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  1. #1
    Left The Driveway
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    F150 V8 and the Reflection 285BHTS - Can it work?! Help!

    Complete newbie here and just put a deposit down on a Grand Design Reflection 285BHTS. We have a Ford 150 with a V8. 5.0L We thought we would be fine as max towing capacity states 11,600. The more research we have done, we are realizing there is so much more involved than just the towing capacity. Can you all please weigh-in (pun intended ) The deal does come with the Blue Ox sway bar system. Thanks so much for your input!

    The Reflection is a heavy trailer:
    - UVW 7,628
    - GVWR 9,495
    - Hitch Weight: 793

    Ford 150 V8 5.0L stats:
    - Max Payload: 3270
    - Curb weight: 4769
    - GVWR: 7000
    - GCWR: 14300
    - Towing Capacity: 11,600
    - Gross Axle Weight: front: 3525 rear: 3800 Axle ratio 3.31Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by audreypmcg; 06-06-2020 at 09:29 AM.

  2. #2
    Commercial Member huntr70's Avatar
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    Probably not.

    I had a customer pick up with a 5.7 liter Tundra, and I told him he won't enjoy the tow, even though all the weights were within his range.

    He bought an F250 within 2 weeks.
    Steve- Inventory Manager at Tom Schaeffer's RV, Shoemakersville, PA www.tomschaeffers.com
    [email protected]
    2011 RAM 3500 SRW Outdoorsman Edition 4X4, 6.7 Cummins--TWEAKED!
    2021 Reflection 310RLS

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    Thanks. I figured this was the best place to get some real, honest experience vs sales folks trying to get a win. I appreciate it!

  4. #4
    Seasoned Camper pjmjunior's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by audreypmcg View Post
    Complete newbie here and just put a deposit down on a Grand Design Reflection 285BHTS. We have a Ford 150 with a V8. 5.0L We thought we would be fine as max towing capacity states 11,600. The more research we have done, we are realizing there is so much more involved than just the towing capacity. Can you all please weigh-in (pun intended ) The deal does come with the Blue Ox sway bar system. Thanks so much for your input!

    The Reflection is a heavy trailer:
    - UVW 7,628
    - GVWR 9,495
    - Hitch Weight: 793

    Ford 150 V8 5.0L stats:
    - Max Payload: 3270
    - Curb weight: 4769
    - GVWR: 7000
    - GCWR: 14300
    - Towing Capacity: 11,600
    - Gross Axle Weight: front: 3525 rear: 3800 Axle ratio 3.31
    Is the Max Payload number you list here from your actual truck (yellow sticker in door frame) or a number that you found online?

    Hitch weight listed for the 285BHTS is empty and probably closed to 12-15% of trailer when loaded. I'd count on at least 1,000 lbs hitch weight.
    ~Peter

    Ford F-250 6.7 CCSB (tow vehicle), Imagine 2400BH, Cadillac Escalade 6.2 (family vehicle), BMW X5 (daily driver), Porsche 911/996 (weekend toy)

  5. #5
    Rolling Along
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    We have a 2019 312BHTS. I don't remember what the dry hitch weight was, but with propane and 1 Group 24 battery at delivery, hitch weight was 1250 lbs. I asked them to weigh again on level ground. 1240 lbs. Loaded up with a 1/3 full fresh water tank, empty gray and black tanks, our hitch weight is over 1500 lbs. We use the Blue Ox Sway Pro with 2000 lb bars. Payload on my F350 CC SRW LB is 3250 lbs. Granted, its a 2013.
    2022 Solitude 378MBS-R
    2021 Ford F450 CC Lariat Ultimate FX4
    1966 Shasta Astroflyte (1 year restoration project that is going on year 6)

  6. #6
    Big Traveler Calbar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by audreypmcg View Post
    Complete newbie here and just put a deposit down on a Grand Design Reflection 285BHTS. We have a Ford 150 with a V8. 5.0L We thought we would be fine as max towing capacity states 11,600. The more research we have done, we are realizing there is so much more involved than just the towing capacity. Can you all please weigh-in (pun intended ) The deal does come with the Blue Ox sway bar system. Thanks so much for your input!

    The Reflection is a heavy trailer:
    - UVW 7,628
    - GVWR 9,495
    - Hitch Weight: 793

    Ford 150 V8 5.0L stats:
    - Max Payload: 3270
    - Curb weight: 4769
    - GVWR: 7000
    - GCWR: 14300
    - Towing Capacity: 11,600
    - Gross Axle Weight: front: 3525 rear: 3800 Axle ratio 3.31
    I am going to say try it and see what you think. I towed a 297RSTS which is slightly heavier with a 2009 Tundra with the 5.7. Towed it for over 8000 miles and it towed it very well. I was happy with the way it towed. You will of course find that a 250 or 350 will tow it better but if it were me I would try it and see how it handles. You may need to fine tune the WDH for best performance.

    Rob
    Rob & Barb
    2022 Solitude 378MBS
    2022 RAM 3500 SRW HO Aisin 4x4
    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

  7. #7
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    My biggest concern is the 3:31 rear end. That is mighty tall to be towing with so you will find yourself running down a gear or two . You will be maxed out so be very careful.
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th wheel with 6K axle upgrade. B&W 25K OEM Companion, Steadyfast system, 2022 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch 8' bed, Trailer reverse lights, rear spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, and Solar

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper FordmanNJ's Avatar
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    285BHTS owner here.

    Short answer, No.

    Long answer. Still No.

    My F350 6.2 and 285BHTS scaled out 17,500 pounds. The truck is rated for 11,300#, combined is 19,000# When I weighed the truck, I found myself about 1,600 under my max combined, and around 1,600 per steer and drive axle of the truck. I did have extra weight in the bed when I scaled the truck. So the drive axle weight was higher than normal but well under the axle rating. Personally I could not see myself towing my trailer with an F150 for any extended time. I could see a F150 for a short moving trip like for a few miles down the road in slower, easier to maneuver conditions. However, I would not want to be at highway speeds or multi lane conditions with that combo. I would look at trading up in truck class or possibly having to go another route.

    @huntr70 works for the dealer my wife and I wound up purchasing our trailer from a couple of years ago. During our initial purchasing process, our sales rep sat down with us and discussed our tow vehicle. He wanted to make sure our purchase was going to be capable and within reasonable limits. That was a huge selling point for us especially after our previous experience of the sales rep saying year your truck can tow to X amount of pounds and I got that trailer right here attitude.

    Good luck with your purchase.
    2016 Ford F-350 Super Duty XLT CCSB 4x4 6.2 gasser 3.73 E locker
    2018 Grand Design Reflection 285BHS

  9. #9
    Site Team Ynot4me2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by audreypmcg View Post
    Complete newbie here and just put a deposit down on a Grand Design Reflection 285BHTS. We have a Ford 150 with a V8. 5.0L We thought we would be fine as max towing capacity states 11,600. The more research we have done, we are realizing there is so much more involved than just the towing capacity. Can you all please weigh-in (pun intended ) The deal does come with the Blue Ox sway bar system. Thanks so much for your input!

    The Reflection is a heavy trailer:
    - UVW 7,628
    - GVWR 9,495
    - Hitch Weight: 793

    Ford 150 V8 5.0L stats:
    - Max Payload: 3270
    - Curb weight: 4769
    - GVWR: 7000
    - GCWR: 14300
    - Towing Capacity: 11,600
    - Gross Axle Weight: front: 3525 rear: 3800 Axle ratio 3.31
    Your payload cap is high. Do you have the HD payload package?

    Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
    Steph & Lise
    2019 F150 Lariat 2.7 EB
    2020 Imagine XLS 22MLE

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by audreypmcg View Post
    Complete newbie here and just put a deposit down on a Grand Design Reflection 285BHTS. We have a Ford 150 with a V8. 5.0L We thought we would be fine as max towing capacity states 11,600. The more research we have done, we are realizing there is so much more involved than just the towing capacity. Can you all please weigh-in (pun intended ) The deal does come with the Blue Ox sway bar system. Thanks so much for your input!

    The Reflection is a heavy trailer:
    - UVW 7,628
    - GVWR 9,495
    - Hitch Weight: 793

    Ford 150 V8 5.0L stats:
    - Max Payload: 3270
    - Curb weight: 4769
    - GVWR: 7000
    - GCWR: 14300
    - Towing Capacity: 11,600
    - Gross Axle Weight: front: 3525 rear: 3800 Axle ratio 3.31
    Need more information on your F150, including the year. These are definitely not your truck’s actual numbers, but rather #s you googled. The 3.31 axle ratio 5.0 of any year has not been rated to tow more than 9200lbs. Your payload isn’t anywhere near that unless you have a regular cab truck, or a max payload package (which comes with 3.73 rear end). Actual numbers are in your manual, or in Ford’s towing guide for your year.

    Ford publishes absolute max numbers achievable on a very specific configuration truck. Any options you have different change those numbers, to include cab size, engine, bed length, interior options, etc. You end up with a huge range of numbers up to the max ones you posted. These are reflected in Ford’s towing guide, although payload is specific to your truck. (Subtract your truck’s actual weight from its GVWR. As weighed at the factory is on a yellow sticker in the driver’s door). If you want to read a great guide, google your year Ford towing guide. It’ll show up as a PDF document.

    For us to help, we need a photo of both stickers in your drivers door frame. Plus year and 2wd or 4wd. Then I could look up your actual numbers to help. Unless your truck is better set up to tow than implied here, the towing capacity is not even high enough for that trailer, much less payload.
    Last edited by Stealth13777; 06-06-2020 at 07:17 AM.
    2022 Transcend Xplor 240ML
    2019 Imagine XLS 17MKE (sold 8/22)
    2017 Ford F-150 XLT 5.0 Fx4
    Blue Ox WDH

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