Camping, off-roading and fall colors w/ 2021 F150 XLT FX4

[SanJuanTech]

Nice. Wow, sounds like my truck, same except with 502A. Bought it to replace 2.7L 2016 I had thinking I could tow more, THEN I started learning more about how Ford markets these and the "real" numbers regarding towing a TT.

Brilliant, I know... I thought something like that was too big for our setup. (I have moonroof, so I think my limit is about 1500 lbs with family, other stuff and tongue weight). What's your thoughts now that you have some miles with that? Working out okay?

Yes, payload is critical when towing with half-tons. My truck stock with the 302A, Max Tow package puts it at about 1800lbs for payload. According to the Ford towing charts the truck can pull in the area of 11,500 to 12,500 range. So pulling is no problem, it hardly knows that it is back there and that includes going over mountain passes other than the gas mileage.
My camper is an eastern edition Cougar so that makes it even heavier on the tongue. Stock was I think 800-900 tongue weight. I did some minor remodeling in the front sleeping area to shed about 75lbs there. I only fill one of the two 30 gallon propane tanks since we rarely camp in very cold temperatures and only fill and travel with the fresh water tank full unless we are boondocking.
Of course I use a good WDH and I have 5000lb airbags on my truck to help level out the weight and squat. I have towed in high winds and can move down the highway at 55-65 mph with no issues. We are close to retirement age so don't travel with kids and what we do take I distribute evenly from front to back the best I can.
Now, with that said if I was going to buy another camper today would I get one as heavy as this one, No. But if done right todays half-ton trucks can do a lot.

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[Henfield]

Well said @SanJuanTech . We get too many " My dealer told me I could tow 12,000lbs" threads. Only for reality to explode on them faster that the dealer cashed the check....
Set it up right, and take it easy, learning every mile is crucial to towing confidence and success.

 

[Efoley74]

Very nice!

 

[JohngaltinOC]

Yes, payload is critical when towing with half-tons. My truck stock with the 302A, Max Tow package puts it at about 1800lbs for payload. According to the Ford towing charts the truck can pull in the area of 11,500 to 12,500 range. So pulling is no problem, it hardly knows that it is back there and that includes going over mountain passes other than the gas mileage.
My camper is an eastern edition Cougar so that makes it even heavier on the tongue. Stock was I think 800-900 tongue weight. I did some minor remodeling in the front sleeping area to shed about 75lbs there. I only fill one of the two 30 gallon propane tanks since we rarely camp in very cold temperatures and only fill and travel with the fresh water tank full unless we are boondocking.
Of course I use a good WDH and I have 5000lb airbags on my truck to help level out the weight and squat. I have towed in high winds and can move down the highway at 55-65 mph with no issues. We are close to retirement age so don't travel with kids and what we do take I distribute evenly from front to back the best I can.
Now, with that said if I was going to buy another camper today would I get one as heavy as this one, No. But if done right todays half-ton trucks can do a lot.

Thank you, valuable apple-to-apple feedback. Appreciate your time. I'll confess I don't quite get the WDH voodoo magic, seems like there's either 600 lbs on the hitch or there's more on the hitch, and what does that have to do with whether that's distributed over both axles or not? Anyway, from what I read, it says I can put higher tongue weight with the WDH, so I'll take that science on faith. ?

 

[Onyx]

Wow, great shots. Love this time of year. Beauty truck too, I miss owning white. What's the lift on there?

 

[SanJuanTech]

Wow, great shots. Love this time of year. Beauty truck too, I miss owning white. What's the lift on there?

4” BDS coilover.

 

[BigJohnLew]

Great pics!! I have the same truck. Can I ask what you have done? Lifted, new wheels and tires??

 

[Fordphanatic]

No one is noticing my edited photo...

Wheres Waldo. I see he's still on the move.lol

 

[SanJuanTech]

Great pics!! I have the same truck. Can I ask what you have done? Lifted, new wheels and tires??

4" BDS Coilover lift, BFG KO2 35x12.5 on 18" Fuel Vapor wheels. 5000lb Airlift airbags. Ceramic tint to passenger and driver windows. Blacked out overlays for front and rear Ford emblems. Pace Edwards tonneau cover. Custom Katzkin's leather interior. Morimoto smoked tail lights and 3rd brake light. Custom side vent covers and a center console vault. Whew!, I think that is it for now.

 

[BigJohnLew]

4" BDS Coilover lift, BFG KO2 35x12.5 on 18" Fuel Vapor wheels. 5000lb Airlift airbags. Ceramic tint to passenger and driver windows. Blacked out overlays for front and rear Ford emblems. Pace Edwards tonneau cover. Custom Katzkin's leather interior. Morimoto smoked tail lights and 3rd brake light. Custom side vent covers and a center console vault. Whew!, I think that is it for now.

Those are all great!!

 

[draggam01]

Love it!!!

 

[Frank_N]

Great photos and setup. Curious, what is the fuel mileage when towing?

 

[SanJuanTech]

Great photos and setup. Curious, what is the fuel mileage when towing?

? about 15 mpg on level ground, cut that in half for up hill ?

 

[Frank_N]

? about 15 mpg on level ground, cut that in half for up hill ?

I am averaging about 10.5 mpg with a 3.5 and a 3.55 rear axle.

 

[Squished168]

Very nice photos, what did you use to take them?

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