NiasWagn
Omaha
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It's been awhile since I've been "camping ready" because of last years hail storm but yesterday I brought home a 2012 F-150 to put in the garage. It does not have the max tow package on it but does have the trailer tow package and the dealer has agreed to add on the brake controller. They sent me home with the truck and told me to tow my camper with it and then bring it back Monday to finalize the purchase.
My campers dry weight is around 4500 (says 4142) and I estimate no more than 3000 of gear on board (including a Goldwing). The book says not to tow anything until I reach 1000 miles on the motor. So I'm a little stuck on what to do.
The book also says I can tow 9600 so I'm about 72% of capacity. I'm a little concerned that a 3.5L engine can out tow my 4.7 Tundra. I want to see it and believe it.
My question is, should I be towing my trailer down to the scale with 100 miles on the odo and without a brake controller? Two dealers said I could but I don't want to mess anything up on this new truck.
Opinions/thoughts?
2012 Forest River 19RR
2012 F150 EB
2004 GL1800
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dbbls
Missouri
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I would not tow anything without brakes. Also, my 2011 book stated nots to tow for the first 500 miles, not 1000. It said not to run at a sustained speed but to vary the speed for the first 1000 miles. Maybe it was changed for the 2012.
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gsxr1300
ma
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If it didnt come with the factory brake controller its very easy to add
2011 Ford F250 Lariat 6.7 4x4 LB
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dreeder
Castle Rock, Co
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Quote:I'm a little concerned that a 3.5L engine can out tow my 4.7 Tundra.
I wouldn't be concerned about that. That little motor puts out more power than the Hemi in my 2500 and at very low RPM's. Can it do it as reliably as the bigger gasser's? Time will tell I guess.
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NiasWagn
Omaha
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I guess I'm one of those "trust but verify" guys. I guess all I can do today is get the camper down to the scale with the old truck and verify the weights I estimated. I'm thinking I was pretty generous with those numbers but I can't trust little stickers. I need a truck that will last me 10 years for part timing but also serve as my "get to work" truck too. This thing seems like a perfect fit right now. If it tows like they say it will I'm all in.
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Bears Den
Estero, Fl.
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I just bought my F150 EB about 3 weeks ago. The manuel says not to tow anything until 1000 miles have been driven. I'm sure there is a very good reason and I'm following that. Car salesman are just that salemans. I think the engineers and veh designers are more up to date on break in periods. By the time I'm ready to tow my HTT on April 19th, I'll have 1000 miles.
2013 Kodiak 279 rbsl
2012 Ford F150 with ecoboost
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NiasWagn
Omaha
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You're right where I'm at. I'm thinking about asking if they have a demo truck hanging out up there. They say they are the largest dealer in America for these things so maybe they do. I'm pretty sure I'm going to wait also. I was just wondering what others thought. The dealer has already agreed to toss in the brake controller at no extra charge so they are working with me a lot.
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RedRocket204
Colorado Front Range - Got Elk?
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dbbls wrote:I would not tow anything without brakes. Also, my 2011 book stated nots to tow for the first 500 miles, not 1000. It said not to run at a sustained speed but to vary the speed for the first 1000 miles. Maybe it was changed for the 2012.
A 6.7L V8 diesel is not a 3.5L V6 gasser...unless you also have a 2011 F150 EB that isn't listed in your sig.
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Personally, I would take the truck back and get one with the HD Payload and Max Tow options on it. You're already paying for the Ecoboost engine option and regular Tow Package options. It's not all that much more money to get the HD Payload option, which includes the Max Tow option and the Ecoboost engine, as well as the 3.73 rear axle. With the HD Payload package and it's included Max Tow, Ecoboost, 3.73 axle and 17" LT-E tires, you will have the heaviest duty F150 Ford makes, can easily tow your trailer and have the option of towing a larger trailer in the future, without buying another truck at that time.
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57 Panhead
Central Valley Calif.
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SoCalDesertRider wrote:Personally, I would take the truck back and get one with the HD Payload and Max Tow options on it. You're already paying for the Ecoboost engine option and regular Tow Package options. It's not all that much more money to get the HD Payload option, which includes the Max Tow option and the Ecoboost engine, as well as the 3.73 rear axle. With the HD Payload package and it's included Max Tow, Ecoboost, 3.73 axle and 17" LT-E tires, you will have the heaviest duty F150 Ford makes, can easily tow your trailer and have the option of towing a larger trailer in the future, without buying another truck at that time.
Have to agree with this 100%
Steve
Retired Teamster
2012 Jayco Eagle Superlite 31.5RLTS
07 F250 PowerStroke
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