Hey all new here

[Atileman]

Hello everyone joined because I just bought a 2022 cougar 25rdswe today. I hope my f150 doesn't hate me for it.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Atileman

Hello everyone joined because I just bought a 2022 cougar 25rdswe today. I hope my f150 doesn't hate me for it.

Welcome to the forum. That is a fairly long trailer for a 1/2 ton so get good advice from those who know bumper pull hitches because that camper will wag if you don't have the right one. Your payload will be north of 1100 lbs so add the weight of the hitch, passenger's weights and stuff in your truck and compare it to the payload placard in your driver door frame. You may just be over payload. In any case, hopefully your truck has enough engine to not "hate you" as you mentioned... there is also suspension, transmission and brakes to consider if overloaded. Drive safe!

[sourdough]

Welcome to the forum! Your F150 may or may not hate you but you're wellbeing sure might unless your truck is equipped to carry that trailer - it's a lot for a 1/2 ton.

https://www.keystonerv.com/product/c...rplans/25RDSWE

A little info on the truck would be beneficial. You can go to the User CP in the upper left hand corner and fill in your signature with info on your truck and trailer then save. It helps you and those trying to help you immensely.

[wiredgeorge]

I think he is going to need some LT tires and air bags bwhahahaha

[Atileman]

A little more info on my truck. It's a 2013 f150 super cab 6.5' box 4x4 with a 5.0 liter. I have firestone air bags with a 2" front level it is sitting on LT285/70/17 General Grabber ATX tires. The door sticker says payload capacity is 1890 lbs and I am sure it has 3:73 gears

[spicercars]

Welcome from northern MN.

[jxnbbl]

Welcome from NH

[German Shepherd Guy]

Welcome from Colorado.
Nice TT.


I would bet, once it's loaded, you'll have a tongue weight of around 875 - 950lbs.
Then there will be the weight of the hitch, and I would strongly recommend a weight distribution hitch, but you probably already know that. Then the stuff in your truck plus passengers my guess is you will be right at the top of your weight rating.
I don't think the engine will hate you. I did for years with a half ton at around that same weight. But I will tell you that moving to the 3/4 ton made a world of difference in handling.
Good Luck and again welcome to the forum.

[markcee]

Originally Posted by Atileman

A little more info on my truck. It's a 2013 f150 super cab 6.5' box 4x4 with a 5.0 liter. I have firestone air bags with a 2" front level it is sitting on LT285/70/17 General Grabber ATX tires. The door sticker says payload capacity is 1890 lbs and I am sure it has 3:73 gears

I pulled it off with my F150 with 1873 lbs of payload. I added LT tires and Bilstein shocks which improved things. I have 4' more trailer than you and when loaded up to 8300 lbs I was actually at 1200 lbs of tongue weight. I was under the payload cap on the truck by a couple hundred pounds with 2 adults, 2 dogs and some miscellaneous light gear - nothing substantial in the bed. However, my rear axle weight was right at the rating limit. I switched to the 1-ton for piece of mind as we take the trailer cross-country yearly.

You have the 6.5 bed (mine was 5.5) and less length so if you pack judiciously, you should be ok. Highly suggest you load up fully for camping (truck and trailer) and hit the CAT scale up and take 3 weights:

1. Truck only
2. Truck and trailer hitched with WDH bars engaged
3. Truck and trailer hitched but with WDH bars disengaged

This will allow you to determine the overall weight, the tongue weight, how much weight is being transferred with the WDH etc.

[sourdough]

Some thoughts on your rig;

The older 5.0L will probably "pull" the 8800 lb. gvw trailer "OK" (not effortlessly) but if you have lots of hills/mountains it will let you know it's back there (high revs). The LT tires and airbags are good (required) mods for a 1/2 ton towing a heavier RV. I would highly recommend putting Bilstein shocks at all 4 corners (btdt on all of the above). IMO the "leveling" kit would come off. Looks "cool" to some I guess but the last thing you want to do if you are going to drop a big load on the back of the truck - you will already have an issue with it raising your headlights into the trees (or oncoming traffic) and the leveling kit only exacerbates that.

No matter what you do that size of trailer will push a 1/2 ton around much more so than a HD truck, they are just not built that stiff. It can be done, and is done, but is not optimal. You can get by, as I did, until that emergency situation happens and the RV takes control...not you. Be careful, be aware and have fun.

[Northofu1]

Congrats and to the forum.
Enjoy your stay here and happy trails

[travelin texans]

As others have already verified, your F150 may not "hate" but it's probably not going to "like" you or that heavy load on anything but flat terrain.
Just keep in mind that if you do decide to upgrade the truck most 3/4 tons have very little more payload than some 1/2 tons, yours has more than most, so if a rv upgrade is possibly in your future skip the 3/4 ton & get the SRW 1 ton, same ride, mileage, size, engines & tranny's, just much more payload for very little more $$.

[Atileman]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

As others have already verified, your F150 may not "hate" but it's probably not going to "like" you or that heavy load on anything but flat terrain.
Just keep in mind that if you do decide to upgrade the truck most 3/4 tons have very little more payload than some 1/2 tons, yours has more than most, so if a rv upgrade is possibly in your future skip the 3/4 ton & get the SRW 1 ton, same ride, mileage, size, engines & tranny's, just much more payload for very little more $$.

I think the next couple months might be a good time to get into a bigger truck.
Something like a srw F350 as fuel prices keep rising more people that don't use there trucks for pulling will be looking for cheaper alternatives.

[Jake's Keystone]

Welcome from Ontario Canada!

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Atileman

I think the next couple months might be a good time to get into a bigger truck.
Something like a srw F350 as fuel prices keep rising more people that don't use there trucks for pulling will be looking for cheaper alternatives.

As long as the chip shortage continues and manufacturing new heavy duty trucks is slow, new or used truck prices will remain high. I personally feel that the chip industry should be declared a critical item and chips should be made here at home but that is not likely to happen anytime soon. NADA lists my truck's value (2006 F350) for more than I paid for it a number of years ago. Unless you can find a bargain, today's prices don't point to a bargain to be found.

[Gary R.]

Hello and welcome!

You have a great idea to look for a truck with more towing capability.

Good luck in your search.

Have fun and stay safe!

[rogerford]

Hi, nice to meet you.

[crowbar]

Welcome, Pete, from your neighbour in Shawnigan Lake. I pull a trailer similar to yours with an f150 but it my trailer is a little lighter than yours. Off to Qualicum for our maiden voyage of the year later this month. Might see you around! Have fun and be safe.