I don't think you are going to be happy with the performance of your F-150 and that TT. When loaded for a long trip you are going to be at your capacity... possibly over. Encountering hills will be a bummer.
We went through the same situation when we were shopping for our first RV. Because we had a new Chevy Silverado 1500 and didn't want to upgrade, we "settled" for an ultra light weight TT. We really enjoyed it. When we decided to full time, the truck was traded for a diesel dually and the TT for a Teton 5'er.
You may be able to eek out enough power, torque, etc. to haul that Laredo for a while, but every time you set out you will be worrying the entire time about how heavy you are. Also, every trip will be a discussion about what goes and what stays due to weight. Won't be much fun.
Either compromise on a trailer or ratchet up the TV. This advice comes from a DW who was in love with the first untowable trailer. I'm glad we didn't take the chance.
The rig: 41' 2008 Monaco Diplomat SKQ
The toad: 2008 Honda CRV EX-L
The Pilot: Warren
The Navagator: Betty (recalculating!)
The Passengers: Bear and Sassy (our cat kids) Home is where we park it
All I know is that my 1500 Silverado with the 5.3, though a great motor, does feel taxed even with our Viking pop-up when we get to a decent grade. On level ground I have to watch it because I end up going well over 70 miles an hour. But, again, when I hit a decent grade, I can feel that trailer behind me, though I am able to keep the speed up without loosing MPH. I do know that with something as large as a 30ft trailer that weighs around 8000lbs, I would definitely be wanting more. So, I told my wife, who keeps talking about a bigger trailer that I would need a nice, new, big shiny truck with a diesel!!! She almost threw a shoe at me!!
Its not 8000lbs. Its 6740 empty. We wont carry water where we go and for long trips I can use my father in laws F350. Even loaded down it should be around 7700lbs. Thats 1000lbs of stuff. Im still 1100 lbs from my max. I was excited to find out that my max was 8800 instead of 7200, to me it should pull it. I know I wont win any races but it should do it. Its funny because all the signs at the camper show said half ton towable... I know that they are just trying to sell me something, but so is my ford salesman who said that my current truck will pull that camper all over, when I was inquiring about buying a bigger truck..
Just keep the transmission from hunting and the truck will do fine IMO. Dry weight is often without options so it could easily be 500 to 1000 pounds more when delivered. Microwave, propane, batteries, stablizers, spare tire, etc. are not counted in dry weight. Your stuff will easily add another 1000#. Bicycles, firewood, small generator, BBQ, etc in the back of the truck also count against the tow rating.
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
Sounds like you guys have pretty much made up your minds. If nothing else, PLEASE weigh your rig after you get it all loaded. That means you, your wife, and any other passengers (including pets). It amazed us how quickly even light weight items added up. Even the weight of the propane is not included in the mfg's weight listing. Anything that goes into the trailer or the truck adds up. Head to a truck stop with a scale and get axle weights. And be sure to carry the correct amount of air in your tires (all of them). Drive defensively and allow a lot of stopping room.
Good luck and hope you have fun with the trailer. It's only the beginning.
No we really haven't decided. I am looking around at other set ups to see what other models we would like. We really loke the Laredo but the lightest one is still around 6000lbs.
It`s funny how many people look at the GVWR of the TT and think that this will be the towing weight! that 6800 lbs should be approx. 7800lbs ready to travel depending on how you load the TT. on my particular TT the dry weight is 7100lbs and the GVWR is 11,200lbs thats over 4,000lbs of CCC!!! I don`t even think a full timer carries that much cr.. errr, stuff! LOL!
It sounds like you found a trailer you really like as within the manuf. recomendations. theres no reason you shouldn`t safely be able to tow that TT. May I also recomend a Reese Straight Line (dual Cam) hitch. this is worlds better than the add on friction sway control the dealer will throw in. just be sure it is setup properly. most dealers don`t have a clue on how to properly setup a WD hitch let alone A Dual Cam.
Just remember you will be towing a house behind you! performance will be different compared to non towing. this is true even with a 1 ton dually diesel!
Good luck and happy camping.
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
If the numbers are right and you havent purchased yet how about asking the dealer for a test tow before signing? You might find that your truck exceeds YOUR expectations.
2007 Toyota Tundra Sr5 DC 4x4 8'bed 5.7 tow package 4:30 gears
2007 Keystone Outback Sydney 32BHDS
2006 HD Street Glide
1997 Yamaha YZF1000r
1995 Honda CR500r
Terryallan wrote: So, If you have the 145" WB. Your tow capacity is, with 17" tires 9300lbs, and with 18" tires 8800lbs. These numbers come straight out of the Ford owner's manuel. Don't know where the other's got their's.
Terry, you may want to check those figures again. HERE is the guide main page from 2006, and HERE is the F-150 specific towing page for the 2006 line. His truck has a 5.4L V8 with the 3.73 gears and is a 4x4. Again, if his wheelbase is 132.5" then his towing capacity is 7,400 lbs. due to the 18" wheels. If he has the 144.5" wheelbase he can tow up to 8,800 lbs. So your 144.5" WB figure was correct but we don't even know if he has that long of a truck or not. I was guessing the shorter wheelbase due to the fact that he said it was a short bed truck.
If he does indeed have the shorter wheelbase there's a reason the towing capacity is that diminished compared to the longer one. You'd be a fool to ignore it.
The reason I knew it was 145". He has the same bed I do. That is how long mine is. The 132 figure. Has to be for the 5.5' bed.
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