Get axle code 26 (3.73 open diff) or B6 (3.73 limited slip). Under 5000 pounds dry will be fine for either the 4.6L or 5.4L as long as it has the 6-spd trans. The 2V 4.6L came with a 4-spd that has less power, worse fuel economy, and fewer gear. Skip that! 3V 4.6L or 5.4L 2009+.
I love my NT. The only regret I have is maybe I should have gotten the quad bunk instead, but I have 3 little kids and you are just a couple. The tanks are supposedly heated and enclosed. Mine is clearly enclosed. I am not sure how they are heated as the furnace duct work to inside the TT is all above the floor. A simple duct through the floor would be sufficient, but I'm not sure where that is in MY TT. I have only camped down to the mid 40's at night and been comfortable.
The 21FBS, 22FBS, or 24RBS would all be great for a retired couple. Mine was about $21 OTD with about $1500 in upgrades/options and a $600 weight distributing hitch. The 21FBS with limited options should be closer to $16k USD, plus TTL and hitch.
I recommend contacting RV Direct. Many Ontario residents have purchased from them. They carry some good brands like Forest River Rockwood lines and Jayco.
x2 what APT said.
One other thing to look for on Heartland TT's is the height of the TT frame. Some of their models have low clearance issues. Both with the spare tire which they mount under the tongue and also on some they have the sewer drains at the rear and coupled with the lower frame height it puts the drain valve really close to the ground. Can be an issue when entering and exiting drives.
I am not sure if we are suppose to endorse any RV dealers on this forum so I sent you a private message. If I am wrong I will gladly publicly recommend the dealer I bought from!
Greg and J
Sam - the Golden Retriever. Ben - the Yellow Lab
2011 Keystone Bullet Premier 28RLPR
2012 Nissan Titan SL CC
gregrc75 wrote: I am not sure if we are suppose to endorse any RV dealers on this forum so I sent you a private message. If I am wrong I will gladly publicly recommend the dealer I bought from!
Got your message and replied. Until they tell me not to, I wouldn't be too worried about mentioning a name, pro or con. I don't think the website can be held legally liable for content posted by members, but I may be wrong.
It does happen occasionally.
btw, thanks for the suggestions.
Mike.
2002 Roadtrek Chevy 190 Popular/2009 F150 XLT Supercrew
It's not a sprint, it's a marathon (on most days).
eric james wrote: I too will recommend the 5.4L motor if you're going to tow.
Your buddy's F150 "with the biggest V6 Ford makes" could be the Ecoboost motor and it's a powerful beast.
You will get more payload the smaller the cab. Crew cab 5.5' bed will have the least payload standard, the Super cab with 6' bed is a great combo. Nice wheelbase too.
Know the 3.73 axle code on the driver door stick is "B6"
Hey eric,
Thanks for the info. Useful stuff.
Unfortunately, they don't have any trucks on the used lot at the price I'm paying with a 5.4L. Since I'm buying used, I pretty much have to take what's already on it. I appreciate the comments about "bigger is better" when towing, but sadly, budget has me limited to the 4.6L V3 (maximum 292 HP and 320lb/ft of torque) so it is what it is. 156" wheelbase I think, if that improves it at all. It is the SuperCrew cab (full back seat), so that might reduce my potential payload?
My cousin went with a brand new F150 "with the biggest V6 they had". So if that's the Ecoboost, then that would be it. He hauls a 21' North Trail with it, and hasn't mentioned any issues yet, but this is his first trip out with this combo. He used to have (I think) an F250 diesel and a 30' trailer, but the gas mileage was killing him, and it was just too much truck/trailer, so they downsized. He's cross country in California right now.
Q: By payload, do you mean total additional weight I can haul in the truck and trailer at the same time, on top of the weight of the trailer? Or the total weight of the whole mess, all in?
Your payload capacity is anything that touches the truck. Example, TT tongue, WD hitch, you and spouse, firewood, tools, etc. If it's on or in the truck it comes of the max cargo rating from the yellow sticker on the drivers side door.
Heres a link to the 2009 F150 specs, it will help with some numbers. Keep in mind that the payload capacity numbers are at the base for that particular model and will be lower with acc add ons.
Atlee wrote: This advice is coming from a "newbie" WRT trailers, but I've been doing a lot of looking, reading, researching lately because I'm considering going over to a trailer.
It's not mentioned much, but I've found on my 2005 F150 4x4 Supercab, 5.4L w/ tow pkg and 144.5" WB and 9300# tow weight rating, that I will run out of pickup cargo capacity well before I run out of tow weight.
From the info on the door of my truck I am limited to 1,496# of cargo. From this I have to substract me, my wife, the hard bed cover. Also from this cargo weight limit, you must substract the weight of the hitch and the tongue weight.
For 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, this is much less a concern.
Hi Atlee,
Thanks for the info and specs from your 2005 F150. It really helps and everyone who has replied so far seesm to know what they're talking about. In fact, this whole forum seems to have a lot of expertise on all things RV and that's really great.
Getting back to my towing dilemma, I bought the 2009 F150 SuperCrew XLT 4.6L V8 3V, with 6 speed transmission. Good or bad for towing it'll be a nice change from the 2010 Ranger Sport 4X4 I'm trading in. The Ranger rides rough (much shorter wheelbase and suspension differences?) and is far more lightweight when it comes to towing. So, I decided I's rather be more comfortable with my daily ride, and I'll worry about the trailer weight and all the spec numbers later. If I can't pull the Taj Mahal, so be it, I'm going to be using it as an everyday vehicle too. I posted up it's max HP is 292 and torque is 320lb/ft, so I'm hoping it will pull something comfortable and economical.
Another question: Do you know if any travel trailers come equipped with Onan or other make generators? We boondock occasionally, and having a generator is a nice feature on our class B.
Another question: Do any TT's come equipped with a generator of some sort, or do you use a Honda or Kawasaki or something like that when you don't have full hookups? What makes have them or offer them as options?
Congrats on your new to you truck. It's always nice stepping up. On the generator issue, gen (no pun intended) erally they don't. Most people use either Honda or Yamaha in what ever size neccesary. The 2 main things are noise and watts. If you just looking to run a few items or recharge you batteries 2000W is fine. If your wanting to run the AC I think you need at least 3000W. There are some other brands that are fairly quiet that are cheaper, I just don't recall what brands they are. Try and stay away from contractor style, there not really neighbor freindly. Loud.
goducks10 wrote: Congrats on your new to you truck. It's always nice stepping up. On the generator issue, gen (no pun intended) erally they don't. Most people use either Honda or Yamaha in what ever size neccesary. The 2 main things are noise and watts. If you just looking to run a few items or recharge you batteries 2000W is fine. If your wanting to run the AC I think you need at least 3000W. There are some other brands that are fairly quiet that are cheaper, I just don't recall what brands they are. Try and stay away from contractor style, there not really neighbor freindly. Loud.
Thanks. I hope it works out. The ride and size are nice, the fuel economy is comparable (without trailer), I may miss the 4X4 once in a while, but I hardly used it when I had it in 2 previous vehicles.
As far as generators go, 3000W sounds about right. I suspect running A/C will be a common use.
I have also noted the following....
-Some have remote starters. Probably more expensive.
-I would guess gas is the more popular fuel? How long do they run
on a tank of gas?
-Are there any propane models for this sort of application?
-How do you supply the fuel, fill a lawn mower sized fuel tank? Can they be fed by a continuous feed from a larger tank?
-Most important, how do you keep them from walking off?
-Can the portable models be semi-permanently mounted somewhere on the trailer I wonder, to be used easily from inside, and not be easily stolen? Welded/bolted to the tongue or roof or underneath maybe? I've seen motor homes with them in carriers attached to the rear bumper, sometimes in cages. We would be looking for a way to use one while boondocking, without having to worry about theft or going outside to start it.
-Did I miss anything?
We carry ours in the truck under the canopy. Take it out and chain it to the steps by the front door of the TT. Not really worried about theft at most of the CG's we go to. But a few that were not familar with we put it back in the truck and lock the canopy. Our 2000W only weighs about 45lbs so no biggy on moving it around. Heres a link to a Honda 3000W that will give you some info on hrs and such.
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