Thinking of Purchasing Raptor Questions - Height / Towing / Bike Hitch Rack

[Scott Phillips]

I forgot to mention that I am interested in the SCREW as it will need to be used to haul kids in car seats and I like/need the extra tow rating at 8000 pounds and the Octane 222 GVRW is 8000 pounds. That seems like it should work, but although growing up on a farm I'm not too well versed in tow ratings. (We have always just had multiple F-250 and F-350's to use so it was a non-issue or we just didn't care on country roads).

I think my biggest problem now is the stupid shark fin on the 2019 that appears to stick up super high. If I can't get dimensions to the top of the fin then I guess I need to test drive one and see if it will fit in my garage. I wonder what kind of hacks there are to decrease the fin height. As I understand it, the large fin is used when the truck has it's own dataplan and makes it's own hotspot. Something that I don't care about as using my phone with unlimited data and can hotspot itself is good enough for me.

Motoman, thanks for showing your two setups and I like both of those for their respective purposes. I really like my 1up rack and have the single along with 2 extensions for 3 bikes and I have no reason to change. Putting a single 1up on a truck along with a bike is less than 5 minutes all locked and loaded. I am thinking that if I am taking more than 3 bikes, then it is toy hauler and camping time.

 

[tuffdoll]

I am in the market for a truck and my first choice is the 2019 Raptor, but I want to make sure that it will be a relatively reasonable choice.

I have an extra long garage bay so length is not a problem. My garage width is at 106 inches wide and I have looked up that Raptor width including mirrors is 97 inches so it is tight, but it should work. However on height my bay is 82 inches tall and according to the spec of the Raptor it is 78.5 inches tall. Is this 78.5 inches to the top of the roof or to the top of the roof antenna fin thing? I intend that on test drive that I drive it into the garage and see how it fits, but this may be a non-starter for me if I know it won't fit and I can write the Raptor off the list.

The reason why I am getting a truck is because my wife and I are wanting to get a small travel trailer to go mountain biking, hiking, etc. and we do not have a truck to pull it and we are due for a new vehicle anyways. I know that the Raptor is not the best suited for towing, but the intended size of the travel trailer is fairly small as I would prefer a smaller trailer than larger as we intend to spend the majority of the time outside and only use it for sleeping, showering, and food prep. My guess is that we would take less than 5 trips a year with our two kids and dog. I like the idea of getting a small toy hauler to put bikes in and possibly a 4 person side by side in the future. A couple that have caught my eye are the Forest River Grey Wolf 25RRT at 690 pounds hitch weight and 5103 pounds UVW and the Jayco Octane Super Lite 222 at 795 pounds hitch weight and 5450 pounds UVW. I know this is all on the edge of what the Raptor is specified for, but I wonder if the toy hauler gets loaded in the back and with a weight distribution hitch it will pull fine. I have read that toy haulers pull better when loaded up as the tongue weight is not as high. I have seen a couple forums of people pulling toy haulers with Raptors, but just wanting some extra feed back in case I am missing something. If someone has a toy hauler model that they think is perfectly suited for the Raptor, then I am all ears.

My third question is that I have a 1-Up hitch mount bike rack that I intend to keep and use. I have seen where most people put bikes in the bed, hang on the tailgate, or mount on the sides. I saw one Raptor forum where someone had their 1-up hitch mount bike rack on a Raptor but they never came back to discuss exhaust heat. How has everyone dealt with exhaust hitting the rack or bike wheels? Is this problematic? One of my bikes have carbon fiber wheels and I have read of carbon fiber wheels delaminating due to exhaust heat. Do most people just change to side exhaust? I guess I can get a hitch extender that raises or drops instead.

Sorry for the rambling and thanks in advance!

I have a 2010 raptor , have had it for almost 4 years now. I've pulled a 16' flatbed with 4 wheelers on it, a 21 foot camper and a tritoon. They all pulled great with no issues. I have however installed airbags on it and look forward to seeing how it pulls this summer with the airbags.i love my raptor and it has done anything ive asked it to do easily. It has 162,000 miles on it now and it's awesome!!!

 

[noleraptor]

OP...for a trailer take a look at the Taxa products. They are lightweight, made for off-road, and durable. I had a Airstream Basecamp on order and switched to a Taxa Cricket (1,500 lbs) once I saw it in person. It’s just me and my wife, but depending on how big your kids are the Mantis may be better for you. Their stuff is really cool, but the dealer network is small. Here’s mine hooked up to the Raptor. The roof pops up from one end to allow you to stand while at camp, the Mantis does the same.

 

[noleraptor]

Also, my garage at work is exactly 82 inches and I have no clearance issues. Mine is a 2018 so my antenna is a different shape, but I don’t think it is that much of a height difference.

 

[Slow6]

It will pull fine just make sure you get a decent weight distribution hitch with sway control. I would recommend getting some after market rear springs also. I’m waiting on a set from Icon, but a lot of people run Deaver. I pulled my enclosed trailer a few times with my side by side (7500lbs) and even with a weight distribution hitch and super sumo bump stop replacement the rear springs are weak from the factory.

Bike carrier I have the American Truck cover set up that has Yakima rails to carry bikes above the bed.
http://www.truckcoversusa.com/american-rack-system/


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[Raptorrunner2019]

I was worried about garage clearance too... it was tight with my previous f150. i measured it and made the purchase. Take a tape measure with you if you are really worried. I have a 2019.

 

[Scott Phillips]

You wouldn't happen to measure to the top of the fin on your 2019 would you raptorrunner? If so, I would send positive vibes your way.

 

[bfr]

Gen2 trucks sag a lot in the rear even with light load in bed or on hitch. As others have said, you'll probably want to get Deaver or Icon leaf springs at a minimum. Member GM3SF just moved on from his Airstream but his solution has a ton of appeal. https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/finally-got-a-true-removable-towing-solution-see-pics.58963/

 

[Elite Marine]

Any answer on the shark fin antenna? Same situation here!

 

[MnFlyer]

My 2019 with the shark fin antenna fits in my 84” garage door no problem.


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