Trying to make sure I am staying within the towing capacities of my truck but wondering if I'm missing something. I see photos on here all the time of people pulling triple axel TH trailers with trucks similar to mine. I am not judging or saying anyone is doing something wrong by any means. I'm just wondering if I'm not thinking of the weights correctly or not. When I look at bigger toy haulers and see the listed shipping weights (dry) and then factor in water, pro-pane, toys, etc. it seems like the trucks would be way over loaded. I also get a lot of it depends on where people live, flat lands, mountains, distance traveling, etc and I also get our trucks are capable of pulling a lot and you will here the comments, no problem, etc. I just want to make sure I'm within the capabilities of my truck.


Currently

My truck- 2015 F350 SRW, 6.7, CC LB 4x4 with the 355. Fords towing chart for Gooseneck/fifth wheel says I can tow up to a max. of 15,900. (I also have the camper package so not sure if that adds any capacity but assuming not.)

(http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/g..._SuperDuty.pdf)

My TH is a Voltage V3605. Listed shipping weight of 13,831.

If I am understanding it correctly just using the numbers posted I am 2,069 under max. tow

We looked at several new TH yesterday to see whats out there. One fusion we looked at was the 417.
Weights listed are,
Hitch Weight3640 lbs.Ship Weight15150 lbs.GVWR19000 lbs.
Again if I'm thinking of this correctly, I would only have 750# before my truck is maxed out just by using their shipping weight?

 

I think it is a combination of ignorance and or not caring about the door sticker. I did more than I should have with my old 250. That is part of why I actually stopped at a CAT scale for the first time today and came in at 23920. I also see people all the time with bigger behind a saw truck. Have to be over. I know I used to be.

 

Towing capacities are set by the truck manufacturer and even though there are seemingly a lot of people that go anywhere from a little over capacity..to..OMG over capacity, that still doesn't make it the right thing to do, both from a safety and a legal standpoint.
So, a quick lesson in trailer capacities....You stated that your current T.H. is 13,800 lbs, which is an empty trailer weight, as it is shipped from the factory. Your GVWR on the trailer is, according to the trailer spec sheets is approx. 3100 lbs. That puts you at 16,900 lbs....which is approx. 1000 lb over the Ford Towing Guide for 5ver and gooseneck towing..with your truck.

The same trailer spec sheet says that the pin weight of that trailer is 3022 lbs.....and again, that is the empty weight, not what the actual pin weight would be if the trailer was loaded. And let's face it, NO one goes camping with an empty trailer/T.H.

So using the numbers that you have posted (empty weights), that means absolutely nothing and certainly doesn't work for calculating your weight capacities and whether or not you are overloading your truck. In fact, your present trailer has you overweight on towing capacity if you are loaded to the trailer's GVWR.....trailer and max cargo. You are most likely to be overloaded in the payload capacity also. Check the yellow sticker on the driver's side door post and you will see the payload numbers for YOUR truck there. And don't forget that anything and everything (except a 150 lb driver and a full tank of fuel) is deducted from those payload numbers......passenger(s), trailer pin weight, 5ver hitch, tools, pets, kids, firewood.....whatever that is in or on the truck.

So, going to an even heavier T.H. would obviously result in even more of an overloaded condition. And remember, we don't get to pick and choose on the weight capacities....in other words..it NOT OK to be over-capacity in ANY of the capacities....GVWR, GCWR, Payload, Axles (front and rear), Towing, Tires.....

 

most trailer number are not correct. "Empty"

propane tanks (empty or full) house batteries.. even some options... not in the number.

my trailer has 2 tags at 7,500 pounds.. but it weights 8,300 EMPTY..
just one more thing to remember.

also the numbers on the truck.. are the legal (manufactured appointed number).. not engineering numbers..
.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Xrated, had a good laugh at the OMG over weight.

Unfortunately when you just look at the printed numbers and not break it all down I think things can quickly be over looked. I know I did.

Safely and legally are always a concern for me. My family and yours are out there on the too. Unfortunately others aren't so concerned about it.

 

A lot of people hang their hats on towing capacity, when 95 times out of 100 the truck's cargo capacity is exceeded before towing capacity is...especially on 5ers with the pin weight.
We knew we wanted a big TH in the 18-21k GVWR range so went for the dually, found one priced right last year and jumped on it. Then we started the hunt for a 5er TH (we had a bumper pull at the time), found the beast back in April.

 

bkuuz1...
Thanks for keeping everyone safe, as you hint at those that say, "I have the same engine as you and can tow just as much." To which I answer, "I can keep mine on the road and stop it."
Lost the trailer brakes one weekend. Got home, slow (about 5-10 under max.. so 55) and more space ahead for any 'oh cra#', but got there and had enough brakes.

 

BCooke,

I am not judging anyone for what they are towing. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of the trailer weights and towing capacity. I understand that a trailers listed dry weight may or may not be close to the published weights. And to truly know how much your dragging is to weigh the load. I was figuring I wasn't looking at something correctly when I see the photos.

 

You mentioned "List weight", I'll take that as you haven't actually taken your setup to a scale. I suggest you take your TH to a truck scale and actually weigh it. Then you really KNOW what things weigh. We had a saying in the military...ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain. Things add up quickly! Get a Truck (loaded) only weight, then Truck/TH weight, and a loaded TH weight. You can unhook with JUST the front jacks on the scale to get an actual pin weight. Write down what your guesses are then compare that to actual weights. I'm thinking you're going to be surprised at your actual weights!

 

I am registered at 20K for my 5th wheel

 

Personally I like overkill...more truck then the load I'm carrying or pulling.

 

I'm with ya on that one! I've got a Crew Cab Dually with 5270 lbs of payload capacity and I'm pulling a 13K GVWR tow behind with 1360 lbs of tongue weight. I'm certainly ready and able to upgrade trailers if the need/want/desire ever happens. If it doesn't, I've got a rock solid towing vehicle for the T.H.