One of the most frightening posts I've seen...

[Second Chance]

Someone just joined one of the other RV forums I'm on to post this. I don't know if the wife posted because the husband doesn't do computers or the internet or because he was embarrassed...

"I have a 2015 Ford F150 2.7 eco boost and we bought a Wildcat Light Fifth Wheel. I ask several times over to make sure that we could pull it and were told yes. We just got off the first trip and every time we hit a bump, our truck would wheelie. Someone please help me understand what to do. My husband bought air bags and on the way there had them set at 15 but on way back set to 8. The trip was a scary nightmare and I do not know what to do or how to fix the problem. Someone please help."

Other members asked for weights and specs on the truck and trailer and asked how the hitch was set up. She came back with a dry weight for the trailer and "8,500 for the truck" - not saying what the 8,500 represented. Other forum members are trying to be nice and helpful, but that's hard to do with no information or understanding on the part of the person(s) asking the question. The problem is that we share the road with these folks!

Rob

[laffman]

They should sell the trailer before they kill someone on the road. Seriously, I would recommend taking the truck and trailer back to the RV dealer to see if they can provide any assistance on safely hooking up and towing the trailer.

[wstcoaster07]

I am having flash backs to my first hour with the TT leaving the dealer back in December. I drove right back after 30 minutes of heading south with no stability and said it is either set up wrong or I am going to sell this thing back to you guys because this isn't right. Lucky for me though I knew my numbers so I was 99.9% sure it was just set up wrong.

[Cate&Rob]

Second Chance Rob - A 2.7L Ecoboost would hardly be the powertrain of choice for towing a 5th wheel. They probably don't have the max tow and definitely not the heavy payload option with this engine. Still . . . this seems like a dramatic description of what is going on. Any 5th wheel hitch is going to get the pin more-or-less over the rear axle. I have seen F150s hauling way more than they should . . . but have never seen anything like what is described here. Hard to help, without a picture or some more data . . .

(another) Rob

[Barbara & Dave]

From a quick look at the FR site, the Wildcat Lite is similar to the Reflection line. The largest has a GVW of a bit under 14K lbs. The unloaded pin weight is 1538, so the loaded pin weight is probably 3000-3500 lbs (at worst). That's probably over the 2.7's payload, esp. if no Max Tow package, but not outrageous.

I suspect something is installed or connected wrong. The two things that come to mind are the FW hitch installed behind the axle, or towing with a slider hitch still in the extended position.

Dave




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[BabyBober]

Ok , let’s assume since they have no clue they didn’t special order a HDPP since they normally are not dealer stocked items and if by chance one was found it would be with a 3.6 or 5L engine. Let’s “hope” they have the 3.73 rear end but I doubt that too. Next let’s assume a middle of the road crew cab, no a long body regular cab work truck. You have MAX 8k towing and 1700 payload if you are lucky.

I mean no disrespect but let’s hope they get off the road before anyone of us runs across these individuals .... there is no possible way they ( or anyone in their path) are safe. Rob, even you can’t convince me that this 150 will cut it....

Jim

[Cate&Rob]

The two things that come to mind are the FW hitch installed behind the axle, or towing with a slider hitch still in the extended position.

Dave

One of my rookie mistakes with our 303 and F150 was to forget to move the manual slider hitch forward to the tow position before towing. So, we travelled about 50 miles that day with the pin 10" behind the axle. I don't recall there being any noticeable difference in how the truck handled . . . although there must have been some. Thinking about this a while later, I measured the tailgate height with the pin over the axle and also in maneuver position. There is less than 1/2" difference in truck rear ride height. There is really something odd about that original story.

Rob

[AustexGP]

I agree with Dave. A couple of years ago we were at a campground in Kerrville and a young couple pulled in. I could see that they were "newbies" so I walked over to assist. He told me that this was the first time and the last time that they would ever pull a trailer. He was seriously thinking of just leaving it at the campground and having the dealer come get it. The ride was horrible and he felt like he had no control of the TV or TT. It turned out that when they hooked up the 5th wheel at the dealer they did not reset the slider, so it was in the back position. Anyway a couple of 5th wheel owners came over and gave him - and me - a bit of good advise and instruction. Saw them a couple of months later and they were happy campers.

[Barbara & Dave]

I sure hope we get a follow up on this one.

Dave




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[jkwilson]

To add to the story, they are towing with a shortbed and an AUH. The weight will be behind the axle making an overloaded situation worse. I doubt the truck is actually leaving the ground, but I imagine the suspension is doing some moving.

I feel sympathy for them because they are in over their heads, but the dealer who set them up should be ashamed. I just can't see how dealers don't face horrible liability letting somebody drive off the lot with a rig that isn't safe.