Trash waiting for Spring

[slowmover]

Tridem axle arrangement lowers TW percentage. And they track in a straight line more reliably. Really don't weigh any more, in large part.

[Countryboy59]

Originally Posted by Zeitlupe

I sure wish I knew it all.

Your suggestion to "clear the air" totally works for me. I am clearing out of this forum. There are a few posters that take it upon themselves to be all knowing. So many vehement opinions for queries that don't necessarily have one answer. So much grandstanding. If I read all this crap before I bought my unit I probably never would have gotten an Airstream. Enjoy your throne.

Done.

The tow vehicle threads are some of the most fun reading on this forum, especially the gas vs diesel and large vs small TV. Don't take anything on here too seriously.