Another towing question

G-rod · 01-30-2015, 09:50 PM

Hello everyone,
I know this has been beaten to death, unfortunately what once seemed to me like a simple process "my truck can pull this" has turned into quite the educational adventure that now has me with the utmost respect in regards to the safety of my family and yours on the road. Im currently deployed so we have time and still researching things like THINGS YOU NEED YOUR RV DOESNT COME WITH! Lol but its been really fun doing research, cant wait to actually do it some day.

Anyway, to start of, i own a 2013 f150 eco max tow. I will attempt to attach the door stickers at end of post. Doing the numbers (im horrible at numbers) the only one i cannot figure out is RGAW. i got the RGAWR, just not the other and its a value that the calculator im using from changin gears asks for. So i have eliminated all the campers my wife and i like due to these numbers. So heres the question as i think i may be pushing it a little so please dont scold me just tell me your thoughts/what you think. I have time to keep looking.

We really like this one called a keystone bullet premier 31bhpr. It has a shipping weight of 6457, i assume thats similar to dry weight to a degree so i automatically add 2000 pounds to every trailer i look at which my wife hates. Now ill be honest, ive never owned one of these, but im pretty certain i will never add 2000 pounds to which ever camper i buy. I read a trend analysis report that the average family of 4 puts anywhere between 600-1000pounds to their travel trailer so maybe i shouldnt do that. Anyway that puts me at 8457.

Now, what do ya'll think? Any of you rolling on this/similar setup? Am i ok? Am i being ridicoulously unrealistic? Please let me know your thoughts. In my head i feel ok about this. Is there anything im not thinking about? I know 2000 extra pounds sounds a bit sarcastic but what about things like batteries, or propane, WDH i dont know just extras. Thanks everyone, i greatly appreciate any info.

G-rod · 01-30-2015, 09:52 PM

Heres the other sticker, thanks. Sorry forgot to mention the truck is a super crew

michael_h · 01-30-2015, 10:07 PM

I'm looking for a 30 footer over all weighing in at around 6K pounds, I do not have the max tow package so I only have the 3:55 gear, from everything I've read my truck should tow what I'm looking for with no problems. (I'm presently towing 5K like it's nothing) Your truck has the 3:73 gear rated at 11500 pounds pulling ability, so I don't think you'll have a worry in the world moving your load, just consult the tow rating info on the Ford site for your year, but omly expect the mpg to be between 8.5 and 12mpg depending on conditions

G-rod · 01-30-2015, 10:21 PM

Awesome thank you for such a quick reply i appreciate that. And yes, im expecting bad gas mileage. Thanks again

hemisareslow · 01-30-2015, 11:02 PM

what people fail to realize is that just because your truck is rated to towing something...does not make it safe to do so....sure a new half ton chevy with the max trailer package is rated to tow 11,000 pounds....would I want to load up the family and drag a 10,500 pound tt all over the country??? Nope...food for thought...there is a reason the truck makers produce the HD truck lines...bigger frames, bigger brakes, more mass....all around safer to tow heavy loads.

Ken / Claudia · 01-31-2015, 12:12 AM

Your truck shows carry load rated 1521 lbs. See my trailer listed below. The hitch wt.s 950 lbs. (tongue wt.) Lets says your any where close to 1,000 you have 500 lbs left for all else you carry in the truck, people, canopy, etc. etc it could even include fuel (check manual to see if included or not). Those tires are not made to carry much wt. The back of the truck may likely sway badly do to them when loaded down with a 1,000 lb tongue wt. Better tires in 10 ply, 65 to 80 psi well handle much better. Normal problems when pulling large trailers with 1/2 tons (load capacity). They can pull but, not carry much when comparing HD trucks.

G-rod · 01-31-2015, 12:55 AM

Ken/claudia, yes sir thank you. Ive been thinking about researching some E-rated tires, tongue weight on the trailer should be around 800#

bsmith0404 · 01-31-2015, 05:33 AM

First, I don't think adding 2000 lbs to everything is a bad idea. Yes it may be a little overkill for calculating what it will actually weigh, but you will be glad you did if you start towing in mountains. Personal opinion, I wouldn't pay too much to towing capacities listed by the manufacturer, as mentioned many times on this forum, most truck run out of payload before they run out of tow capacity.

I'm not real familiar with the F150, but from what I've been able to find on line, your truck weighs about 5k with a GVWR of 7500. A family of 4, gear, hitch weight, fuel, etc and you will be pretty close to max, but I'm guessing still within GVWR. As already mentioned, E rated tires would be a big improvement for handling when towing. When you get back from your deployment, the first thing I would do on the way to camper shopping is load up the family and hit the scales so you know exactly what your weights are.

**JRTJH** · 01-31-2015, 06:10 AM

Some of your "speculations" with regard to weights of the Premier 31BHPR are a bit conservative. Here are the specs for the 2015 model:

Shipping Weight 6457
Carrying Capacity 1543
Hitch 795
Length 35' 4"
Height 10' 11"
Fresh Water 41
Waste Water 30
Gray Water 30
LPG 40

Keystone posts specs as follows: Shipping weight is empty as shipped from the factory with no battery, propane or hitch

carrying capacity is the amount of cargo that can be added to the trailer as shipped from the factory (this must also include any liquids in any tanks).

Hitch weight is calculated in the "shipping configuration" so any propane, battery, hitch must be added to the posted weight

Fresh water=41 gal That's 332 pounds
Waste water=30 gal That's 243 pounds
Gray water= 30 gal That's 243 pounds
LPG=40 That's about 35 pounds (tanks are rated at 40 lbs, but only carry 80% of that) (actually about 32 lbs but 35 is easier to use when calculating)

So, your hitch weight will be significantly higher than 800 pounds. Just adding one battery will add 75 pounds and filling the propane tanks will add 35, so you're up to 795+75+35=905 for the empty trailer.

Now, you "estimate" adding 2000 pounds, the trailer is capable of only carrying 1543, so you're heavy with that number. Assume you'll add 1000 pounds in blocks, chocks, clothing, toys, camping gear, food, tools, spare tire, jack, grill, accessories and that you'll travel with a full water tank. That will be the added 110 lbs on the tongue plus the 1000 pounds of "cargo" plus the 332 in water for a total of 1437 pounds. The empty trailer is 6457 = 1437 = 7894.

So realistically, you'll be towing around 7900 pounds in the trailer. Add 150 pounds for the weight distribution hitch and sway control, and you'll be about 8050 total weight.

Now, let's calculate tongue weight. Normally it's between 10-15% of total trailer weight. That would be 805-1208. Let's "suppose" you fall "right in the middle" at 1007 pounds of tongue weight.

Now, you haven't said how many passengers you have nor how much you typically carry in the truck or in the bed when towing, so let's work from the "other direction".

Your truck payload is 1521 pounds. That is calculated by Ford as the maximum weight the truck can carry with a full fuel load and a 150 pound driver. So, if we subtract 1007 from the payload, that leaves a total of 514 pounds. Let's assume you weight 200 pounds, that leaves 464 pounds for all remaining passengers, their "toys and games", any cargo in the bed of the truck and anything that has been added to the truck since it was built and left the factory. That means any floor mats, mirror extensions, mud flaps, tonneau cover, truck cap, extra lights, GPS, cold air intake, heavier tires, extra lighting that you or the dealer may have added must also be deducted from that 464 pounds.

Assuming you have two children ages 4 and 6 and your wife weighs 150 pounds. The kids weigh about 100 pounds, that's 250 pounds of your 464 leaving 214 pounds. If you add E rated truck tires, they weigh about 25lbs each more than the P series tires, so that's another 100 pounds, leaving you 114 pounds for the kid's bikes, wagon, etc.

While your truck is very capable of "pulling" 11500 pounds, you're going to be pushing the limit on payload by the time you and 3 passengers get in the truck. Don't forget that as the kids grow, so does the weight in the cab as well as the desire to bring friends camping, carry bigger toys (bikes turn into dirt bikes into 4 wheelers) as they get older.

If you're looking for a "bare minimum" tow vehicle for the 31BHPR, I think you'll be "OK" (not great, just OK) with the F150. But as you get into camping and the family gets older, you'll find that you're "over your head" with that truck and a trailer that size.

I'm not trying to "scare you away" from the rig, but once you get it on the road, I'm pretty sure you're going to find yourself unhappy with it's limitations on what you can take with you. As for safety, if you're serious about wanting to be safe, every time you start loading for a trip, you're going to be looking for things to leave behind as your concern for payload becomes more focused.

Good Luck with your search, I hope this "essay" helps you with a clearer decision rather than muddy the waters......

therink · 01-31-2015, 08:05 AM

Nice write up John. I second what he said.

x96mnn · 01-31-2015, 09:36 AM

Will it tow it yes.

Will you like towing it, my bet is no. Your going to be pushed and pulled a lot with that combo and unless you are comfortable with it, a little panic in the driver applying breaks or jerking the wheel could get scary.

Some people will have no issues, say it tows great, tell you to add this and that. Others will tell you no...you need to decide which is best for you and your family. If it was me making the decision I would not be compfortable with this combo travelling much distance.

G-rod · 01-31-2015, 03:15 PM

Thanks everyone, i really appreciate the detailed perspective, it helps a lot

**sourdough** · 01-31-2015, 03:42 PM

Some additional info:

The truck has a 3.73 rear end (code L6; electronic locking). GCVWR for that axle range is from 13,300 to 17,000lbs for the supercrew - dependent on wheelbase and other variables. Maximum towing payload, dependent on the variables, is 7500lb to 11,300lb.

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...rv&tt_f150.pdf

Your truck will be at least 5000lbs; probably more like 52-5300. Your trailer will be about 8000lbs. If you have the 13,300 GCWR you are maxed out. If not you still have an 8000lb trailer.

The maximum cargo for the truck is 1521 lbs. Your tongue weight will be about 900lbs-1000lbs. If you add the weight of your WD hitch (100lbs), 2 grown ups at 150 lbs (300) and 2 kids at 100 (200lbs) you have exceeded your max cargo for the truck; 1000 +100+300+200= 1600lbs.
You have no room for toys, bicycles, bbq or any other misc. you will absolutely want to take with you.

IMHO you have too much trailer for the truck. Will it pull it? Yes. Will it pull it safely? Not really. If you are new to towing you might want to look for something a little lighter. If you do decide to go with it I would suggest you upgrade your vehicle tires, add airbags and get the best WD hitch you can. Also remember that even with a weight distributing hitch your maximum load at the hitch can only be 1130lbs which you are getting close to and it will be easy to go over if you're not careful.

Good luck whatever you choose to do.

G-rod · 01-31-2015, 04:00 PM

Thanks, its looking like im heading back towards the drawing board. Ill check my numbers from top to bottom again

GaryWT · 01-31-2015, 09:11 PM

Just lost my entire post, will try to remember it all...

First off, we have a Premier 31bhpr, great trailer, we love it.

We towed with a 2010 F150 5.4 liter, 3.15 gears. Payload was 1,700 and tow rating was 8,600. It towed great, no issues, good pick up, no stopping issues, no sway. We never traveled with anything in the tanks, max weight is 8,000 but never overloaded the trailer. We knew we were maxed out and were very careful not to put anything in the truck. Would do it again if I had to.

Currently towing with a 350 which is beyond a dream. Towing is one of my favorite parts of a camping weekend.

Good luck and thank you for your service.

**sourdough** · 02-01-2015, 10:38 AM

g-rod

Meant to post yesterday that I appreciate your service to your country but forgot

Good luck on your research.

G-rod · 02-02-2015, 06:08 AM

Thanks everyone im very proud to serve. I really like the features of that trailer. Havent had a chance to redo my numbers like i said the other day but i will get to it. Love that outdoor kitchen, and im also researching every thing else that i guess applies to what ever trailer i get. Thanks everyone

x96mnn · 02-02-2015, 06:29 AM

Outdoor kitchens for me is a must have, most used item on our campers.

Desert185 · 02-02-2015, 07:59 AM

My favorite amenities are the Weber Q, the ice maker, the Keurig, the Flagpole Buddy, the fireplace and the couch.

JoePK · 02-02-2015, 08:13 AM

Hello, I'm pulling a 31 foot 28RLS with the same truck, but mine has the 6 1/2 foot bed(157 wheel base.) Your eco boost will pull that size trailer just fine, but I would also think the 35 foot length could get a little dicey at times, especially when your tanks are full or windy. I would personally love that length of trailer too, but it would be impossible to fit in my driveway.

Just my 2 cents

You may also like: