How Does the F150 Pull the Springdale?

[reubenray]

Click on this link. It's on the same trailer, but in the "western US" half ton series. The specs are there. I'd guess they are almost identical for the "Eastern US" model.

http://keystone-xlite.com/index.php?page=floorplans&coast=west&model=244RLSWE

Thanks for the info. How is your Ford F150 doing pulling the Springdale 242FWRLSS. I have a Toyota Tundra that I am looking to pair with a fifth wheeler and this is one I keep looking at.

[JRTJH]

Our rig is great. We have some issues with long uphill climbs, the truck works to pull the trailer, but that's to be expected. Truck tow limit is 9300 lbs. the trailer weighs about 7000-7500 loaded and ready for a trip so we've got quite a bit of "extra" if you could call it that, before we hit our max.

That being said, there's some differences between the Toyota and the Ford. Flyguy tows a previous year Springdale with almost the exact weights and size that I have and with the same truck you have. He'd be able to tell you just what he faces towing. From what little he and I have shared, he is impressed with his rig and feels it's going to serve him well. Check with him if you have any specific questions. I'm sure he'd be happy to share information with you. He's a "good guy" :)

Hope you find answers and get your rig set up to hit the roads. Good luck

[Flyguy]

All I can say is that I'm satisfied with the performance of our Tundra. It pulls our 5ver just fine no matter if it's climbing hills or not, milage will be reduced climbing hills but hey, this is not a perfect world. If someone gives a negitive comment about the Tundra just ask "so how many Tundras have you driven or towed with? And how many have you owned?" From what I can see the answer is "0" to both questions.

[reubenray]

Flyguy - what tires do you have on your Tundra?

[DTJ9610]

round ones I assume...lol

I can't wait to get going with my Tundra.

[Flyguy]

The Tundra we have came with P255/70R18 and I just put a set of Michelin tires of the LT series on the other day.

[reubenray]

That is the size that came with mine also. Are the LT tires "E" rated?

Also what is your dry weight and hitch weight listed for your Springdale?

[Flyguy]

I don't know if they are E rated or not I just look for tires that can support 2500lbs per tire (5000lbs per axle) just to cover the 4150lb rear axle rating. Our Springdale's empty weight is 5560lbs with a pin weight of 880lbs dry. This is about as light as it gets for a 5ver.

[jq1031]

Just about every post I've read about the Tundra is very positive, being a GM guy myself I must say I'm impressed!!

[reubenray]

I don't know if they are E rated or not I just look for tires that can support 2500lbs per tire (5000lbs per axle) just to cover the 4150lb rear axle rating. Our Springdale's empty weight is 5560lbs with a pin weight of 880lbs dry. This is about as light as it gets for a 5ver.

Surprisingly your older model Springdale weights are considerably less than the current models. The model I have been looking at has a dry weight of 6520 and the pin weight of 1035.

[Flyguy]

Just about every post I've read about the Tundra is very positive, being a GM guy myself I must say I'm impressed!!

Toyota and GM have had a working relationship since the late 70's. Much of what Toyota knows about trucks is directly related to GM.

Yes the older Springdales are lighter, the new ones are longer per model and heavier but still towable with the Tundra. I wish Springdale would go to a max-turn front cap though, then I might be tempted to upgrade, but we just traded for this one last January so the DW wouldn't buy into that just yet!

[reubenray]

See if I am figuring this correct for just my truck.

Curb weight on registration 5200
Additional weight of myself & wife +215

Total Truck Weight 5415


GVWR of Tundra 6900
Minus truck weight 5415

Weight for hitch & pin weight 1485

[Flyguy]

That's probably correct. I think you said that you have a 4x4, ours is a 4x2 with an empty weight of 5395 and a gross of 7000. That gives us a payload of 1605. If needbe I can always add either air bags or leaf springs or Timbrens to shore up the spring pack for support but still keep within the gross weight that was set by Toyota.

[reubenray]

I actually also have the 4x2. With the DC and the bed being 6' 6" will I have to get a sliding hitch. I will want something I can remove and the sliding hitches appear they weigh a lot. Several of the fifth wheel models I am looking at have the concave corners on the front.

[Flyguy]

You may not have to. Measure the distance from the axle to the cab and see if it is at least 4 feet, if it is a standard hitch will probably do, if not you'll need a slider for those tight turns even if it's a manual type. IMO

[jje1960]

Just about every post I've read about the Tundra is very positive, being a GM guy myself I must say I'm impressed!!
For years Truck - Japan seemed .... "off" however they are pretty impressive now. I'm stuck in the buy American when it comes to trucks (or any of my vehicles) however they are making a quality product. Have not seen a Nissan or Toyota in the dual 1 ton class yet (maybe wrong) however bet that's coming as well.

[JRTJH]

Years and YEARS ago, (remember Viet Nam), Isuzu had an awsome 4 cylinder diesel in Asia. They put it in a truck that hauled at least 5 tons. I remember seeing them loaded with at least 200 5 gallon water bottles. It seemed that Thailand and Viet Nam were filled with these trucks. They rattled and smoked, but they ran forever. I often wonder how well they would do as "low performance" trucks in our country. Also, Australia has a Ford truck (Ranger) that's almost as big as the F150 with two diesel options. They are towing (believe it or not) Springdale 242 fifth wheels with them and apparently they perform very well. With gas now riding at $4 a gallon and diesel only 30 cents more, I'd welcome a diesel capable of towing my trailer with an MPG of around 15 towing and 28 solo.

Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu all have the truck we're wondering about. Only problem is that they don't import it to the US. I really wonder why Ford doesn't start production of their overseas diesels here at home? Could be emission problems, but I'd think Australia and New Zealand have very similar environmental standards.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?