First camper stupid questions

[m_bt54]

I am looking at buying a used camper and this will be a first to me. I have never towed much outside of a small landscape trailer. I didn’t get “max tow” because I didn’t plan on towing (which I am obviously now regretting). When I check Ford’s tool it shows that I can tow 7000 lbs with 700lb max tounge load (of course the first camper I looked at was like 6k lbs but had 790 hitch weight so I assume that is a no go). I found a used 2012 Keystone Bullet 26BHPR that weights just over 5k lbs and has a hitch weight of 645. This should work tight? What else am I missing?

Also would appreciate any input on what I should be checking for on a used camper other than roof leaks and that things work. (but understand this is a truck forum and not a camper one). Are there campgrounds that won’t allow a 10+ year old camper even if it’s in great condition?

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[mdn14]

At 7k pounds you will likely need a weight distribution hitch. I believe all f150s are limited to 500 tongue weight and 5000lbs pulling with a conventional hitch.

check the tires, brakes, and wheel bearings before you tow any great distance.

I have a very hard time believing any campgrounds would turn away a travel trailer based on age. If they do, you don’t want to stay there anyhow.

 

[mdn14]

It also looks like that tool is limiting your trailer weight based on your leftover available payload. Payloads are the real killers of our towing capacity.

 

[Gord0]

And remember, that tongue load the trailer lists is usually dry. You'll want to take 10-15% of your trailer gvwr for its tongue load. Your hitch weight will technically count against your payload as well. They're around 50lbs for a weight distribution hitch. Max tow doesn't get you any more payload which is what's really limiting you right now.

 

[Chris GTO TT]

Based on the 7000lb towing capacity I'd venture to guess your truck doesn't have the trailer tow package. Without the trailer tow package Ford limits the towing capacity to 7000lbs only. Keep your GVWR below 7000lbs and typical loaded tongue weight is usually much closer to 15% than the 10% Ford's calculators tell you.

 

[Gord0]

Based on the 7000lb towing capacity I'd venture to guess your truck doesn't have the trailer tow package. Without the trailer tow package Ford limits the towing capacity to 7000lbs only. Keep your GVWR below 7000lbs and typical loaded tongue weight is usually much closer to 15% than the 10% Ford's calculators tell you.

He does, but it's factoring in his available payload capacity and extending that to trailer weight/towing capacity.

 

[Ricksc]

Did your truck come with a trailer brake controller? That would be where you should start. If not you will need one.

 

[Henfield]

He's got a Powerboost Lariat. So probably 1500-1600lbs of truck payload. We don't know what he's carrying inside the truck or in its bed. Its a 7k trailer which is pretty standard type size. That will put an easy 700lb dent in his truck's available payload.
I'm pretty conservative when towing. But the truck has proven time and again to be a confident tow machine. Even up in the high 13,000lbs gross combined. No max tow. Trailer weight 6300lbs. No WDH.
I would say visit a Catscale on your first trip with the trailer, putting the truck on the first two pads, and trailer on the third to get a real indication of how much you weigh.

 

[Murrk847]

Look on the bottom of your hitch. There should be a sticker that tells you how much you can tow with and without a weight distribution hitch.

 

[Ricksc]

When are these weight distributing hitches required by law?
The best rule of thumb is to compare your trailer and vehicle weights. You will need a weight distribution hitch if what you are towing starts to outweigh your vehicle’s weight by one-half. For a 5,000-pound truck, that would be around 2,501 pounds

This should help you out.

 

[m_bt54]

Did your truck come with a trailer brake controller? That would be where you should start. If not you will need one.

Yes it does I have the pro trailer knob too

 

[m_bt54]

He's got a Powerboost Lariat. So probably 1500-1600lbs of truck payload. We don't know what he's carrying inside the truck or in its bed. Its a 7k trailer which is pretty standard type size. That will put an easy 700lb dent in his truck's available payload.
I'm pretty conservative when towing. But the truck has proven time and again to be a confident tow machine. Even up in the high 13,000lbs gross combined. No max tow. Trailer weight 6300lbs. No WDH.
I would say visit a Catscale on your first trip with the trailer, putting the truck on the first two pads, and trailer on the third to get a real indication of how much you weigh.

This is what I have. I’m looking for the window sticker but not finding it yet

 

[Ricksc]

Your truck will pull either of those. I pull a Lance1995 and it does fine. Comes in about 6300 lbs with water tank full and all to go. I have a 3.5 eco without max tow.

 

[RossRR]

I would argue that those are some pretty smart questions for a first time camper tower. You don't know what your don't know until you start asking questions and you are getting pretty good advice from some of these folks. I have a similar size camper that I'm towing behind my Lariat Powerboost. I wouldn't do it without the weight distribution hitch because it also helps with sway control and if you ever get in 20-plus mph cross winds meeting eighteen wheelers, you'll be glad you have the WD hitch. Also, some states have lower speed limits while towing and they have those for a reason; it is just not safe at the higher speeds. Don't try to keep up with the 80 mph traffic on freeways even though your truck will do it.

 

[Chris GTO TT]

He does, but it's factoring in his available payload capacity and extending that to trailer weight/towing capacity.

It's not doing that. 1385-500-50-50 is 785 left for tongue weight not 700. It was possible to order the trailer brake controller, and pro backup assist without having either tow package and without either tow package the truck is limited to 7000. The sticky at the top of this sub forum explains what's in the trailer tow package and the Max Tow Package. Based on the specs he provided he should be okay but on the upper end of what his truck is rated for. I tend to be conservative when it comes to towing, others throw caution into the wind. I for one am grateful he's asking the right questions before buying.

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