Tow vehicle choice - F150?

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by denton

Can I ask how you found the exact payload before ordering the truck? I am planning to get the same vehicle AND I want that sunroof in spite of being warned against it by everyone here.

It's on a sticker on the inside edge of the driver's door frame.

[PNH57]

Thanks for all of the information. I appreciate the help.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by weirdstuff

Hmm....I may well have been mistaken. This is a whole new language to me, so half the time I don't really know what the heck I'm talking about.

I do know that the payload number on the door sticker is 1630.

Apologies for any misinformation. I should be more careful before spewing technical info.

Depending on your particular truck (on a rating I'm not sure of from the other specs you provided) your rated towing capacity is up to one of the following:

10,700
11,100
11,500

So, you may have dropped a digit on transcription. Note the "up to" that number, it's hard to get to that number without your tongue weight loading up the truck enough that you can't carry much of anything in the truck, etc... but it's also hard to get an Airstream up in those weight ranges unless you're towing a 30+ foot Classic.

Max tongue weight for the receiver is 1,220 lb with weight distribution (per Ford's 2017 Towing Guide) which is suspiciously exactly 10% of their max 12,200 towing capacity for the ideally-configured unicorn...er... F150.

[Excella1991]

We have a 2016 F150 eco boost V-6 towing a 2014 27' FC. Truck and AS trave.ed 14000 miles this past fall through spring up and down mountains and across the plains. Never a problem. I recommend it.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by denton

Can I ask how you found the exact payload before ordering the truck? I am planning to get the same vehicle AND I want that sunroof in spite of being warned against it by everyone here.

There are lists floating around of the theoretical weights of various options. If you have to have the sunroof, definitely don't order massaging seats and power running boards and box-side steps, and think about whether you need the tailgate step. Each of those things adds some weight.

Part of the reason I didn't want the sunroof was payload, but also the history of big sunroofs in body-on-frame vehicles is not great. I follow the F150 forums in addition to AIRForums and one of the common issues people have is with noisy and/or leaky sunroofs. As on AIRForums, one needs to take that with a grain of salt because of course there are probably many people not having a problem who aren't finding the F150 forums to say "Oh, my sunroof is great!"

Also, since there doesn't seem to be much chance that I'll get to start summering at high altitudes in Colorado anytime soon, I didn't want the extra heat load in the Texas sun.

[Sovereign85]

During the past 25 years, we have towed our 25 ft Airstream throughout North America with an F150 extended cab, 5.4 engine, 3.55 rear end, and 6.5 bed. We have had two F150 trucks serve us well with no modifications to the engine or drive train. My only attentions are to follow the maintenance schedule, and to not exceed the vehicle’s payload capacity. If one wants to carry extra weight, consider a three-quarter ton (e.g., F250).

[drairstream]

There is an excellent article in road and track comparing the 6 and 5.0. They seem to feel the 5.0 is more comfortable to drive in town but that as a tow vehicle the 3.5 supercharged 6 is the way to go.
That being said, I have a 2011 Lariat 5.0 with 3.55 gears, six speed 36 gallon tank and it pulls and stops a safari 27 with no problem, I did put new self adjusting brakes and bearings on last year.
The Lariat is a four wheel drive, super crew with tow package. I have a Reece WDH. I don't add much extra to the payload other than a backflip bed covers and I don't tow wet for any distance. Haven't been to the Rockies, but have no problem over the top of the smokies on I-75.

Before I hit the Rockies, I'll get SuperCrew 3.5,2WD Max tow package Lariat f150 and probably change the trailer brakes to electric disks. I'm not from snow country so I don't need the 4WD and its extra weight.

[drairstream]

OHHH! Go by what the doorframe says or you'll regret it. If you read your specs on the sheets properly and look up your axle codes you can be sure of what you're getting.

[Bobbo]

When you finally buy, let us know what you got.

[davidrrand]

I have a '16 FC25. Tow with '15 F150 Supercab 4X4 Lariat 5.0 V8, 3.31 Gearing, 2031# payload, overall 17 mpg, 21 Hwy, 11-12 towing depending on where. Towed numerous Rockie passes last summer/fall and did great. Used tow or manual mode on ascents/descents and it does rev. Slow and steady equals safe. EB 6 is a good engine but I love my 5.0 and it does the job.��

[us3rnam3]

For the last three weeks we have been towing our 2014 27 FB thru Canada on our way to Alaska with our 2015 F150 XLT 5.0 L V8 6 Speed transmission. I amvery pleased with the performance of the engine & transmission. More power would be nice but not necessary as would slightly. better fuel economy via an eco bust V6 but the V8 by it's character has advantages. Larger displacement provideds power at a lower rpm as well as engine breaking at lower rpm both help up and down all the mountain driving in Canada. The transmission is a wonder. Driving in tow haul select, tap the brakes on the downhill and the transmission drops one gear lower, Or shift down to "M" and shift up and down with a rocker switch on the shift selector. I have not had to ride the brakes once on the down hill. Just watch out for the guy behind you who is waiting for you to brake before he does. My gas Milagros is averaging 10.5 MPG on this trip.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by us3rnam3

but the V8 by it's character has advantages. Larger displacement provideds power at a lower rpm as well as engine breaking at lower rpm both help up and down all the mountain driving

While the V8 does have better engine braking, the 2017 V8 gets its max torque (387 lb-ft) at 3850 RPM. The 2017 V6 EcoBoost gets its max torque (470 lb-ft) at 2500 RPM. The V6 EcoBoost provides more power and at a lower RPM than the V8.

[DKB_SATX]

Originally Posted by Bobbo

While the V8 does have better engine braking, the 2017 V8 gets its max torque (387 lb-ft) at 3850 RPM. The 2017 V6 EcoBoost gets its max torque (470 lb-ft) at 2500 RPM. The V6 EcoBoost provides more power and at a lower RPM than the V8.

And that's just at sea level. At altitude the turbo's advantage grows.

[Bobbo]

Here is an article by pickuptrucks.com comparing 2011 trucks with 3.5l EcoBoost V6 engines vs 5l Coyote V8 engines. It is obviously not up to date, but the results show real differences. The V8 only surpassed the V6 when both were running at or above about 5500 RPM.

[PNH57]

Thanks for all of the comments and help. I am still looking. Are there any maintenance issues between the eco boost vs the v8.?

[hshovic]

Take a look at this venerable thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ers-36389.html. I found a 25' needs something more than a 1/2 ton.

Make a decision based on the numbers. But wait! What about hearsay?

So here is some hearsay. I am a structural firefighter that does a lot of interstate wrecks. In 2015 I responded to two wrecks in two weeks. Both air streams. Both rollovers. Both due to the trailer "getting away" from the drivers. Both 1/2 ton or equivalent loaded SUV's. the thread can be searched for.

Tow on!

[Airhead59]

I have been towing my 2005 Safari 25 with a 2015 F150 Super Club Cab XLT Lariat FX4, 6.5' bed, with max tow package and 3.5L 6-cylinder Ecoboost engine. I've been very happy with the performance and stability. I was shopping used, and went with the 2015 because the aluminum body had a higher payload (1745); plenty for my AS tongue weight, my wife and I and our grandson, with some cargo. I'm towing in NM, AZ and CO, (over 1000 miles in the last 3 months) to elevations of 9000 ft (so far). This TV gets us where we need to go with aplomb.

The 3.5L Ecoboost six actually has more torque than the 5.0 8-cyl and is rated better mileage (w/o trailer, anyway). I've been getting 19-20 in town, 23-24 on the highway, and 11-14 pulling the AS. I drive a 2015 F150 with the 5.0 at work and find my 3.5 is more powerful.

I purchased the AS in April and towed it home (400 mi) with a friend's 2003 F250 diesel. The 3.5L pulls just as well. The F150 feels a lighter (because it is), and I can definitely feel the trailer more than with the F250, but still very confident, stable ride.

Good luck with whatever AS & TV you end up with!