Update on some of my towing through the summer.

Rubicon100 · 07-17-2017, 12:29 PM

Well guys so far I've put close to 2,000 miles towing the camper this summer and I'm getting pretty burned out towing with the half ton. Some specs of my truck for people who think a half ton is enough. Over the last 5 years since I bought the truck I've added a true cold air induction system, ceramic coated headers with free flowing cats exiting through a true duel Gibson cat back exhaust system. A few years ago I installed 3.73 gears front and rear. I'm also running a 93 octane custom Diablo tune so the truck has absolutely no problem with power when pulling the 2670bh. Since we bought the camper this spring I've added power stop truck and tow brakes, air bags, Michelin Ltx at2 265/70/18 E rated tires. I'm fortunate enough to have the truck and Tahoe both paid off. I really love this truck so I'll be keeping it as it's only got 54,000 miles on it. No matter how much we try and pack we always run out of payload and it's just not worth it. Sorry for the long post but I'm just giving my experience towing a 30' trailer with a 1/2 ton truck. I've owned four dodge diesels from 1997 12 valve up to a 2004 four door long bed and when I bought this truck we had no intention on buying a travel trailer. I have towed utility tractors for years with the diesel but no longer needed one, so I thought. Anyway I'm sure some people will continue towing to the limits but I'm pretty good at hitting the scales and me and the wife decided that we are going to start shopping for a truck this fall. Thanks to all of you guys for taking the time to teach me about payload. Just because you can pull it doesn't mean it's gonna be fun. I'll keep you guys updated on what we decide. By the way here's a pic of the trip down to Patoka State park.

**sourdough** · 07-17-2017, 02:12 PM

Thanks for the informational post. As one that has gone through exactly what you are I know it's a REAL pain to have to finally determine that the good truck you have isn't going to cut it......a REAL pain. As has been pointed out many times on this forum it is just no fun to try to guess what you can and can't put in, what to leave behind, what you can buy on the road etc. trying not to go over weight. Yes, some individuals don't care and choose to tow overweight anyway, but for those of us that feel that staying within our weight parameters is important upgrading to an adequate truck is just something you feel you have to do. Good luck on the search for a new vehicle.

Tbos · 07-17-2017, 02:35 PM

Let us know how your TV shopping goes. I really enjoy not being pushed around by the passing trucks now.

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Rubicon100 · 07-17-2017, 02:36 PM

Thanks Sourdough, between you and Tbos and Chuckster57 plus other members I really appreciate the honest answers I've always got from you guys. I've got a few small trips planned pretty close to home so we'll probably make at least one or two more trips with this truck but I'm really looking forward to relaxing a lot more when towing with the right truck. Thank you for not preaching just teaching, big difference. Dan

the sodfather · 07-17-2017, 04:54 PM

Been there and done that. I feel like I wrote the OP. I now have a 2500...

JimQ · 07-17-2017, 05:02 PM

I know how you feel. But,, when I upgraded, I couldn't believe the stability and ease of tow with the F250 compared with my F150. You will not regret the decision. Good luck with the search. Keep us posted!

theasphaltrv'er · 07-21-2017, 04:54 AM

A little different take on towing with a 1/2 ton.
We now tow with a 1/2 ton and have put well over 10,000 miles towing with it. The truck is well under all its capacities and tows our 5er with ease. We feel no burn out and are not stressed out from towing. Probably cuz we don't over do it. We travel between 60-65 mph and only travel between 250 & 350 miles a day and stop bout every 100 miles to stretch and walk the doggie. The only down side we've found with the 150 is we have to refuel every 300 miles or so (only 36 gal tank). When we towed with our'04 6.0 F-250 (before it went tits up), we had a transfer-flow tank in the bed and could go 800-1000 miles before refueling (now that was nice). The 150 tows much better than the 250 did.

Rubicon100 · 07-21-2017, 05:07 AM

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've heard a lot of good things about the eco boost and Ford's seem more often than not to have more payload. I'm not unhappy with the power of my current setup I'm just always running out of payload. I'm glad you are happy with your setup and I think if I had more payload I'd be okay, but I hate leaving the generator and firewood behind. Stay safe and thanks for sharing. Dan

Tbos · 07-21-2017, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theasphaltrv'er

A little different take on towing with a 1/2 ton.
We now tow with a 1/2 ton and have put well over 10,000 miles towing with it. The truck is well under all its capacities and tows our 5er with ease. We feel no burn out and are not stressed out from towing. Probably cuz we don't over do it. We travel between 60-65 mph and only travel between 250 & 350 miles a day and stop bout every 100 miles to stretch and walk the doggie. The only down side we've found with the 150 is we have to refuel every 300 miles or so (only 36 gal tank). When we towed with our'04 6.0 F-250 (before it went tits up), we had a transfer-flow tank in the bed and could go 800-1000 miles before refueling (now that was nice). The 150 tows much better than the 250 did.

What's the payload on your F150? My son's only had 1100 as his payload. My 1500 Silverado had 1700 and I couldn't find a 5er with a tongue weight low enough so I could load the truck normally and tow in limits.

2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

**sourdough** · 07-21-2017, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theasphaltrv'er

A little different take on towing with a 1/2 ton.
We now tow with a 1/2 ton and have put well over 10,000 miles towing with it. The truck is well under all its capacities and tows our 5er with ease. We feel no burn out and are not stressed out from towing. Probably cuz we don't over do it. We travel between 60-65 mph and only travel between 250 & 350 miles a day and stop bout every 100 miles to stretch and walk the doggie. The only down side we've found with the 150 is we have to refuel every 300 miles or so (only 36 gal tank). When we towed with our'04 6.0 F-250 (before it went tits up), we had a transfer-flow tank in the bed and could go 800-1000 miles before refueling (now that was nice). The 150 tows much better than the 250 did.

The 2014 26SAB is a 10,000 lb 5th wheel. Dry pin is right at 1200 lbs. Have you looked at the capacities for your truck or hit a scale?

Looking at the Ford specs for your truck I'm afraid you are probably at, or over, some of your specs; max towing weight, gvw etc. Things look better if you have a regular cab, 4x2 and a 4.10 rear end. I suspect that isn't the case. If you haven't, a scale trip might be very enlightening. What we wouldn't want is for the OP to get right back into the same situation that he's trying to get out of.

Add: The 26SAB has a 2900 lb. carrying capacity so it's entirely possible you are under gvw on the trailer which would make hitting your max weights much easier. Payload would still seem pretty sketchy to me. Even with a dry pin weight of 1200 you will be pushing the payload I suspect.

Rubicon100 · 07-21-2017, 05:03 PM

Well guys I'm lucky enough to get along good with my father in law and he has offered to let us take his truck on our next trip to decide if I'm going gas or diesel. His truck is a 2016 Silverado 2500 cclb two wheel drive with the 6.0 gas and 4.10's. I haven't been able to get a chance to look at the payload sticker but I'm going to take him up on his offer just to see how it goes. I'm leaning toward a diesel for future upgrades but it will definitely be nice taking all the firewood and water I usually leave behind. I'll get some pictures of the two hooked up when we go again next month. I know I'll probably have to adjust the hitch but the equalizer in my opinion is really simple once you understand the concept. Safe travels to you all, Dan

**sourdough** · 07-21-2017, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubicon100

Well guys I'm lucky enough to get along good with my father in law and he has offered to let us take his truck on our next trip to decide if I'm going gas or diesel. His truck is a 2016 Silverado 2500 cclb two wheel drive with the 6.0 gas and 4.10's. I haven't been able to get a chance to look at the payload sticker but I'm going to take him up on his offer just to see how it goes. I'm leaning toward a diesel for future upgrades but it will definitely be nice taking all the firewood and water I usually leave behind. I'll get some pictures of the two hooked up when we go again next month. I know I'll probably have to adjust the hitch but the equalizer in my opinion is really simple once you understand the concept. Safe travels to you all, Dan

Good luck on your trip and the trial of the truck. Keep in mind that you will be running 4.10s which will be great for towing but, depending on how the 6.0 likes them, can really chew up your mileage. Also, if I recall you have a 4x4. If the new truck you choose is going to be a 4x4 it will make a difference as well.

Rubicon100 · 07-21-2017, 05:16 PM

Yeah he said the 36 gallon tank goes down pretty fast. He pulls a Forest River wildwood and I'm thinking he said it's 34' and about 8000lbs loaded up. He says that on a good day going downhill he's lucky to get 7 or 8mpg. Ouch, I think I might put an extra 5 gallon can in the bed just in case. Dan

Tbos · 07-21-2017, 06:45 PM

Let us know how it goes with your test.

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gearhead · 07-22-2017, 05:47 AM

I had a 2500 GMC 6.0 gasser, 3.73 gears, pulling a Cougar XLite 28SGS. It was OK on flat land but when I hit the hills of Tennessee it was a major PITA. Downshifting and screaming uphill getting passed by 18 wheelers. Speeding downhill and passing the same trucks that just passed me. Getting 7-9 MPG. It wore me out. Going diesel was the best thing I did.

Desert185 · 07-22-2017, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I had a 2500 GMC 6.0 gasser, 3.73 gears, pulling a Cougar XLite 28SGS. It was OK on flat land but when I hit the hills of Tennessee it was a major PITA. Downshifting and screaming uphill getting passed by 18 wheelers. Speeding downhill and passing the same trucks that just passed me. Getting 7-9 MPG. It wore me out. Going diesel was the best thing I did.

Bingo! That, and an exhaust brake while going down the other side. If you're going to tow with a diesel, better everything, including mileage.

theasphaltrv'er · 07-22-2017, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tbos

What's the payload on your F150? My son's only had 1100 as his payload. My 1500 Silverado had 1700 and I couldn't find a 5er with a tongue weight low enough so I could load the truck normally and tow in limits.

2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

...... per yellow sticker payload is 2172.

the sodfather · 07-22-2017, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theasphaltrv'er

...... per yellow sticker payload is 2172.

That's crazy! A 1/2 ton truck has a payload over 1 ton! That is what is wrong with government math!

Tbos · 07-22-2017, 10:17 AM

That's an amazing payload for a 1/2 ton.

2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

**sourdough** · 07-22-2017, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theasphaltrv'er

...... per yellow sticker payload is 2172.

That is a very good payload for a 1/2 ton. Do you know what your pin weight is on the 26sab? With a dry pin of 1200 and a gvw of 10k on the trailer you could be looking at up to 2500 lbs of pin weight. But, let's say it's only 20% and the trailer weighs 9000 lbs. = 1800 lbs......leaving 372 lbs for people, hitch, toys, firewood, etc. Even if the trailer came in at 8000 lbs and a 20% pin it would be 1600 lbs; leaving 572 lbs for all of the above. Just where the OP is now and what he's trying to get away from. Without a scale ticket it looks like you may be much closer than you think to your limits...and we haven't even discussed gvw or gawr of the F150. Just a thought...

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