WANTED: Second opinion

[HappyCamper1972]

Hi all. I am new to the forum and just wanted a little reassurance that I didn't make a huge mistake with my new tt. I just purchased a 2014 cougar 27rlswe and I am pretty confident that my little half ton will do the job. Any opinions from experienced rvers on if this is a good combination would be greatly appreciated.
Trailer

Length 30'6"
Width 8'0"
Height 11'1"
Hitch Weight 610 lbs
Dry Weight 6,295 lbs
Cargo Weight 1,705 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity 60 gals
Grey Water Capacity 76 gals
Black Water Capacity 38 gals

Tow vehicle
2011 f150 fx4 screw 145" wb
5.0
3.73 gears
Max payload 1570lbs
Gvw 7200lbs
Gcvw 15100lbs
Wdh equalizer 1200/12000
No airbags..... Yet

[canesfan]

There's lots of similar threads on here.

Let me say this, remember hitch and dry trailer weights are empty weights, you will have at least a battery and 2 LP tanks on the tongue +- 130 lbs or so. Then you add your "stuff". Most people tend to under estimate how much all their stuff weighs. I would throw out a guesstimate of 900-1000lbs or so tongue weight when you are through. I had a similar size and weight 30' TT once upon a time and that was about where I was at.

Your truck payload, if like most ratings, is for a bare bones stripped down base model. You really need to know how much your actual truck weighs, loaded for a camping trip, and then you can find out just how much payload you really have left. It can be very surprising to say the least.

WDH will help distribute the weight but the weight is still the weight. Air bags help level things but don't increase payload capacity.

Can you do it, most likely. Will you be happy? You could very well be, then again you might not be. I pulled my 30TT with a 1500 5.4L and wasn't happy. YMMV.

Others will be sure to chime in here and give you more advice.

Good luck! And

[Bluewater]

Couldn't agree more with above post. If in doubt trust your instincts and don't gamble with this one. Everyones safety is at risk on the road.

[HappyCamper1972]

I forgot to mention that I have been a long haul trucker for almost 20 years so pulling a trailer isn't new to me. Pulling a tt with a pickup is. I am finding there is just as much to learn about pulling a tt as there is in a full size semi.

[Ken / Claudia]

To give you a idea of wt. I checked the wt. of trailer and tongue loaded for camping with water. Trailer 6900, tongue 900 lbs. Trailer listed below.

[SAABDOCTOR]

REMEMBER Cargo weight includes you and the others (wife kids dogs) fuel and other stuff you toss in. and your hitch weight will be close to 950lbs. the wd hitch and air bags will not increse the cargo cap! you will be close. when i had my tt i moved up to a 3/4 ton truck.

[JRTJH]

Depending on how many people are in your family and how much cargo you plan to stash in the truck, I think your rig is "doable"

Keep in mine that the figures you're getting above for 900 lb tongue weights might seem high, but are probably real close to what you'll see when hitched and you run across the scales. Your truck is essentially the same as my 2010 was except for the engine and payload. I had the max trailer package and a 1700 lb payload. The 5.0 spins a little higher RPM to attain its HP/torque, so you'll feel that you're running at higher RPM than the 5.4 to tow the same load. That's OK, with your 6 speed tow/haul transmission, if you stay focused on what the truck is doing, anticipate when you'll need to downshift to keep your RPM's up, you'll probably enjoy driving that rig.

You are correct, towing a travel trailer with a pickup is a whole different ballgame from an 18 wheeler. First off, the trailer wheels are in the middle, not at the back. From there, things get even more "different" LOL

Do the math as you see it explained in other recent threads and if you have any specific questions, just ask away.

Overall, I think you're on the right track, you'll need a WD hitch, probably won't need air bags, but sway control is probably something you'll appreciate. If you get a WD hitch with built in sway control to start with, you'll be ahead of the game... Equalizer 4 point sway control is a good hitch as are some others. Talk to your dealer about hitches, don't settle for an add on friction sway bar, they usually don't work well on trailers longer than 25'.

Good luck and let us know how your RV hunting is going

[Tinbender]

Know what your thinking/feeling.
Been there done this. We bought a 2013 Cougar 24RKSwe, 1/2 ton towable, (27 foot total) and started pulling it with our 2006, 1500 GMC work truck edition so we had the "heavy duty" tow package and a payload right at 2200. This was with the 5.3, 4 speed auto, 4wd, 133 wb,with 4:10 gears.

We had been using an EZ Lift with wd bars on our old trailer so added friction sway bars and figured we were good to go. Not a good expierence, we toughed it out for a few local pulls, 2-3 hundred miles each but the trucks and winds and uneven road surfaces were just too much, couldn't keep the rig in a staright line, it was all over the place. Plenty of power just not enough truck.

Step too. After much research and procrastination we sprung for a Pro-Pride hitch. End of problem as far as sway and control were concerned, period!!!
After a summer trip last year through Idaho and it's Mountain passes the rest of the inadequacies of 1/2 ton towing became obvious even to a tightwad like me. Power and braking just aren't adequate, in my opinion, period.

Because of our planned trip through most of Colorado this summer we now have a 2500 HD, 4wd, 6.0, 6 speed with 4:10 gears. We have made two short trips through the coastal mountains with it and the difference is like night and day. The Pro Pride hitch is maybe a little overkill on this setup but I wouldn't give that hitch up for anything.

Just my experiences, your mileage may vary.
Rick

[f6bits]

It sounds doable. Check your door sticker for the Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (RGAWR) is. Then take the whole setup with the family to the scales and see how much weight is on the rear axle.

[fla-gypsy]

Payload would be a concern but you are close and careful, judicious packing should keep you under the ratings for that truck.

[Western Traveler]

With your 3.73 axle and 6 speed transmission, if your actual weights pencil out you are in better shape than I was with my 03' F150 5.4L 4 speed transmission and 3.55 axle.

My weights penciled for this TT but I didn't like the lack of power and strain I was putting on my TV and the terrible gas mileage.

I put a bunch of $$ into upgrades for my F150 getting getting ready to take delivery. One BIG, LONG grade was all it took getting it home, that was the last time I pulled with it.

Your TT looks to be about 1000# more than mine.
21RBSWE published weights...
Trailer 5285
Cargo 1915
tongue 500
Length 25' 9"

[HappyCamper1972]

Thank you to all for your helpful advice and opinions. You have set my mind at ease about the purchase that I have made. I will probably upgrade to a bigger truck in the future but right now I think my little blue bullet will do the trick. I pick up my tt in the Middle of next month and our first planned outing will be May long weekend. I will keep you posted on how it all works out. Thanks again guys��