Best Towing Rigs For This Trailer

[jack65]

Coming from a 2008 Forest River Flagstaff MAC _ LTD 206BH Trailer
Before that tent camped for over 40 years. Got too old for that.

Found out our current Ford Edge won't tow this 2007 Keystone Outback 18RS. We knew that before buying this trailer.

We were really hoping to upgrade to a Ford Explorer, but was told it wouldn't tow our trailer. So, we want to pick between a JEEP or Ford F-150 to tow it with.

What do you recommend or use for towing up to 6,000 lbs

Specs of Trailer:

2007 Keystone Outback 18RS
Chassis
Brakes 4-wheel electric
Tire Size ST205/75D14C
Number of Axles 2

Dimensions and Weights
Overall Height (ft/in) 10' 3"
Overall Width (in) 96
Trailer Length (ft/in) 19' 10"
Gross Vehicle Wt Rating (GVWR) 6000
Unloaded Curb Weight (lb) 4300
Max Cargo Carrying Capacity (lb) 1700

[Tinner12002]

Definitely not a jeep wrangler but possibly a grand Cherokee, with V-6 or V-8 they have about 7200lb towing cap in 4WD. Personally I'd go with the V-8, check the tow ratings for each tow vehicle your looking at. The newer F-150s are good for 10,000lbs towing I believe. Just depends whether you want an suv or truck.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by Tinner12002

Definitely not a jeep wrangler but possibly a grand Cherokee, with V-6 or V-8 they have about 7200lb towing cap in 4WD. Personally I'd go with the V-8, check the tow ratings for each tow vehicle your looking at. The newer F-150s are good for 10,000lbs towing I believe. Just depends whether you want an suv or truck.

My wife prefers SUV style over pickup, even though like Bob says, the pickup probably tows better.
That is correct according to the Jeep charts.
I'll be looking at one of each tomorrow at the dealership where we got our Ford Edge from:

[jsmith948]

Originally Posted by jack65

My wife prefers SUV style over pickup, even though like Bob says, the pickup probably tows better.
That is correct according to the Jeep charts.
I'll be looking at one of each tomorrow at the dealership where we got our Ford Edge from:

Don't be misled by the sales brochures or any other "spec sheets" that may be available from the dealers. Open the driver's side door and look at the yellow sticker on the pillar. The payload capacity will be listed there for that particular vehicle as it left the factory. The sales info will be for the base unit and is, at best, an approximation of the weight ratings without consideration of the options (power seats, power windows, consoles, carpets, etc, etc.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by jsmith948

Don't be misled by the sales brochures or any other "spec sheets" that may be available from the dealers. Open the driver's side door and look at the yellow sticker on the pillar. The payload capacity will be listed there for that particular vehicle as it left the factory. The sales info will be for the base unit and is, at best, an approximation of the weight ratings without consideration of the options (power seats, power windows, consoles, carpets, etc, etc.

Thanks for that tip!

[LFord]

Originally Posted by jack65

My wife prefers SUV style over pickup, even though like Bob says, the pickup probably tows better.
That is correct according to the Jeep charts.
I'll be looking at one of each tomorrow at the dealership where we got our Ford Edge from:

I think you are right at, if not beyond, the safe towing capability of the typical "family" SUV (e.g., "Edge"), unless you go into the larger versions, such as an Explorer/Expedition, Tahoe/Suburban, etc., with a bigger engine.

In addition to engine power, the tow vehicle must have sufficient suspension, braking power, and weight to not let the "trailer tail wag the dog," so to speak. Plus, be sure to invest in a good, anti-sway, weight distribution hitch. Look at some of those "trailer sway" videos on YouTube to see what I'm talking about. I find my F-150 easily handles my Passport ML199, which has about the same GVW rating as your Outback. I don't think I'd want to tow with anything much smaller. Just my .02 worth

[jack65]

Originally Posted by LFord

I think you are right at, if not beyond, the safe towing capability of the typical "family" SUV (e.g., "Edge"), unless you go into the larger versions, such as an Explorer/Expedition, Tahoe/Suburban, etc., with a bigger engine.

In addition to engine power, the tow vehicle must have sufficient suspension, braking power, and weight to not let the "trailer tail wag the dog," so to speak. Plus, be sure to invest in a good, anti-sway, weight distribution hitch. Look at some of those "trailer sway" videos on YouTube to see what I'm talking about. I find my F-150 easily handles my Passport ML199, which has about the same GVW rating as your Outback. I don't think I'd want to tow with anything much smaller. Just my .02 worth

We wanted to upgrade to the Explorer, but those are maxed at 5,000 lbs towing.
We're going to look at this tomorrow.
http://www.tituswillford.com/tacoma-new-cars/detail/New-2018-Ford-F-150-XL-2WD-SuperCab-65'-Box/982/1FTEX1CP4JKC85307

[LFord]

Originally Posted by jack65

We wanted to upgrade to the Explorer, but those are maxed at 5,000 lbs towing.
We're going to look at this tomorrow.
http://www.tituswillford.com/tacoma-...EX1CP4JKC85307

That should do it! It's basically a 2018 version of my 2013 F-150, except that one has the 2.7 liter ecoboost engine, and mine has the 3.5L EB. You can call Ford Motor Company customer service, give them the VIN on that truck, and they can confirm the factory tow package that is installed and give you an exact towing capability figure. Probably in the 7500 to 8000 lb. range at least. You want the tow vehicle to have some towing "headroom" over and above what the trailer will be grossed-out at. That truck should give you close to 2,000 lb. margin over the trailer GVW rating, and that is a comfortable margin, especially if you're going to be towing it up and down mountains!

[JRTJH]

Jack65,

Some of the above comments "warn" about watching the GVW/Payload stickers on the specific truck, not believing all the brochure marketing and to be wary of salesman claims..... Looking at the specific truck you posted in the link, there is a perfect example of what they were talking about:

In the dealership link, the following is quoted:
"TRAILER TOW PACKAGE W/101A -inc: Towing capability up to 11,100 lbs, Class IV Trailer Hitch Receiver, towing capability up to 5,000 lbs, on 3.3L V6 PFDI engine (99B) and 2.7L EcoBoost engine (99P) or up to 7,000 lbs, on 3.5L EcoBoost engine (99G..."

and:
"TRAILER TOW PACKAGE -inc: Towing capability up to 11,100 lbs, Class IV Trailer Hitch Receiver, towing capability up to 5,000 lbs, on 3.3L V6 PFDI engine (99B) and 2.7L EcoBoost engine (99P) or up to 7,000 lbs, on 3.5L EcoBoost engine (99G) and ..."

The truck, according to the window sticker, is equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost enging and the $995 trailer towing package. That would, if I'm reading the data correctly, mean that the truck is limited to 5,000 pound trailers.

You might want to do some very cautious research on that specific truck before you buy. My guess is that it's going to be "maxed out" with that trailer. While there are a number of F-150 models that can tow up to 11,100 pounds (when properly equipped), that specific truck, according to the information on the dealer's webpage, indicates that it's not "properly equipped"... It's a case of "buyer beware" so do your homework before signing on the bottom line !!!!!

ADDED: Looking further at the window sticker, that truck has a 6400# GVW package. I'd guess the truck weighs close to 5000 pounds, maybe a bit more, meaning the payload (passengers, gear, hitch and trailer tongue) will come very close to or over the truck maximum. Typically, F150's equipped for towing large trailers have a GVW closer to 7200-7600 pounds and a payload over 1700 pounds. This truck, from the window sticker, is a "light duty F150 with the smallest V-6 EcoBoost engine, meaning (at least to me) that it is not equipped for "heavy duty towing".... YMMV

[sourdough]

Jack, here's my thinking.

At 6k gvw it puts the trailer above anything I would want to pull with a mid size anything (Explorer, Grand Cherokee, 4runner etc.). It also puts it above what I'd be comfortable with in something like a Tacoma. The issue is control, not "pulling". In an SUV I would only consider a Tahoe/Suburban/Escalade or an Expedition. A full size 1/2 ton truck of any brand, properly equipped, should do nicely.

I rented an 18 Grand Cherokee for a week and put about 2000 miles on it. It had the V6 - I wouldn't pull a trailer of any size with it. I have a 17 4Runner and had a 17 Explorer before it.....I wouldn't pull that trailer with either.

You said your wife wants an SUV, and I understand that completely - my wife is the same way. She didn't mind driving my truck at all when I drove 1/2 tons; she does not like the HD 4x4 3/4 ton (all my 1/2 tons were 4x4).
To me the truck offers SO much more versatility with what you can do. And, todays 1/2 ton trucks are roomier than most cars AND more comfortable than the mid size 4 wheel SUVs generally. You do lose the covered cargo area of an SUV, which we love, but I fixed that with a bed cover although not as convenient. I can see with a lot of photography gear where that would be important.

As Jim pointed out; do your homework on what you want to buy....don't listen to the salesman. Seems anymore the sales folks are taught all the "comfort" sales points and know nothing of the technical aspects.....unless it's "this is the Hellcat, it puts out over 700 hp. We drove it out the highway and pulled her down at 178 mph".......really? Look at the door stickers, read up on the prospective unit. Remember that "towing" ability is really a moot point. If you are going to max out the towing capability of an SUV/truck you are probably going to exceed one or more of the other weight parameters. Good luck I finding something suitable for you.

BTW, EXCELLENT pictures! I didn't bring my big camera and lenses with me on this trip to FL (forgot) and we have been blessed with seemingly endless encounters with bald eagles and Ospreys. They are beautiful birds and you got some beautiful pics....thanks.

Edit: I had not read the 2 posts above when I posted. If you are looking at a pickup with the 2.7L Ecoboost - don't IMO. I drove a 17 Edge with one in CO for a month and was not impressed....at all, other than it is more powerful than a non boosted engine of similar size. It certainly would never fall into a category of something able to pull a full size truck plus a trailer - Wolf Creek Pass was enough for it.

[LFord]

Originally Posted by Tinner12002

Definitely not a jeep wrangler but possibly a grand Cherokee, with V-6 or V-8 they have about 7200lb towing cap in 4WD. Personally I'd go with the V-8, check the tow ratings for each tow vehicle your looking at. The newer F-150s are good for 10,000lbs towing I believe. Just depends whether you want an suv or truck.

Newer F-150s can tow a lot more than 10,000 lbs., depending upon engine, rear axle ratio, cab configuration, type of tow package installed, etc.

[NorskeBob]

I would go with a Ford F250 (V8) or F150 with V6 eco-boost, GM 2500HD (V8) or Dodge 2500 - V8 or Dodge 1500 with V6 diesel.

Always good to have more truck then is needed to pull the trailer.

[jack65]

I'm a wildlife / mountain / nature photographer by trade, 40+ years.
WA Forest Service buys a lot of my photos as well as the local area tourist stores such as Mt Rainier Visitors Center Store... so I get around. Here is last years trips I took:
http://www.1-4u-computer-graphics.co...In_NW_2017.htm
Especially check out Mt Adams/Takhlakh Lake link.
Now you see why I needed a better trailer and rig to tow it with.

[Brentw]

Very impressive photos. Thanks for sharing.

[notanlines]

Jack, I can't really add anything to what has been said other than to be very careful in conversations with car salesmen. I don't believe the majority are dishonest, I simply believe they are in the dark where capacities/limits are concerned.
However, I can say that your photos are fabulous and I id learn that feeding the wildlife in Washington will cost one about $532 per occurrence. Those little rascals can find their own food!

[jack65]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Jack, I can't really add anything to what has been said other than to be very careful in conversations with car salesmen. I don't believe the majority are dishonest, I simply believe they are in the dark where capacities/limits are concerned.
However, I can say that your photos are fabulous and I id learn that feeding the wildlife in Washington will cost one about $532 per occurrence. Those little rascals can find their own food!

Ah... you found my racoon begging next to the "Don't feed the wildlife" sign. Seems to me he was saying, "Ignore the sign, ignore the sign!" LOL

[travelin texans]

You could/should check some other manufacturers vehicles also, believe me Ford is NOT the only vehicle capable (although you couldn't tell it reading here) of towing rvs.
Not trying to start truck wars, but I personally have driven enough Ford's (30+ years worth) to not be a fan.

[ChuckS]

By the time you add in water, propane, food, clothes, cooking stuff, etc your gonna be 6K in weight.. now add weight of a good weight distribution hitch...

21 foot length on that trailer if I read specs right..

Jeep anything not enough wheel base... in my opinion

I’d sure have to look at some sort of 2500 series club cab truck.. wouldn’t have to be a diesel for that trailer...

I would not wanna be towing that trailer with a Jeep, etc on a really windy day..

Many do... just not me...

Good luck with your endeavors

[linux3]

My goodness, that's a heavy TT for it's size.
You can search and find my tales of towing with an Explorer Sport with the 3.5 Ecoboost but hint, hint that's why I now drive a Silverado.
Have you looked at / thought about a Chevy Colorado? With a nice shell on the back it'll kinda look like an SUV.
Spec's are find for what you want to tow.

[Chris P]

I have to say check out the RAM ,Durango or Grand Cherokee.

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