Would you tow this?

[jobofly79]

You towed a 7,000 pound trailer. His trailer has a GVWR of 8,150, or 16% heavier.

Yes that's if he has everything full, tanks, gear and people. The GVWR of my trailer is 8000lbs but I never go by that, i use the actual weight of the trailer with all of my gear, food and bedding. I never travel with full tanks.

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[Dan C]

I sold my super duty diesel and bought my lightning lariat. My trailer is only about 5k. The lightning has the power to tow anything. The super duty was much more stable, probably because of the weight, wheelbase and tires. I can't wait for the tires to wear out on the Lightining so I can put decent ones on.

 

[OES414]

I just did a video on towing my 7000lb travel trailer that is 36 feet long. Check it out. You will be fine as long as you are within spec of what the Lightning can tow.

Great video...helped a lot! Our trailers have similar specs so that is helpful. My "goal" would be to have a super duty as well as the Lightning for "real trips" as mentioned, but some goals are easier achieved than others Like you, my Lightning is my daily driver, coming from Jags, Teslas, it is my favorite all around vehicle. I am planning on doing a 30 mile drive in the next few weeks to a CAT scale to get a proper look at the weights. Meanwhile looking for a great deal on a F350

 

[OES414]

Great video...helped a lot! Our trailers have similar specs so that is helpful. My "goal" would be to have a super duty as well as the Lightning for "real trips" as mentioned, but some goals are easier achieved than others Like you, my Lightning is my daily driver, coming from Jags, Teslas, it is my favorite all around vehicle. I am planning on doing a 30 mile drive in the next few weeks to a CAT scale to get a proper look at the weights. Meanwhile looking for a great deal on a F350

 

[jobofly79]

Great video...helped a lot! Our trailers have similar specs so that is helpful. My "goal" would be to have a super duty as well as the Lightning for "real trips" as mentioned, but some goals are easier achieved than others Like you, my Lightning is my daily driver, coming from Jags, Teslas, it is my favorite all around vehicle. I am planning on doing a 30 mile drive in the next few weeks to a CAT scale to get a proper look at the weights. Meanwhile looking for a great deal on a F350

Glad it was helpful. I know when I was looking at a Lightning I couldn't find enough info on towing and all around capability.

 

[OES414]

Thanks EVERYBODY for your responses, so easy to get lost in the rabbit hole of the internet. Great to come on here and get so much intelligent feedback in a day. Really appreciate you all.

 

[OES414]

That is more of a mobile home. I have had a 40' pusher, and a 35 ft gasser while towing a CRV and run 50=55'+ so I know about driving around with that length. Do you have experience with such a long unit?

Have you checked the spots you want to visit for that length of available RV parking spots?

The truck will pull it if you get the proper equipment, but it won't do it for many miles without charging,. Basically you need to make it from your house to that RV park on one charge at 0.8 mile/kwh, have you checked? Dropping off that 33' monster each time to charge will be a major task.

You are trying to use the wrong tool to pull that long RV. Sorry, just an old man comments after a life time of RV experience. You posted the question, you have to expect this type of response ...\

I would recommend a superduty diesel with full hitch equipment if you are locked in on a 33' mobile home.

I tried to convince my wife to look at pushers and gassers for this very reason but she wouldn't budge...ive towed a 27 foot boat trailer and driven 50ft air handling equipment in the AF and a few tanks but certainly not a seasoned RVer so yup, it is all a bit overwhelming Thanks again for the input!

 

[OES414]

Glad it was helpful. I know when I was looking at a Lightning I couldn't find enough info on towing and all around capability.

Exactly.

 

[jobofly79]

Exactly.

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[Altivec]

The lightning tows just as well if not better than a super duty. That is according to my buddy who just got rid of his super duty for a lightning and towing the same camper.

I appreciate you correcting me with your buddy's opinion but I am going to have to disagree with him. I have been towing work trailers and holiday trailers for decades. I have experienced many close calls in my earlier days by teatering close to max tow ratings.

The lightning tows like a champ and is by far the best light duty truck I've towed with, but again, that is when towing a trailer within its capabilities. There are many 1/2 tons that are rated to tow much more. The super duties start at a tow rating of 16k (almost double a lightning platinum) and can go up to 40k+ tow ratings.

A lot of people put these enormous loads on and think, man I can hardly feel it, so this lightning can tow 25k lbs easy. and they would be right. The problem is, motor performance is not usually the limiting factor that determines tow ratings. Frame, brakes, cooling, wheels, suspension, weight of the truck, width of truck, etc are all factors. As far as I am concerned, the tow ratings they put on all trucks should be a lot lower than they are but competition and marketing want to push the limits. There is a difference between can tow and should tow.

If I am pulling a work trailer and I just need to move this heavy trailer across town on a nice day, will I tow it. Absolutely. Would I tow a holiday trailer with my family across the country near its limits, absolutely not. The difference is one is a short drive in known conditions, the other one has many uncontrolled variables. When I am climbing a mountain in hot weather will the cooling exceeds its limits, When going down a mountain are the small brakes going to over heat, If a wind storm hit us will it put torsion on my wimpy frame, etc... If you think the manufactures over designed for these conditions, you are wrong. If anything, they are under designed for the max ratings they claim in ideal conditions.

The OP asked a question "would you tow this?" Your buddy says "it's the same or better than a super duty" and my opinion is that the OP's trailer of choice is too close to a platinum's max tow ratings when loaded. I would not tow that for prolonged drives in unknown terrain and weather conditions. OP is free to do what he pleases.

 

[JMD359]

Good evening...about to buy a 2020 Whitehawk 28RL...6600 dry...750ish Lb tongueweight...33 feet long. I have a heavy duty weight distibution hitch with sway control. My EV is 2023 Lightning Platinum with everythi g that comes with....looking to make 50- 100 mile trips to parks and ocean here in Western Washington...one day a road trip I5 southbound....so is it too much trailer? ( it will be myself, wife and 60lb of dogs....after everything Ive read and heard I think it will be ok for my needs but Im looking for some anecdotal opinions Thanks.

I would pull it ! Your platinum has maxtow as standard equipment . Just make sure your weight distribution hitch is setup correctly it’s very easy to overload the drive axle .

 

[RickLightning]

I appreciate you correcting me with your buddy's opinion but I am going to have to disagree with him. I have been towing work trailers and holiday trailers for decades. I have experienced many close calls in my earlier days by teatering close to max tow ratings.

The lightning tows like a champ and is by far the best light duty truck I've towed with, but again, that is when towing a trailer within its capabilities. There are many 1/2 tons that are rated to tow much more. The super duties start at a tow rating of 16k (almost double a lightning platinum) and can go up to 40k+ tow ratings.

A lot of people put these enormous loads on and think, man I can hardly feel it, so this lightning can tow 25k lbs easy. and they would be right. The problem is, motor performance is not usually the limiting factor that determines tow ratings. Frame, brakes, cooling, wheels, suspension, weight of the truck, width of truck, etc are all factors. As far as I am concerned, the tow ratings they put on all trucks should be a lot lower than they are but competition and marketing want to push the limits. There is a difference between can tow and should tow.

If I am pulling a work trailer and I just need to move this heavy trailer across town on a nice day, will I tow it. Absolutely. Would I tow a holiday trailer with my family across the country near its limits, absolutely not. The difference is one is a short drive in known conditions, the other one has many uncontrolled variables. When I am climbing a mountain in hot weather will the cooling exceeds its limits, When going down a mountain are the small brakes going to over heat, If a wind storm hit us will it put torsion on my wimpy frame, etc... If you think the manufactures over designed for these conditions, you are wrong. If anything, they are under designed for the max ratings they claim in ideal conditions.

The OP asked a question "would you tow this?" Your buddy says "it's the same or better than a super duty" and my opinion is that the OP's trailer of choice is too close to a platinum's max tow ratings when loaded. I would not tow that for prolonged drives in unknown terrain and weather conditions. OP is free to do what he pleases.

Well said.

I was on an F-150 forum for a decade, and the number of people who tow beyond capacity (and post about it) is frightening. Now figure that's a few % of the total population. Tire speed limits ignored, receiver limits ignored, improper hitch usage, not getting proper weights at a CAT scale to set your hitch, driving too fast period, ....

 

[Grumpy2]

Tire speed limits ignored, receiver limits ignored, improper hitch usage, not getting proper weights at a CAT scale to set your hitch, driving too fast period, ....

It is a testimony to how much reserve capacity is built into the combustion F150 setup. The Lightning appears to be just as tough, but ...

In this case you are on a trip to enjoy a camping trailer but can't go beyond 80 miles without finding a DCFC to continue with your recreation, and on your way you can't pull off suddenly when you see something interesting because your over 50ft long.

 

[OES414]

I appreciate you correcting me with your buddy's opinion but I am going to have to disagree with him. I have been towing work trailers and holiday trailers for decades. I have experienced many close calls in my earlier days by teatering close to max tow ratings.

The lightning tows like a champ and is by far the best light duty truck I've towed with, but again, that is when towing a trailer within its capabilities. There are many 1/2 tons that are rated to tow much more. The super duties start at a tow rating of 16k (almost double a lightning platinum) and can go up to 40k+ tow ratings.

A lot of people put these enormous loads on and think, man I can hardly feel it, so this lightning can tow 25k lbs easy. and they would be right. The problem is, motor performance is not usually the limiting factor that determines tow ratings. Frame, brakes, cooling, wheels, suspension, weight of the truck, width of truck, etc are all factors. As far as I am concerned, the tow ratings they put on all trucks should be a lot lower than they are but competition and marketing want to push the limits. There is a difference between can tow and should tow.

If I am pulling a work trailer and I just need to move this heavy trailer across town on a nice day, will I tow it. Absolutely. Would I tow a holiday trailer with my family across the country near its limits, absolutely not. The difference is one is a short drive in known conditions, the other one has many uncontrolled variables. When I am climbing a mountain in hot weather will the cooling exceeds its limits, When going down a mountain are the small brakes going to over heat, If a wind storm hit us will it put torsion on my wimpy frame, etc... If you think the manufactures over designed for these conditions, you are wrong. If anything, they are under designed for the max ratings they claim in ideal conditions.

The OP asked a question "would you tow this?" Your buddy says "it's the same or better than a super duty" and my opinion is that the OP's trailer of choice is too close to a platinum's max tow ratings when loaded. I would not tow that for prolonged drives in unknown terrain and weather conditions. OP is free to do what he pleases.

Some very valid points. I should have clarified myself better. I am definitely only considering driving short trips (less than 100 miles) from the house. These routes are known to me and dont include mountain passes or areas known for high winds. I am planning on loading it and driving the 30 miles to a CAT scale before I set off any further. Thanks again!

 

[RickKeen]

For occasional and short trips on known roads, pushing the truck to its limits would likely be OK.

For longer cross-country hauls or daily use you would want more safety margin - either a bigger truck or a smaller trailer.

(If its only occasional trips, why not just get a smaller trailer?)

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