Ford 150 Ecoboost with Max Tow vs. Big Butt Trailer

[ShullsinUtah]

Okay guys and gals,
Looking at a F-150 Ecoboost Crew 4x4 4wd with max towing package, brake controller, etc.

3.5L v6
axle 3.73
GCWR 17,100
145 wheelbase
pulling at 11,200


Looking at trailer that comes in at :
8800 Lb. Axle System •
9000 Lb. GVWR •
6525 lb. UVW •
790 hitch weight


Family is 3 plus dog (cover us at 450) allows for son to grow and one more to ride.


FYI, no experience here. First RV.

Thanks.

[mojo]

Check the door sticker for payload capacity, should be 1755 lbs. Then you can do the math. What model/year trailer? You are at 1240 lbs payload already, need to account for propane and gear in the truck plus any added acc. like bed cover/shell.

[ShullsinUtah]

Thanks Mojo.
Have not bought either of them yet.
Husband really wants that Ford truck.
He was wondering if it would be too close to the max.

Any thoughts on how close is too close?

You live in the hills too, so question of pulling up and over would be of interest to us.

It is 2008 Classic 27 lb. I think it must be those Hickory doors everywhere making the weight go up. Not sure. I saw another AS at 28' that only weighed about 7300.

[mojo]

The Ecoboost will pull a 28' just fine and a turbo anything is great for altitude towing. The limiting factor is the payload capacity, you have to look at just how much stuff you will be loading in or on the truck.

Max is max and maybe then some with a WD hitch but then there are some folks who don't want to exceed 80% of max. All depends on your comfort level and the real weights at a truck scale.

Keep doing your homework and use the search function on the forums for more info on the ecoboost and your proposed trailer.

[911Patriot]

Our 2011 F150 Ecoboost did great towing our '91 29' Excella all through UT, Yellowstone, Tetons and the Badlands!

[ShullsinUtah]

Originally Posted by 911Patriot

Our 2011 F150 Ecoboost did great towing our '91 29' Excella all through UT, Yellowstone, Tetons and the Badlands!

What does your TT weigh?

[4RXLA]

I'd go with a F250 for the additional payload capacity.

[switz]

When comparing the empty weights of the 27FB International vs the 27FB of the Classic, one notices that there is over 700 pounds of additional weight associated with going to solid wood cabinets versus the formica over some core material. That larger payload is not used by a larger fresh water tank as it has 39 gallons versus 54 gallons on the newer 27FB Classic models. That means the ability to put that much cargo into the trailer will be difficult given the limited storage areas unless you carry all cast iron camping equipment.

The big question is the payload number of the truck. The published trailer tongue weight is usually lower by three to four hundred pounds than what the scales report. Thus you could be close to 1500 pounds without anything else in the truck. Adding a camper shell to protect a generator or two, spare gasoline, camping supplies, cooler etc will only raise the payload requirement.

The twin turbo chargers provide plenty of pulling power at all altitudes. The issue is stopping. You are looking at the third highest GVW Airstream trailer of that time period. Only the 2011 tri-axle 34' at 11,500 pounds and the 31' Classic at 10,000 pounds were higher. That lower compression gasoline engine will not have the back pressure from an engine brake like a diesel to help slow descent in the mountains sparing constant application of the vehicle brakes.

I found out my existing planned TV lacked the front axle rating and GVW capacity to legally tow our new trailer after it was loaded for camping ands we still did not have generators or gasoline in the equation. That resulted in a 3/4 ton diesel pickup TV being added to the fleet of vehicles.

There is a lot of TV discussion here on this forum for a reason. Please spend some time reading and pushing the numbers before writing any checks. Note that 11,200 pound towing capacity is for an empty truck. That trailer towing capacity is reduced as you add payload to the truck.

Ask a lot of questions first rather than afterwards....

[Luigi123]

I sold my f150 6.2 for a 3/4 diesel duramax/ Allison as I live at 7400 ft and many F150 owners in our town have done the same.

[Aviator]

We tow our 34' with a normally aspirated 5.4L gas in a 2009 F150 and are very comfortable with the setup. I have not had it above 4000' elevation, but was towing up 12% grades for part of the climb.

Family of 4 plus dog. Trailer as loaded is about 7900#

[aftermath]

Lots of good information here. I believe that your issue will be with payload as some have said. I am towing a 25FB with a Tundra and I am close to my payload limit. It pulls fine, the truck rides level and I feel comfortable with it. I wouldn't want to get any heavier with my current set up though.

As I understand, the Ford eco-boost is a very good truck AND can't you get some additional payload options when ordering? Going to a heavy duty kind of thing might just be the answer. The tongue weight is going to be heavier than what they post. I have two full propane tanks, two batteries and a spare tire on the tongue. Adds up fast.

[Howard L.]

Had a 2011 Chevy 1500 with the 6.2 403hp engine that I pulled our 2012 30 ft Flying Cloud with once. All trips since have been with a chevy 2500 Duramax 6.6. No comparison with the towing power, feeling of stability and safety, wear and tear on the engine and transmission, etc. That Eco Boost will do it, I wonder how long those 6 cylinders can take the twin turbo's forcing air down their throats? But it's a real personal thing. I'm still amazed with the number of people who love their Tundras. With your tow weight, you are really up there for a 1/2 ton TV.

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by Howard L.

That Eco Boost will do it, I wonder how long those 6 cylinders can take the twin turbo's forcing air down their throats?

Steve measured hp output on his TV some time back. The highest he could get it was 110hp during sharp acceleration. Available power is not something I personally would worry about.

Properly set up, a smaller TV can be far more stable as many a large truck. Centre of gravity, sophistication of suspension design and a proper hitch will trump truck size every time.

[JFScheck]

Until you can obtain the GVWR of a similar truck configured exactly as you are looking at you will never know.

Don't be a fool, purchase it based on the dealers word only to open the drivers side door and learn the truth a few days latter....

[matthorr]

I have a 2013 F150 Ecoboost super cab towing a 27FB International. Not exactly the setup you are considering, but I probably have a higher tongue weight. I do not feel near any limit - either power, braking, engine braking, cargo or tow capacity. I think you will be happy with that truck even towing a higher weight trailer.

[tailpipe]

Most of the time it is not the go that's gets you in trouble ( power ) it is all the other stuff.....the capacities. If you are towing a trailer and carrying enough stuff to exceed the capacity of the truck and God forbid had an accident and someone gets hurt ... you couldn't stop or any number of things that can go wrong when towing. How would you sleep....or how would your liabilities change. I have been rving for 15 years 6 of those in a 5 th wheel that was in excess of 20,000 lbs...look at my signature....don't use a marginal truck