I'm going look at a 2009 Outback Super-Lite 300BH this Saturday and plan on buying it unless I'm completely convinced otherwise. I was assured by many people that I would't have any problems towing it. I plan on having myself ±180lbs, my wife, and 3 children ages 4 thru newborn on board with ice chests and bikes in the bed of the truck. I would love to hear some feed back as to whether I'm asking my truck to do too much. All responses are very welcomed.

My Truck:
2005 F-150 FX4 SuperCrew with the 5.4L V8 w/ tow package. 3:73 rear end / tranny cooler / will have WD hitch withsway control and brake controler.
GVWR-7200
WB-139
Axle-B6
Frong GAWR-3750#
Rear GAWR-3850#

TT Specs:
2009 Outback Super-Lite 300BH by Keystone
Shipping Weight-6715#
Carrying Capacity-1785
Hitch Weight-685#

 

EDITED:

This is still a half ton truck, no matter what all the sales hype and marketing that is done with Ford or any of the big 3.

Figure you are trying to put a 1 ton load on the truck even before you consider the trailer pull.

Will it pull it.... short answer yes.

 

1/2 tons need to stay in the 6500 pound range loaded ready for travel, which usually means "shipping weight" or unloaded vehicle weight of closer to 5000 pounds.

 

Your truck will like you much better for dropping about 1200#'s and going to something like the 230RS. All the slide outs are cool, but heavy.

 

My TT is 7100 UVW and 9000 loaded, pulling with 05 F150 Supercab 4x4, 3.73 gear ratio. No problems

 

Thanks tjstrike. I boght the camper today. At the Dealership, there was another truck like mine and he was pull a 30' puma UVW at 7200lbs and he told me he didn't have any problems towing it. I really feel a peace of mind now that I've seen this and many more on the road.

 

Plan to upgrade your truck soon?

 

APT,
I do greatly appreciate your input. I'm sure your an avid camper and definately know your stuff when it comes to camping and towing. If I may ask you, where do you live? I live in extreme South Louisiana. Approx. 60 miles South of New Orleans which translates into extreme flat land. Your towing experiences may include alot of mountain terrain which I won't encounter. At the very most, a bridge across the Mississippi River here and there. I've spoke with my couterpart who is also a Mechanical Engineer as am I and we both agree that I shouldn't have a problem towing this camper which has a GCWR of 8500lbs. I know I'll never exceed that. I had a post some time ago stating I was thinking about purchasing a 31' Cardinal TT that had a dry weight of 7200lbs and you can correct me if I'm wrong, I think you told me that you had extreme concerns about that TT. I as well at the time had my reservations and opted not to purchase that trailer. Now that I've bought one that is lighter and within my limits, you still have concerns that my truck will in no way be able to handle it. I guess I'll find out and I assure you it won't be at the expense of my familys safety. They do come first. I will buy a new truck if at anytime I feel my family is at harm. Let me finish by saying this forum is very informative and I appreciate everyones comments and suggestions. May I ask what type of TT you are pulling?

 

2 points. What I tow has nothing to do with what you tow. Power is not the limitation to how much weight to pull. People have been pulling 10k+ pounds for 40 years with far less power than today's trucks.

Enjoy your new RV. It does look like a very nice one. I like the floorplan a lot. I just recommend a lighter one. When you get it all loaded up, please find a scale, especially, one that gives you the weight on each axle of your truck just to verify that 7200GVWR is not exceeded.

 

APT,
I'm sorry I made a mistake with my Acronym. I meant to type GVWR of 8500lbs. I will definatley take your advice and have it weighed properly to know exactly where I stand. I hope you don't feel like I questioned your knowledge because I'm most definately not. That is the main reason why I made the original post. I wanted advice, suggestions and direction opinion. It is a nice camper and we do love the floorplan as well. I will post the numbers once I get it weighed properly. Thanks again for the advice and suggestions.

 

Here is my advice, get a good brake control, a properly set-up WD hitch, and have fun with the new camper.

 

KJN,
I tow a Trail Bay 31BH with my 04 Lariat Screw. I have logged over 30,000 miles towing without a single issue. Unloaded weight on our unit is 6380#. Ready to camp for a week trip, I am right at 8200#. I am right at the max for this truck. I also pull on relatively flat ground, but I do venture into the mountains on NC. I do wish I had another gear in the transmission but overall the truck tows great. Make sure you have a good quality WD hitch and brake controller and have fun.

 

Okay guys. Like I said. I went and bought my new 2009 Outback 300BH and here is a picture of it. My wife and I really Love this Camper. I towed it home yesterday and had no problems what so ever. I have the Equalizer Hitch with the Prodigy Brake system. The prodigy is unbelievable. I know it's too early to tell, but I really feel comfortable pulling it and feel safe. I towed it right through New Orleans on I-10 in unbelievable traffic. I'm very excited about our first camping trip. Any comments. My truck only sagged 1.25" once the trailer was hitched with the Equalizer on and ready to go. I sure thought it would sag a lot more.... Okay. I can't seem to figure out how to upload a picture. Sorry guys. It's really nice too!!!!!!

 

KJN,
Do yourself a favor and double check you Equal-i-zer setup. Most, if not all of the dealer setups I have seen were wrong. Did you get the instructions fro your hitch? If not, do yourself a favor and download and print them out and double check you setup. My truck sits dead level when hooked up. I have over a 1000# tongue weight. This will also get you familiar with your setup. Have fun on your first trip. Your Outback will tow very differently once loaded for your camping outings. You will actually have weight in it. You will most likely have to tweak your hitch again once you get your rig loaded.

 

Actually anyone can see the pictures in the Photo Gallery Section. It's the True Blue FX4 SC with the Camper still hooked up. I'll recheck the Equalizer set up the4by4freek just to make sure the setup is right. It pulls great so far and it looks really level. If you get a chance, check it out in the Photo Gallery and please comment. Thanks for your insight and check point suggestions.