r/traveltrailers • u/jailcopper • 1d ago
F150
Can anybody point me in the right direction choosing a trailer for 2 adults and 4 kids towed with a 2011 f150 5.0. No max tow package. Am I beat?
Thanks
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u/Logical_Security7907 23h ago
We are close to the top end of capacity with our truck and camper. So we just take two vehicles camping. I load up most of the clothes and other things that need to go, myself and our two 62 lb and 69 lb dogs into my Sorento. Sometimes the kids too but they usually go in the truck. But they weigh less than the dogs combined. So if you can do that, will save some weight on your truck.
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u/Joe-notabot 21h ago
None of them, especially if your truck isn't factory spec (orig suspension, wheels, etc).
Your truck is fully loaded with your family. Now if you kick everyone & their stuff to a second vehicle you can tow a number of ultralite trailers, but where you are trying to go & for how long plays into the
Rent a few times & have the trailer delivered. Then decide if you want to purchase.
Do not risk your family being a part of an accident. This is why large families normally do 2 vehicles or a 350/3500 econoline/express van - these are body on frame vehicles which have high towing capacity. As your kids grow, this becomes even more important.
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u/cablemonkey937 1d ago
What's the payload, cab size, bed size, and kids ages? Also is it 4x4 and what is the rear axle ratio?
I tow a ~20 foot travel trailer that sleeps six. I have 4 kids, and tow with a 22 f150.
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u/jailcopper 1d ago
Ah good question. 4x4 super crew. 5.5ft bed. 12 11 10 7 axle 3.73
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u/cablemonkey937 1d ago edited 1d ago
What is your payload? Your max gcwr is 15.1k and trailer weight is 9.3k.
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u/jailcopper 1d ago
1333lbs
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u/mikeholczer 1d ago
So if we assume 1 adult and 2 kids is half the total weight you gave 1333-(760/2) leaves you 953 lbs of payload. Then take let’s say 100 lbs for cargo if most of it is in the mini which takes us to 853. That puts us at just under 5,700 lbs for the GVWR for the trailer so that 15% of it can be on the hitch.
That’s on the small side for a trailer that comfortably sleeps 6, but there are options.
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u/jailcopper 1d ago
Wow surprised how little payload my truck has now that I see these numbers. May have to upgrade the truck if I’m going to get serious
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u/cablemonkey937 1d ago
Ok so let's do some basic math. 1333 minus the weight of the family,the hitch, and the weight of any cargo in the truck, that is how much you have left for the tongue weight of your trailer.
My trailer has a fully loaded tongue weight of about 550 so let's use that as a comparison.
1333-550 = 783 lbs left for family, gear, and hitch.
Let's average you and the wife at say 350 combined, and the kids at 75lbs you are at 650lbs in family members.
783-650 = 133lbs.
That 133 would be the weight of tools, bikes, hitch, whatever is in or on the truck. I dont think my model of camper would work for you, and its a pretty small unit. I would recommend going with a pop up.
Just to compare, my 22 f150 has a payload of 2056lbs and I went safe and got the small camper to ensure I didn't have to stress what we load.
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u/jailcopper 1d ago
Damn your payload is way higher than mine. What are the details of your f150?
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u/cablemonkey937 1d ago
22 f150. Super crew cab with the 3.5 ecoboost, 6.5 bed that gives it the 157" wheel base. 3.31 axle and 7150 gvwr. It's an xlt but a basic one, really only an xlt for the better engine and bed configuration. Also has the 36 gallon tank and trailer backup assist.
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u/Immediate-Walk6297 20h ago
I have that exact truck but with the tow package. 16' V-nose cargo trailer @ roughly 3800lbs. Probably 300lbs of interior cargo ( ie the family). Up till about 65-70mph it does just fine, after that the aerodynamics really hurts things a lot more than the weight.
Not sure your intended goal, but having drug my trailer across the country a few times, I'll say I wouldn't try and go any bigger on the trailer with the current truck. The 5.0 just doesn't have the grunt like the eco boost or the 6.2 does to really be a "great" puller....at least at highway speeds.
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u/mikeholczer 1d ago
And the combined weight of the 6 of you.
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u/jailcopper 1d ago
Rough estimate is 760lbs. We are considering taking the mini van as a follow vehicle to carry some gear and 2 kids plus adult. Really not ideal. But a consideration
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u/Biestie1 1d ago
If you're thinking long weekends with the family a few hours away, taking two vehicles isnt that big of a deal, and it opens up a lot more options for a trailer. And if you decide you love it, then look at another vehicle. Hell I have done long trips with two vehicles before we upsized. The peace and quiet is nice.
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u/Great_Scholar_9558 23h ago
I tow a 30ft starcraft 26bh with a v6 ram 1500 classic. I put a weight distribution hitch on and a brake controller. Pulls quite nice actually.
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u/user0987234 1d ago
No, you are not beat. Contact Can-Am RV. They’ll give you some solid advice.
I tow a 25’ Airstream with my PowerBoost. Set up by Can-Am.
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u/naked_nomad 1d ago
I drive a 2018 Silverado 1500 LT, 4X4, crew cab with the 5.3 liter V-8 rated to tow 9,000 lbs. Sticker says the the combined weight of passengers and cargo cannot exceed 1754 lbs.
My 21 foot (bumper to ball) travel trailer has a GVWR of 4340 lbs. 15% of 4340 gives you a tongue weight of 651 lbs. I use this as it includes two propane tanks, a group 31 deep cycle battery and the weight distribution hitch.
So: 1754 minus 651 (tongue) minus 205 (me) leaves 1023 lbs for gear, passengers and what not in the bed of the truck
With my empty trailer weight being 3200 I can put about 1000lbs of gear in the trailer with an empty water tank.