“What size travel trailer can a F150 pull?” is important to know to ensure safe and efficient towing. F-150s are generally workhorses and easily pull an average trailer, weighing about 6,000 pounds and 25 feet long.
Read the details below, including essential factors when choosing the perfect trailer size for your F-150 engine. You’ll also find out whether having a diesel-powered engine or FWD system gives you an edge when pulling trailers.
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What Size of a Travel Trailer Can an F150 Pull?
The size of a travel trailer an F150 can pull is 25 feet with an average weight of 6,000 pounds. However, depending on engine type, your F-150 can pull more or less than that. The exact Ford F-150 towing capability varies based on the trim levels.
A recreational vehicle (RV or motorhome) is expensive, especially for someone on a budget. However, there are ways to enjoy the RV life without buying a typical motorhome. Travel trailers or truck campers are among the most superb alternatives because you can use the tow vehicle for other transportation purposes for the rest of the year.
The Ford F-150s are the most desired half-ton trucks of all time, making them a perfect choice for towing truck campers. These trucks have received “best in class towing” every year for forty years! Ford describes the 2022 F-150 as a true workhorse and purpose-built to handle the most demanding tasks.
From a towing capacity chart highlighting the towing capacities across the various trim levels, the towing capacity F150 3.5 Ecoboost V6 is 14,000 pounds (the highest).
The lowest in the category are the 3.3L TI-VCT and 3.5 EcoBoost H.O.V6, rated at 8,200 pounds each. But as powerful as the F-150 is, exceeding its max towing capacity can cause serious safety problems. As a rule of thumb, you should always stay within the weight limit of the lowest-rated item of your towing system.
For instance, your trailer hitch may be rated at 13,000 pounds (e.g., the 5.0 F150 towing capacity is 13,000 pounds), but your truck may only be made to tow 8,200 pounds.
Typical Travel Trailer Sizes
A mini travel trailer measures 10 to 12 feet long and weighs less than 3,000 pounds. But mid-size trailers are 20 to 25 feet long and weigh up to 6,000 pounds. If you choose the larger options, expect a measurement of anywhere from 26 to 35 feet long and a weight of 8,000 to 10,000 pounds or more. So, can a F150 pull a 32 foot camper?
It depends on your F-150 half-ton truck since there are several other factors besides the camper’s weight. A 32 ft two to six wheel trailer can weigh between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds, which may be within the range of your truck, especially if you have the 3.5L EcoBoost with a max trailer tow of up to 14,000 pounds.
As stated, the average-size camper weighs roughly 6,000 pounds and has a length of 25 feet. That may be the perfect weight limit for your F-150 to pull.
Choosing the Best Size Travel Trailer for Your F-150
Choosing the best travel trailer for Ford F150 can help you ensure safety and enjoy a fruitful adventure. It would be best if you considered the following factors:
Your Engine Strength
The more powerful your engine is, the greater the towing capacity. So, your type of F-150 and its engine size will determine what size of a truck camper suits you. As mentioned, the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost is the most powerful gas engine. It outputs 375 horsepower and 470 lb per foot of torque at 3500 RPMs for maximum traction.
But a standard F150 pulling 30 ft camper with a weight of between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds may be possible. But you may be unable to pull such a trailer size with a pickup truck offering less than 10,000 pounds of towing capacity.
Consider the Axle Ratio
Whether you’ll be towing a travel trailer with a F150 EcoBoost or any other F150 engine type, the axle gear ratio is critical. It’s essential in how a vehicle utilizes the torque the engine produces. The higher the ratio, the more engine revolutions per minute. For towing, the best axle gear ratio falls between 3.55 and 3.73.
To know your Ford F-150 axle ratio, open the front driver’s side door, and on the safety compliance certificate label near the door latch, find the two-digit code in the box labeled “AXLE.” Match the code to the corresponding rear axle ratio.
Truck’s Length and Weight
The relationship between your truck’s weight and length and the truck camper’s weight and length can impact the vehicle’s towing efficiency and handling. The pickup is the only component with power and control. For that, it should be the one in command of the situation.
On length, the main factor to consider in, for example, F150 5.0 pulling a camper or an extended trailer with a short wheelbase tow vehicle is trailer sway. There’s no standard ratio for wheelbase to trailer length. However, a more extended trailer and a shorter wheelbase will increase the degree of trailer sway.
The gross vehicle weight (GVW) is a measure that factors in the vehicle’s total weight. That includes the truck’s dry weight with an empty gas tank and the total weight of the cargo inside the box. When you add that to the trailer weight, it shouldn’t exceed the GVW rating, which you can find in your owner’s manual.
Payload Capacity
A truck’s payload is the maximum weight of the gear, fuel, driver, and passengers combined. Exceeding the stated payload capacity can lead to complications related to the tongue weight (TW). That’s the earthward force applied at the vehicle-trailer connection area when your truck camper is hooked up for towing.
The general rule is that TW should be roughly 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight to avoid issues such as dangerous trailer swaying while driving.
There are basic calculations you can do with your Ford F-150 every time you tow to ensure you’re within the safe range. For example, assuming an average payload of about 2500 pounds, you’ll account for at least another 1000 pounds for passengers and gear.
That leaves you with about 1500 pounds for the tongue weight without exceeding the recommended safety limit.
Trailer Tow Package
A trailer tow package is a component enhancement Ford builds into the truck to enhance the towing performance. It includes the towing hitch and other elements that boost towing capacity and handling. The added features vary from one trim level to another.
For example, the XL and XLT feature Class IV Trailer Hitch as a Ford’s standard towing package. The Class IV Trailer Hitch offers a maximum towing capacity of 7,000 pounds in the 3.5 liter EcoBoost and 5.0 liter V8 engines.
There’s also a heavy-duty tow package with a max trailer tow capacity of 13,200 lbs. It includes a 4- and 7-pin wiring harness for powering the trailer lights. The package also features auxiliary transmission oil, an upgraded front stabilizer bar, and a pro trailer backup assist system.
Does Having a 4-Wheel Drive Give You an Edge in Towing?
Having a 4-wheel drive can give you an edge in towing, depending on where you live and where you’ll tow. If you live in a region that doesn’t see snow and ice in winter and only tow a camper on paved roads, the system may not be necessary.
But if you live somewhere that experiences ice and snow during winter and you’ll tow your camper on loose surfaces, the extra boost of a four-wheel drive (FWD) will be helpful. Most Ford F-150s with FWD have “Four High” and “Four Low.”
When you activate the FWD system, it triggers a locking or limited-slip differential, which causes the front hubs to move slightly slower than the rear hubs.
It would be best if you didn’t drive around in “Four High” unless the conditions are slippy or loose when you lack proper traction. Driving in dry conditions in “Four High” can damage the hubs and other components. The “Four-Wheel Low” should only be used when pulling a stuck camper or vehicle.
Do Diesel F150 Engines Tow Better?
Yes, diesel F150 engines tow better than
their gasoline counterparts because they produce more torque and power. Moreover, diesel fuel is more energy-dense than gasoline, increasing fuel efficiency. An improved fuel economy can be good if you frequently tow heavy trailers.
However, the fuel efficiency and power difference in trucks the size of the Ford F-150 is marginal. Diesel engines also cost more than their gasoline ones. It will probably take a long time to notice a return on investment by choosing a diesel over a gasoline engine if you plan to tow a camper once.
Besides, turbo diesel Ford F-150s are rare. Most of Ford’s diesel-powered engines are reserved for larger vehicles. These include the Power Strokes and some F-series like three-quarter ton F250 and the one-ton F-350 pickups.
Tips To Prevent Trailer Sway
Trailer sway can be a severe safety problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the following tips can help prevent trailer sway so you can safely tow your travel trail.
One is to always adhere to the tow vehicle’s manufacturer-recommended gear when towing. It would help if you drove slowly to produce less strain on your truck and trailer. Making sudden or sharp turns while going fast is also highly discouraged. It’s also crucial to check the tire pressure of your tow vehicle and the trailer and ensure they are okay.
Under-inflated tires lessen the load-bearing capacity of the vehicle and trailer. Note that something beyond your control, such as strong wind, can cause the trailer to sway. If that happens, the first thing you should do is slow down but not immediately break. Aggressive braking can exacerbate the sway of a heavy trailer.
Next, turn on the four-way hazard lights. You may be okay if the trailer comes under control after a few seconds of decelerating. Otherwise, pull over as soon as possible and wait for the wind to pass before continuing the journey.
Conclusion
After reading this article, determining the ideal size truck camper for your Ford F-150 to pull is now easy.
But before you leave, here’s a recap:
- Ford F-150 is a powerful truck that has long been rated the “best-in-class tow” year after year.
- However, the exact towing capacity varies in different Ford trim levels.
- The F-150 3.5L EcoBoost V6 offers the highest towing power of up to 14,000 pounds
- Most Ford F-150 can pull an average truck camper weighing around 6,000 pounds and measuring 25 feet long.
- To determine the best trailer for your Ford F-150, consider factors like engine strength, truck length and weight, payload capacity, and the max towing package.
Trailer sway is one of the top things hindering your F150 pulling 33 ft camper. Once you’ve found your best trailer size, remember the above tips, particularly the max tow package, to ensure a safe trailer pull.
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