Towing question?

[McM]

I searched for a while and didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I'm looking at travel trailers and what the Raptor cam really pull safe. I'm looking at a couple. There is one that weighs 6850lbs with a hitch weight of 750lbs. And 6805lb with hitch of 785lbs. From what I'm researching I'm at my limit when loaded. Is there anything I can do to make it safer to tow? Better springs? Bump stops? weight Distribution hitch? I should be good power wise, right? Thanks

 

[Swaddict]

springs would help for sure, I believe most that tow a travel trailer also use a weight distributing hitch, some have went the airbag route, power wise you will be fine

 

[McM]

I did a bunch of reading on the distribution hitch. I will most likely go that route. I would also go the spring or airbag route too. Has anyone added springs/ airbags? Something like these. https://www.hellwigproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/product-digital-assets/135000975.pdf

How did it affect the normal driving conditions. I'm not looking to go over the max ability. I'm told if something happens Insurance won't like it. I'm pretty much going to be boarder line, but want it to handle like its a smaller trailer.
Thanks

 

[jzweedyk]

Springs may help with the feel, but the real problem is the weight of the trailer. It can be the case of the tail wagging the dog. Like on a freeway off ramp that is a cloverleaf, will the trailer push the truck off the line? You can do it, but you have to understand what may happen and plan for it. Take the freeway ramp WAY slower than you normally would. It all depends on your driving style.

 

[McM]

What is the REAL difference from a stock F150 chassis and Raptor? I understand suspension and all, but if the raptor had f150 stock shocks, springs and tires, wouldn't it be a Platinum and be able to tow a lot more? Well you know what I'm getting at. Just trying to see why Ford rated it so much less.

SuperCrew® Pickup Box 5.5-ft. Box 5.5-ft. Box 6.5-ft. Box 6.5-ft. Box Drive Type 4x2 4x4 4x2 4x4 Engine Axle Ratio GCWR (lbs.) 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 3.55 9,900 5,100 lbs. - - - 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 3.73 13,000 8,200 lbs. - - - 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 3.73 13,300 - 8,200 lbs. - - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 12,700 7,700 lbs. - - - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 12,800 - - 7,800 lbs. - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.55 12,900 - 7,700 lbs. - - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 13,300 8,300 lbs. 8,100 lbs. 8,300 lbs. - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 15,100 10,000 lbs. - 10,000 lbs. - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 15,400 - 10,100 lbs. - - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.15/3.55 14,800 9,700 lbs. - 9,600 lbs. - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.31 14,800 - 9,400 lbs. - 9,300 lbs. 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 15,600 10,500 lbs. - 10,400 lbs. - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 15,800 - 10,400 lbs. - 10,300 lbs. 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,100 12,900 lbs. * - - - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,200 - - 13,000 lbs. * - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,400 - 13,000 lbs. * 13,000 lbs. ** 12,900 lbs. * 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,600 - - - 13,000 lbs. ** 3.0L Power Stroke® V6 3.15/3.55 16,300 - 10,400 lbs. - 10,400 lbs. 3.0L Power Stroke® V6 3.55 18,000 - 12,100 lbs. * - 12,100 lbs. * 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 16,500 11,200 lbs. - - - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 16,600 - - 11,300 lbs. - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 18,800 - 11,300 lbs. - 11,200 lbs. 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.55 19,300 14,000 lbs. * - - - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.55 19,400 - 13,900 lbs. * 14,000 lbs. * 13,800 lbs. * 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 19,400 - - 14,000 lbs. * - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 19,500 - - - 13,800 lbs. * 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 (Tremor) 3.73 17,100 - 10,900 lbs. - - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.55 16,700 11,000 lbs. - - - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.55 16,800 - - 11,000 lbs. - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.55 18,400 12,700 lbs. * - 12,700 lbs. * - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.73 17,000 - 11,000 lbs. - 11,000 lbs. 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.73 18,400 - 12,400 lbs. * - 12,400 lbs. * High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 (Raptor / Raptor 37 Performance Pkg) 4.10 14,500 / 14,575 - 8,200 lbs. - -

 

[MyRaptorLife]

I searched for a while and didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I'm looking at travel trailers and what the Raptor cam really pull safe. I'm looking at a couple. There is one that weighs 6850lbs with a hitch weight of 750lbs. And 6805lb with hitch of 785lbs. From what I'm researching I'm at my limit when loaded. Is there anything I can do to make it safer to tow? Better springs? Bump stops? weight Distribution hitch? I should be good power wise, right? Thanks

I am in the same boat right now. Looking at some Airstreams and what you need to focus on is the hitch weights. Alway trust but verify the trailers specs you are given. Go on forums and find out what people are actually getting for their real world hitch weights for the specific model and options. Find out if that 6850 for instance includes batteries and propane. Some do, some don't. Take 10-15 percent of the GVWR of the trailer with batteries and propane to find the rough hitch weight.

Then take that number and subtract if from the payload sticker on your door jamb. Then subtract your weight, and any other passengers weight to include anything in the truck cab or bed. What that ending number comes out to be is determines whether you are legal or not. Over that payload and you are towing illegally and insurance companies can deny a claim in instance of accidents.

As far as upgrades, at the very least a weight distributing hitch w/sway control and upgraded bump stops will work wonders. Without both of those, it won't be pretty no matter who tells you it doesn't matter. This is based on a metic ton of number crunching and study.

 

[jabroni619]

What is the REAL difference from a stock F150 chassis and Raptor? I understand suspension and all, but if the raptor had f150 stock shocks, springs and tires, wouldn't it be a Platinum and be able to tow a lot more? Well you know what I'm getting at. Just trying to see why Ford rated it so much less.

SuperCrew® Pickup Box 5.5-ft. Box 5.5-ft. Box 6.5-ft. Box 6.5-ft. Box Drive Type 4x2 4x4 4x2 4x4 Engine Axle Ratio GCWR (lbs.) 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 3.55 9,900 5,100 lbs. - - - 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 3.73 13,000 8,200 lbs. - - - 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 3.73 13,300 - 8,200 lbs. - - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 12,700 7,700 lbs. - - - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 12,800 - - 7,800 lbs. - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.55 12,900 - 7,700 lbs. - - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 13,300 8,300 lbs. 8,100 lbs. 8,300 lbs. - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 15,100 10,000 lbs. - 10,000 lbs. - 2.7L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 15,400 - 10,100 lbs. - - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.15/3.55 14,800 9,700 lbs. - 9,600 lbs. - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.31 14,800 - 9,400 lbs. - 9,300 lbs. 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 15,600 10,500 lbs. - 10,400 lbs. - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 15,800 - 10,400 lbs. - 10,300 lbs. 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,100 12,900 lbs. * - - - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,200 - - 13,000 lbs. * - 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,400 - 13,000 lbs. * 13,000 lbs. ** 12,900 lbs. * 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 3.73 18,600 - - - 13,000 lbs. ** 3.0L Power Stroke® V6 3.15/3.55 16,300 - 10,400 lbs. - 10,400 lbs. 3.0L Power Stroke® V6 3.55 18,000 - 12,100 lbs. * - 12,100 lbs. * 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 16,500 11,200 lbs. - - - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 16,600 - - 11,300 lbs. - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.15/3.55 18,800 - 11,300 lbs. - 11,200 lbs. 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.55 19,300 14,000 lbs. * - - - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.55 19,400 - 13,900 lbs. * 14,000 lbs. * 13,800 lbs. * 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 19,400 - - 14,000 lbs. * - 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 3.73 19,500 - - - 13,800 lbs. * 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 (Tremor) 3.73 17,100 - 10,900 lbs. - - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.55 16,700 11,000 lbs. - - - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.55 16,800 - - 11,000 lbs. - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.55 18,400 12,700 lbs. * - 12,700 lbs. * - 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.73 17,000 - 11,000 lbs. - 11,000 lbs. 3.5L PowerBoost™ Full Hybrid V6 3.73 18,400 - 12,400 lbs. * - 12,400 lbs. * High-Output 3.5L EcoBoost® V6 (Raptor / Raptor 37 Performance Pkg) 4.10 14,500 / 14,575 - 8,200 lbs. - -

It wouldn't be a platinum but that's beside the point. The differences are like you mentioned, shocks, springs, tires and.... rear sway bar. Raptor doesn't have one.

IMO, both the travel trailers mentioned are too heavy to tow legally. Raptor has 1100lbs of payload if you're lucky. You're already eating up close to 800lbs of that once you hitch up. It's unlikely you have 300lbs or less of passengers and gear to keep it within the payload rating. A trip out to the desert with an open trailer loaded with a SxS and a couple ATV's along you and a passenger or two is about your max with a Raptor, at least from a legal perspective. Suspension tuning, bags, E rated tires, etc etc will all help make the truck feel better and safer, but still does not change the rating or what you can legally pull.

I've held off buying a TT or Toy Hauler for this reason. Once this chip shortage is over I will be adding a Super Duty to the fleet so I don't have to compromise on the trailer I really want or worry about what my insurance company is going to think if an accident were to happen and I was over loaded. It's also not worth it for me to sacrifice the off-road capabilities of the truck while legally not improving what I'm able to pull.

 

[MRV99]

your tongue weight may even be more than what the factory weight is. My small TT from the factory had a 350lbs tongue weight. By the time you added the propane, batteries and loaded the camper I ended up with a 520lbs number. It is easy to weigh in your driveway. Scale, 2x4’s and a measure tape and you have your own personal measuring device.

 

[2slo4u]

You own a Raptor, not a truck that can off-road occasionally. If you are getting a trailer close to 7,000 lbs you need to look into getting a rig that can tow 12,000 lbs. once your loaded up with food, fuel, water, propane, toys, etc, you are way over the 8k towing rating

 

[heybear]

some good words here. some less awesome.

my experience towing trailers in that weight range (and you will end up WAY over the advertised tongue weight when your ready to go) is that you will be a lot happier with a 3/4t rig than with a Raptor or any 1/2 ton.

my experience only. i know people go heavier in tacomas and swear it’s great.