New 2017 Reflection 312BHTS owner - Towing question!

[ckneptune1229]

Hi All! My first post here. We just purchased a new '17 Reflection 312BHTS and we are super excited! I have a 2017 F150 3.5 ecoboost with Max Trailer towing package rated at 11,900 and payload of 3,000 pounds. The dealership is wanting to sell me the e2 hitch rated at 1000 pds tongue weight and 10k on the trailer weight($599 installed which seems like a high price). I'm thinking about moving to the 1200 pound/12k version of the e2 hitch($849 installed - also seems way too high on price). Anyone have any suggestions on this? Thanks! - Chad

[TucsonJim]

That hitch is not sufficient for your new trailer. GDRV specs show the unloaded hitch weight at 955 pounds. You will probably be between 1400-1500 pounds of hitch weight when you get loaded. For example, I have a 297RSTS Reflection travel trailer. My unloaded hitch weight is advertised at 795 pounds. I've weighed it several times and my loaded weight is around 1400-1500 pounds. Now I do put a lot of weight on the front with tools and three batteries, but even so, you'll be MUCH heavier than 1000 or even 1200 pounds.

Although most owners don't realize it, your spring bars should also be selected based on the cargo you carry in the bed of the truck. I carry quite a bit in the back of my F350. I use a Blue Ox Sway Pro hitch and I ordered it with 1500 pound spring bars. That was NOT enough. The front end of my truck actually was unloading with those bars. My headlights were pointing too high when I was hitched up. Fortunately with Blue Ox, I was able to purchase heavier bars and not have to change the whole hitch out. So I ordered 2000# bars which solved the front end unloading.

I'd recommend that you go with a much higher rated hitch than what the dealer is suggesting and even then, I believe your 1200# selection will be much too light.

BTW, Blue Ox is a very highly rated anti sway hitch. I have zero sway when using this hitch. I just checked the prices for the 1500# ($539.76), and 2000# ($615.00) on Amazon.

Jim

[ckneptune1229]

Hi Jim, Thank you for the feedback. I'm not sure why the dealer insists there standard $599 1k hitch weight will do the job? Is there anyone on the forum that has accurately measured their loaded hitch weight/ total GVRW they are towing regularly on a 312BHTS model? Should I start a new thread on that question?

[CWSWine]

Hi All! My first post here. We just purchased a new '17 Reflection 312BHTS and we are super excited! I have a 2017 F150 3.5 ecoboost with Max Trailer towing package rated at 11,900 and payload of 3,000 pounds. The dealership is wanting to sell me the e2 hitch rated at 1000 pds tongue weight and 10k on the trailer weight($599 installed which seems like a high price). I'm thinking about moving to the 1200 pound/12k version of the e2 hitch($849 installed - also seems way too high on price). Anyone have any suggestions on this? Thanks! - Chad

Are you serious about having a 3,000 pound payload on F150? Does it have the Heavy Payload Option or just the Max Tow Option? Is that what the yellow sticker on the door jam says or is that web specs?

[cleazenby]

Definitely would want 1500 lbs bars.

[Gem1n1]

How does your ecoboost tow that 312? I’m looking at the same trailer with a 2017 ecoboost. I don’t want to make a $40,000 mistake and buy more trailer than my truck will be comfortable towing.

[howson]

Although most owners don't realize it, your spring bars should also be selected based on the cargo you carry in the bed of the truck.

Sheesh...and I thought I'd read/knew all about this stuff at this point. Put me <until I read your post> in the "I didn't realize it" club.

[howson]

Hi All! My first post here. We just purchased a new '17 Reflection 312BHTS and we are super excited! I have a 2017 F150 3.5 ecoboost with Max Trailer towing package rated at 11,900 and payload of 3,000 pounds. The dealership is wanting to sell me the e2 hitch rated at 1000 pds tongue weight and 10k on the trailer weight($599 installed which seems like a high price). I'm thinking about moving to the 1200 pound/12k version of the e2 hitch($849 installed - also seems way too high on price). Anyone have any suggestions on this? Thanks! - Chad

Chad--please do yourself (and your family) a favor and look at this post in the reference library: https://www.mygrandrv.com/fo...ity-Calculator

Let me caution you right now that you're probably not going to like what you discover about your truck/trailer combination.

[CWSWine]

How does your ecoboost tow that 312? I’m looking at the same trailer with a 2017 ecoboost. I don’t want to make a $40,000 mistake and buy more trailer than my truck will be comfortable towing.

On your hitch, there is a label that gives the max weight the hitch can handle with and without WD. Most F150 have a class 4 hitch that normally rated to 1400 pounds but Ford derates them down around 1200 pounds. Not sure why they derate them unless the hitch isn't the weak link.

[TripleG]

Something seems amiss, I have never heard of 1/2 ton truck with 3000 lbs payload. I Have never seen a 1/2 ton truck towing a 37 ft 11000 lb empty trailer with 3 slide outs no less! Sounds like a bad very bad idea. Danger!!! Hope I am missing something.