The Perfect Half-Ton for Travel Trailers

7 great innovations of the 2021 F-150 that can improve your RV experiences.

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Words by Perry Mack

Most new half-ton trucks usually sport some extra towing and payload capacity to entice RVers into buying them for their RV adventure needs. But it’s rare when a new truck is revealed and it begs to tow an RV off to new destinations – the new 2021 F-150 is that truck. Here is the countdown through the top seven features that make this truck the new benchmark for RVers.

#7 More Useful Cab Storage

Ford has tricked-out the F-150 with storage space in the glovebox with extra storage in the centre console and door panels. Most importantly is the new lockable storage under the rear seat, without giving up the flat loading space.

In a stroke of brilliance, the engineers at Ford allowed the shifter fold out of the way. A folding worktable then opens so you can get to work on your laptop, or use it to eat your take-out. It may sound like an extra complicated way of getting a usable flat service but it does mean we get to keep our traditional shifter without having to switch to a button or dial shifter, which is the new normal in other trucks.

#6 Great Software

An innovative appointment for RVers is Trailer Reverse Guidance, which switches the dash touchscreen to a reverse camera view to clearly indicate where your trailer is headed. Folks who don’t tow very often will make use of Pro Trailer Backup Assist, a dial on the dash to intuitively change trailer direction – turn the knob to the right and the trailer goes right, turn it to the left and the trailer goes left.

A new class-exclusive feature is a hands-free driver-assist, which lets you relax your arms and legs on long drives. While some of us are still leery of any sort of technology that encourages semi-autonomous driving, Ford has taken a cautious approach. First of all, it only works on divided highways – roughly 161,000 km (100,000 mi) in Canada and the U.S. – reducing the risk of a head-on collision. The cautious part is it uses an infrared camera focused on the driver’s face, which monitors head position and eye gaze. It can work even while wearing sunglasses or a mask and drivers will be notified by prompts on the instrument cluster when they need to pay closer attention or resume control of the truck.

Software that you can see and feel comes in the form of Ford’s new Sync 4. I can see some of your eyes glaze over and I can’t blame you, but some of the changes will make features you use, easier to use. We like the new voice recognition software, which will do a much better job of figuring out what we are saying and get it done – things like hands-free voice control for answering the phone, changing music and more.

Another big thing for us is an improved navigation system. Most vehicle navigation systems finish a poor second to Google maps, but Ford says their new system will have real time traffic, construction and road conditions along with enhanced Points of Interest information like hours of operation, user reviews, real time fuel pricing and real time weather. We’re looking forward to seeing it in action.

The Ford Pass app has been enhanced again. Using the power of our phones, we can remote start, lock-unlock doors, adjust climate controls, locate where you parked your truck, control your zone lighting, do a trailer light check, know if your trailer is being stolen, collect Ford Pass reward points, get peace of mind with 911 assist (automatically alerts emergency responders in the event of a crash), and a lot more. It’s complimentary on select model years, which is one less monthly subscription fee in our lives.

#5 More Aerodynamic

Although it’s only a three percent improvement, this is the most aerodynamic F-150 with active grille shutters, which automatically close at cruising speed. Ford has also implemented an active air dam; we like it because it will retract 100 percent for off-road terrain like pulling or backing into a rough site. This will probably be the only air dam we haven’t torn off on back roads. It automatically drops ¾” for slow cruising and fully deploys at 60 kph (40mph) for better fuel economy.

#4 First-Class Flight

Sometimes we need a catnap on route to a destination. If your RV has slides, there’s a good chance you can’t easily reach your bed. Here’s a feature we love – driver and passenger seats that fold flat like first-class seats on a transatlantic flight. Tired and need a 15-minute break? No problem. Just recline 180 degrees and get some shut-eye. Your passenger gets the same first-class treatment, which is especially helpful if that person is also your co-pilot.

#3 The Best Tailgate in the Industry for RVing

A lot of folks use their tailgates as work benches while camping and with this in mind Ford has made them even better. There is an integrated ruler, cup and pen holders, even a spot to hold your mobile device. C-clamp pockets are now built into the top of the tailgate so you can secure material for cutting and drilling, and there are additional cleats in the gate to use as tie downs as well as bottle openers [pop, ahh]. The C-clamp pockets are a clever idea and will be useful for campsite or trailside work or repairs.

#2 Pro Power Onboard

Ford has added a fully-integrated portable generator called Pro Power Onboard. Purchasing a generator is an added expense in an RV. Depending on the RV, it may not have space allocated, which means you have to haul it into the truck bed and carry some extra fuel as well.

With Pro Power Onboard, the generator is built into the truck and doesn’t take up space in the bed, which is especially handy when you already have a full load of gear. Ford offers three generators providing 2 to 7.2 Kw of power. You decide if you need enough to power lights, music and a mini fridge for a tailgate party, or enough for a small crew to frame a house.

We like that it is available across all trim levels – so you don’t have to shell out cash in an upper trim that has features you don’t need in order to get the generator. But you don’t get something for nothing, and aside from the cost which we don’t know yet, the generator will add weight, which will reduce your payload capacity.

The 2.0 kW generator is available on the 2.7 L and 3.5 L EcoBoost as well as the 5.0 L V8. The 2.4kW is standard with all PowerBoost hybrid trucks with the 7.2 kW generator being the optional upgrade. Pro Power Onboard is not available with the 3.3 L base gas engine nor the 3.0 L Power Stroke diesel.

#1 A Hybrid Engine

The new kid on the block is the 3.5 L PowerBoost V6 hybrid, which is available on all SuperCrew models from the XL trim level and up. Ford says it’s their 4th generation hybrid technology optimized for truck customers. It’s the 3.5 L twin Turbo EcoBoost V6 engine, a 35-kW (47 hp) electric motor integrated into a 10-speed transmission, and a compact 1.5 kWh liquid cooled lithium ion battery. The battery is tucked under the load floor between the frame rails so Ford says PowerBoost equipped trucks will have the same cabin and cargo space as all the other SuperCrew trucks. No word yet if this will affect mounting a 5th wheel or gooseneck.

The system uses the 35kW electric motor and regenerative braking energy capture to recharge the battery. While Ford isn’t telling us exactly what the torque and horsepower numbers are, they promise they are targeted to be the highest of any light duty truck. Now, the 2020 3.5 L EcoBoost cranks out 280 kW (375 hp) and 637 Nm (470 lb ft) of torque. Best in class could mean more ponies and twist unless, like the Ram 1500, the hybrid system doesn’t add the extra jam at the top end but instead provides a boost through the same range. This is still good news as it will improve acceleration when towing and carrying a heavy payload.

They also say the PowerBoost will have a minimum of 5443 kg (12,000 lb) max tow. As good as this is, the 2020 F-150 XL SuperCrew in a 4x2 with the 3.5L EcoBoost and a max tow package is able to drag almost 6,000 kg (13,200 lb), so a 5443 kg max tow estimate seems a little light. We will be happy with 5443 kg but are excited to see what the final numbers will be.

Ford also hasn’t revealed the fuel economy numbers for the Power Boost, but they have said it should get over 1125 km (700 mi) on a single tank. Since the tank size is 115.8 L (30.6 gal), we’re looking at a fuel economy rating of better than 10.3 L/100 km (22.9 mpg) – probably in a 4x2 on the highway. Since the current 2020 4x2 3.5 L gets 9.4 L/100km (25 mpg) on the highway, we’re looking at comparable but not outstanding numbers, unless the hybrid can get closer to 1300 km (800 mi) per tank. The upside is that the extra torque and horsepower in the hybrid Power Boost should improve the fuel economy over the existing 3.5L EcoBoost while towing. Official EPA numbers are coming later this year.

At the end of the day, the 2021 F-150 has some terrific new features to make the cab a more comfortable, secure and better place to travel, while the improvements in the tailgate and the addition of an onboard generator can make playing from the business end of the truck a lot more fun and productive. Driver-assist features have come up a couple of notches and are now included across the line making the affordable trims a better value than the 2020 F-150.

The new 2021 Ford F-150 will be rolling into driveways in the fall of 2020. What new features can you see yourself using, and what’s your take on hands free driver-assist – good or bad?

Watch the video of the full review here - https://youtu.be/126qBjvK90E