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Old 07-31-2019, 11:35 AM   #1
SRD
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Will this truck be steady and dependable

A family member has a Keystone Summerland bunkhouse trailer. Don't know model but I do know it is 30' and about 7800 lbs dry. Last weekend they went truck shopping and while at the dealership called me to ask my opinion on a 2013 F150 6 cyl. ecoboost. Personally I thought the truck was not right for them but the salesman reassured them it was. Later I watched YouTube videos of people towing 9000 lb trailers. This is a truck that will take some long hauls. It is the payload that they don't understand. What are others opinions
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Old 07-31-2019, 11:47 AM   #2
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You're going to get varied opinions on the suitability of a half ton truck to tow a 9000 pound trailer. Before you buy it, there's some things you should consider.

It's going to have a 10-15% tongue weight. That's 900-1350 pounds plus the weight of the hitch (usually 100+ pounds).

Now, since it's a bunkhouse model, I'd guess you have more than just your spouse that will be in the truck. Kids NEVER get lighter and as they grow, so will their weight AND the weight of the toys they want to take camping. What starts as a rattle and a teddy bear quickly turns into a tricycle, then a bicycle, then a motorbike, then an ATV. About age 9 or 10, they won't go camping (and remain pleasant) unless you allow their friend to tag along, so if you have 3 kids, expect to have 6 on most weekend camping trips. If you get the impression that your truck is likely to be "full seats", you're right. And every one of them adds weight which must be deducted from your payload....

So, with a 1500-1700 pound payload, 1450 pounds of trailer tongue and hitch, your spouse at 150, leaves 1600 pounds to deduct. Hopefully your kids, their toys, the generator, cooler, bikes and grill weigh less than the remaining 100 pounds of your payload.....

Hopefully, you'll realize before buying "too little truck" that a half ton is simply inadequate to tow a 9000 pound trailer AND carry the people and cargo that you'll have with a bunkhouse trailer.....
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Old 07-31-2019, 12:07 PM   #3
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The salesman is doing what salesmen do; talking out of the backside of his head about something he knows nothing about. He is trained to tell folks the max tow weight - the number that absolutely has no meaning in the real towing world. The biggest thing the salesman has probably ever pulled is his Radio Flyer down the driveway.

As John mentioned, since it is a bunkhouse there are probably kids involved. That being the case a 1/2 ton is just not suited for a 9k+ trailer....no matter which one it is, plus the load today is only going to grow larger. Obviously there are some that will say they pull one that big and it "tows great". That's simply because they have no point of reference and have not pulled it with a suitable TV.
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Old 07-31-2019, 01:38 PM   #4
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John did good to ask ANYONE other than an RV salesman. In general, these are not campers nor do they know squat about pulling a trailer. They know they work off commission!
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Old 07-31-2019, 02:34 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by jrtjh View Post
you're going to get varied opinions on the suitability of a half ton truck to tow a 9000 pound trailer. Before you buy it, there's some things you should consider.

It's going to have a 10-15% tongue weight. That's 900-1350 pounds plus the weight of the hitch (usually 100+ pounds).

Now, since it's a bunkhouse model, i'd guess you have more than just your spouse that will be in the truck. Kids never get lighter and as they grow, so will their weight and the weight of the toys they want to take camping. What starts as a rattle and a teddy bear quickly turns into a tricycle, then a bicycle, then a motorbike, then an atv. About age 9 or 10, they won't go camping (and remain pleasant) unless you allow their friend to tag along, so if you have 3 kids, expect to have 6 on most weekend camping trips. If you get the impression that your truck is likely to be "full seats", you're right. And every one of them adds weight which must be deducted from your payload....

So, with a 1500-1700 pound payload, 1450 pounds of trailer tongue and hitch, your spouse at 150, leaves 1600 pounds to deduct. Hopefully your kids, their toys, the generator, cooler, bikes and grill weigh less than the remaining 100 pounds of your payload.....

Hopefully, you'll realize before buying "too little truck" that a half ton is simply inadequate to tow a 9000 pound trailer and carry the people and cargo that you'll have with a bunkhouse trailer.....
you nailed it!!!!!
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Old 07-31-2019, 04:21 PM   #6
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That's exactly the point I tried to get across to them. Being a member of this forum has opened my eyes to a lot of situations that some rv owners never even consider. So now they have this truck that is not right for there trailer. Thanks to every member of this forum as I have learned a lot
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Old 07-31-2019, 04:49 PM   #7
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Hell NO! ECO boost are about good enough for a pop up trailer,take that 9000 pound up any substantial hill and it will fry that motor. Salesmen are as trustworthy as a lawyer or politician. I honestly suggest an f 250 0r f350 if you can afford it I have a ram hd 3500 cummins diesel after my suburban died. When towing remember its all about torque and keeping engine and tranny cool!
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Old 07-31-2019, 06:01 PM   #8
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WHAT!!! Just saw a video of a F150 electric truck pull a million pounds!!
Thought there wasn't anything they couldn't tow
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Old 07-31-2019, 10:35 PM   #9
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I see the rationale on both sides of the fence regarding a half tons worthiness. Specifically with the F150, if properly equipped with the heavy towing and heavy payload packages (not typically found on dealers lots), these trucks are very capable at pulling a load. The EcoBoost is a torquey engine providing adequate power to the wheels to move the load. That's why so many folks swear up and down with its capability. But again, these "tow-worthy" optioned trucks are such a rarity.

But the segment of RV owners those who idolize and compliment their TYPICAL F150s when towing 9000 lbs are either turning a blind eye to the safety numbers and just don't give a damn or take the Ford salesman's word as he/she tell the prospective owner go watch the YT video 'F150 pulls a million lbs'. Very convincing to the general public to say the least.

On the other side of the coin, however, there are even more folks who fail to realize the dynamics of towing beyond that of HP and torque. Pulling a 9000 lb boat to the lake is one thing. Controlling and arresting heavy, tall loads when at speed on America's highways is something completely different.

All too often these forums are inundated with real world accounts of F150 owners moving up into the heavy duty world of trucks after a brief stint with their ecoboost, 5.7L Hemi, and 6.2L vortec. Why? From my perspectove, the overwhelming reason isn't due to lack of power to the wheels. The "big 3" and foreign truck makers are all making good, competent engines these days. Coupled to a 8 or 10 speed gear box, downshifting to 1st or 2nd gear on big ascents isn't the norm as it once was with gassers. Modern day trucks hold their speed along with the help of a larger rear end.

The majority of those who "upgrade" to a larger class truck do it for control, stability, and overall capability. My Hemi 6.4 RAm 2500 wont win races against an EcoBoost 3.5L climbing up Eisenhower pass on I-70. But the trip overall will be a much more relaxed, safe, and rewarding experience for me and my family, especially when winds kick up and semis pass us from both directions. This is in the inherent nature and design of a HD platform truck.

What boggles my mind is the propaganda that is spread on social media regarding capabilities without any concern for the manufacturers specifications. "Truck is rated to tow 12,000 lbs, guess I can tow 11,999 lbs no problem; you can too". That's the common response I read when 1/2 ton owners (not just Ford) talk about how much their truck can tow. When axles ratings. GvWRs, GVCWRs, payload capacities, and tire ratings are referred to, the room gets awfully quiet and not many have much to say.

To be honest, it gets a bit old reading and responding to the same owner propaganda. Now, my canned response includes check all the specs, take a trip to the scales loaded up and then make a decision with due diligence. Your road sharing friends sure would appreciate it!
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Old 08-01-2019, 02:57 AM   #10
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Overall, I agree with what has been said, but you are NOT into diesel territory. There are those out there who, once they own a diesel, think they need to push them on everyone. (Like some reformed smokers)
You do need to step up to a 250/2500, but save buying the one ton diesel until next year when your wife wants a bigger RV. Yes, that is how it works. It's good for the national economy and insures that both you and Momma stay employed.....
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Old 08-01-2019, 04:01 AM   #11
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I Owned a 2013 f-150 Ecoboost Crew Cab 4x4, 2 trucks ago. I was not happy with it towing 1K less weight than you are advertising. My answer is Nope, nope and nope. That engine will tow Like a beast up any hill you wanna throw at it and I think thats part of the problem. It pulls so well, it doesnt seem nonsense to throw more weight behind it.
Yea, you do not need a diesel, but a solid 3/4 ton would be beneficial. I took these exact same steps in January 2017.
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Old 08-01-2019, 05:29 AM   #12
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Boom! Here ya go:

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/08/01/...cs/?yptr=yahoo

Look for 430 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 475 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. That should bridge the gap between the EcoBoost and the 6.7 for all those that are afraid of diesels.
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Old 08-01-2019, 07:15 AM   #13
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Wow! Max hp at 5500 rpm, that sucker is screaming!
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Old 08-01-2019, 07:37 AM   #14
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Boom! Here ya go:

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/08/01/...cs/?yptr=yahoo

Look for 430 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 475 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. That should bridge the gap between the EcoBoost and the 6.7 for all those that are afraid of diesels.
Saw that. Advantage this has over the GM (and I'm a GM guy) is the 10 spd. Wish the new GM gas wasn't a 6 sp.
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Old 08-01-2019, 07:39 AM   #15
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Wow! Max hp at 5500 rpm, that sucker is screaming!
All the gassers make their HP at 5500 and up RPM. That's one of the reasons I prefer the diesels. The Ford 6.7 makes max hp at 2800 RPM and max torque at 1800 RPM. One of the reasons diesel's typically outlast the gas engines. Not to mention fuel mileage.
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Old 08-01-2019, 07:40 AM   #16
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Saw that. Advantage this has over the GM (and I'm a GM guy) is the 10 spd. Wish the new GM gas wasn't a 6 sp.
You should be able to get the ten speed with GM too. They jointly developed it.

https://www.tfltruck.com/2018/12/202...-transmission/

Just saw this. Interesting. GM will use a 10 speed but not the one they developed with Ford. It will be an Allison. Go figure! Either way, a 10 speed is available.

I see! 10 speed diesel only. uhh.
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Old 08-01-2019, 02:33 PM   #17
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After watching this, you decide which is better, towing capacity, OR CONTROL
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Old 08-01-2019, 03:58 PM   #18
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I just traded in almost this exact same vehicle (a 2012) because it didn't make the payload weight calcs on my new 26' "half-ton towable" Cougar (6500 dry weight). I'd hate to see your friend get the same rude wake-up call I did.
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Old 08-01-2019, 03:58 PM   #19
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Watch the last post video. What's really bad if those guys would have just slowed by getting off the throttle, not braking they may have not crashed. It looked like all continued at speed as the trailer starting swaying.
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Old 08-01-2019, 04:15 PM   #20
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Well, that was entertaining.

Your question/statement "you had better decide which is better, towing capacity, or control". There really is no difference. Towing capacity GIVES you control. Lack of it leads to all the carnage on the video. Even those that think they don't need sway control with a DRW even if they are pulling a long trailer need to watch at about the 1:45 mark - something that big WILL take control if you let it.

My takeaway from the video is that there are FAR too many folks towing large trailers with small vehicles, overloaded, ill equipped and have not the foggiest idea of what they are doing - and it's getting worse every day. That's why I tell my wife "don't take your eyes off of them".
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