When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Morning all,
Just got back from a desert trip. I had the truck loaded with more than usual but I don't think I was overloaded. I thought that it squatted way too much. The trailer GVW is 8200lbs. We were probably pretty close to that weight. I had about 1200 pounds of gear in the bed...big ice chests, a generator, and tools. The ecoboost pulled great but only got about 7mpg average. Baker grade she started to get hot after we were racing a Tundra....but cooled down and soon as we backed off a little. Just a little concerned because the trucks rated to tow 11,300 and payload is over 1500 lbs. I just thought the suspension would take the load a little better. Considering air bags. What are your thoughts?
You probably saw this one coming, but get some actual weights on a CAT scale before deciding to do anything. You probably want to know how much weight you have on that back axle.
Can't tell from your picture, but assume you are using a WD hitch?
Every pound of tongue weight deducts from your cargo capacity. With 1,200 lbs in the bed that leaves only 300 lbs for tongue weight. I think you exceeded your capacity. A common trick to avoid that is to load into the trailer the stuff you would normally put in the bed, assuming you don't exceed the trailer's GVWR.
You were overloaded...period. 1200 lbs in the bed (out of 1500 lbs available payload) leaves you with approx. 300 lbs of available payload. Then you have a trailer that weighs in the 8000 lbs range hooked up to the truck. Even at the very minimum of 10% of the trailer weight as tongue weight, that is adding on another 820 lbs to the already 1200 lbs in the bed. That easily puts you over 2000 lbs on a 1500 lb payload truck. And if your tongue weight was a higher percentage, which they typically are, you might be 1200 lbs plus another 1000 lbs or so (roughly 12% tongue weight). So, now you are at 2200 lbs on a 1500 lb payload truck. Yes, you were clearly overloaded.....and remember, airbags do NOTHING to change the payload capacity of the vehicle. They are made to help level a truck and help with squatting, but they don't change the overloaded condition that you have.
Then, there is the RAWR....Rear Axle Weight Rating. Do you know what that is rated for? It's possible that you were overloaded on that too. It's definitely time to get across a scale and see exactly what you have there and then make some decisions on the truck trailer combo.
When I went shopping a couple years ago for a truck to tow my RV, I was looking at an F-150 EB because of the towing capacity. I am really glad I went with a 3/4 ton truck instead. That is simply way too much weight for an F-150. I know what it's rated for and I don't care - that is simply too much for a 1/2 ton truck.
IMO you are never going to be happy with the towing performance (or the gas mileage) of that truck. Get an F-250 or get a smaller trailer and keep less in the bed.
While I tend to be of the persuasion that favors larger trucks for towing, there are literally hundreds of folks towing as much or more weight than the OP with the same trucks. I am not sure how a 6.2 3/4 ton would do on mileage with that trailer, but I am sure the gain in mileage would never pay for a new truck.
Here's the thing. The OP did not complain about handling and he really didn't complain about mileage, just noted it was not great as all of us with gassers well know, if we tow. So if he is not over his ratings and his only complaint is squat, air bags or maybe nothing at all would meet his needs. Especially if towing for him is just a once in a while thing.
The CAT numbers would tell us about the tires and axle and if he is satisfied with handling, the rest is just preference IMHO.
While I tend to be of the persuasion that favors larger trucks for towing, there are literally hundreds of folks towing as much or more weight than the OP with the same trucks. I am not sure how a 6.2 3/4 ton would do on mileage with that trailer, but I am sure the gain in mileage would never pay for a new truck.
Here's the thing. The OP did not complain about handling and he really didn't complain about mileage, just noted it was not great as all of us with gassers well know, if we tow. So if he is not over his ratings and his only complaint is squat, air bags or maybe nothing at all would meet his needs. Especially if towing for him is just a once in a while thing.
The CAT numbers would tell us about the tires and axle and if he is satisfied with handling, the rest is just preference IMHO.
Steve
How could he NOT be overloaded? He already stated that the payload was right at 1500 lbs. He put approx. 1200 lbs in the bed of the truck, then hooked up a 8000-8200 lb trailer. As I stated, even at 10% tongue weight (which is minimal) he over 2000 lbs on a 1500 lb payload truck. There's no guessing about this........He's overloaded!
I understand what you are saying, but the proof for me and hopefully for the OP will be actual numbers. I am not trying to argue for or against, but what I have observed in this type of thread is a good many posts, but no hard numbers and I am trying to move away from what seems to me to be a pattern in posts regarding weight with lots of discussion with varying opinions.
The OP does not in fact know either his payload or how much is in the bed of the truck. He is guesstimating. A CAT scale provides those values and yes, you may be right on the money, but what if he is off? That is all I am saying.
I think the starting point for all discussions regarding weight are ideally based on real world numbers because, as you suggest, being overweight is either yes you are or no you are not. What someone wants to do with that information is theirs to decide or for lots of folks to post, but let's get the facts out in the open so we can all stew about them.
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
