Can my truck pull an Imagine 2500RL trailer....or any trailer?

[BenGT2010]

I have a 2012 Ford F-150 ecoboost and have been shopping for an Imagine 2500RL trailer. I'm currently researching my tow vehicle capacity and had been going by the book value for payload (1520 lbs for my model - 145" wheelbase, super crew, 5.5" bed, 4x4). I double checked my door sticker today and my gut dropped - the numbers for my specific truck are actually only 1142 lbs (stupid moonroof and other Lariat add-ons, not including the spray-in bed liner and tanoe cover I added after market...). My wife, myself and our daughter + some basic cargo in the truck would be around 400 lbs. I was looking at a Hensley weight distributing hitch that weighs around 200 lbs. That would only leave 542 lbs of remaining payload which is less than the dry hitch weight of the 2500RL (581 lbs which I'm sure would be higher with propane, batteries and a light load of food and clothing). I'm fairly certain the 2500RL is now out of reach. Can my truck safely pull anything? Even a 16' Airstream Bambi has a hitch weight of 490 lbs which would be cutting it close (its wet bath and lack of food carrying capacity and storage would have cut it from the list anyway). Unfortunately a new truck is not in the budget. Sadly I think a travel trailer of any sort no longer is either. Just wanted to check with those more experienced if I'm missing anything.

 

[BigSam]

I had the same problem with a 2011 F150 and a 2021 Imagine 2500RL. I ended up biting the bullit and getting a new F150. I test drove a F250, I decided it was more truck than I needed or wanted for non rving use. My truck capacity is a healthy 2066. There is no way I would pull a 2500 RL with your truck. I am sure that there are others who would.

A 27 foot Airstream weighs and has about the same tongue weight as the 2500 RL. The best option I had with my original truck was an Apex by Coachman. They make some really light RV’s, but I have no knowledge of their quality. You can find negative comments on every brand. People complain when things are not what they expected. Since good RV quality is what most people expect they rarely write positive post.

 

[Wileykid]

I applaud you for doing the research, and understanding payload and the real capabilities of your truck, not many people do. Saying that, many people have had to look at smaller trailers, or bigger trucks due to seeing what the actual numbers were, not the marketing hype that the companies put out to sell vehicles.

A number of years ago, I bought a 3/4 ton diesel pickup truck with the intention of towing a 5th wheel toy hauler. After I had the truck, researching the numbers, I found out I could not tow any of the ones I wanted, and ended up with a hitch tow toy hauler (less weight on truck).

 

[NB Canada]

There are plenty of trailers to buy that your truck can easily handle
I personally would never choose one with rear living or rear kitchens. They tow poorly
Will you be over payload? Likely
I would have no issue travelling locally (3 hours) to camp with your truck
There are hybrids and smaller travel trailers that will comfortably fit 3 people
And skip the Hensley. There are plenty of hitches that perform just as well. Sway is a result of poor load distribution. Load your trailer properly and you will avoid any chance of sway
Your truck will not self destruct going over payload

But the decision is ultimately on you


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[TexSon]

Had a guy I worked with years ago who bought a travel trailer he thought his F150 would easily tow. It was well within the truck's tow ratings, but after towing the trailer for any distance, he reaiized he should have bought a 3/4 ton truck. It is always better to have a bit more truck than more trailer. But if your are dead set on keeping the F150, then look at your towing equipment then look at getting a good load leveing hitch and some anti-way bars. I have used Curt LLHs for years on different trailers and they work well, improving the towing ability of the truck, and are reasonably priced. Also, if you are a little bit handy, they are fairly easy to install.

 

[fmartinmn]

I have a 2012 Ford F-150 ecoboost and have been shopping for an Imagine 2500RL trailer. I'm currently researching my tow vehicle capacity and had been going by the book value for payload (1520 lbs for my model - 145" wheelbase, super crew, 5.5" bed, 4x4). I double checked my door sticker today and my gut dropped - the numbers for my specific truck are actually only 1142 lbs (stupid moonroof and other Lariat add-ons, not including the spray-in bed liner and tanoe cover I added after market...). My wife, myself and our daughter + some basic cargo in the truck would be around 400 lbs. I was looking at a Hensley weight distributing hitch that weighs around 200 lbs. That would only leave 542 lbs of remaining payload which is less than the dry hitch weight of the 2500RL (581 lbs which I'm sure would be higher with propane, batteries and a light load of food and clothing). I'm fairly certain the 2500RL is now out of reach. Can my truck safely pull anything? Even a 16' Airstream Bambi has a hitch weight of 490 lbs which would be cutting it close (its wet bath and lack of food carrying capacity and storage would have cut it from the list anyway). Unfortunately a new truck is not in the budget. Sadly I think a travel trailer of any sort no longer is either. Just wanted to check with those more experienced if I'm missing anything.

Change trucks, pick the trailer that fits your family's needs. Blessings, Frank. (proud member of the 3 truck club)

 

[Tgunter5]

Change trucks, pick the trailer that fits your family's needs. Blessings, Frank. (proud member of the 3 truck club)

I'm a member of the 2 truck club and WOW what a difference it makes!!! My vote is more truck. Best of luck on your decision!!!

 

[Average Jane]

1142 - 110 lbs (add ons) - 100 lbs (WDH such as the Equalizer) - 400 lbs (people and stuff - if you could put the stuff in the trailer that would be better for your numbers) = 532 lbs for tongue weight.

Awesome job doing your research first. You could still pull something. Is taking a second car an option? That in theory could net you a couple hundred extra lbs.

I would be looking at trailers with a GVWR of around 4,000 lbs. To me that means R-Pod, or pop up style in the 20ft range, but I don't know what all is out there.

 

[TSeck954]

Can't over emphasize the need to run your numbers and then add some safely margin in there. We started with a pop-up when our kids were small and now that their grown and have their own families we've purchased our last trailer (#5) for just Mom and Dad. Funny how they still seem to show up where ever we're camping from time to time. At points in our travels, they wanted to bring their friends and it always seems the trip gets bigger and the load heavier. The last thing you want is a white knuckle trip on what's supposed to be a "vacation". Unfortunately the used truck market is bleak right now (new truck prices are even more insane) so you'll have to either wait till it returns to normal or step up your vigilance in looking for a "deal" you can live with.

Good luck in your future travels.

 

[ardvark16]

Im sure you will see after the research that you did that many of the 1/2 tons aren’t equipped to tow anything substantial. An rv over 25 foot requires a pretty heavy truck. A 3/4 ton gas or diesel will never let you down if you plan to stick with a bumper pull. You can find 1/2 tons that will fit the bill. In the current market the 1 tons are almost non-existent. I would upgrade that 2012 to a bigger truck and then get the camper that fits you. Or you will just be looking to upgrade again.

 

[GaryS1964]

I'm pulling an Imagine XLS 17MKE with a F150 but it's not suitable for a family of four. My brother in law has an R-Pod but again his is not suitable for a family of four but there might be another model of R-Pod that is. They are lighter with only one axle.

Cargo carrying capacity is usually the limiting factor with a F150. Also you can't go by the brochure tongue weight. Mine is 480 lbs but with two batteries, full propane tanks, and loaded for a trip it weighs in at 960 lbs. I had to move some heavy stuff out of the pass thru to the truck bed to get the tongue weight down to around 12% of trailer weight. With just me and the wife I'm under CCC for my truck.

One other thing you might consider is the Anderson hitch. That's what I use. It weighs around 60 lbs versus almost 200 lbs for the Hensley.

 

[NB Canada]

I'm pulling an Imagine XLS 17MKE with a F150 but it's not suitable for a family of four. My brother in law has an R-Pod but again his is not suitable for a family of four but there might be another model of R-Pod that is. They are lighter with only one axle.

Cargo carrying capacity is usually the limiting factor with a F150. Also you can't go by the brochure tongue weight. Mine is 480 lbs but with two batteries, full propane tanks, and loaded for a trip it weighs in at 960 lbs. I had to move some heavy stuff out of the pass thru to the truck bed to get the tongue weight down to around 12% of trailer weight. With just me and the wife I'm under CCC for my truck.

One other thing you might consider is the Anderson hitch. That's what I use. It weighs around 60 lbs versus almost 200 lbs for the Hensley.

Why would you ever lower TW?
Having excessive TW won’t hurt anything
The more the better


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[huntindog]

Why would you ever lower TW?
Having excessive TW won’t hurt anything
The more the better


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

So long as your TV and hitch can handle the TW, more is better. What many people do not think about is that depending on your usage and TTs layout, TW can vary a LOT in the course of a trip. Food gets eaten and ends up in the black tank, showers are taken and dishes are washed, meaning that the FW winds up in the tanks. Propane gets used and disappears. Many other items may move around as well. So trying to cut it close on TW is like a dog chasing it's tail. Entertaining but pretty much useless.

 

[GaryS1964]

Why would you ever lower TW?
Having excessive TW won’t hurt anything
The more the better


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

Everything I've read says tongue weight should be between 10% and 15% of trailer weight. 960 lbs of tongue weight puts me over 15% of trailer weight. If you have valid sources of information that says tongue weight above 15% of trailer weight is OK then I'd be interested in reading it.

 

[NB Canada]

Everything I've read says tongue weight should be between 10% and 15% of trailer weight. 960 lbs of tongue weight puts me over 15% of trailer weight. If you have valid sources of information that says tongue weight above 15% of trailer weight is OK then I'd be interested in reading it.

Unlikely there is an article but what would you think would be the problem?

The more weight that is on the tongue makes it almost impossible at some point for the trailer to ever sway

This is physics

I suppose the 15 percent is a safeguard so a person didn’t make the front tires leave the ground but a wdh can remedy that


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[TexSon]

However, the more weight on the tongue will also push the front end of the truck up. Too far up and it will cause problems with steering. I have a friend who foolishly (his words) helped someone move a heavy carnival trailer. His truck was no where near the correct vehicle for the job, the tongue weight was way over his truck capacity and he lost control going down a hill with a turn at the bottom. It almost killed him. Lesson learned the hard way. A load leveling/weight distrubuting hitch would have helped and should be a must for anyone towing a trailer over 4000lbs (IMHO).

 

[CaptPicardo]

There are plenty of trailers to buy that your truck can easily handle
I personally would never choose one with rear living or rear kitchens. They tow poorly
Will you be over payload? Likely
I would have no issue travelling locally (3 hours) to camp with your truck
There are hybrids and smaller travel trailers that will comfortably fit 3 people
And skip the Hensley. There are plenty of hitches that perform just as well. Sway is a result of poor load distribution. Load your trailer properly and you will avoid any chance of sway
Your truck will not self destruct going over payload

But the decision is ultimately on you


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

I would echo NB Canada. My solitude has rear kitchen and living room. I can haul her everywhere but not for the faint of heart and has to be carefully weight-managed. If I add something of 2 lbs I reduce something of 2 lbs. We've crossed the Rockies and Appalachians, and I manage weight distribution fanatically, including hitting the CAT scales weekly and leaving everything possible I can behind (hardcopy books, unused appliances, blankets, coats, everything . I recommend you do a bit of analysis based on your door tag and actual CAT scale measurements, that's how I've been able to track things in excel.

 

[TimtheToolMan]

BenGT wrote " Unfortunately a new truck is not in the budget."

As NB Canada mentioned hybrids...

You are very wise to not break your budget! We had a 19' 2014 KZ Spree Escape hybrid (no slide) for six years and 25,000 miles with 3500 pound GVWR and towed it with a 2014 Acura MDX (500 tongue weight rating), basic anti sway, and no weight distribution hitch. This was with two adults (290 pounds), a small dog and a reasonably small amount of gear (no water in the tanks). Most use was in the Colorado Rockies. This combination worked very well for us (cost, weight, totally stable, great up and down the Rockies, long steep grades almost never needed to brake to control speed and used engine to slow down, space, and even had a comfortable sofa)

At the time, we did not want to own a truck... so found the lightest non-popup that we could find. Previously had a popup that served us well with family of four...In hind site a truck would have been better, though.

I can not confirm that we weren't over rated for MDX so anyone considering similar combination needs to verify tow ratings.

 

[tonywelle]

Don't Give Up yet...

I have a 2012 Ford F-150 ecoboost and have been shopping for an Imagine 2500RL trailer. I'm currently researching my tow vehicle capacity and had been going by the book value for payload (1520 lbs for my model - 145" wheelbase, super crew, 5.5" bed, 4x4). I double checked my door sticker today and my gut dropped - the numbers for my specific truck are actually only 1142 lbs (stupid moonroof and other Lariat add-ons, not including the spray-in bed liner and tanoe cover I added after market...). My wife, myself and our daughter + some basic cargo in the truck would be around 400 lbs. I was looking at a Hensley weight distributing hitch that weighs around 200 lbs. That would only leave 542 lbs of remaining payload which is less than the dry hitch weight of the 2500RL (581 lbs which I'm sure would be higher with propane, batteries and a light load of food and clothing). I'm fairly certain the 2500RL is now out of reach. Can my truck safely pull anything? Even a 16' Airstream Bambi has a hitch weight of 490 lbs which would be cutting it close (its wet bath and lack of food carrying capacity and storage would have cut it from the list anyway). Unfortunately a new truck is not in the budget. Sadly I think a travel trailer of any sort no longer is either. Just wanted to check with those more experienced if I'm missing anything.

At risk of being chastised, I would offer a different opinion than some. I own a 2019 Toyota Tundra with a similar payload of 1174 and a GCWR of 15,160. I too was looking at a 2500RL but ended up with a 2018 2600RB instead. My wife loves the larger bathroom. I purchased a tongue scale before buying a trailer and measured several different trailers, including a 2500RL. The used 2500RL's I measured did not have a tongue weight of 960 and were closer to 750 with full propane and battery. My calculations showed that we would be slightly over the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of 7,200 but significantly less than the Ft & Rr GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) . I filled the truck gas tank, loaded the wife and 60# Grand Dog, hitched up the trailer and headed to the CAT scales. Weights as follows: Ft Axle - 3520 (4000 Rating) , Rr Axle - 3780 (4150 Rating), Trailer 5760 for a CGW of 13,060. My GVWR was 7300, 100# over.

I too considered a Hensley hitch but decided the additional weight was too much. The trailer came with a Reese High Performance Trunnion Weight Distributing Hitch, which was one of my favorites. Before my initial test drive, I was very careful to setup the hitch for my truck and to inflate the truck tires to 42 psi (Max is 45 psi). During my initial test drive, and first time driving an RV, I did notice that the rear spring rate of the truck seemed light and that road bumps could induce a mild porpoising effect that subsided after a cycle or two. After much research, I decided to add Sumo Spring and new Bilstein shocks. These changes eliminated 80% of the issue.

Since our purchase, we have traveled over 14k without any issues and without feeling unsafe. I would not pull a larger trailer with this truck but have no issues with the current setup. I am very anal to insure that wheels are torqued properly and air pressures are proper before every departure. We minimize adding additional load to the truck and load as much as possible in the trailer carefully positioned to leverage the extra 1,100 # in trailer capacity. We never carry water and always empty tanks before leaving a site, except for short lower speed trips. I'm sure that a 3/4 ton truck would do significantly better at pulling my trailer without have to carefully plan loading, but a new truck is not in the budget. I do not feel unsafe, have encountered situations requiring emergency maneuvers and braking without any issues. I drive 60-65 when conditions permit.

What are the GCWR and GAWR specs for your truck? Are the brakes in tip top shape? Are your shocks relatively new or original? Does your truck have a brake controller? Can you test drive the 2500RL? Skip the Hensley, place the additional cargo in the trailer positioned near or over the axles and you should be good to go.