Does anyone tow a Grand Design 150 series with their Tremor

I assume it pulls it quite easily? What are your initial impressions of the 278bh?
Sorry I must have missed this post before! Yes it pulls great. Mileage that I’ve gotten so far is right around 8.5 with the 7.3L gasser. We really have been happy with the 278bh as well. We went with the theater seating and would highly recommend that. Quality has been good as well
 
That's a good looking setup! Any issues or complaints with the 278BH? My wife and I both really like that floor plan.
Thank you! And sorry for the late response. No complaints thus far. We’ve done a 6 day trip and just got back from a 3 day weekend trip. Everything had worked great to include no leaks. We got rained on non-stop for 4 days between those 2 trips. I would recommend the theater seating if you can get it. We came from a rig with a dinette, and on those rainy days having 3 recliners to relax on in addition to the couch is super nice. Let me know if you have any other questions!
 
Ultimately the trucks are rated with a GVWR, and that's what the payload sticker represents - GVWR minus factory truck weight, fuel, and 150 pounds.

So you can't really bypass the GVWR limit by getting the 5th wheel prep done after market.

Note there's also the GAWR and the tire ratings to keep in mind.

Overall the payload sticker just provides the quick guideline of how much weight you can haul so you don't need to visit a scale to get an idea of how much the truck weighs.
Hey Banana,

I’ve read conflicting things on the payload and whether or not it factored in the weight of fuel AND a 150 pound driver. Not challenging you, but wondering if this is fact from any type of Ford documentation? Thanks!
 
Hey Banana,

I’ve read conflicting things on the payload and whether or not it factored in the weight of fuel AND a 150 pound driver. Not challenging you, but wondering if this is fact from any type of Ford documentation? Thanks!
The yellow sticker on the door jamb indicating payload does NOT account for the weight of any occupants. It does include all fluids being full, including fuel.

As the sticker states: “The combined weight of cargo and occupants should never exceed...”. No mention of 150 pounds for the driver.

Below I reference the Towing Guide. In this case I’m specifically referencing the 2021 one linked here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/...-guides/2021_Ford_RVandTrailerTowingGuide.pdf

Confusion is introduced in two places:
1. Towing rating.
2. Camper cargo capacity.

For tow rating, the maximum allowed trailer weight assumes a 150 pound driver as that’s what’s required by J2807 certification. But the tow rating is separate from payload. Payload capacity (really GVWR, since payload capacity is just GVWR - curb weight) is not certified through J2807. You can see the specificity of this with the footnote found at the bottom of any of the pages listing tow ratings:

“Maximum towing capabilities are for properly equipped vehicles with required equipment and a 150-lb. driver and passenger and vary based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories, option content and number of passengers. See label on door jamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle.“

While it does mention a 150 pound driver, it’s only in the context of “maximum towing capabilities”.

Next, page 13 introduces confusion when it lists ”maximum cargo weight” for various truck configurations. On this page it explicitly states:

“Cargo Weight Rating shown in chart is maximum allowable, assuming weight of a base vehicle with required camper option content and a 150-lb. passenger at each available seating position.”

Note that this is only referencing the chart, though, not the yellow sticker. To prove this we can reference the multiple threads where people have posted pictures of their yellow stickers from their Tremors. In the chart, the maximum cargo capacity for a Tremor is 3373 pounds; however, many people have payloads pushing or exceeding 4000 pounds. 150 pounds x 6 passengers (bench seat) is 900 pounds, meaning the actual maximum is more like 4273. That still hasn’t accounted for “required camper option content”, whatever that is, so there may still be more variance from the sticker but that aligns pretty closely with what folks are seeing on their stickers.

Here’s one such thread with folks listing payload capacities from their stickers: https://www.fordtremor.com/threads/actual-ford-tremor-payload.107/

Of course the capacity on your sticker is easy to verify yourself by heading to a scale, filling up before you get on it, then getting the weight of your truck (or any other vehicle!) while you personally stand off the scale. Subtract the scale weight from the listed GVWR and you’ll have your true, real-world payload capacity. :)

Nice thing about doing that is it accounts for any modifications you (or your dealer!) may have made to the truck or stuff you regularly carry, so would end up being more accurate.
 
Thank you! And sorry for the late response. No complaints thus far. We’ve done a 6 day trip and just got back from a 3 day weekend trip. Everything had worked great to include no leaks. We got rained on non-stop for 4 days between those 2 trips. I would recommend the theater seating if you can get it. We came from a rig with a dinette, and on those rainy days having 3 recliners to relax on in addition to the couch is super nice. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Can the theater seating be added at the dealership, or is that an option which needs to be installed from the factory? Thanks.
 
Can the theater seating be added at the dealership, or is that an option which needs to be installed from the factory? Thanks.
I’m not entirely sure but I would assume the dealer could order and install it if it didn’t come that way. It would likely create some more hassle trying negotiate for it, however. Ours came with that option from the factory so if you could find a unit already configured that would been the least headache
 
I’m not entirely sure but I would assume the dealer could order and install it if it didn’t come that way. It would likely create some more hassle trying negotiate for it, however. Ours came with that option from the factory so if you could find a unit already configured that would been the least headache
Thanks again, for to helpful info. We pick ours up this week. I went ahead and installed sumo springs, and Bilstein shocks. Probably overkill for the 150 series, but I occasionally put heavy weight in the back, so I felt it was worth it in the long run.
 
I’m not entirely sure but I would assume the dealer could order and install it if it didn’t come that way. It would likely create some more hassle trying negotiate for it, however. Ours came with that option from the factory so if you could find a unit already configured that would been the least headache
Are you a fan of the auto leveling system? Does that particular system have four or six 9-in leveling pads? I'm looking into ordering the snap pads for it. Thanks
 
Are you a fan of the auto leveling system? Does that particular system have four or six 9-in leveling pads? I'm looking into ordering the snap pads for it. Thanks
I do like the system though it was a bit of a change from our previous camper. It works well thus far. One thing to watch out for is your left to right slope prior to hitting the auto level button. The trailer will literally lift the wheels off the ground to level itself if required so that’s one thing I’ll double check now. If required I will roll up on some leveling blocks prior to initiating the auto level. There are 4 pads
 
I do like the system though it was a bit of a change from our previous camper. It works well thus far. One thing to watch out for is your left to right slope prior to hitting the auto level button. The trailer will literally lift the wheels off the ground to level itself if required so that’s one thing I’ll double check now. If required I will roll up on some leveling blocks prior to initiating the auto level. There are 4 pads
Thanks! I'm picking mine up tomorrow. I was not able to switch to the theater seating, but it's our first camper, so we will see how it works out.
 
OK - I screwed up. Wanted a Grand Design. Found a nice used one. Held off until I sold my 2003 Land Cruiser. Sold it, then pivoted back to the trailer, now that I got the money. Trailer is sold. Dang. I'm really bummed.
 

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Congrats! You’ll love it
I ended up going with the B&W hitch, and actually using the turning point option on the camper. Moving the pivot point to the trailer is a very cool option. Thanks again for your helpful tips, and insight.
 
I ended up going with the B&W hitch, and actually using the turning point option on the camper. Moving the pivot point to the trailer is a very cool option. Thanks again for your helpful tips, and insight.
No problem! Enjoy it!
 
I tow a Grand Design Moentum 351m with no issues. The car is outfitted with big wig rear sway bar and airlift 5000 with ezair.

The car?
 
OK - I screwed up. Wanted a Grand Design. Found a nice used one. Held off until I sold my 2003 Land Cruiser. Sold it, then pivoted back to the trailer, now that I got the money. Trailer is sold. Dang. I'm really bummed.
The RV Market right now is nuts from what I'm hearing!
 
I ended up going with the B&W hitch, and actually using the turning point option on the camper. Moving the pivot point to the trailer is a very cool option. Thanks again for your helpful tips, and insight.
I ordered my 278BH today. my tremor has factory 5th wheel prepped. wondering what B&W hitch model are you using? thanks
btw, from your pics looks like your rig is not levelled (nose up than rear), am I right?
 
I ordered my 278BH today. my tremor has factory 5th wheel prepped. wondering what B&W hitch model are you using? thanks
btw, from your pics looks like your rig is not levelled (nose up than rear), am I right?
B&W RVK3300. It's rated for 15,000k, the next one up is quite a bit more expensive, and rated for 20,000K. However, the camper is nowhere near that weight.

Yes, you are correct, the camper is slightly nose high in the picture. This was my first experience with the truck, the hitch, and the camper. The hitch does have some adjustability front back, and in its height. The picture I posted is straight from the dealer, where we picked up the camper. I had the hitch position at the setting closest to the tailgate, and right in the middle in terms of its height adjustment. Once I unhooked the camper, I did drop the hitch down to its lowest setting. It's very very close to level now, and pulls great. Just make sure you double check the height between the bed rail and your camper. Usually no less than 6 inches is recommended, but that opinion can vary.

As a side note, the camper comes with what's called a Turning Point kingpin/hitch box. There was a lot of debate online as to whether or not you could take advantage of the turning point with a B&W hitch. And the answer is yes. The fifth wheel specialist at the dealership will need to remove a few bolts, and move the "wedge" forward, all while hooked up to the truck. It's not difficult, but does take some patience. Once the wedge is securely moved forward the rotating point now moves back to the trailer hitch box, and not your fifth wheel hitch itself. I was able to back the trailer up a full 90°, at the dealership before I left, to make sure I did not mash my cab. It does make backing up a little bit more challenging, but nothing that cannot be addressed with some practice. Hope this helped, good luck.
 
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