I have a 2015 Sierra LD with 3.42 gears, towing capacity 9400Lbs. I use a weight distribution with sway control and added air bags for towing a 35 foot 7600LBS TT. If I was towing all the time, I would get a bigger truck. We only tow 3 or 4 time a year and then, only 3-5 hour away. It works great. I would never even think about towing a large 5th with this truck!
Thanks for the info on the F-150 & what it’s done for you ... the part I liked the best was the “go with what you have, or you’ll never get started.” So very true.
Nice video. I have a 2020 F150 and pull an 8800 pound 40' trailer. I laugh at everyone who says you can't do that as I'm doing it. However, I'm not the typical camper. We don't travel everywhere and/or constantly. Neither my truck or camper is fully loaded with anything because we go with two vehicles. We typically camp less than an hour from our home and the longest trip we take is the 1200 mile round trip to Sturgis. Pull my camper with ease and no worries; regardless of what the whiners say they can't handle.
So true about just getting started. We will be .moving from our pop up to a travel trailer shortly using our current truck. Although we wont be able to go fulltime for 10 years the thrill of going using our weekends and vacation time is pretty exciting.
I'm so ready for that too!! We sold our pop-up and are shopping for a t.t RV but we can't decide on size. I miss camping. We won t be able to do full time for awhile yet either but weekends and holidays most definitely!!!
We have a 2012 F150 Lariat and have a 30' Vantage trailer. We have towed this trailer over 10,000 miles without incident. I put load leveler shocks and it is perfect and level...
And do you have any e-brakes on the trailer? Just because a vehicle can move the trailer doesn't mean that it can stop it, safely. Just my two cents there.
Have you ever hauled it through mountains? I'm about to haul one through Georgia/Tennessee mountains with 13 King Ranch. I was wondering if I should just go through Arkansas instead. Love that truck. Do not want to lose it or family to break failure.
We have almost the same truck (V6 EcoBoost instead) and added a weight-distribution hitch, Bilstein 5100 shocks, and the Timbren suspension enhancement system. Tows our 28' trailer like a dream!
Just started looking into campers with my wife. Half ton silverado currently. Don't really plan on upgrading the pickup any time soon so this video was definitely helpful. Your whole channel has been helpful!
Great video! Something I learned when researching which truck to by... this is merely FYI, we all decide what fits for us and what we're comfortable with. When looking to buy take a very close look at what is different between the 2500/250 and 3500/350. I was about to buy a 3500 Ram SRW w/6.7 Cummins for our 5th wheel which was ~$10,000 more than the 2500. SRW because my wife isn't comfortable driving the wider dually (frankly, neither am I as a passenger :) ) My brother-in-law has been a Ram diesel specialist for decades. Over breakfast he told me NOT to buy the more expensive vehicle (note I didn't say better or larger). He schooled me on how they are different and there are only a handful of differences between them. If you add bags (I added Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 bags) you have made your heavy duty RAM 2500 into a heavy duty RAM 3500 in all but name only and done it in a way that improves your load stability over all. If you doubt this start comparing the part numbers of things like brakes, springs, axles, etc. They are the same between the 2500 and 3500. This is for RAM at least, unsure of the other brands. With that said, yes I know... this isn't going to change your "legal" towing or load capacity. However, you can safely tow/carry with no fear of a weight related breakdown up to the 3500 "limits." 40,000 miles and not a squeak out of her yet (the truck I mean). BTW, we wound up buying a 2500 Laramie Longhorn w/6.7 CTD MCSB SRW. Things I've done, all to improve towing capacity/fuel mileage/endurance. - Air Lift Load Lifter 500 Air Bags - Banks Power Cold Air Intake (CARB legal) - Banks Power Monster exhaust (deletes the un-necessary muffler, also CARB legal) w/ pyro and differential temp sensor. - Edge Evolution Diesel Tuner (CARB legal) - Power Stop Severe Duty Brakes & Rotors - Steering Stabilizer - Larger than stock tires and wheels - 57 gallon diesel Tank installed by Titan in Idaho Falls during a trip to the Tetons (if you own a Ford diesel look into replacing the metal tank you have, it WILL de-laminate over time) - Coolant Filter (ya, they actually make these) - Cummins Heavy Duty Fuel Filter Kit (pre-filter) - Lubrication Pre-Filter (arguably not needed but I figured what the heck) - AFEPower differential cover (Gale Banks is doing a test to see if after market covers are good or bad... it doesn't look good for them) See the BanksPower channel.
LOL, Love the Sneezing at the end! ;) But Thank you so much about talking about how a 1/2 Ton can pull your trailer. I am looking for a truck and trailer, and I was Not sure if a 1/2 Ton would be sufficient enough to pull a 24'-26' foot trailer.
What I absolutely love about your videos is that you are so informative and hilarious ✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼 ✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼 we are learning so much from you guys✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼 love that hand too😂😂😂
I'm glad you posted the spreadsheet We have a motorhome with the same types of problems We always weigh all 4 wheels which helps us balance the motorhome If you ever get stopped to be weighted you get a fine plus you cannot move the trailer or motorhome until you are under the weight Again thanks for the spreadsheet
Hi Mark and Trish, We just got our trailer, 28ft, Grand Design. We know that one of the first things to do is to change the tires. Our rim is 15, we are strangling to buy the most durable and good quality. As we told you, we will be traveling a lot and Bruno for being handicap person, I want to have the maximum comfort and peace of mind possible. I would not like to expose him too much. We know that there are diversities and we are prepared. And we will be happy knowing spectacular places wherever we go. Thank you once again!!!!!!
Congrats Bruno! I'm not sure if I would change those tires. Grand Design has a one year warranty on tires. They might be okay. If you do change, this is what to get! Goodyear just started making their Endurance trailer tires in the States due to all the issues in China. This is a E rated 10 ply tire with 87 mph speed rating for a 15" rim. You'll be in good hands with Discount #NotanAd www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/goodyear-endurance/p/32624
I know some of your respondents have the Eco-Boost engine but for an old timer like me, there's no "replacement for displacement". The 6.2L engine is your biggest asset. The Eco-Boost engines have great specs and perform well in towing tests but in general terms, the smaller engines operating under boost pressure can't help but wear out sooner than your big block. The payload capacity is definitely the weak link in a half ton's capabilities. The other issue with heavy loads (and reasons to upgrade to 3/4 or higher is the stress on drive train components including transmission, brakes, axles and wheel bearings. Your 9,200 lb load is what my Ram 2500 weighs out at with a fully loaded truck camper (800 lbs below it's GVWR). I'd be curious to know what the GVWR and rear axle rating is on your truck. I'd bet good money that you're overloaded. Also, check the load ratings on your tires and verify that they are also within spec.This can have safety ramifications as well as legal issues should you ever be in an accident. Take your rig to a CAT Scale someday, fully loaded (full tank of fuel etc.) and get your weights checked (front and rear truck axles and trailer axles) just for peace of mind. I don't mean any of this to be critical but simply useful information for anyone interested.
Travels with Yoly good points . Don't forget that the passengers are part of the equation. 5 people (600lbs), 10% minimum recommended tongue weight (920) Bikes (100) fuel, etc. I have a Ram 1500 with 1700 payload and my trailer is 7000 GVWR and It is hard for me to keep the weights right. My local CAT scale costs $11 for a first weigh and $2 for a reweigh within 24 hrs. Knowing individual axle weights is critical. Most important is that you are not reducing the weight on the front axle which will compromise the steering in an emergency situation. I don't get much sag with stock suspension so it is possible that they are overweight.
We have an older F350 diesel dually and had to swap out a truck camper for a 5th wheel because of this very reason. The truck had NO problem going anywhere we wanted to go (with the truck camper), but we were over the GVWR (I guess they didn't rate them very high for our year). Just because it CAN pull it doesn't mean it SHOULD pull it..............and we were very concerned about any legal ramifications should we have an accident.
Your point comment " Just because it CAN pull it doesn't mean it SHOULD pull it" are words of wisdom. I know there are a lot of people with 1500s that carry truck campers way over the GVWR. They justify it by citing the suspension upgrades that they have made saying that the truck handles it easily. Adding air assist to the rear will definitely help level the truck and improve the ride but nothing you do with suspension upgrades increases the GVWR. In this condition, in an accident, even if you're not cited, your insurance company is off the hook in paying a claim. If you look at the FCA (Fiat Chrysler of America) web-site, it states quite clearly that NONE of the half tons (other than the lightest regular cab, 2WD, short bed, V-6) is CERTIFIED to carry a slide-in truck camper. Doing so could void the warranty on drive train components. We purchased the lightest hard side slide-in camper we could find advertised with a dry weight of 1,385 lbs for our half ton (with the suspension upgrades). With just my wife and I and a light load I calculated us to be a100 lbs below our GVWR so we went ahead and purchased the camper. I had never driven a truck camper rig before and the 360 miles home from the dealer in NC was really freaky weird and scary. Just before we got home I stopped at a Love's truck stop, filled the tank and went around back to the scales, again, just for peace of mind. The camper was completely empty other than a small bottle of propane provided by the dealer. Surprisingly (or maybe not so much) the truck weighed over the GVWR without my wife and I nor any camping gear in it. The camper as it turned out was about 600 lbs heavier than advertised. Within days we were back to the dealer and given a full refund. A month later we switched to the 2500, went back to the same dealer and purchased a really nice truck camper, a bigger, heavier one than before. We are 800 lbs below the 2500's GVWR (fully loaded) and the difference in ride (confidence) was night & day :-)
LMFAO they are going to wear out but people keep buying them something got to give they are not cheap trucks i love seeing bullshit comments like that but you can't tell me why the ecoboost is Ford's best selling engine
Great video! We've been successfully towing our 30' Keystone Cougar 25RDS with our half-ton Ford F-150 PowerBoost with the max tow package for 3 seasons.
What hitch system did you go with? I have a 2017, 6.5' bed, with max tow package and want to set it up to pull a 260rd, however, I utilize my truck for other purposes and need to keep all the real estate available.
Recent research showed me 2011+ F150 needs a Max Tow Package to tow like this. It can be had on the EcoBoost and 6.2. It gets a different rear bumper, stronger rear springs, trans cooler, selectable shifting, trailer brake controller and extended side mirrors.
Great summary! We're looking at towing with our 2018 RAM Crew 4x4. We actually bought the OEM trailer brake from Dodge and had them install it and program it into the display and controls. If available, I think this is the way to go. And, actually, that actuator you use to straighten out sway is there to adjust your trailer brake's force. When in drive on the level it should bring your rig to a stop. What a brilliant use for helping with sway!
I have a set of Cipa towing mirrors S well for my Sierra. Absolutely the best. Look like OEM mirrors when their on. No vibration. Installs literally in seconds.
Have exact same truck in Ruby Red. Airbags are the same as well. I added a bully dog tuner for fine tuning and a furion backup camera... both help tremendously...
Have same 2013 F150 Platinum however with 3.5 Ecoboost with Roush Performance Ram Air Filter towed 4300lb travel trailer, have recently changed to 25ft 5th Wheel approx 6700lb dry, with the reese revolution pin box. Tons of power and handles the mountains with ease. Excellent topics and yes the little finger hands were interesting -LOL!
remember if you have sag you have to much hitch weight and you have overloaded the trucks suspension. Yes the air bags will level it back out but you are still towing beyond the trucks suspension you are just hiding it. but you do you BOO BOO
I had an autoleveling airbag kit on my 06 F150. It was awesome for towing our boat and hauling loads. It automatically raised the rear end when under load and lowered it back down when unloaded. Best mod ever. I haven’t had bags since but I’ll be installing bags on my 18 Power Wagon now that we’ve begun our RV journey. On board air of course.... ;)
I love you guys. Please do me a favor and look at the label inside the drivers door and check what the payload capacity is of your truck and then subtract your tongue weight and your gear and people weight. Your truck may only have a payload of 1350 lbs and if your tongue weight is 800 lbs that doesn't leave you much weight for cargo and people. Please take it slow with this setup, I have done a lot of research trying to make the 150 work for me and I am sure you are at the max on payload and gross total weight (truck+TT), you are probable well under the max tow weight. If you ever pull with a 250 you won't believe the difference. When my wife drives with our 250 I have to keep on her to stay below 80 mpg. You can't even tell the TT is back there. Also take look at the electronic sway control by sway master. It mounts on your trailer tongue and when it detects a sway it hits the trailer brakes to pull the trailer back inline. Safe travels keep up the great work.
You have a great point. I had a segment on cargo capacity, but didn't include it because I wasn't 100% sure on my info. But I'm 1,500 pounds, which is still pushing it. But the weight dist. system off sets that I was told.
no, you're still limited to that 1500lbs of payload regardless if you have a WD hitch or not. Helper springs, airbags, etc, while all rated to carry x amount of weight, only help level the truck/prevent sag, they wont increase your payload rating. I'm willing to bet you're pretty close to the limits of that 1500 if not over. Best bet, hit up a scale and know your weights. You should also look into good e rated LT tires if you havent already. Great video guys, keep em coming!
There has been a lot of discussion on boards concerning what your insurance company would do if you had a serious accident and you were exceeding the tow and cargo capacities. Some say that is the first thing the insurance company looks at. Many RV dealers play stupid and let their customers drive away overloaded because they know if they told them they needed a bigger truck they wouldn't make a sale. You guys are the best RV Tubers out there. You set the bar for the rest.
@@rvsomedaybutnottoday7430 that is absolutely true guys. Also if someone is seriously hurt or killed you will be held liable because you would be exceeding your payload which means you are overweight for that vehicle. Check the laws with your local DOT because if you ever have a serious accident you will be in a lot of trouble.
Guys, we love your channel! Yours is absolutely the best out there. We’ve been watching you for a couple of years now. we love the way your family is so involved. You are great parents. I know this is an older video but just gotta say the hand model thing is hilarious!!! Please bring her back in future episodes. So funny. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the next one all the time. We’re hoping to retire this summer and get on the road. We’d love to meet up sometime. Stay safe!
Excellent truck info, well presented. The finger hands were mostly creepy, but also slightly alluring. Now, I may have to make an appointment with a doctor..
Nice job as always Keep up the good work some nice upgrades to think about I guess it's not bothering you. you have to climb into your truck all the time I don't see a running board I'm thinking about adding them to my Ford truck
Humble Road.......I thought it was just me who thought the little hand was creepy, kind of like Deadpool's little hand. Great info despite the weird little hand.
I’m glad this setup works for you. I don’t know how long Gringer is, but I towed a 37’ ft. bunkhouse travel trailer with a 2010 F150 with no success. I added helper bags like yours and was using the Equalizer hitch. I was well within the weight limits of the truck, but that trailer pushed us around like nothing else. Going down any hill was a white knuckled ride. I have since traded in the 150 for an ‘05 F250 with the Powerstroke diesel. Night and day difference. Now, I don’t have any sway issues, and I don’t have any problems going down mountain passes yet alone hills. Keep up the great work with the videos. You guys are so much fun to watch.
Thanks for the info. I guess I should have read the video description before posting. I figured my problems were do to how long our trailers is. The longer the trailer the more crosswind it can catch and the more leverage it will have on the tow vehicle.
Yeah, 37 is pretty long. I would think the issue is not the weight, but tongue weight depending on where the axles are. The diesels are nice - no question.
Had a 2011 f150 4x4 5.0 with 175k pull 37' 9000lbs camper from Texas to Idaho and back. Everything stock, no mirrors, just mashed the gas. I did get 8 mpg.
The Firestone riderite wireless system is a worthwhile investment. I have it installed on my F-350. Even if you upgrade to a 5th wheel you can move the system over to the new truck. Only piece of advice, if you order one from Amazon and the valve unit says less than "Rev 3.1" send it back and get the latest model. It works amazingly better than the older units. Customer service warrantied my older kit no charge with fast shipping.
Thanks for the great info! We are looking for a good way to haul bikes with our 5th wheel camper... I'm thinking some sort of mount back by the ladder. I love the floor mats, too! Best invention!!
Perfect. Just make sure what ever the bike rack is secured to has a strong mount or weld. Bike racks shake... and after thousands of miles of tiny shaking, I've seen bumpers come off the rig. That's the reason I used my truck. Many 5er's put the bikes on the truck cab roof.
I am allergic to bike racks, for the exact reason you mentioned. With the fifth wheel I always had a truck with an 8ft bead, so my typical set up was, between the cab and the hitch, I would remove one pedal and lay down the first bike turning the handles parallel to the bike and put a piece of 1” foam over it, just turn the handles on the second bike and lay it over the foam and do this with 3 bikes ( my spouse can’t ride a bike) and would attached them with bungees. The roof I have two Kayaks on there and lastly between the tail gate and the hitch I would stack some fire wood on shorter trips. The 8ft. Bead is the best with a fifth wheel anyway for additional reasons. Well my two long cents Regards
Robert, we have an 8ft bed. Our truck is a 2000 dually Diesel Dodge 3500. I like your idea... We would probably need to fit 4 bikes for at least the next 2 years or so.... That's a possibility for us that I hadn't thought about.
Keep Your Daydream We'll have 4 for a while. I also don't like the idea of having them way in the back of the rig... Maybe we can get some sort of roof mount or try the bed idea that Robert suggested.
You guys are killing me!!! ....I'm going to sound redundant BUT lots of excellent information presented in a manner that mixes quality of presentation with just the right mix of humor!!
I just discovered your channel right now, and this is the first video of yours I’ve watched. You are spot on by stating that the right truck is the one you have. Absolutely love that you said that. There is an unsaid ego contest out there right now urging guys to buy F-250s who do not need them, other than making up for small manhoods.
Ford trucks are great. Sure the 250 or 350 with a diesel is probably preferred. More power, better mileage and all that. But they have a heavy price tag attached to any shop repair. Routine Maintenance is absolutely critical on them. Having been a Ford tech, I've seen what happens when fuel filters aren't changed when they should be. Better bring your banker when you pick it up. Best answer in the whole section is "It's what we had." Take what you have and get started!
if you are looking at a ford diesel I would check out powerstrokehelp.com and make sure you are not getting a dud to start with.. 7.3L is best, but older, 6.0L in 07,08 only bulletproffed, and 14 up in the 6.7L diesel. anything else and you need a large billfold FULL of cash.. I know you 6.0 and 6.4 guys are going to dispute that fact but when you listen to a guy that works on them all the time you see why.. bill hewitt at powerstrokehelp site works on fords all the time. just sayin. and the duramax same thing.. read the issues with what years to avoid costly problems.
Open Minded , Carl Newton is spot on in my opinion. One of the bug reasons Tech's prefer the 6.0 and 7.3 is that the problems they have are workable. They can get into the engine and diag and repair it with confidence and it won't cost a fortune to do it. Buying a new truck is so dang expensive now that I don't see how folks do it. With a lot of the middle having prices well over $45K it makes more sense to me to look for an older unit with a 6.0 or 7.3. Even if you have to do a complete rebuild to get going, it would likely be cheaper than buying a new unit and the issues that come with the newer engines. This is the route that I am looking at for a tow vehicle.
I'm not sure Ford has it on every model year, but I think any of the trucks that boast the 'max-tow' package, with the additional transmission/oil cooler and the extra radiator cooler, will also have a weight distribution hitch. But not every auto/truck dealership has sales people who know the difference, and not every truck on Auto Trader includes that info in the ad, either. Sometimes you just have to look for yourself.
We are pulling a 30 ft fifth wheel with a 2013 f150 & also did airbags , yes they are a must have & make a big difference . One thing we added you may want to add is power stop brakes on all four wheels when you do the brakes . They have also been a big plus over stock brakes.
Common questions asked in the comments below: 1. How much does my truck weight: 5,900 dry and 9,200 loaded (28' TT) 2. What is my cargo capacity? 1,500 pounds. This is potentially the biggest limitation to half ton towing, not towing capacity. 3. What PSI do I keep my air bags: 35 pounds, which increases to 75 pounds with a load. I never adjust the air and don't think it's too stiff without a load. 4. Do you have a weight distribution system? Yes, I currently have the EAZ-Lift system by Camco. It's started failing after only 15 months and they won't warranty the product. My next system will be a Hensley Hitch bit.ly/Hensley-Hitch 5. Will you ever upgrade to a 5th wheel? Yes Couple notes: *We would not have selected a half ton truck to pull 9,200 pounds had we known we would have RV'd this long. It's just what we had and we wanted to get started. If you're serious about RVing and don't already have a truck, there are more benefits to 3/4 ton or diesel - as long as you're not "waiting for the perfect rig". *Be sure to check out our Amazon page with our fav RV gear amazon.com/shop/keepyourdaydream
Keep Your Daydream for the bike rack, check out the American roll cover. You can use the Tule mounts without drilling and have a bed cover with full bed access even with bikes in place. I love mine
Great vid Marc. One of my hunting partners uses a new WD system called the Recurve. Built in sway control, spring bars attach upside down but works so easy on his 1/2 ton Eco Diesel.
Great move on the Hensley hitch - was happy to have it across windy Oklahoma. It's been great all around. (I used to think Less Junk More Journey named their daughter after the hitch, but maybe its a coincidence)
that is too funny.. they, LJMJ, use a equalizer hitch way the by.. I have propride and while not battled the winds of OK have loved it for sure. heavy bugger tho.
Just getting going with our 2018 F-150. We are towing a Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS. (roughly 4500 lbs dry) We are camper newbies, so thank you for all your videos...I have learned a lot from you guys!! (First trip next week!)
I came across your video from a ford f150 search. Watched it and now i'm a subscriber! you've got about a million videos so I gotta lot of catching up to do! Well done.
Just towed a new Airstream 23' FB(4800 ish lbs) with my friends 2017 Ford Platinum. I also purchased the Blue OX 500# distribution hitch. Had the dealer set it up and off we went. Without a long winded story, I will tell you it bucked a bit and the trailer was noticeable in the back. There was no blasting up hills but on the other hand it had no problem going up them. Kinda steady as it goes. Learned a good lesson riding with him as he did. He also has a F-250 that he said he will bring next time. With the latter he tows his 10,000 5th wheel with a gooseneck hitch.(Sorry new to rv's so don't know the exact terminology) I'd recommend the Ford F-250/350 for ball/bumper hitch towing. I'll be purchasing that soon.
Yeah, you go, Mark! Excellent advice - go with what you have, and go from there. I don't even get to do the RV thing, so I get to enjoy watching you guys - BUT, here I am a senior now and I just got a great used SUV. Been wanting one for years and the deal just fell into place - ok, not new, but a big update for me, trading my 10 year old Focus for a 2013 Ford Edge. Ok, so I'm thrilled to finally have a car I'm glad to be in, lol. Only 59K miles with factory warranty to 100K. All this has nothing to do with your channel. I'm just like a kid wanting to share my good news ;-)) Maybe someday I'll actually get to take it out on a trip. ;-)
Okay I am 5:26 into the vid so far and the hand model thing is killing me....don't know why that cracks me up but I am listening intently, you shift to another subject, there is the hand model...thanks for the video so far....now back to watching the rest.
But airbags can put too much weight on the rear axle and affect your weight distribution. Your truck should not sagging in the rear if your weight distribution was set up properly.
The truck mirrors extenders you suggested work great. We just got a 2012 F150 ecoboost to pull our "new-to-us" 1973 Avion LaGrande, and the mirrors help a lot for changing lanes and watching traffic. Thanks for the video!
I highly recommend the Sumo springs for towing. They are noiseless, stable, and require zero maintenance. My ride quality is better than our Buick Enclave. I added aftermarket tow mirrors, transmission oil cooler, trans temp gauge, and Tire Pressure Monitor for both the truck and trailer tires. Of course, a WDH is a necessity when towing 8,000 pounds with a 1/2 ton.
We are actually towing a 25' Keystone Passport with a new 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat 4x4 .. and it is working perfectly. I was worried that the Ranger wouldn't have enough power to tow our RV, but it has actually worked out beautifully. I probably wouldn't tow any larger trailer with it, but for the 25' Passport it really is a very nice fit. We love our new Ford Ranger 4x4 Lariat .. excellent truck!
Great video guys! We tow with a F150 Eco Boost and love it! (With a 28foot Airstream) You recommended those mirrors to me just under a year ago and they are awesome! No vibration and easy to install.Love everything you guys do and share.
really well done video. love seeing people with their head on straight about towing. i personally use "the equalizer hitch" . we have a 2002 silverado with the 5.3. planning on a add a leaf to stiffin up the back end along with lifting the rear end about 2 inches in the process. we have trailer brakes installed. all in all you hit it right on the button on the video. take care of your rig and it will take care of you.
The hand model is fantastic - and hilarious. Nice to see the whole family turning wrenches too. Great content. Subbed and thumb high. (full size thumb, just so you know)
The new F150's are great trucks. I have a 2012 F150 Eco-Boost with the Max Tow package installed and air bags on the back. I tow a 28 foot Eclipse Stellar 5th Wheel Toy Hauler no problem. Now getting a 5th Wheel Hitch installed for the 5'5" bed was interesting! Can we say **Expensive!!**
PS to funny on the bike rack we went the route you are looking to go with the side mounted rails and it is awesome! Also allows you to have a cover on bed below to stop everything from getting wet. We carry a fat bike and mountain bike on top with no issue, easy to take the rack off and leave the rails on if you need to load something large in the truck also. For info we got ours installed by the company called Rack Attack
I pull my 27' travel trailer with my 2012 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost. Max weight is 9,500ish. Trailer doesn't go over 7K loaded. Only thing I have to fix is the Ecoboost puts out a lot of heat, so in the height of the summer going up into the passes, it tends to get a bit hot and I gotta pull over and take breaks to let the turbos cool down. This is a known issue and fixable with some aftermarket parts, which I'm looking to put in before the summer hauling season. It tackles everything I want it to do with ease. Don't go over your max weight and leave some leeway, take time to learn how to pull, and you'll do just fine. And these are very comfortable trucks for passengers for the long haul.
I am glad to here that you successfully towed all those miles with 1/2 ton pick up. Our rig should do well at Gross weight of 12920 lbs for a 27 travel trailer and 1/2 pick up truck. The dry weight of our Ram 1500 eco diesel was 6060 lbs. I added the Frame to axle air springs as well, but I haven't had to use that much air pressure to keep the rig level. I have been using Blue Ox Sway pro WDH, and it has provided excellent sway control with cross winds
dave from Manchester uk- fantastic vidios please keep up the good work its good to see how other people live , you have a brillent outlook on life good luck enjoy it thanks
I WAS FORCED to stop the video at 25 seconds to say this is already one of the best I have ever seen!!!
I have a 2015 Sierra LD with 3.42 gears, towing capacity 9400Lbs. I use a weight distribution with sway control and added air bags for towing a 35 foot 7600LBS TT. If I was towing all the time, I would get a bigger truck. We only tow 3 or 4 time a year and then, only 3-5 hour away. It works great. I would never even think about towing a large 5th with this truck!
I don't have a truck or a trailer but I love you guys and clicked play anyways. Trish's hand modelling did NOT disappoint!
Thanks for the info on the F-150 & what it’s done for you ... the part I liked the best was the “go with what you have, or you’ll never get started.” So very true.
@Calamity Joe 100% this. smh at people pulling these things in half tons. The frame of that half ton is not built to handle that trailer.
But yet look at some old videos of folks pulling Airstreams with old 100 series Fords in Africa on a caravan. They did it!!
I was only half paying attention when the hand model thing came on and started laughing out loud. Thank you!!
Nice video. I have a 2020 F150 and pull an 8800 pound 40' trailer. I laugh at everyone who says you can't do that as I'm doing it. However, I'm not the typical camper. We don't travel everywhere and/or constantly. Neither my truck or camper is fully loaded with anything because we go with two vehicles. We typically camp less than an hour from our home and the longest trip we take is the 1200 mile round trip to Sturgis. Pull my camper with ease and no worries; regardless of what the whiners say they can't handle.
So true about just getting started. We will be .moving from our pop up to a travel trailer shortly using our current truck. Although we wont be able to go fulltime for 10 years the thrill of going using our weekends and vacation time is pretty exciting.
I'm so ready for that too!! We sold our pop-up and are shopping for a t.t RV but we can't decide on size. I miss camping. We won t be able to do full time for awhile yet either but weekends and holidays most definitely!!!
That hand was funny LOL! The videos are great you really taught me a lot. Much appreciated!
We have a 2012 F150 Lariat and have a 30' Vantage trailer. We have towed this trailer over 10,000 miles without incident. I put load leveler shocks and it is perfect and level...
How does it handle up hills and downhills ?
And do you have any e-brakes on the trailer? Just because a vehicle can move the trailer doesn't mean that it can stop it, safely. Just my two cents there.
Have you ever hauled it through mountains? I'm about to haul one through Georgia/Tennessee mountains with 13 King Ranch. I was wondering if I should just go through Arkansas instead. Love that truck. Do not want to lose it or family to break failure.
@@jacoe33333 It does not even know that it is going up and down hills, Twin Turbo is amazing!
@@Sig721Tau Yes I have trailer brakes!
We have almost the same truck (V6 EcoBoost instead) and added a weight-distribution hitch, Bilstein 5100 shocks, and the Timbren suspension enhancement system. Tows our 28' trailer like a dream!
Great video! Great tips especially the one on correcting sway with trailer brakes! Thanks!
Just started looking into campers with my wife. Half ton silverado currently. Don't really plan on upgrading the pickup any time soon so this video was definitely helpful. Your whole channel has been helpful!
Oh the hands. But the bloopers at the end. Just had me rolling. 👍😂😂
That moment the small hand brought the cap up to the license plate...LOL
Great video!
Something I learned when researching which truck to by... this is merely FYI, we all decide what fits for us and what we're comfortable with.
When looking to buy take a very close look at what is different between the 2500/250 and 3500/350. I was about to buy a 3500 Ram SRW w/6.7 Cummins for our 5th wheel which was ~$10,000 more than the 2500. SRW because my wife isn't comfortable driving the wider dually (frankly, neither am I as a passenger :) ) My brother-in-law has been a Ram diesel specialist for decades. Over breakfast he told me NOT to buy the more expensive vehicle (note I didn't say better or larger). He schooled me on how they are different and there are only a handful of differences between them. If you add bags (I added Air Lift Load Lifter 5000 bags) you have made your heavy duty RAM 2500 into a heavy duty RAM 3500 in all but name only and done it in a way that improves your load stability over all. If you doubt this start comparing the part numbers of things like brakes, springs, axles, etc. They are the same between the 2500 and 3500. This is for RAM at least, unsure of the other brands.
With that said, yes I know... this isn't going to change your "legal" towing or load capacity. However, you can safely tow/carry with no fear of a weight related breakdown up to the 3500 "limits."
40,000 miles and not a squeak out of her yet (the truck I mean). BTW, we wound up buying a 2500 Laramie Longhorn w/6.7 CTD MCSB SRW.
Things I've done, all to improve towing capacity/fuel mileage/endurance.
- Air Lift Load Lifter 500 Air Bags
- Banks Power Cold Air Intake (CARB legal)
- Banks Power Monster exhaust (deletes the un-necessary muffler, also CARB legal) w/ pyro and differential temp sensor.
- Edge Evolution Diesel Tuner (CARB legal)
- Power Stop Severe Duty Brakes & Rotors
- Steering Stabilizer
- Larger than stock tires and wheels
- 57 gallon diesel Tank installed by Titan in Idaho Falls during a trip to the Tetons (if you own a Ford diesel look into replacing the metal tank you have, it WILL de-laminate over time)
- Coolant Filter (ya, they actually make these)
- Cummins Heavy Duty Fuel Filter Kit (pre-filter)
- Lubrication Pre-Filter (arguably not needed but I figured what the heck)
- AFEPower differential cover (Gale Banks is doing a test to see if after market covers are good or bad... it doesn't look good for them) See the BanksPower channel.
LOL, Love the Sneezing at the end! ;) But Thank you so much about talking about how a 1/2 Ton can pull your trailer. I am looking for a truck and trailer, and I was Not sure if a 1/2 Ton would be sufficient enough to pull a 24'-26' foot trailer.
You are killing me with the little hands. The nightmares are horrible. Love you guys videos. You give me hope for being a fulltimer.
What I absolutely love about your videos is that you are so informative and hilarious ✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼
✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼 we are learning so much from you guys✋🏼✋🏼✋🏼 love that hand too😂😂😂
Thanks Coral!
I'm glad you posted the spreadsheet
We have a motorhome with the same types of problems
We always weigh all 4 wheels which helps us balance the motorhome
If you ever get stopped to be weighted you get a fine plus you cannot move the trailer or motorhome until you are under the weight
Again thanks for the spreadsheet
Thanks! Loved the end!! Thanks for letting me live vicariously with you and see all the great sites!!
I totally agree with Ed Aker... the tip about controlling some sway by applying the Trailer Brake, earned a like and subscribe!
Hahahahaha....the hand, the hand...oh, my Lordy, I LOVE that hand....:-)
Hey Guy's,
The truck floor mats are the cats meow of floor mats, we have some and love them.
Have a great weekend!!!
LOL...the small hands...killin me! Nicely done!
Hi Mark and Trish,
We just got our trailer, 28ft, Grand Design. We know that one of the first things to do is to change the tires. Our rim is 15, we are strangling to buy the most durable and good quality. As we told you, we will be traveling a lot and Bruno for being handicap person, I want to have the maximum comfort and peace of mind possible. I would not like to expose him too much. We know that there are diversities and we are prepared. And we will be happy knowing spectacular places wherever we go.
Thank you once again!!!!!!
Congrats Bruno! I'm not sure if I would change those tires. Grand Design has a one year warranty on tires. They might be okay. If you do change, this is what to get! Goodyear just started making their Endurance trailer tires in the States due to all the issues in China. This is a E rated 10 ply tire with 87 mph speed rating for a 15" rim. You'll be in good hands with Discount #NotanAd www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/goodyear-endurance/p/32624
I know some of your respondents have the Eco-Boost engine but for an old timer like me, there's no "replacement for displacement". The 6.2L engine is your biggest asset. The Eco-Boost engines have great specs and perform well in towing tests but in general terms, the smaller engines operating under boost pressure can't help but wear out sooner than your big block. The payload capacity is definitely the weak link in a half ton's capabilities. The other issue with heavy loads (and reasons to upgrade to 3/4 or higher is the stress on drive train components including transmission, brakes, axles and wheel bearings. Your 9,200 lb load is what my Ram 2500 weighs out at with a fully loaded truck camper (800 lbs below it's GVWR). I'd be curious to know what the GVWR and rear axle rating is on your truck. I'd bet good money that you're overloaded. Also, check the load ratings on your tires and verify that they are also within spec.This can have safety ramifications as well as legal issues should you ever be in an accident. Take your rig to a CAT Scale someday, fully loaded (full tank of fuel etc.) and get your weights checked (front and rear truck axles and trailer axles) just for peace of mind. I don't mean any of this to be critical but simply useful information for anyone interested.
All good points.
Travels with Yoly good points . Don't forget that the passengers are part of the equation. 5 people (600lbs), 10% minimum recommended tongue weight (920) Bikes (100) fuel, etc. I have a Ram 1500 with 1700 payload and my trailer is 7000 GVWR and It is hard for me to keep the weights right. My local CAT scale costs $11 for a first weigh and $2 for a reweigh within 24 hrs. Knowing individual axle weights is critical. Most important is that you are not reducing the weight on the front axle which will compromise the steering in an emergency situation. I don't get much sag with stock suspension so it is possible that they are overweight.
We have an older F350 diesel dually and had to swap out a truck camper for a 5th wheel because of this very reason. The truck had NO problem going anywhere we wanted to go (with the truck camper), but we were over the GVWR (I guess they didn't rate them very high for our year). Just because it CAN pull it doesn't mean it SHOULD pull it..............and we were very concerned about any legal ramifications should we have an accident.
Your point comment " Just because it CAN pull it doesn't mean it SHOULD pull it" are words of wisdom. I know there are a lot of people with 1500s that carry truck campers way over the GVWR. They justify it by citing the suspension upgrades that they have made saying that the truck handles it easily. Adding air assist to the rear will definitely help level the truck and improve the ride but nothing you do with suspension upgrades increases the GVWR. In this condition, in an accident, even if you're not cited, your insurance company is off the hook in paying a claim. If you look at the FCA (Fiat Chrysler of America) web-site, it states quite clearly that NONE of the half tons (other than the lightest regular cab, 2WD, short bed, V-6) is CERTIFIED to carry a slide-in truck camper. Doing so could void the warranty on drive train components. We purchased the lightest hard side slide-in camper we could find advertised with a dry weight of 1,385 lbs for our half ton (with the suspension upgrades). With just my wife and I and a light load I calculated us to be a100 lbs below our GVWR so we went ahead and purchased the camper. I had never driven a truck camper rig before and the 360 miles home from the dealer in NC was really freaky weird and scary. Just before we got home I stopped at a Love's truck stop, filled the tank and went around back to the scales, again, just for peace of mind. The camper was completely empty other than a small bottle of propane provided by the dealer. Surprisingly (or maybe not so much) the truck weighed over the GVWR without my wife and I nor any camping gear in it. The camper as it turned out was about 600 lbs heavier than advertised. Within days we were back to the dealer and given a full refund. A month later we switched to the 2500, went back to the same dealer and purchased a really nice truck camper, a bigger, heavier one than before. We are 800 lbs below the 2500's GVWR (fully loaded) and the difference in ride (confidence) was night & day :-)
LMFAO they are going to wear out but people keep buying them something got to give they are not cheap trucks i love seeing bullshit comments like that but you can't tell me why the ecoboost is Ford's best selling engine
Great video! We've been successfully towing our 30' Keystone Cougar 25RDS with our half-ton Ford F-150 PowerBoost with the max tow package for 3 seasons.
What hitch system did you go with? I have a 2017, 6.5' bed, with max tow package and want to set it up to pull a 260rd, however, I utilize my truck for other purposes and need to keep all the real estate available.
Recent research showed me 2011+ F150 needs a Max Tow Package to tow like this. It can be had on the EcoBoost and 6.2. It gets a different rear bumper, stronger rear springs, trans cooler, selectable shifting, trailer brake controller and extended side mirrors.
I have a 6.2L 11 F150 with max tow. Just got it.
Great summary! We're looking at towing with our 2018 RAM Crew 4x4. We actually bought the OEM trailer brake from Dodge and had them install it and program it into the display and controls. If available, I think this is the way to go. And, actually, that actuator you use to straighten out sway is there to adjust your trailer brake's force. When in drive on the level it should bring your rig to a stop. What a brilliant use for helping with sway!
You're so fortunate to have your wife there to lend you a....Hand.
tim babb I bet he he he
tim babb ....Creepy, IMHO!
Or two !
💀💀💀
ok
I have a set of Cipa towing mirrors S well for my Sierra. Absolutely the best. Look like OEM mirrors when their on. No vibration. Installs literally in seconds.
Hope that hand model was VERY well paid; she worked it like a true professional. ;-)
Have exact same truck in Ruby Red. Airbags are the same as well. I added a bully dog tuner for fine tuning and a furion backup camera... both help tremendously...
Have same 2013 F150 Platinum however with 3.5 Ecoboost with Roush Performance Ram Air Filter towed 4300lb travel trailer, have recently changed to 25ft 5th Wheel approx 6700lb dry, with the reese revolution pin box. Tons of power and handles the mountains with ease. Excellent topics and yes the little finger hands were interesting -LOL!
Love the hands, too funny. I didn't even know there was a Ford 150 with a 6.2. Very tidy set up.
It's only an option with the Platinum, which is the only reason I got it. I'm not really *that fancy. Key work is that.
remember if you have sag you have to much hitch weight and you have overloaded the trucks suspension. Yes the air bags will level it back out but you are still towing beyond the trucks suspension you are just hiding it. but you do you BOO BOO
Trish has a serious obsession with those little hands that completely cracks me up! #KYD
Good stuff! We have a 2010 F150. Great truck!
I had an autoleveling airbag kit on my 06 F150. It was awesome for towing our boat and hauling loads. It automatically raised the rear end when under load and lowered it back down when unloaded. Best mod ever. I haven’t had bags since but I’ll be installing bags on my 18 Power Wagon now that we’ve begun our RV journey. On board air of course.... ;)
I love you guys. Please do me a favor and look at the label inside the drivers door and check what the payload capacity is of your truck and then subtract your tongue weight and your gear and people weight. Your truck may only have a payload of 1350 lbs and if your tongue weight is 800 lbs that doesn't leave you much weight for cargo and people. Please take it slow with this setup, I have done a lot of research trying to make the 150 work for me and I am sure you are at the max on payload and gross total weight (truck+TT), you are probable well under the max tow weight. If you ever pull with a 250 you won't believe the difference. When my wife drives with our 250 I have to keep on her to stay below 80 mpg. You can't even tell the TT is back there. Also take look at the electronic sway control by sway master. It mounts on your trailer tongue and when it detects a sway it hits the trailer brakes to pull the trailer back inline. Safe travels keep up the great work.
You have a great point. I had a segment on cargo capacity, but didn't include it because I wasn't 100% sure on my info. But I'm 1,500 pounds, which is still pushing it. But the weight dist. system off sets that I was told.
no, you're still limited to that 1500lbs of payload regardless if you have a WD hitch or not. Helper springs, airbags, etc, while all rated to carry x amount of weight, only help level the truck/prevent sag, they wont increase your payload rating. I'm willing to bet you're pretty close to the limits of that 1500 if not over. Best bet, hit up a scale and know your weights. You should also look into good e rated LT tires if you havent already.
Great video guys, keep em coming!
There has been a lot of discussion on boards concerning what your insurance company would do if you had a serious accident and you were exceeding the tow and cargo capacities. Some say that is the first thing the insurance company looks at. Many RV dealers play stupid and let their customers drive away overloaded because they know if they told them they needed a bigger truck they wouldn't make a sale. You guys are the best RV Tubers out there. You set the bar for the rest.
@@rvsomedaybutnottoday7430 that is absolutely true guys. Also if someone is seriously hurt or killed you will be held liable because you would be exceeding your payload which means you are overweight for that vehicle. Check the laws with your local DOT because if you ever have a serious accident you will be in a lot of trouble.
Guys, we love your channel! Yours is absolutely the best out there. We’ve been watching you for a couple of years now. we love the way your family is so involved. You are great parents. I know this is an older video but just gotta say the hand model thing is hilarious!!! Please bring her back in future episodes. So funny. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the next one all the time. We’re hoping to retire this summer and get on the road. We’d love to meet up sometime. Stay safe!
Excellent truck info, well presented. The finger hands were mostly creepy, but also slightly alluring. Now, I may have to make an appointment with a doctor..
Lol. That's the same feedback we received when they made their first appearance in big sur.
Humble Road this is the best comment 🤣
Ops. I meant to click thumbs-up :) Hope you don't get an email!
Nice job as always
Keep up the good work some nice upgrades to think about I guess it's not bothering you. you have to climb into your truck all the time I don't see a running board I'm thinking about adding them to my Ford truck
Humble Road.......I thought it was just me who thought the little hand was creepy, kind of like Deadpool's little hand. Great info despite the weird little hand.
I’m glad this setup works for you. I don’t know how long Gringer is, but I towed a 37’ ft. bunkhouse travel trailer with a 2010 F150 with no success. I added helper bags like yours and was using the Equalizer hitch. I was well within the weight limits of the truck, but that trailer pushed us around like nothing else. Going down any hill was a white knuckled ride. I have since traded in the 150 for an ‘05 F250 with the Powerstroke diesel. Night and day difference. Now, I don’t have any sway issues, and I don’t have any problems going down mountain passes yet alone hills.
Keep up the great work with the videos. You guys are so much fun to watch.
28 feet, was his trailer length
Thanks for the info. I guess I should have read the video description before posting. I figured my problems were do to how long our trailers is. The longer the trailer the more crosswind it can catch and the more leverage it will have on the tow vehicle.
yea, I just noticed 30' feet was in the description. But in the video, he said 28'
yea, I just noticed 30' feet was in the description. But in the video, he said 28'
Yeah, 37 is pretty long. I would think the issue is not the weight, but tongue weight depending on where the axles are. The diesels are nice - no question.
Had a 2011 f150 4x4 5.0 with 175k pull 37' 9000lbs camper from Texas to Idaho and back. Everything stock, no mirrors, just mashed the gas. I did get 8 mpg.
Do you wish you had an F250 for that instead?
@@andrewmorgan7500 sure, just not what I owned. That 150 was stolen unfortunately. I drive a 2003 7.3 now. 339000.
Thank You!!!!!! I have the same truck and the exact same problems you have no idea what a life saver this video has been!!
Wow! So enjoyed your video. Love the feel of the whole thing and the information was great as well. Keep on keeping on!
I especially like the sneezing on the hand and wiping it on the pants. That was a nice touch!
Okay...the little hands....creepy!!🤣 as someone looking to get started....this was very helpful! Thanks
“Big truck big RV” channel is also a good resource for bigger trucks and trailer suspension upgrades.
that was the best hand model ever!
:)
Great Video! North Phoenix here and we are about to headout in our lincoln Navigator and a 7000 LBS Camper to the midwest. This was super helpful!
Start with what you have! the best advice thank you
The Firestone riderite wireless system is a worthwhile investment. I have it installed on my F-350. Even if you upgrade to a 5th wheel you can move the system over to the new truck. Only piece of advice, if you order one from Amazon and the valve unit says less than "Rev 3.1" send it back and get the latest model. It works amazingly better than the older units. Customer service warrantied my older kit no charge with fast shipping.
Thanks for the great info! We are looking for a good way to haul bikes with our 5th wheel camper... I'm thinking some sort of mount back by the ladder. I love the floor mats, too! Best invention!!
Perfect. Just make sure what ever the bike rack is secured to has a strong mount or weld. Bike racks shake... and after thousands of miles of tiny shaking, I've seen bumpers come off the rig. That's the reason I used my truck. Many 5er's put the bikes on the truck cab roof.
Oh...if it's just two bikes, I've seen many trucks with a front bumper rack.
I am allergic to bike racks, for the exact reason you mentioned. With the fifth wheel I always had a truck with an 8ft bead, so my typical set up was, between the cab and the hitch, I would remove one pedal and lay down the first bike turning the handles parallel to the bike and put a piece of 1” foam over it, just turn the handles on the second bike and lay it over the foam and do this with 3 bikes ( my spouse can’t ride a bike) and would attached them with bungees. The roof I have two Kayaks on there and lastly between the tail gate and the hitch I would stack some fire wood on shorter trips. The 8ft. Bead is the best with a fifth wheel anyway for additional reasons. Well my two long cents
Regards
Robert, we have an 8ft bed. Our truck is a 2000 dually Diesel Dodge 3500. I like your idea... We would probably need to fit 4 bikes for at least the next 2 years or so.... That's a possibility for us that I hadn't thought about.
Keep Your Daydream We'll have 4 for a while. I also don't like the idea of having them way in the back of the rig... Maybe we can get some sort of roof mount or try the bed idea that Robert suggested.
Following you guys since...2020... Trish sneezing was hilarious.. Kids sure have grown
Outstanding video!!! By the way, where on earth did you find the music? It's so early '70s my Levi's grew bells as I watched your video. Cool.
I laughed so hard that I forgot what I was looking for! You two have a great time!
Lmao I cannot stop laughing at the hand. Great video
You guys are killing me!!! ....I'm going to sound redundant BUT lots of excellent information presented in a manner that mixes quality of presentation with just the right mix of humor!!
OH MY WORD! Those hands! LOL I love it! hhaha
I just discovered your channel right now, and this is the first video of yours I’ve watched. You are spot on by stating that the right truck is the one you have. Absolutely love that you said that. There is an unsaid ego contest out there right now urging guys to buy F-250s who do not need them, other than making up for small manhoods.
Welcome! Yes, we've now had an F150, F250 and F450. I only remember the places we've been.... not the truck that got me there :)
Ford trucks are great. Sure the 250 or 350 with a diesel is probably preferred. More power, better mileage and all that. But they have a heavy price tag attached to any shop repair. Routine Maintenance is absolutely critical on them. Having been a Ford tech, I've seen what happens when fuel filters aren't changed when they should be. Better bring your banker when you pick it up.
Best answer in the whole section is "It's what we had." Take what you have and get started!
if you are looking at a ford diesel I would check out powerstrokehelp.com and make sure you are not getting a dud to start with.. 7.3L is best, but older, 6.0L in 07,08 only bulletproffed, and 14 up in the 6.7L diesel. anything else and you need a large billfold FULL of cash..
I know you 6.0 and 6.4 guys are going to dispute that fact but when you listen to a guy that works on them all the time you see why.. bill hewitt at powerstrokehelp site works on fords all the time.
just sayin. and the duramax same thing.. read the issues with what years to avoid costly problems.
Open Minded , Carl Newton is spot on in my opinion. One of the bug reasons Tech's prefer the 6.0 and 7.3 is that the problems they have are workable. They can get into the engine and diag and repair it with confidence and it won't cost a fortune to do it.
Buying a new truck is so dang expensive now that I don't see how folks do it. With a lot of the middle having prices well over $45K it makes more sense to me to look for an older unit with a 6.0 or 7.3. Even if you have to do a complete rebuild to get going, it would likely be cheaper than buying a new unit and the issues that come with the newer engines. This is the route that I am looking at for a tow vehicle.
You guys usually crack us up, but the "tiny hands" sent us over the edge!
Are you using a load leveling hitch? I set up one on an older F-150 to tow a 28’ camper and it did not sag with stock suspension.
Yes, the EZ Load weight Dist. hitch. It failed after 18 months. I wouldn't buy it again.
I'm not sure Ford has it on every model year, but I think any of the trucks that boast the 'max-tow' package, with the
additional transmission/oil cooler and the extra radiator cooler, will also have a weight distribution hitch. But not every
auto/truck dealership has sales people who know the difference, and not every truck on Auto Trader includes that info
in the ad, either. Sometimes you just have to look for yourself.
We are pulling a 30 ft fifth wheel with a 2013 f150 & also did airbags , yes they are a must have & make a big difference . One thing we added you may want to add is power stop brakes on all four wheels when you do the brakes . They have also been a big plus over stock brakes.
Hand model prop = insta subscribe. That was hilarious!
You folks are just plain fun to watch and your experiences entertaining and informative
Thanks Larry. Glad you're here.
Common questions asked in the comments below:
1. How much does my truck weight: 5,900 dry and 9,200 loaded (28' TT)
2. What is my cargo capacity? 1,500 pounds. This is potentially the biggest limitation to half ton towing, not towing capacity.
3. What PSI do I keep my air bags: 35 pounds, which increases to 75 pounds with a load. I never adjust the air and don't think it's too stiff without a load.
4. Do you have a weight distribution system? Yes, I currently have the EAZ-Lift system by Camco. It's started failing after only 15 months and they won't warranty the product. My next system will be a Hensley Hitch bit.ly/Hensley-Hitch
5. Will you ever upgrade to a 5th wheel? Yes
Couple notes:
*We would not have selected a half ton truck to pull 9,200 pounds had we known we would have RV'd this long. It's just what we had and we wanted to get started. If you're serious about RVing and don't already have a truck, there are more benefits to 3/4 ton or diesel - as long as you're not "waiting for the perfect rig".
*Be sure to check out our Amazon page with our fav RV gear amazon.com/shop/keepyourdaydream
Keep Your Daydream for the bike rack, check out the American roll cover. You can use the Tule mounts without drilling and have a bed cover with full bed access even with bikes in place. I love mine
Great vid Marc. One of my hunting partners uses a new WD system called the Recurve. Built in sway control, spring bars attach upside down but works so easy on his 1/2 ton Eco Diesel.
Great move on the Hensley hitch - was happy to have it across windy Oklahoma. It's been great all around. (I used to think Less Junk More Journey named their daughter after the hitch, but maybe its a coincidence)
What 5th wheel is at the top of your list? Thanks!
that is too funny.. they, LJMJ, use a equalizer hitch way the by.. I have propride and while not battled the winds of OK have loved it for sure. heavy bugger tho.
Just getting going with our 2018 F-150. We are towing a Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS. (roughly 4500 lbs dry) We are camper newbies, so thank you for all your videos...I have learned a lot from you guys!! (First trip next week!)
Great truck prep info. I do question your choice of hand model though. She was trying to hog the limelight in every scene. Very unprofessional!!
We spend months negotiating with her agent. We finally agreed on 7 hand appearances, but the editor didn't get the TPS report.
I came across your video from a ford f150 search. Watched it and now i'm a subscriber! you've got about a million videos so I gotta lot of catching up to do! Well done.
Welcome Juston!
Dying at the hand models!! 😂😂😂😂 love it!!
Just towed a new Airstream 23' FB(4800 ish lbs) with my friends 2017 Ford Platinum. I also purchased the Blue OX 500# distribution hitch. Had the dealer set it up and off we went.
Without a long winded story, I will tell you it bucked a bit and the trailer was noticeable in the back. There was no blasting up hills but on the other hand it had no problem going up them. Kinda steady as it goes.
Learned a good lesson riding with him as he did. He also has a F-250 that he said he will bring next time. With the latter he tows his 10,000 5th wheel with a gooseneck hitch.(Sorry new to rv's so don't know the exact terminology)
I'd recommend the Ford F-250/350 for ball/bumper hitch towing.
I'll be purchasing that soon.
The hands remind me of Chucky from Child’s Play😱
Im glad to see you guys pulled out all of the stops with the props, LOL. Loved the little model hands.......Great info....
Those finger hands crack me up every time...lol
Yeah, you go, Mark! Excellent advice - go with what you have, and go from there. I don't even get to do the RV thing, so I get to enjoy watching you guys - BUT, here I am a senior now and I just got a great used SUV. Been wanting one for years and the deal just fell into place - ok, not new, but a big update for me, trading my 10 year old Focus for a 2013 Ford Edge. Ok, so I'm thrilled to finally have a car I'm glad to be in, lol. Only 59K miles with factory warranty to 100K. All this has nothing to do with your channel. I'm just like a kid wanting to share my good news ;-)) Maybe someday I'll actually get to take it out on a trip. ;-)
Thats a great SUV. Congrats!
Love hands!!! Can’t stop laughing
Okay I am 5:26 into the vid so far and the hand model thing is killing me....don't know why that cracks me up but I am listening intently, you shift to another subject, there is the hand model...thanks for the video so far....now back to watching the rest.
But airbags can put too much weight on the rear axle and affect your weight distribution. Your truck should not sagging in the rear if your weight distribution was set up properly.
LOL at Trish and those hand things. You two are a blast!
That hand was just a little creepy lol
i was gonna say it was really creepy at first. lol
The truck mirrors extenders you suggested work great. We just got a 2012 F150 ecoboost to pull our "new-to-us" 1973 Avion LaGrande, and the mirrors help a lot for changing lanes and watching traffic. Thanks for the video!
Please take an f-250 for a trial. You won’t go back!
I highly recommend the Sumo springs for towing. They are noiseless, stable, and require zero maintenance. My ride quality is better than our Buick Enclave. I added aftermarket tow mirrors, transmission oil cooler, trans temp gauge, and Tire Pressure Monitor for both the truck and trailer tires. Of course, a WDH is a necessity when towing 8,000 pounds with a 1/2 ton.
We are actually towing a 25' Keystone Passport with a new 2019 Ford Ranger Lariat 4x4 .. and it is working perfectly. I was worried that the Ranger wouldn't have enough power to tow our RV, but it has actually worked out beautifully. I probably wouldn't tow any larger trailer with it, but for the 25' Passport it really is a very nice fit. We love our new Ford Ranger 4x4 Lariat .. excellent truck!
I agree, start with what you have. but always do it safe. don't take any short cuts.
Zach Y M - exactly! Don’t buy a camper that exceeds the capabilities of the tow vehicle you currently own.
Great video guys! We tow with a F150 Eco Boost and love it! (With a 28foot Airstream) You recommended those mirrors to me just under a year ago and they are awesome! No vibration and easy to install.Love everything you guys do and share.
The baby hand is hilarious! Very helpful tips thanks
Great job Trish, love the hands. Welcome home, glad you made it safely. Can't wait to find out where "we're" going next. Love you guys.
really well done video. love seeing people with their head on straight about towing. i personally use "the equalizer hitch" . we have a 2002 silverado with the 5.3. planning on a add a leaf to stiffin up the back end along with lifting the rear end about 2 inches in the process. we have trailer brakes installed. all in all you hit it right on the button on the video. take care of your rig and it will take care of you.
The hand model is fantastic - and hilarious. Nice to see the whole family turning wrenches too. Great content. Subbed and thumb high. (full size thumb, just so you know)
I also have a Ford F-150 ( 2005 ) with about 145,000 miles on it. Very dependable and good for towing. Not as nice as yours, but gets the job done.
The new F150's are great trucks. I have a 2012 F150 Eco-Boost with the Max Tow package installed and air bags on the back. I tow a 28 foot Eclipse Stellar 5th Wheel Toy Hauler no problem. Now getting a 5th Wheel Hitch installed for the 5'5" bed was interesting! Can we say **Expensive!!**
PS to funny on the bike rack we went the route you are looking to go with the side mounted rails and it is awesome! Also allows you to have a cover on bed below to stop everything from getting wet. We carry a fat bike and mountain bike on top with no issue, easy to take the rack off and leave the rails on if you need to load something large in the truck also. For info we got ours installed by the company called Rack Attack
I pull my 27' travel trailer with my 2012 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost. Max weight is 9,500ish. Trailer doesn't go over 7K loaded. Only thing I have to fix is the Ecoboost puts out a lot of heat, so in the height of the summer going up into the passes, it tends to get a bit hot and I gotta pull over and take breaks to let the turbos cool down. This is a known issue and fixable with some aftermarket parts, which I'm looking to put in before the summer hauling season. It tackles everything I want it to do with ease. Don't go over your max weight and leave some leeway, take time to learn how to pull, and you'll do just fine. And these are very comfortable trucks for passengers for the long haul.
I am glad to here that you successfully towed all those miles with 1/2 ton pick up. Our rig should do well at Gross weight of 12920 lbs for a 27 travel trailer and 1/2 pick up truck. The dry weight of our Ram 1500 eco diesel was 6060 lbs. I added the Frame to axle air springs as well, but I haven't had to use that much air pressure to keep the rig level. I have been using Blue Ox Sway pro WDH, and it has provided excellent sway control with cross winds
dave from Manchester uk- fantastic vidios please keep up the good work its good to see how other people live , you have a brillent outlook on life good luck enjoy it thanks
Great comment on trailer brakes and sway! Thanks
Lol when the hands came out I lost it. Awesome!
I love the built in trailer braking system in ford trucks. It will be nice when we get our trailer.