One of the major reasons why most drivers buy new trucks is for their adequate hauling and towing capabilities. For the Ford F150, finding out if it can tow a camper can help you make the right financial decision. We have carried out some extensive research to help you find out if a Ford F150 can tow a camper.
Can a Ford F150 tow a camper? Yes, it can. The Ford F150 can tow a camper and has a towing capacity that ranges from 5,000 to 13,200 pounds. This depends on the type of engine found in your F150 and the Gross Volume Weight Rating of your camper.
The Ford F-150 comes with 5 different engine options that buyers can choose from. Towing capabilities vary from engine to engine. When choosing an engine for your towing needs, make sure that you know how much your camper weighs. Campers vary in weight depending on the type chosen.
How Much Weight Can a Ford F150 Tow?
Before towing your camper, you want to make sure that your Ford F150 is properly equipped for the task. Knowing the weight of your truck compared to that of your camper is crucial. It helps to maintain the right balance as you tow your camper.
Check to see if your engine specifications allow you to tow your camper. The goal is to not only keep you and your passengers safe, but to also avoid damaging your truck and camper.
Here is a list of the 5 engine options available for the Ford F150 and their towing capacities:
- 3-Liter Ti-VCT V6– Towing capacity ranges from 5,000 to 7,400 pounds.
- 7-Liter EcoBoost V6– Towing capacity ranges from 7,600 to 9,000 pounds.
- 0-Liter VCT V8– Towing capacity ranges from 8,400 to 11,600 pounds.
- 0-Liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel– Towing capacity ranges from 10,100 to 11,400 pounds.
- 5-Liter EcoBoost V6– Towing capacity ranges from 10,700 to 13,200 pounds.
Handy Hint: To see a larger list of F150 towing capacities from 2014 to present day please read my guide to Ford F150 towing capacity.
The Ford F150 also comes equipped with other standard features that allow owners to tow campers as well as other items. They include:
- Smart trailer tow connector
- BLIS blind spot monitor equipped with trailer coverage
- Pro Trailer Backup Assist™
- OEM trailer brake controller
- Dynamic hitch assist equipped with line-of-site guide
- Trailer information displayed on 8-inch productivity screen
How Much Does a Camper Weigh?
The average camper weights about 5,200 pounds when not equipped with gear or filled with gas. Equipment and fuel can add an extra 1,500 pounds, bringing the total weight to 6,700 pounds. Campers vary in size, construction material, and overall design. The general rule used when estimating the weight of a camper is to expect about 250 pounds per foot when it’s equipped with gear and filled with gas.
A basic camper will include features such as:
- Electrical systems of between 100 and 125 volts
- Propane gas supply
- Refrigerators
- Air conditioning systems – especially in fifth wheel campers and travel trailers
- Ceiling fans
- Entertainment systems such as video game consoles, televisions, and DVD players
- Cooking appliances such as stoves
- Toilets, showers, and water tank systems
- Power generators
A truck whose engine and equipment can tow a maximum of 7,200 pounds is appropriate for towing most campers. Below is a list of some of the most popular camper brands and how much they weigh without any gear and fuel:
- Jayco Jayflight 19RD– Weighs 3,715 pounds and is 19 feet long.
- R-Pod RP-176 – Weights 3,786 pounds and is 17 feet long.
- Coleman CTS192RDWE– Weighs 3,974 pounds and is 23 feet long.
- Rockwood Mini-Light 2504s– Weighs 4,800 pounds and is 29 feet long.
- Salem Hemisphere 24BH– Weighs 5,118 pounds and is 24 feet long.
- Jayco Jay Flight 26RKS– Weighs 5,605 pounds and is 25 feet long.
- Jayco Jay Flight 27RLS– Weighs 6,030 pounds and is 27 feet long.
- Jayco Jay Flight 38BHDS– Weighs 7,690 pounds and is 38 feet long.
- Cherokee West 274DBH– Weighs 7,705 pounds and is 32 feet long.
Did you know? A Ford F-150 can also plow snow and you can buy plows relatively cheaply. Find out more.
How to Safely Tow a Camper
1. Hook Everything Properly
If your camper is hooked too closely to the tailgate of your Ford F150, you run the risk of having it tapping your back bumper every time you make a turn. Make sure that everything fits properly and is hooked the right way. Secure all loose items to avoid unnecessary movement.
2. Avoid Overloading your Truck
To protect your F150’s drivetrain, avoid towing a camper that exceeds its towing capacity. In addition, ensure that your camper is properly loaded. The backend shouldn’t be dragging on the road as you drive. Overloading your truck also impairs its ability to steer and stop effectively.
3. Stopping Takes Time
When you’re towing, stopping effectively takes time. Therefore, it is important that you leave enough space between you and other motorists. Everything is most likely to take longer when you’re towing a camper, so try and brake a little slower than you normally would.
4. Check your Visibility
When towing a camper, your rearview visibility is always limited. If you don’t have any rearview cameras, make sure that you can see the far end of your camper on both side mirrors. Consider getting extensions to your mirrors if your view is too limited.
5. Camper Height
Make sure you know how higher you camper goes. You do not want to drive under a bridge that’s too low for your camper. Once you have the correct height, add a foot or two just in case. In addition, avoid driving on passages that have bridges with low clearance.
6. Turning
When turning your vehicle, your camper will most likely follow the path that you choose. If you have a long camper, you’ll want to turn as widely as possible to avoid getting the camper too close to the vehicle. Where the corner is sharper than 900, take a wider turn. Avoid taking corners way too fast because this might tip the camper over.
7. Hills and Mountain Passes
Driving up a hill shouldn’t be a problem if you do not exceed your Ford F150’s towing capacity. If you’re moving slowly, ensure that you’re on the right lane. Turn on your hazard if you’re driving below the speed limit. Engage your truck in low gear to slow down its drivetrain and prevent it from rolling down the hill. When driving down a hill, avoid speeding. It will reduce wear and tear on your brakes.
8. Camper Sway
When a camper is pushed, it in turn pushes the truck. If this goes on for long, the back and forth effect can lead to a catastrophic crash. The first thing to do is to ensure that you have perfect weight distribution. The second is to avoid driving in strong winds.
Winds can push your camper and cause it to sway. Third, avoid driving too fast. Speeding makes the sway more dynamic and makes it hard to control the truck. You want to stay as calm as possible when a sway happens. Don’t counter-steer as this amplifies the problem.
To stop a sway, engage your F150’s trailer brake controller. This causes it to engage the brake. It then pulls back on the camper, forcing it to align with the truck. To be able to execute the braking effectively, practice at a parking lot. For minor sways, you can use your regular brakes, as the trailer brake controller might be too strong for the camper.
Related Questions
Can a Ford F150 pull a fifth wheel?
A Ford F150 can tow a fifth wheel. However, it is not recommended. The weight of a fifth wheel can surpass the specified tow capacity of your F150. This will then reduce the ability to control your truck.
What is Ford F150 trailer tow package?
The F150 Max. trailer tow package adds to your F150 upgraded front and rear bumpers, an improved 36-gallon fuel tank, and a trailer brake controller. These enhance the towing performance of your pickup truck.
How much does a Ford F-150 weigh?
I’ve researched and compiled a huge amount of data on weights all of which are listed in a handy guide to Ford F-150 weights.