Greetings one and all. Newbie here (so new, I don't actually have an RV) My question has probably been asked before. The wife and I are looking to buy, but we want to make sure our vehicle is matched to the correct weight trailer. Vehicle- an '01 F150 XL Supercab 4.2 V6 w/ auto. tranny and 3.55 rear gear. The truck has been maintained really well by previous owner (currently only 66,000 miles). The owners manual says that the max trailer weight is 5500 for this engine/tranny combo. Wehave been looking at several 20-23' TTs that have an advertised dry weight of 3300-4000 lbs, depending on model. I don't want to max the truck out, I'm trying to stay around the 3500lb range. The trips we have planned would mainly be 300 mile round trip weekenders on good straight, relatively flat Hwy.411 going north to Pigeon Forge. Do any of you have any expert advice? I realize I would have to make some mods to the truck (hitch mount, brake controller). Thanks and this is an awesome site.
Hitch brake controller and auxillary trans cooler are a must. I have the same motor in my freestar. Let me tell you it is one h*** of a motor. I have 90,000 on mine runs like a top and my TT is about 4500 ready to camp. I have absolutly no complaints. If you stay within 4000-5000 lbs you will joyfully pull it anywhere. Where you are talking about being will ne even easier. I live in NY and most of my pulling is through mountains and it does it easily. Hitch setup is key with any rig. Aux transcooler will be a big help (necessity in my opinion) and brake controller is a must. Good luck. Welcome to the forum.
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Great motor, owned one in my last F-150 SCab for 11 years and nearly 100K miles. As noted above just add a quality transmission cooler, mine didn't have one and ran warm with a very light trailer. Having just bought a Scan Gauge I highly recommend you do the same. It will be the best $160 you ever spend. Keep your loaded trailer weight around 4500# and you should be fine.
Luve2camp is dead on with the recommended changes to your truck.
Get the strongest receiver hitch you can buy (they are relatively cheap)
Get a proportional brake controller such as a Tekonsha Prodigy, Primus iq, Voyager, or Hayes Energize III.
Get a stacked plate transmission cooler such as a B&M or a Derale.
you will need to have a 7 way RV plug installed as well.
Now on to your TT.
Keep it small like a 19-23 ft model. Also try to keep the TT short, even consider a 7.5 ft wide model instead of an 8 ft model.
KZ makes some very small but roomy TT called a sportsman line.
There are several hybrids that would work well
Depending on the size you may or may not need a weight distribution hitch, but your RV dealer can help with that.
Thanks and good luck!
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
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Remember that the 5,500 pound towing limit is for a truck that only contains a 154 pound driver, not any firewood, passengers, or much else.
So if you plan on loading in 1,000 pounds of clothing, cookware, food, water, and other things to the RV and truck, including passengers, you will find it is very close to the GVWR and GCVWR.
If you don't already have the truck you might consider something a little larger. They did make the F-150 with a 5.4L V8 that has a 7,000 - 10,000 pound tow rating. It will not get as good of mileage while not towing compared to the V6, but overall it will do a lot better while towing.
I don't think you will have a problem towing 5,500 pounds with the V6, but expect to be in the slow lane when going up long grades. I know, I do that with my motorhome, 40 MPH up a 6% grade is common, it does save fuel.
Having a '98 F150 SC with 3:55's and 4.6L I'd say go BIGGER! My 4.6L struggled the hills with my old Starcraft Antigua 215SB which probably weighed about 5000lbs loaded with gear. I'd have to down shift and turn off the a/c to keep with traffic on the NY Interstates at any hill I encountered.
On the flats no problem but the motor just did not have anything left in her for the hills. If I bought the truck again she would have gotten the 5.4L
BTW I ordered her new from the factory and with 300K kms on her and having pulled three trailers for me she is still in service as a daily driver Go BIG, the fuel mileage will not be any worse and pulling with the 5.4L it may actually be better.
am1 wrote: Greetings one and all. Newbie here (so new, I don't actually have an RV) My question has probably been asked before. The wife and I are looking to buy, but we want to make sure our vehicle is matched to the correct weight trailer. Vehicle- an '01 F150 XL Supercab 4.2 V6 w/ auto. tranny and 3.55 rear gear. The truck has been maintained really well by previous owner (currently only 66,000 miles). The owners manual says that the max trailer weight is 5500 for this engine/tranny combo. Wehave been looking at several 20-23' TTs that have an advertised dry weight of 3300-4000 lbs, depending on model. I don't want to max the truck out, I'm trying to stay around the 3500lb range. The trips we have planned would mainly be 300 mile round trip weekenders on good straight, relatively flat Hwy.411 going north to Pigeon Forge. Do any of you have any expert advice? I realize I would have to make some mods to the truck (hitch mount, brake controller). Thanks and this is an awesome site.
.....LOL, as I write this post it is 7.45am ET Wed. 11th April 2012 and....at the moment there has been no sign of the "Weight Police" on this thread...."tin hats on everybody, they will be here soon"....LOL!!
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ 2007 (new shape)
4x4 Crew Cab VORTEC MAX (L76) 6.0L V8 4L70E 4.10 axle
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am1 wrote: Greetings one and all. Newbie here (so new, I don't actually have an RV) My question has probably been asked before. The wife and I are looking to buy, but we want to make sure our vehicle is matched to the correct weight trailer. Vehicle- an '01 F150 XL Supercab 4.2 V6 w/ auto. tranny and 3.55 rear gear. The truck has been maintained really well by previous owner (currently only 66,000 miles). The owners manual says that the max trailer weight is 5500 for this engine/tranny combo. Wehave been looking at several 20-23' TTs that have an advertised dry weight of 3300-4000 lbs, depending on model. I don't want to max the truck out, I'm trying to stay around the 3500lb range. The trips we have planned would mainly be 300 mile round trip weekenders on good straight, relatively flat Hwy.411 going north to Pigeon Forge. Do any of you have any expert advice? I realize I would have to make some mods to the truck (hitch mount, brake controller). Thanks and this is an awesome site.
.....LOL, as I write this post it is 7.45am ET Wed. 11th April 2012 and....at the moment there has been no sign of the "Weight Police" on this thread...."tin hats on everybody, they will be here soon"....LOL!!
am1 wrote: Greetings one and all. Newbie here (so new, I don't actually have an RV) My question has probably been asked before. The wife and I are looking to buy, but we want to make sure our vehicle is matched to the correct weight trailer. Vehicle- an '01 F150 XL Supercab 4.2 V6 w/ auto. tranny and 3.55 rear gear. The truck has been maintained really well by previous owner (currently only 66,000 miles). The owners manual says that the max trailer weight is 5500 for this engine/tranny combo. Wehave been looking at several 20-23' TTs that have an advertised dry weight of 3300-4000 lbs, depending on model. I don't want to max the truck out, I'm trying to stay around the 3500lb range. The trips we have planned would mainly be 300 mile round trip weekenders on good straight, relatively flat Hwy.411 going north to Pigeon Forge. Do any of you have any expert advice? I realize I would have to make some mods to the truck (hitch mount, brake controller). Thanks and this is an awesome site.
.....LOL, as I write this post it is 7.45am ET Wed. 11th April 2012 and....at the moment there has been no sign of the "Weight Police" on this thread...."tin hats on everybody, they will be here soon"....LOL!!
I think they live on Pacific time...LOL
....LOL, thanks for the update...I will go and have some bacon and eggs then and be back in about two hours to watch the slaughter begin....LOL!
I have had lots of trucks in my life time. There is no doubt the F150 will tow or haul just about anything. I had a 95 short bed F150 with a 6 cyc engine and manual transmission. I built a camper that was 8 ft long and weighed about 2500 pounds. I put air bags under that truck front and rear and hauled that camper around. A little slow going up steep grades and the truck fell apart at about 30,000 miles. Will it do the job? Sure will. Would I ever buy another 1/2 ton truck? NOPE!
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Go BIG, the fuel mileage will not be any worse and pulling with the 5.4L it may actually be better.
