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Old 11-17-2002, 04:37 AM
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ToddnMiss
ToddnMiss is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Elk Grove USA
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How to calculate Towing figures? Math quiz for you.

Okay, I weighed my F150; completely FULL of gas (overfilled tank and drove less than 300 feet to the scales). Also, I wasn't thinking and drove it through the car-wash before I weighed it, so it was literally Wet (laughter).

Here's the weight:
#5,420 F150/Full tank and car seat (no passengers - I had to get out to see scale)
#3,040 Front Axle
#2,380 Rear Axle

This make my maximum Trailer at #7,100 as my family weighs #470;

#5,420 F150/Car Seat/Full tank of fuel
# 470 Weight of Me/Wife/Boys
# 850 Hitch (12% of 7,100 TT)
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#6,750 Hits the GVWR of the F150
#6,250 Axle weight of TT (#7,100 less the #850 Hitch)
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#13,000 GCWR; right at my limit with 16" wheels


I've found 9 TT's that I like with GVWR's that range from #4,682 to #7,100 and lengths from 28-31.5 feet. Examples:
28' GVWR = 7,000 http://www.kz-rv.com/frontier/frontier_2802p-f.php
30' 9" GVWR= 7,000 http://www.campersfactoryoutlet.com/traillite-8304s.html
31' 6" GVWR= 6,455 http://www.forestriverinc.com/rk/rk_ettt.asp?name=4

I'll probably pick one that is #6,500 or less. In any case, I'll have to carry all my gear in the TT as my F150 will be close to or at the GVWR (even with the #4,682 TT my GVWR would be at #6450 leaving me only #300 of cargo/gear in the truck).

The cool part is that depending on what trailer I pick I can put up to #2,500 of cargo/gear in the TT; this is important since the F150 can't carry much more than the hitch and my family.

Thanks for your help,
Todd, Melissa & the Boys
F150 Lariat Supercrew 4x4 #5,420 wet
5.4L, 3.55LS, 17" wheels
GVWR #6,750; GCWR #12,500
Capible of towing a #7,100TT with #850 of hitch and my family in the cab