Hello, folks. Just joined today. Need some advise.

We are considering replacing our 1999 Ram 2500 4x4, with a Ecoboost SuperCab, 6.5ft bed, w/HD pkg, and max trailer tow.

We will have a payload of about 1650lb (two of us plus pin wt of 1100 and 5th wheel hitch). Trailer weight of about 6500, loaded.

Is anyone already doing this?? How is it working out? Is it pushing your truck to an unsafe or unsatisfactory limit? What is a realistic mileage to look for (not towing...vs, towing?).

Any and all input will be appreciated. THANKS...

 

I'm currently in "calculation" mode myself... I didn't go with the HD payload package for my 2013 but did get the Max Tow. From what I understand the HD payload gives you up to 2300 LBS of payload compared to the normal 2000 lbs. with just the max tow? You also get a higher GVWR on the truck itself (above the normal 7700 lbs.)

Also, keep in mind that you have to subtract for any features - which it looks like you have already done. I would say your numbers look good and you have some room to spare!

I'm still debating a travel trailer or some kind of 5th wheel so I'm interested in what others are doing as well.

Welcome to the site! I'm fairly new myself!

 

If you've never towed a 5th wheel... you should try it, if you can. It is so much nicer to pull than a hitch type. Easy to hook up and no sway, since the pin sits above the axle and not on a 4 ft. leverage behind the wheels. Downside it that Wt Distribution hitches work to help spread the tongue weight over both axles....where the 5th wheel pin wt. is all on the rear.

 

5th wheel is the only way to go, when towing heavy, akward loads. You won't be pushing your truck by towing 6500lbs, I towed a caterpillar 304c excavator weighing in around 10500lb plus trailer weight this past summer. The 5.0 really did good and I was happy. Keep in mind we have mountains to climb up and decend down here in WV. Ford hit a home run with these new f150s. Couple of things to note. Fuel mileage was 9-11 mpg while heavy pulling hills depending on fuel position required to pull at a certian speed plus length of the pull. On flat lands pulling that load I was running high 12s mpg. The truck helped hold the load back from pushing me down the hill as well because of the truck gearing down and killing fuel/spark and using the engine as a brake. I pulled this load twice in 90-100 degree weather and it was over 500miles. The trip consisted of 4 lane 65mph, country back roads 45mph and then 3 large curvy moutains where average speed was around 15-25mph(not because of lack of power just because the road was that curvy and steep) This is a 2012 f150 max tow 4x4 xlt chrome package 5.0 3.73 rear axle

 

This is quite impressive. I'm curious what the pin weight was for that 10500 load? Do you have the stock P series tires on your truck?

 

Yes I was and still yet am. Granted the double 5000lb axle car hauler was maxed out, the trailer tires was very warm. I wouldn't want to pull that kind of weight day in day out or across country. The 2nd largest load I pulled was a mini skid steer from the catapillar rental store. I was told it weighed around 7000lb and it was on rubber tracks. I could tow that anywhere any time. The truck jerked that around like it was nothing. Fuel mileage was a solid 14 in the flats and 12s in a pull

 

10500lb load+1800lbempty weight=12300x0.25=3000lb pin weight. I rounded down OH and something you may want to check out before you purchase your new truck, back when I was towing heavy this past summer I heard a couple of guys around here having problems pulling really long steep grades with ECO Boost trucks and their exhaust temps and engine coolant temps was getting warm. This was durning peak summer days tho so something to look into.

 

I guess that would be over the "limit"... but we all know these trucks would have to be able to go above their limit otherwise they would bust in half the first time one hit a bump!

 

Yes I agree with you, I knew it was pushing the truck, but let it be said that I did do my best to be gentle with it while it was under the load. I was very gentle with the fuel pedal, no sudden stops or starts. I wouldn't let it gear down fast. I wouldn't go past 3/4 of a pedal down. I also balanced the weight over the axle of the trailer that way I wouldn't put much of the weight on the f150. All my truck had to do is move the load, the poor old trailer took all the abuse lol. I feel that these f150s would do 9000lb (total weight) all day long with no problems in my area, BUT let me also say this, if I lived in the flat lands with ZERO hills I would feel comfortable pulling 12000+

 

Heavy Duty Payload is not available with the SuperCab and 6.5' bed. It can be had with the SuperCab and 8' bed, or SuperCrew and 6.5' bed.

 

turns out they were running 87 octane. One guy redid the same tow at close to the same temp on 91 octane and towed like a dream. The manual states that when towing heavy use 91 octane.

 

Agree 100%!

My fifth wheel weighs twice what my bumper pull travel trailer weighed, is 3 feet taller, and 8 feet longer. The fiver pulls SO much better than the bumper pull. It's not even close.

 

That is why we went with a 5er also...

 

What 5th wheel hitch are you using? I'm curious... seriously considering a "fiver" at this point.

 

Hey, ShadowGrey: Good looking rig. I take it that is a 2500 Ford. If I go that way, what engine and Rearend ratio would you recommend?? Also, what is a realistic mileage figure...non towing..and towing??

Right now I'm starting to think 2500.. .either a RAM or Ford. Need to measure to see if either can fit in our garage.