2015 F150 35 Twin Turbo 331 Towing Reviews

There are many means to savour the RV lifestyle that doesn't require ownership a prototypical motorhome.

Many people run into travel trailers and truck campers every bit a slap-up alternative, as you tin still use the tow vehicle during the rest of the year for transportation.

The Ford F-150 is the virtually popular full-size truck of all time. This too makes it a prime option for truck campers and towing travel trailers.

As strong every bit information technology is, exceeding its capacity tin lead to some serious safety issues. And then, yous might exist wonder, just what size travel trailer tin a F-150 pull?

The short answer is that almost modern-day F-150s tin cansafely pull a travel trailerthat weight effectually five,000 to eight,000 pounds with gear, depending on the engine, rear-axle ratio and addition of bachelor options. However, there are some exceptions to this full general rule of pollex. Not to mention automotive salespersons beloved to play fast and loose with numbers and glowing metaphors.

In this commodity, we'll accept a closer look at the F-150's towing capacity, including some of the competition. We will too explore how total-size trucks can be used to make the near out of your RV experience.

Demystifying Some Of The Technical Jargon Around Full-Size Trucks

There are a lot of dissimilar terms that truck manufacturers utilize to describe the vehicles in their line.

Some are technically correct, while others are closer to being metaphors than they are statistics.

This includes terms similar:

Lite duty truck
Rabbit truck
Heavy-duty truck
Super duty truck
Super crew
Half-ton truck
Four-wheel bulldoze
Ii-wheel or rear-bicycle drive

Of course, Ford isn't lonely in applying these terms. The F-150'due south direct competitors in North America use many of these terms as well. This includes the:

The Ram 1500
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The GMC Sierra 1500
The Nissan Titan
The Toyota Tundra

For all intents and purposes, the F-150 and information technology's directly competitors are classified equally "Half Ton" trucks. Now don't like this misfile y'all.

The term "Half Ton" doesn't refer to the actual weight of the vehicle. If you lot put well-nigh of these trucks on a weigh station scale you'll discover they band in anywhere betwixt $5,000 to $vii,000 pounds.

A"One-half Ton"essentially means that the break organization and materials of the box tin handle a payload that weight around half a ton.

Taken in context, the bachelor payload has a straight impact on towing adequacy. Today many half-ton trucks like the F-150 have a college payload than just half a ton.

However, they nonetheless don't qualify for the next category up which is the "Three-Quarter Ton" pickup trucks like the F-250, which is available with a gasoline or a diesel engine.

The F-150 and many other half-ton trucks in this class ordinarily come up with a trailer tow package, which in some iterations can tow up to thirteen,000 pounds. However, this rating is classified as an empty truck with no passengers and other gear.

When loaded with gear, equipment, and passengers, a range of 6,000 pounds is more realistic when it comes to safe towing capacity.

How Is Payload Relevant To Towing Chapters?

The payload is technically most the weight capacity of the box and the suspension.

This also has a direct relationship to the natural language weight, which is defined every bit the amount of force per unit area or weight that the hitch places on the F-150 or any other towing vehicle.

The pressure level of the hitch is also influenced past the total weight of the trailer, as well as how that weight is distributed within the trailer.

The college the total weight is, and how much of that weight is being placed on the hitch the higher the tongue weight is.

Tongue weight can be a little chip of a double-edged sword. On the one side,increased tongue weight makes the entire rig more stable.

This also helps avoid things similar dangerous trailer sway, when you are driving downward the road.

If a trailer is besides low-cal or the vast bulk of the weight in its dorsum it could cause the trailer to sway out of control at high speeds, or to bounce dangerously when going over uneven surfaces.

1 the other side, too much natural language weight tin can make the trailer difficult to pull.

In an extreme case, an overloaded tongue can crevice, split, or take the weld'south neglect to atomic number 82 to a major accident while you are driving.

To prevent these problems Ford and its competitors recommend a tongue weight that is roughly 10%-15% of the overall trailer weight, including any loaded gear.

There's some bones math you tin can do any time you lot are towing with your F-150 to brand certain y'all are staying in the rubber range.

Assuming an boilerplate payload of effectually 2,000 pounds, you lot should as well cistron in at to the lowest degree some other 1,000 pounds for passengers and equipment.

This leaves you with simply effectually one,000 pounds for your tongue weight without exceeding the recommended safety limit.

What Is Gross Vehicle Weight?

Also known as GVW, information technology is the measurement that takes into business relationship the unabridged weight of the vehicle.

This includes your truck'due south dry weight, with an empty tank of gas, as well every bit the unabridged weight of the payload in the box.

When you add it to the high and trailer weight, it should not exceed your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which you can notice in your owner's manual.

Is The F-150 Available With A Diesel Engine?

Technically Ford does offer the F-150 with a diesel engine. However, they are somewhat rare and may exist hard to detect.

Most of their diesel fuel engines are reserved for larger vehicles in their lines like the F250 (Three-Quarter Ton) and the F-350 (One Ton) pickup trucks.

Is There An Reward To Having A Diesel Engine?

Diesel engines tend to produce more torque and overall power. Diesel is also more energy-dense than gasoline, which means y'all get better fuel efficiency. This tin can be a nice thing if you are going to be frequently towing heavy trailers.

All the same, in trucks of this size, the power and fuel efficiency departure is marginal.

It's also get-go by the fact that diesel engines typically price more than than their gasoline counterparts.

If you are but going to be towing a camper or boat in one case or twice a month, it will probably take a long fourth dimension to come across a return on investment by going with a diesel fuel engine over gasoline.

Is Having Four Wheel Bulldoze An Advantage When It Comes To Towing Trailers?

This depends a lot on where you live, what your budget is, and where y'all will be towing.

A truck that is only rear-wheel drive, means that the power is e'er sent to the ii rear wheels. Many F-150 trim packages include four-bicycle bulldoze, which raises the price dramatically.

Yet you lot should note that there is a departure betwixt "All Bike Drive" and "Four Cycle Drive."

An F-150 with iv-cycle drive generally travels forth acting just like it's rear cycle drive sibling.

When road conditions become loose or slippery, you tin can turn a knob, or press a push, which engages the front transfer box to send some of the vehicle's power to the front wheels. This also uses up a little more than gasoline.

If you live in a part of the state that doesn't run across snowfall and water ice in the winter, and you will only be towing a gunkhole or camper on paved roads, y'all tin can get by just fine with a rear-bike bulldoze truck.

If y'all live somewhere that sees ice and snowfall in the winter, or y'all will be towing your camper on loose surfaces than the extra coin you spend on a four-cycle drive truck volition pay for itself in curt order.

For case, In Minnesota, North Dakota, S Dakota, Wisconsin, parts of Maine, and Canada, people ofttimes tow ice shanty campers out onto frozen lakes in the wintertime.

In a situation similar this, not having iv-wheel drive will likely leave you stuck and at hazard for hypothermia.

Most F-150s with four-wheel drive have "Iv Loftier" and "4 Depression." When yous engage the four-wheel drive arrangement, it activates a locking or limited-skid differential and the front hubs move slightly slower than the rear hubs.

You should never just drive effectually in 4 loftier unless the conditions are indeed loose or glace.

Driving in iv high in dry conditions when y'all take proper traction can potentially damage hubs and other components.

4-wheel low is something you lot rarely use, and should but be reserved for times when yous need to pull out a stuck camper or vehicle.

I owned my F-150 for four years before I ever used 4 low, and that was to pull down an old garage I was demolishing! At all costs, you should not bulldoze on the road in four depression.

Can An F-150 Tow A Fifth Wheel Trailer?

If you lot really crisis the numbers an F-150 tin technically tow a smaller 5th-wheel trailer. Still even Ford themselves don't recommend this. Fifth wheel trailers as well require a special type of goose-neck hitch, which is mounted into the box of the truck. This alters the payload dynamics of the vehicle.

If you own a 5th-wheel camper or y'all are thinking well-nigh buying one, you actually should look at i of the higher grades of full-size truck.

I think yous'll find the F-250 and the F-350 are far better suited to handle a fifth-cycle camper.

What Is The Practical Towing Capacity Of The Ford F-150?

The Ford F-150 has been "Best in Class" for towing capacity and overall sales for the better part of the terminal twoscore years.

This is a point of pride for the manufacturer that sometimes obscures the hard facts and figures with glowing metaphors.

When it comes downwards to the nuts and bolts of it, just how much your F-150 can tow will depend on the model and the trim package.

If we look at the 2018 version of the F-150, we find a variety of configurations including the:

The XL
XLT
The Lariat
The King Ranch
Platinum
The Limited Edition
The Raptor

Despite the name, the Forty is essentially the most basic model of the F-150. On the other terminate of the spectrum the "Limited Edition"which comes outfitted with all the popular features.

The much-beloved Raptor is very much like the Limited Edition or the Platinum, but all of its off-road features are enhanced and information technology carries the most powerful gasoline engine in the line. You as well come across his reflected in the cost.

When it comes to determining the towing capacity there are a few cardinal factors you need to take into business relationship.

Engine forcefulness

The more power the engine produces, the more than weight it tin move. This translates direct into horsepower and torque, which play a disquisitional part in towing chapters.

The 2018 F-150 has several possible engines. This includes:

The 3.3-liter naturally aspirated V6
The EcoBoost V6
The 5.0-liter V8
The 3.five-liter EcoBoost V6

The 3.five-liter high-output EcoBoost V6 constitute in 2017 and earlier models

With the Raptor, there is a High Output engine which produces maximum torque and generates an impressive 510-pes pounds of torque @ 3,500 rpm. This gives information technology upwards to 450 horsepower.

Axle Ratio

Axle ratio plays a cardinal office in how a vehicle uses the torque produced by the engine, which of class plays a role in towing capacity.

Torque is essentially the force that moves the wheels of your truck and trailer. You feel it almost when yous advance from a finish.

One time you and your load are at total speed, torque doesn't actually come into play.

The beam ration determines how many times the wheels will turn to effectively use the energy the engine produces.

The slower they plough the more than of the engine's free energy is put into pulling the vehicle and trailer. When they turn chop-chop, that energy is not as productive or efficient.

Beam tramping is a foreign type of"Bike Hopping" which tin can occur in rear-wheel drive vehicles.

Information technology is caused by sudden torque loads on the suspension which essentially cause the driven wheels to milkshake violently as they rotate so springing dorsum.

Fifty-fifty a little axle tramping tin can have a very profound negative impact on a trailer beingness towed behind you.

The Length And Weight Of The Truck

The relationship of the length and weight of the truck to the length and weight of the trailer can as well touch towing efficiency likewise as handling.

When you accept a tow vehicle like the F-150 hitched to a trailer, the two directly affect each other. The faster you drive the stronger this human relationship becomes.

Essentially, the faster an object goes, the more than mass it has. This tin atomic number 82 to bug in high winds or bug with trailer sway.

Since the truck is the just thing with power and control you want information technology to be in command of the situation.

Ideally, you want the truck to weigh more than the camper existence towed. When the trailer exceeds the weight of the truck, it tin essentially push the truck down a hill, increase the take a chance of a trailer sway incident, or fifty-fifty damage parts of the truck'due south town bundle.

The length of the truck and the relationship to the trailer beingness towed behind it likewise has a profound outcome on handling and the turning circle.

If yous are going to exist driving the truck and camper on roads with wide lanes, straight into an RV park with a straight and true pull-through site access, so you might non notice a disparity between the length of the truck and the trailer.

However, this scenario is about as rare as unicorns and rainbows. Even if you are sticking to paved surfaces and man made RV parks, you are withal going to take moments where you lot need to back up, or you need to plough a tight corner.

You are certainly at higher risk for disaster if you are thinking most taking a long trailer to do some backwoods camping.

Payload

Every bit we discussed earlier, a truck's payload is essentially the maximum full weight of the driver, passengers, gear and fuel, combined.

If you lot become over the stated payload capacity y'all are at high take a chance of having complications related to tongue weight.

Payload involves many factors, and in the case of the Ford F-150, information technology varies by trim level and engine. The post-obit are some baseline statistics for the 2018 F-150 based on trim.

The iii.3 Liter gasoline engine on a Ford F-150 Twoscore with 4-wheel drive and a supercrew cab has a maximum payload of 1,680 pounds.

The 5 Liter V8 gas engine with 2 wheel drive (rear) with a regular cab has a maximum payload of three,270 pounds.

Right off the bat, these differences are pretty stark when you consider that the 5 Liter has almost double the payload of the basic F-150 40.

Towing Packet

In all of this, it'southward important to non overlook the towing package. This is essentially an enhancement of components that Ford builds into the truck to amend the towing performance.

It includes the towing hitch itself, as well every bit several elements which increase towing capacity and improve the overall handling.

There are some variations and added features that yous might notice from one trim level to the next. This includes things similar:

The Class IV Trailer Hitch – which comes with Ford'south basic towing package. It is considered an optional extra with the XL and XLT.

However, it comes every bit a standard feature with the Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited Edition models.

It has a towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds with the 3.3L Ti-VC T V6 and the 2.7L EcoBoost engines

The Class 4 Trailer Hitch has a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,000 pounds in the 3.5L EcoBoost engine as well as the 5.0L V8 engines

The Class IV Trailer Hitch includes:
A iv-pin and 7-pin wiring harness to power the trailer lights
A Course 4 Trailer Hitch Receiver
A Smart Trailer Tow Connector for trailers with electronic brake assist systems

Trailer Tow Package

With the Raptor version of the F-150, you volition also get things like an auxiliary transmission oil cooler and an upgraded front stabilizer bar. It has a towing capacity of up to 11,one thousand pounds

It as well includes:

A 4-pin and 7-pin wiring harness to power the trailer lights
A Form IV Trailer Hitch Receiver
A Smart Trailer Tow Connector for trailers with electronic brake assist systems
Auxiliary Transmission Oil
A libation
An Upgraded front stabilizer bar
Max. Trailer Tow Packet
An Electronic-locking Rear Axle

In that location is besides a heavy-duty tow package option with a towing capacity of up to xiii,200 pounds.

It includes:

A 4-pin and 7-pin wiring harness to power the trailer lights
A Class Iv Trailer Hitch Receiver
A Smart Trailer Tow Connector for trailers with electronic brake assist systems
Auxiliary Transmission Oil
An Upgraded Front Stabilizer Bar
An Engine Oil Cooler
A 36-gallon fuel tank
An Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
An Upgraded Rear Bumper
It also allows you to add together the Pro Trailer Backup Assist organization

Let'south make things a scrap easier.

Putting Towing Capacity Into Perspective

Some of the more exotic features of the Ford F-150 Raptor and the other tow packages they offer aren't exactly "Run of the Mill."

To put it into perspective on the low terminate, an F-150 Lariat, with a iii.3L Ti-VCT V6 engine volition produce around 290 horsepower and 265-foot pounds of torque.

In this configuration, you are looking at effectually a five,000-pound maximum towing range, which isn't enough to pull a large RV.

Information technology's probably plenty to pull a small to a minor size camping trailer.

Now if you were to take that same Lariat and equip it with with the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine which produces 375 horsepower and 470 foot-pounds of torque, with a SuperCrew cab every bit well as the long bed and an upgraded towing package, yous'd be looking at a maximum F-150 eastcoboost towing capacity that is closer to ten,000 pounds.

This would let you to take a robust-size camper trailer with you, and maybe fifty-fifty a tow-behind toy.

Think To Always Business relationship For Natural language Weight

Just exist mindful of tongue weight. If at all possible, yous always want to keep information technology around 12% and 15% of your overall trailer weight.

One way to make the well-nigh out of this, and keep yourself closer to the safe end of the spectrum is to become smart about what yous are packing and where yous keep it.

Over the years I have towed a broad range of campers, fish houses, ice shanties, and boats overloaded with tent camping gear.

In that, I've learned that you actually exercise need to brand certain yous are towing under your maximum towing limit, as stated in the owner'due south manual.

A trailer sway incident or getting in a pinch trying to pull an overloaded camper up a moisture sandy hill really can turn into a dangerous state of affairs.

I of the things that take helped the F-150 remain so popular with the RV community and individuals who need to tow trailers for work or play is its superior payload and towing capacity.

All the same, you need to respect that fifty-fifty the strongest truck has its limits.

Staying inside them, packing thoughtfully, and being mindful of tongue weight volition not but assist keep y'all safe on your trip, but it volition also preserve your high-value investments.

Are At that place Other Things I Can Practise To Prevent Trailer Sway?

This is another 1 of those moments where a pinch of prevention is worth a pound.

The National Highway Traffic Safe Administration (NHTSA) offers the following tips to assistance prevent trailer sway from occurring.

One: Ever adhere to the manufacturer recommended gear when towing.
Two: Drive slowly, which produces less strain on the tow vehicle as well asthe trailer.
Three: Attempt to avert making any sudden or sharp turns while driving fast.
Iv: Check the tire pressure of the tow vehicle also as the trailer. Under-inflated tires reduce the load-carrying capacity of both.

What Should I Do If My Trailer Starts To Sway?

Sometimes you can perfectly pack and distribute the load in your trailer, making sure to be mindful of the tongue weight and towing capacity, and still experience trailer sway.

Sometimes even something beyond your control like a stiff wind can crusade a trailer to sway.

When this happens, it tin be quite alarming. If you experience any trailer sway in the beginning few miles of a journey, you should take information technology equally a sign that something is loaded incorrect, or you have accidentally exceeded the reasonable capacity of the payload or tongue weight.

In a moment similar this, yous need to stop and adjust, unpack, or even slowly bulldoze dorsum home to get out some non-essential things backside.

If yous are driving down the road and the trailer starts to sway, you need to keep a absurd head.

Sometimes the knee jerk reaction is to advance, which could make the sway fifty-fifty worse.

The first matter to do is slow down, past taking your foot off the accelerator, but not immediately braking. Heavy braking can sometimes exacerbate the sway of an overly heavy trailer.

This is one of those times when yous tin and probably should turn on the four-fashion chance lights.

If the sway was acquired by a rogue outburst of wind, and the trailer comes nether control within a few seconds of decelerating you might be okay.

If things are threatening to get out of control, or a tempest is making it too hard to keep the trailer moving directly, then, past all means, pull over as soon equally possible.

I once spent a very tense 45-minutes in a mini-golf parking lot waiting for a air current storm to pass, rather than adventure skidding across 3 lanes of traffic!

Terminal Updated on May 8, 2021 by

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Source: https://www.rvingknowhow.com/what-size-travel-trailer-can-a-f150-pull/