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Old 08-10-2014, 09:29 AM   #1
NGAcamper
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Newbie with a Tow Question... 2010 F150 towing a 238ML (3711# dry)

My tow vehicle... 2010 F-150 half ton with standard 4.6, 3.55 and factory trans cooler... I already have a class 3 hitch and electric brake controller... the owners manual says 5400 lb towing capacity with 500 lb tongue weight....with step bumper.....REVISED>>>> my frame hitch has 600 lb/6000 lb capacity, or 1,100 lb tongue weight / 11,000 max gross weight with a load distributing hitch... see decal below.....

We are considering a 2015 Ultra Lite 238ML
Wt 3711#
Carry Cap 1689#
Hitch 495#
Length 24'11'

We plan to travel the southeast and occasionally in the edge of the north GA mountains... Plan to upgrade the truck in the future but not for the next 3 years.... I pulled a loaded 17' V-nose utility trailer and large Uhaul trailers fully loaded from northern VA to GA several times without any issues.. other than 9 mpg and a little strain on steep hills....

Do we have enough truck to handle this travel trailer? Appreciate any feedback......

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Old 08-10-2014, 09:46 AM   #2
chuckster57
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When you look at the weight stickers on the trailer, the tongue weight is before adding batteries or propane.

Is the 500 LB limit with or without weight distribution.
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Old 08-10-2014, 10:06 AM   #3
NGAcamper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
When you look at the weight stickers on the trailer, the tongue weight is before adding batteries or propane.

Is the 500 LB limit with or without weight distribution.
I checked the manual and all it says is the step bumper has a 5000lb capacity with a 500lb tongue weight capacity.... I have a Class 3 hitch installed to the frame....
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Old 08-10-2014, 10:18 AM   #4
chuckster57
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If that's the case, I think your trailer is going to exceed that. Good news is you can install a reciever that bolts to the frame and can give you the capacity you need. You can get a class 4, that should allow 10,000 lbs and 1,000 LB tongue weight with the proper equipment.

That doesn't mean your truck can tow that much, but the hitch will handle it. There are several places that can install it for you.

Shouldn't cost that much, and your RV dealer may be able to give you a break on the cost/installation included in the deal if you buy there, the dealership I work at does.
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Old 08-10-2014, 10:18 AM   #5
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Take a look a the hitch as well. Mine isn't a Ford, but it says 500lbs or 1000lbs with weight distribution on the hitch. Keep in mind the tongue weight of 495# is without any weight distribution. Can you ask the dealer to let you haul one to a CAT scale to see what the weight is with a good WDH setup?

This link takes you to Ford's towing guidelines. It has some additional information for you:

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g...vF150sep09.pdf
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Old 08-10-2014, 10:23 AM   #6
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Newbie with a Tow Question... 2010 F150 towing a 238ML

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Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.

Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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Old 08-10-2014, 10:32 AM   #7
NGAcamper
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I think I might have enough hitch....maybe this is a class 4???.......... I found this decal on it.... but do I have enough truck?

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Old 08-10-2014, 10:35 AM   #8
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BINGO!! Just make sure you use the weight distribution style. I can't recommend any specific brand because I tow fifth wheel and have no real world experience with them.
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Old 08-10-2014, 12:03 PM   #9
NGAcamper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57 View Post
BINGO!! Just make sure you use the weight distribution style.
Thanks..Do you think I have enough truck to pull this TT?

We made several trips from VA to GA with a 6x12 Cargo trailer, app. 2000lb trailer loaded to the max.. most likely another 2000+ lbs... without any issues.. also pulled a 7x16 cargo loaded most likely 4500 lbs with the chasis mount hitch....My guess is if it can pull those, it should be able to handle the TT as long as we stay out of the mountains....I plan to use a load distributing hitch on the TT....
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Old 08-10-2014, 01:12 PM   #10
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I don't usually get into "enough" truck when it comes to HP/ Torque. It depends on how much the trailer is loaded. As long as the weights are within the trucks limits your probably okay.

My truck is rated to tow 11,500 lbs. I towed that much across the country in'09 and even though I had no issues, I moved to my present unit that weighs 8,500 lbs. As long as your TV is rated for it and your comfortable with it, I say go for it.
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Old 08-10-2014, 07:22 PM   #11
Ken / Claudia
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Next look at the max. wt. load on the tire side wall of your truck tires. See if they can carry the weight, the rear tires most important. By the fed sticker you photo'ed looks like you have P tires and the truck will handle better when pulling with LT tires and maybe a little rougher when empty. By what I am saying is normally the LT tires are available in more plys and can carry more weight than P tires. That can help the rear of the truck not to sway while pulling a trailer. Your asking good and important questions, better to learn on here than on the freeway.
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Old 08-11-2014, 06:52 AM   #12
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We don't want to purchase this TT if it is going to be unsafe with this tow vehicle.... Looks like max load is 2271 lbs on the tire....You think we are in range? I realize this isn't the "ideal" tow vehicle and the TT we are looking at is at the upper limit of the tow capacity... I think the Uhauls that I pulled and my 7x16 utility trailer when loaded each weighed in the range of the TT or more... but I could tell that there was some strain on steep hills.

Our plan was to use this truck at least two-three more years in the flat part of the southeast and if we are still "happy" with our TT, since it will be time to replace the vehicle, we will choose another truck with a much higher tow capacity. We started off looking at a TT that weighed 2600 lbs but decided it was cheaply made and the wife really likes the Keystone 238ML...


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Old 08-11-2014, 08:06 AM   #13
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I towed a skid steer that weighed more than that a bunch of times a year with the same truck, except for it had a factory tow package. I did add E rated tires to the truck however and would suggest the same. You will find it will tow fine for a few years to get you until you are ready for a new truck. You are not going to set any land speed records, but you will feel comfortable at 65 on a highway and 55 on the 2 lane roads.

Just my opinion.
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Old 08-11-2014, 12:47 PM   #14
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I have an '11 f150 with 3:55. I tow a travel trailer that is 6300lbs all over Michigan. You will have no problems. I haven't used that motor but I would image it will do just fine. If you pit tires on before you retire the truck I would definitely agree with the post above about E rated tires they make a world of difference.
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Old 08-11-2014, 02:49 PM   #15
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More information.....

Travel Trailer

Shipping weight is 3711 lbs...

Carrying capacity 1695 lbs...

Hitch weight 495 lbs...



Tow Vehicle
2010 Ford F-150 4,963

GCWR 10,400

GVWR 6,450

Front GAWR 3,150

Rear GAWR 3,500

Max tow capacity 5,400


I think I'll be ok as long as I pack light and stay out the mountains...
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Old 08-11-2014, 04:02 PM   #16
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Perhaps I am missing something here but could someone tell me what, if any, difference it makes to the payload of a truck by (a) towing only in areas that are "flat"; and, (b) putting E-rated tires on the TT or the truck?

There's not much you can do to increase the payload other than to somehow reduce the weight of the truck and its cargo. If you exceed or are close to exceeding the limits of the truck, what does putting E rated tires on it help to increase its payload? You may be "safer" in the sense that you may be less likely to have a blowout but not because the payload has been improved.

Towing only on "the flats" or not going into hilly or mountainous areas doesn't change the truck's payload. The truck may not have to work as hard and it would be easier on the brakes to name two benefits but the payload is what it is -- going up and down or staying on the level - doesn't change that.

To suggest to someone that switching to E rated tires or just tow where it's flat will somehow increase what the truck can tow doesn't seem like sound advice to me. While it may be good advice for other reasons, it isn't for this particular one.
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Old 08-11-2014, 04:16 PM   #17
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I only suggest E rated tires because it changes the way the vehicle feels while towing. These tires actually weigh more so technically they reduce the am i nut of weight you could add t ok the truck incase you ever had to cross a scale. I recently upgraded mine to E rated and it is well worth it.
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Old 08-11-2014, 04:18 PM   #18
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Try plugging your truck and trailer numbers in this Purdue spreadsheet - magically it will calculate it all for you

https://ag.purdue.edu/extension/ppp/...alculator.xlsx
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Old 08-11-2014, 04:22 PM   #19
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The previous was the 5th wheel

this is the conventional one

https://ag.purdue.edu/extension/ppp/...alculator.xlsx
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Old 08-11-2014, 04:40 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Festus2 View Post
Perhaps I am missing something here but could someone tell me what, if any, difference it makes to the payload of a truck by (a) towing only in areas that are "flat"; and, (b) putting E-rated tires on the TT or the truck?
That was my suggestion based on previous experiences of excessive shifting when towing my loaded 7x16 utility trailer up long hills traveling back and forth from Virginia to Georgia. The trailer and the payload was comparable to the TT I'm looking at... It was my thought that since we have plenty of places we would like to see in GA, SC, FL, and TX we could visit all of these places first and then venture out west once we purchase a new truck with greater towing capacity.

I would think that a tire with "truck" rating and stiffer sidewall would be better suited to heavier loads than a tire with a "passenger" rating...but I'm no expert... I'm just seeking advice....
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