2014 Ford F-150 STX Super Cab 6.5 bed 4x4 5.0 V8 3.55 gears Auto trans.

Specs say max tow capacity 7800#
Out of the 3 trailers I am interested in, dry weight composite is 6000#
Tankage, propane, battery and my full time RV gear will run that up.
All 3 are right around 30' length (including hitch) (26/28' box length)

I don't feel this F-150 is up to the job of towing the above trailers out west where 99% of the towing will take place.

I am not a mechanic but it seems reasonable that pulling and stopping that weight is going to take a toll on the F-150 driveline components over and above a F250 with a larger V-8. Not to mention safety concerns for me and you.

What say you?

 

I think you're right. It's probably time to step up into a pickup with higher capacities.

 

Yes, time for upgrade of truck. or smaller/lighter trailer.

3:55 are not great.
5.0 does not help.

and so you know... many trailer advertised trailer weight is not TRUE. its advertising.

my trailer is 800 pounds more then both weight tags on trailer... completely Empty.
7,500 tagged,, 8,300 Real.


Keep investigating.....

 

It's that 2nd story on your trailer that has all the weight!


Oh wait.....


nevermind

 

As part of my continuing "investigation"....and learning curve, if a truck is rated at let's say 7800# max.......what would your (or anyone) opinions on the max weight of a trailer?

I am averse to pushing the limits.

On edit.......can I ask you how the performance is with the 6.2 V-8, relative to pulling your listed rig?

 

this past winter...
Truck with 1,500 pounds in truck bed AND loaded trailer... was a total of 17,000 pounds. scaled 20 miles from home.

pulled it from N.E.Ohio to South Carolina shore.. WV hills and all. no issue and did fine.. averaged 9 mpg.. and as my sig shows. that is with 140,000 miles.

as for limits.. I like 2,000 minimum... personal preference .

my truck
tow limit is 12,500.
rear axle limit is 4,100.

the "XL" when equipped correctly can tow and carry the most.. NO 4x4 or extra bling.

 

If you are adverse to pushing the limit, then you probably need a bigger truck for just about anything but the smallest travel trailer.

Mu train of thought is that the limits are solid suggestions. Ford does test these trucks on mountain grades when establishing the towing limit, so to me that is factored into the number.

Some of it is marketing also. Explain to me why the towing limit went down from the 5.4 to the 5.0. The latter makes much more power and everything else is the same. The reason is that the ecoboost is their flagship and the upper limit of towing is dictated by factors other than the engine. But you can't have the same towing limit for the 5.0, 3.5 and 6.2... Market analysis dictates that the latter two must tow more or selling them is impossible. In 2010 the 5.4 with max tow was rates within a stones throw of what the 3.5 and 6.2 were rated one year later. Why? Because in 2010 ford had nothing better to offer.

Sounds like you have two basic options.
1: Get the camper you like and upgrade your truck
2: Keep your truck and find a camper that falls within you towing and comfort limits.

I'm inclined to think you would loose less upgrading campers later than you would upgrading your truck now. But thats a personal decision.

I passed up a lot of nice campers at great prices simply because they were too much for my expedition.

 

If it is rated for 7800, then max trailer of 7800.

 

Whatever the payload of your truck, be sure to deduct the weight of you, passengers, gear and fuel. Then you'll know what your maximum tongue weight can be. Most trucks will run out of payload capacity long before they run out of towing capacity.

 

Agree^^. Start with payload of tow vehicle and work backwards. When calculating use GTWR not dry weight. Assume minimum of 13% of GTWR in tongue weight.

 

To the original question, my vote is to stay within 80% of the manufacturer's stated towing capacity. As noted, stuff in the truck will count toward the total loaded weight. And agree with the comment that stated towing capacity is possibly marketing driven as I do not understand why on many light trucks (especially gassers) it is the rear gear ratio that drives the tow rating and not other factors like the tranny, suspension and brakes. But I am not an engineer nor will my thoughts about tow ratings stand-up in court . . .


Am with meborder, Chuck, and agree with the original intent of the question: it is time to decide on smaller trailers or stepping up the tow vehicle. A 1/2 ton is probably capable of pulling a ~6K# trailer, but you will end up much happier with a 3/4 ton suspension.

One thing not mentioned is what suspension is in the F-150. From what I understand (and am not the best expert), it is possible to effectively get a 3/4 ton suspension in that generation F-150 (depending on what options it had).


In terms of braking, the trailer should not really make all that much of a difference to the tow vehicle's brakes given that the trailer has its own brakes. Even with trailer brakes, planning for losing them is always a good thing as it will happen.