Ford F-150 Towing Capacity with Imagine XLS 22MLE

[RoverOne]

Hello, I am new to this forum since my wife and I just ordered an Imagine XLS 22MLE. I have a question about towing capabilities. In anticipation of ordering the Imagine Travel Trailer, we placed an order for a 2021 Ford F-150 truck with SuperCrew Cab, 3.5L Ecoboost V6 engine, Lariat model, 5.5' bed, Topper, and Max Tow Package. I am now concerned that I might have ordered an inadequate truck. The payload limit on the truck seems to be around 1,500 lbs which might be less than the combined weight of the 22MLE tongue, 2 passengers, and cargo. Are there any persons out there who are towing this camper with the same truck? Thank you in advance for your responses.

 

[Ynot4me2]

Welcome to the group future 22mle owner. You'll be fine. We tow with the 2.7 EB tow package with payload of 1426. We are close to our limits but within but we still have to be careful. It just DW and I. When loaded for a trip, 1/3 fresh water in the tank, geny and beer cooler in the back with some basic tools our tw is at 760 and tt is at 6000. I find our rear end a little bouncy on rough roads so I'm planning on adding the RAS to help out with that and LT tires when our current ones are due to be replaced. If its not too late, get the towing mirrors.

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[Ynot4me2]

Oh and don't cheap out on a good WDH. I have the Husky CenterLine. It works as advertise but a little noisy on slow tight turns. Some have good success with the Blue Ox and Anderson. Advantage with the Anderson isbits only 60lbs which will help with your tw.

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[Ynot4me2]

Also check out the True Tow from Weight Safe. Very interesting. It adds about 1 feet to the length but at least you can open your tailgate fully and adjust the wdh on the fly.

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[NB Canada]

The issue is with the options

I have a lot of payload because I don’t have a ton of extras on my truck
I have a sedan to take if we are just travelling somewhere. It still is an SLE so it has power windows and all that but no sunroof or leather or power seats
All those things kill payload quick
Maybe consider a less equipped truck. It is possible to have payloads over 2000

But I do agree I think it is still adequate as has been mentioned with a quality hitch

Welcome and good luck


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

 

[Capt Bob]

Welcome to the "Cult". Great two people rig.

Can't help with the truck. I pull with a Chevy.

 

[Johnny Trails]

I'm towing the 22MLE with a 2020 F-150 SuperCrew XLT 3.5 Eco with Max Tow. My payload is 1819. My buddy has almost your exact truck (no tonneau cover) and has a 1700 payload.

I haven't convinced my wife to pack up just to hit the cat scale yet so I can't give solid numbers, but my spreadsheet estimates show me with about 220 lbs of spare payload. This is with an estimated tongue weight of 899 lbs (including Blue Ox SwayPro WDH) and 700 lbs of passengers and cargo in the truck. Whenever I do make it out to the scales I'll update with all the real numbers, but that's probably not for a few weeks.

Anecdotally, it tows pretty well. The 3.5 continually impresses me. I towed in 20+ MPH winds last weekend and, while it wasn't the most comfortable drive I've ever had, I never felt unsafe. Of course I rarely go more than a few MPH over 60. In non-windy conditions everything feels very solid.

All that said, if money wasn't a limiting factor, I would probably have chosen a 3/4 ton diesel for the option to move up to a bigger trailer at some point and the exhaust brakes.

Hope that helps.

 

[Tigger1]

Congratulations on your soon to be 22mle!

Here are our numbers from the CAT scale last June, 2020 and have added a little since then so I’m going to round the numbers up:
Tongue weight 700 (12.5%)
Trailer weight 5600

This includes one Group 24 dealer installed battery, both propane tanks ~2/3rds full, Andersen WDH at a little less than 60lbs total, no fresh water in the tank. We have been camping for a long time and have learned to pack light by not bringing more than we need and buying light weight items for the things we do need. It’s just two of us.

 

[Cabledog]

I have 2014 EcoBoost 4x4 5 1/2foot bed, with a payload of 1900lb and a the tongue weight of our trailer was 550 lbs. The trailer at the time was a Crossroad, with a weight of 5300 lbs. Est 900 lbs loaded in the trailer. Pulled it over 25000 miles with no problem. I had the same concern.

 

[RoverOne]

Thanks to everyone for your insights. As a result of your advice, I eliminated some of the options on the F-150, such as a topper and deployable steps, to reduce the weight. I also specified LT tires which are each rated for 3,400 lbs. I did order the telescoping and folding tow mirrors, as suggested.

 

[Robt225]

Did any of you towing with the F150 have an issue with the trailer backup assist on the 22MLE? We use a Blue Ox WDH and the length is too long to stay within the setup distance limits for the backup assist. It’s not the end of the world but it would be nice to have that feature available.

 

[Johnny Trails]

Did any of you towing with the F150 have an issue with the trailer backup assist on the 22MLE? We use a Blue Ox WDH and the length is too long to stay within the setup distance limits for the backup assist. It’s not the end of the world but it would be nice to have that feature available.

I’m towing my 22MLE with an F-150 and the Blue Ox SwayPro and was able to do the Backup Assist setup. That said, I’ve never actually used it. I was always taught to steer from the bottom of the wheel when backing up a trailer and haven’t felt the need to use the feature.

 

[zinman]

Thanks to everyone for your insights. As a result of your advice, I eliminated some of the options on the F-150, such as a topper and deployable steps, to reduce the weight. I also specified LT tires which are each rated for 3,400 lbs. I did order the telescoping and folding tow mirrors, as suggested.

[MENTION=38250]RoverOne[/MENTION] I cannot speak to the F150 since I tow with the F350 but one feature I hope you have is the Ultimate Tow Camera in your truck. I have and find it very useful for any number of scenarios. Lastly congrats on your new rigs. Safe Travels!!

 

[Johnny Trails]

[MENTION=38250]RoverOne[/MENTION] I cannot speak to the F150 since I tow with the F350 but one feature I hope you have is the Ultimate Tow Camera in your truck. I have and find it very useful for any number of scenarios. Lastly congrats on your new rigs. Safe Travels!!

To my knowledge this is only available in the super duty models.

 

[Ynot4me2]

I’m towing my 22MLE with an F-150 and the Blue Ox SwayPro and was able to do the Backup Assist setup. That said, I’ve never actually used it. I was always taught to steer from the bottom of the wheel when backing up a trailer and haven’t felt the need to use the feature.

Same here. Got it setup but never used it.

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[Robt225]

I did get it working after all. I was missing one step when activating it. I have to say its pretty nice. You back up the trailer by turning a knob a few degrees rather than the wheel. Its definitely in the “nice to have but not absolutely needed” category.

 

[Robt225]

[MENTION=38250]RoverOne[/MENTION] I cannot speak to the F150 since I tow with the F350 but one feature I hope you have is the Ultimate Tow Camera in your truck. I have and find it very useful for any number of scenarios. Lastly congrats on your new rigs. Safe Travels!!

Is this different than the pre-wired camera setup on the rear? And why do you like it so much?

 

[CMeth54]

Thanks to everyone for your insights. As a result of your advice, I eliminated some of the options on the F-150, such as a topper and deployable steps, to reduce the weight. I also specified LT tires which are each rated for 3,400 lbs. I did order the telescoping and folding tow mirrors, as suggested.

I'm surprised that no one suggested you order it with HDPP! I certainly would have ordered mine that way if I had known.

 

[sande005]

X2 on the HDPP! I ordered it on my 2012, and it has been the best thing! No worries, even towed a smallish 5th for several years.
It does limit some of the sizes, trim lines and options, but if you really intend to camp a lot, and do long trips, it is the only way to go!

 

[jerseyben]

2015 F150 with 2.7 and max tow/payload here. I also tow a 22MLE. I also use the BlueOX WDH. Works just fine. My only comment would be: I wish I had factory tow mirrors. The aftermarket ones I installed are just "ok". Otherwise it tows really well. Very happy with the setup.