I love all the knowledge I have gotten on this forum, but I was looking at the curb weight of a 350 Srw King Ranch 4x4 LB, and by the time you account for people,aux fuel tank,lift,bumpers,etc., It ended up weighing around 9,000 lbs and then counting the 11,500 GVWR that leaves 2,500 for payload. Factoring in 20% tongue weight, that would give me a max trailer weight of 12,500lbs for a truck that is rated to tow 20,000. I feel like the truck would do it fine, but if pulled over by DOT or in an accident (God forbid) would they just look at the GCWR and let me be on my way, or would the pick apart and weigh each axle individually? Reason I ask is with a 30 ft gooseneck that weighs 8,000lbs, that only leaves me with 4,500 lbs on a 1 ton truck, which is quite depressing. Anyone else have this same problem? Opinions?

 

My two cents is that "we" get fixated on the "20,000 (lb.)" number and we then tend to overlook other more important specs such as Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). This is the number that basically says that if you want to tow a maximum weight trailer, then you need to use an XL trim truck with a light-weight driver and a light-weight passenger, no unnecessary options, no additional passengers, friends, or fishing buddies; no accessories, no coolers, no tools, no spare parts, and no cargo.

Or words to that effect. Here are the relevant notes (aka "the fine print") on pages 17 and 23 in the 2017 RV and Trailer Towing Guide:

Alternately, you can load up the truck with options, people, accessories, and stuff, and then tow a lighter trailer. You just can't load up the truck and tow a maximum weight trailer at the same time, according to Ford.

Other important specs that should not be exceeded are the front- and rear Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR).

Using your example above and going by Ford's 15% pin-weight guidance, you could tow a trailer weighing ~16,600 lbs., but you really need to check for compliance with all of the specs, and not just the one that Ford (and the other manufacturers and the media) brag about in a big, bold, eye-catching fonts.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Someone should make an app for this.

 

Ford has. If you talk to someone in the commercial department we have "CVT" Commercial Vehicle Tools. Not only does it let us build and price exact trucks, you can add various types of trailers with different weights and percentages and see what it's actually going to play out on. If you're investing in a new truck close to the specs, it pays to go talk to the commercial department! Though more than not you'll find your truck does a bit less than the commercials imply.

 

It does a fantastic job of hauling my fat *** and some groceries around!

Good to know about the app. Should I ever decide to get a camper, I'll drop by and quiz them.

 

Yep, there is even a slide in camper option if you wanna go more old school (though the modern ones are not exactly old school)

 

Good advice above. With SRW trucks, you'll almost always reach the max on the rear axle/tires before you reach the GCVWR or max tow ratings - especially if you're talking a fifth wheel at 23 - 25% (use 15% of the trailers GVWR for a safe estimated tongue weight for pull-behinds). Any of the modern light trucks (3/4 and 1-ton) - especially if they are diesel - will pull a house off its foundation... you just can't put the weight of the house over the rear axle.

Rob

 

Heres an example of one of the products it makes on a random XLT 350 DRW Diesel I threw together. I made up 6600# for trailer with 2000# weight for all the junk you bring and kept the distribution on defaults.

 

Frantz,

That looks like it's a pretty cool tool! I wasn't aware that it existed, and, while visiting many Ford dealerships and auto shows over the past 20 years, it's certainly not something that a single Ford salesman (salesperson?) ever mentioned to me.

Regards,
Jim / crewzer

 

It would be unusual for anyone but the commercial office to have it. And frankly, most commercial folks are a little older and not all of them embrace technology. But yeah, it's a great tool, and hopefully in time Ford will find a way to lower its "classification"

 

I was looking for payload and looked over the numbers like you did. Bought a 350 DRW (my first), problem solved. Couldn't be happier

 

I think it depends on the trailer and truck accessories your adding to the truck.

My truck which is a loaded out 350 SRW with 20k slider hitch, all my tools, people and fuel weighed in at 8980lbs. That leaves just over 2500lbs for hitch. My trailer hitch weight is around 2300lbs... and when everything is hooked to the truck my overloads are still an inch and a half away from engaging. Here is the thing, my trailer is not small by any means its a 42 ft fifth wheel.

Not all trailers will have a 20% tongue weight, some are as low as 15% it depends how its built and layout.

Now this is what I'm towing, I am over my length limit by around 5-6 ft but gross combined, towing, and payload I am within limits.