Minnie 2301BHS towing

[rgrimm]

For a number of years I owned a 2006 Winnebago Journey 34H DP and in 2019 sold it, thinking we were done traveling (RVing). In early 2020 we realized we missed RVing and had a need to have our own 'apartment' when visiting family and friends so I purchased a slightly used (7100 miles) 2019 F150 3.5 ecoboost with a towing package and a new 2021 25' 7" travel trailer (SOB). Loaded for travel our TT scales at 6450 lbs, we carry about 1200 lbs of cargo, clothes, food, tools, bikes, and full fresh water. The F150 handles it very well, plenty of power and very stable. But our TT is a Bunk floorplan and at 25' 7" it has a Murphy bed.

We decided to look for a new TT, bunk floorplan, but with an actual bedroom and because of our history with Winnebago we started to look at the Minnie 2301BHS model, it's about 4 ft longer and has a GVWR of 8800 (my current TT has a GVWR of 7600 lbs.

So my question is, if you own a 2301BHS and towing it with a F150 with a 3.5 Ecoboost? How does it handle the weight and length (29.9') (stability)?

How do you like your 2301BHS? Any complaints about it (floorplan, storage, quality)? How is it only having the Dinette for sitting, no couch?

Thanks in advance for any information you might offer about towing and your 2301BHS.

-Russ

[Mtn Charlie]

You really haven't given enough information about your tow vehicle. An F-150 3.5 Ecoboost could be a step side shortbed or a crew cab longbed. The towing characteristics and towing capability would very greatly. Ford labels EVERYTHING an F-150, just to make it the best selling truck in the US.

[rgrimm]

Originally Posted by Mtn Charlie

You really haven't given enough information about your tow vehicle. An F-150 3.5 Ecoboost could be a step side shortbed or a crew cab longbed. The towing characteristics and towing capability would very greatly. Ford labels EVERYTHING an F-150, just to make it the best selling truck in the US.

Here are all the Weights and Specs for mt current F150 and the TT I am currently towing.

2019 F150 XLT, SuperCrew, 4x4, 6.5’ bed (157” WB), 3.5L twin turbo EcoBoost V-6 (HP=375, Torque=470 ft -lbs), 3.31 Rear, 10 sp trans, Trailer tow package, #7050 GVWR package.
As built Payload - #1810 (yellow door sticker)
Max Conventional Trailer Towing: #10,700
Max GCWR: #16,200

Cat Scaled F150: #5,900 (Full Fuel – 36 gal, driver and passenger, loaded for travel)
FT Axle: #3380, Rear Axle: #2520

Cat Scaled (F150 and 2021 Vibe 21BH (hitched w/WD) loaded to travel):
F150 Ft Axle: #3220
F150 rear Axle: #3620
F150 GVW: #6840 (F150 Only #5900)
F150 Tongue Weight: #940 (Calc) - (measured my Sherline Scale = #940)

2021 Vibe Manufacture Specs (current TT):
Length: 25’ 7”
UVW: #5245
CCC: #2355
GVWR: #7700
Hitch Weight: #636 (12% of UVW)

2021 Vibe as loaded for Travel as Scaled:
Axle(s): #5540
Tongue Weight: #940 (Percentage: 14.5%)
Total Trailer Weight: #6480 **
Total Cargo: #1235 ( #6480 - #5245 [UVW]) *

* Includes 32 gallons of fresh water @8.34 lbs per Gallon – 267lbs
** This weight includes full fresh water and that tank is in front of the axles so accounts for a 14.5% tongue weight.

The heavier tongue weight and the longer WB Truck (157”) opposed to a standard 145” (5.5’ bed) I believe helps make my current setup very stable towing experience.

If I add my current cargo, #1235, to the UWV of the Minnie 2301BHS of #6148 the 2301BHS would weigh about #7383. At #7383 I am only at 69% of My F150’s towing rating (#10,700), and my GCVW at #13,283, is well under my trucks GCWR of, #16,200. So, I know My F150, towing a loaded Minnie 2301BHS, is within it’s towing Specs.

My initial post was not intended to be a ‘Can I Tow ……' question, what I was looking for was real towing experiences of current 2301BHS owners who tow with a similar F150. If I move from my current Vibe 21BH to a Minnie 2301BHS, I would be adding about #1000 to what I am currently towing and 4.2 feet in length. The added #1000 would probably have less effect on towing/handling than the additional 4' 2" in length.

And in my initial post I also asked: “How do you like your 2301BHS? Any complaints about it (floorplan, storage, quality)? How is it only having the Dinette for sitting, no couch?”

Thanks
-Russ