2016 Kodiak 295TBHS

[Lurker]

New member here, I take delivery of our new 2016 Kodiak 295TBHS next week, it will be my first RV experience. I will be using a 2015 Ford F-150 V6 with EcoBoost as the tow vehicle. It has a 11,000 lbs tow capacity and this unit weighs total of about 7,600 lbs. Should I be concerned about towing this with my vehicle, my thoughts were that I would be okay. What are things I should look for at the dealership when doing the initial inspection walkthru. What are some of your must have accessories to make this experience easier. All your help is greatly appreciated as I am totally new at owning one of these.

Thanks!

[wahoonc]

Welcome to the forums!

You probably will do okay with that tow setup. Just make sure you don't exceed your rear axle rating or put too much stuff in the bed of the truck.

Aaron

[chily3]

Our eco boost f150 is wonderful tow vehicle. Ours has the tow package which works very well in tow mode.

[snakebitten]

That sweeeeet EcoBoost is not the limiting factor.

Or to put it another way, that powerplant can yank that trailer down the road easily enough. But that does NOT mean it will be an enjoyable experience from the driver's seat.

Wahoonc is kindly referring to what determines that experience.
It's all about the tongue weight. It's all about the tongue weight. It's all about the tongue weight. (No offense meant to anyone who is sensitive on the subject)

Welcome aboard!

[chily3]

And properly balanced and set up weight distributing hitch. Our tongue weight is 925 pounds. Everyone really needs to weigh the entire rig loaded, then trailer separately tongue, wheels and total. That way you know what you have.

[jeffdawgfan]

I have the 291RESL that has dry weight of about 6500 and tongue weight of about 800. I pull with a 2016 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. My truck has no issues at all pulling the trailer. You can even get the 5.7 Hemi in the 3/4 ton 2500. So that and your 3.5 ecoboost are not your concerns. Like others have said it is your tongue weight. After provisioning trailer my tongue weight is 970lbs. Put me and DW in cab with two fur babies in backseat and a full tank of gas and we are right at payload limit (over with the ice chest and some other stuff in the bed. Even with the WDH the Ram sits a little low in the rear. I have no doubts truck and transmission could handle load, but when you take that weight off the frontend you affect braking and handling. Also you have to stop all that weight. Now I have towed with no issues. Recently towed on a 1200 mile excursion and truck did fine (although only got about 10mpg).

Eventually you will probably make the same conclusion I did and think you need a heavier truck. I am leaning toward the Chevy 2500HD but taking a hard look at the 2017 Titan XD with the small Cummins Diesel. The Nissan doesn't have the muscle of the 3/4 tons trucks but that 5L Cummins has way more power than I will ever need, better fuel numbers, and will tow my trailer much better. Maybe Santa will get me a new truck for Christmas.....

[chily3]

We have been talking about tongue weight take a look at this, I am sure we all know what happens when tongue weight is not enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWd8...ature=youtu.be

[snakebitten]

awesome little demo-display

[Lurker]

Thanks for all your help. I have decided to invest in a Hensley Arrow Hitch (WDH & Anti Sway). It is highly regarded and I feel little safer towing with it. I'll be picking up the new TT next week and will keep you folks updated.

[snakebitten]

I've heard great reports on that setup.

[Lurker]

Originally Posted by snakebitten

I've heard great reports on that setup.

Thanks, Snakebitten. I'll update the post after using it on initial trip back home from dealership which is 3 hours away. Another thing I noticed was that you are located very close to me. What are some of your favorite campgrounds within 2 hours of Houston area.

Any help is greatly appreciated as I'm new to all this towing stuff.

[snakebitten]

Hmmmm. We are close, but I'm an awful source for camping advice nearby.
In fact, I'm kind of the opposite of a snowbird. I chase cooler weather!

This time of year is easy though. It's fantastic all along the Gulf Coast. So from South Padre to Pensacola......hard to go wrong.

During the summer months I head north for elevation. The Rockies, Tetons, Bitterroots.........

Having said all that, I'd probably get my skills sharpened simply by sampling all the various kinds of camping first. See what you guys like and dislike about each. National Parks vs State Parks vs Private Parks vs Boondocking.

Woods, Ocean Front, Desert, Luxury........

There's so much to explore.

I gotta admit I'm built for the RV lifestyle. I can hit the road on a motorcycle with tents, a light truck with my teardrop, or the full on TT with all the luxuries of home. (I in fact do now live in my Aerolite)

See? I'm no help.

[chily3]

Originally Posted by Lurker

Thanks for all your help. I have decided to invest in a Hensley Arrow Hitch (WDH & Anti Sway). It is highly regarded and I feel little safer towing with it. I'll be picking up the new TT next week and will keep you folks updated.

Be sure to weigh your trailer, get what the tongue weight is. This will help with the set up on the hitch.

[Big1]

Awesome congrats, don't forget pics. Welcome!