My wife has decided we need a travel trailer...I said ok...Well the one she has picked is a 2006 Monaco that is 32 feet long with all aluminum construction (I do not know the weight yet) I have a 2003 F150 Heritage edition with the 4.6 and a tow package. I was wondering if someone could tell me if I'll even be able to pull this thing before I Pull the trigger? Walter

 

You really need to know the weight of the trailer. Iam sure you can google it. Also what are the specs on your truck? I just bought a full alum tt weighing 5100 dry,but I also have a WD hitch with sway bars because of the length and weight. I am sure others will chime in to help.

 

A short wheelbase truck with a 4.6 is not the right tool to tow a 32 foot trailer. That's probably into 3/4 ton territory. Your max tow rating depends on body style, axle ratio, and drivetrain - but at best it's less than 7k. The length is the real issue.

 

I think you are going to be well over what your truck can handle. I found a 2006 29' trailer and it's dry weight was listed at 6725lbs. I am sure no matter what your truck specs are, it would not be able to handle that, especially a 2003 4.6.

 

The trailer is all fiberglass with a dry weight of 3645.

 

A 32' trailer weighing in at 3645?? Something seems a'miss to me. I'd want to see that trailer on a set of scales before a laid down a single penny for it. I guarantee that's incorrect. I'm with everyone else...not even pushing the limit for your truck; that trailer is way past your trucks limit.

FWIW, the ellusive "tow package" on our body style trucks leaves a lot to be desired. The tranny cooler alone is a joke and will barely do the job pulling a trailer within your limits, much less that beast.

 

Yup, have the sales guy let you pull it to a CAT scale and check for yourself. The weight ratings on the trailer are printed from engineering estimates, NOT the actual weight. In addition, add SEVERAL hundred pounds for the tanks, they will not always be empty.

 

Make up your mind - is it aluminum or fiberglass?

Regardless of weight, 32 feet is too long to tow with a 1/2 ton truck with a short wheelbase. You could do it with a NEW (09+) F-150 Screw with a long bed, that's what, a 157" wheelbase? Even if you are within all weight limits (highly doubtful) you would have the tail wagging the dog with your 03.

If you really do want to get into the TT scene and want a 32 foot trailer, get a 5th wheel TT and a proper truck to tow it with. Your truck can tow, but you would have to lower your sights considerably. I'd keep it to 24' or less, and 6000# fully loaded or less, and stay out of the mountains.

 

The trailer is Fiberglass...What he didn't tell us was that it is a converted FEMA trailer, I do not see how it can be the weight he told me it was. I couldn't find any documentation on it anywhere on the trailer except to say that it is not to be used as a recreational vehicle. He told me he pulls it with a Chevy 1500. We are looking in another direction though. I would feel more comfortable with a 24 footer though. This thing looked GIANT. AND...as far as mountains go...What's a mountain...I live in Florida!

 

This is what I tow with my F150. It's only 22' from hitch to bumper.. Weighs in fully loaded at #5000.



I've been towing this for the past 8 years and looking forward to another year.

Your biggest limit you are going to come against is your trucks GVWR. My guess is it's #6050. Mine is #6250 and my little 22' trailer puts me over it be several hundred pounds... I'm not worried about it and it tows just fine for me. But, it does mean that while I 'could' tow a heavier trailer, I chose not to for many reasons, but the main one is I don't want to beat up my truck anymore than I have to for the sake of towing a heavier trailer..

My suggestion is to shop for the trailers you like and compare the "Dry Weights" between the TRAILERS and also the CCC of the trailers. Once you find the trailer of your dreams, decide if your truck is going to be capable of towing it COMFORTABLY... If the trailer is too heavy, decide if you want to reduce your trailer expectations or get a truck with higher capabilities.

Good luck and have FUN shopping! That's the main thing, right!

Mitch

 

If a 22' trailer at 5000# puts Mitch over the truck's GVWR, you can see what the issue is. I sure wouldn't tow anything bigger than that with your truck.

I would definitely NOT buy a converted FEMA trailer to use as a TT.

How did a 2006 Monaco aluminum trailer turn into a converted fiberglass FEMA trailer?

 

There are several things to consider in addition to the tow vehicle's tow capacity. You need to know the tongue weight, the gross vehicle weight of the trailer, the gross vehicle weight of the tow vehicle and the combined weight limits. Just because a truck can pull something doesn't mean it's safe to do so. As was already suggested, get it to a CAT scale. You should also know that sometimes salesmen are less than truthful when a potential sale is in the making.

p.s. Does a FEMA trailer even have holding tanks?

 

We did decide on a trailer today. We bought a 24 foot Keystone Zepplin z242, it is in the Ultalight class and has a dry weight of 3860. I pulled it home tonight running about 60mph and had no problems at all. Thanks to everyone who helped out!

That FEMA trailer had holding tanks but none of the read outs or anything that told you levels and stuff for the tanks. It was just a bad idea. I looked it up and there were lots of Monaco trailers made into Fema trailers, however they look nothing like any travel trailer I have seen. I looked like a mobile home straight out of a Florida park to me.

Here is the trailer, bought from an individual in Port Charlotte, Florida

 

Good choice.

 

That's a beauty! You're going to really enjoy it.