Hello and Help Please with towing
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Hello and Help Please with towing
I am new to this Forum and new to the world of towing a travel trailer. I am asking help in understanding what I can safely tow. I purchased a 2017 F-150, 5.0L, axle code 27, GVWR of 6800, cargo limit of 2133. I purchased it thinking the 5.0L would be best in towing a travel trailer and now understand there is a lot more I should have considered. The used car dealer did not know about towing either. I don't blame him since I should have better understood all factors.
And now my confusion starts. When I look up towing guides I find different numbers? They range from GCWR of 12000 to 5000. My Hitch says "weight distributing 11000, tongue 1100 but weight carrying of 5000 tongue 5000. To add to my confusion, I see another number that says tow limit is 9100? These numbers seem to contradict each other.
So, as you can see I need help! This truck has a back-up assist, factory installed brake controller, tow haul button, but no tow mirrors so I am not sure if it has a tow package. I surely would appreciate any help knowing what I can safely tow. Thanks for any thing you can teach me. .
And now my confusion starts. When I look up towing guides I find different numbers? They range from GCWR of 12000 to 5000. My Hitch says "weight distributing 11000, tongue 1100 but weight carrying of 5000 tongue 5000. To add to my confusion, I see another number that says tow limit is 9100? These numbers seem to contradict each other.
So, as you can see I need help! This truck has a back-up assist, factory installed brake controller, tow haul button, but no tow mirrors so I am not sure if it has a tow package. I surely would appreciate any help knowing what I can safely tow. Thanks for any thing you can teach me. .
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,698
Likes: 12,824
From: Wyoming
Look at the sticker on the driver's door frame. The cargo capacity number is likely to be your primary limiting factor. Also, there should be a GVWR. That number may help you locate your specific truck in the charts you're looking at. Cargo capacity = GVWR - the weight of the truck.
The two different weights on the hitch indicate what you can tow with the weigh distributing hitch in use and what you can tow when not using a WDH. Also, just because the hitch says X capacity doesn't mean that your truck is actually capable of that amount.
The two different weights on the hitch indicate what you can tow with the weigh distributing hitch in use and what you can tow when not using a WDH. Also, just because the hitch says X capacity doesn't mean that your truck is actually capable of that amount.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Get your truck weighed, preferably with full fuel, family, a little cargo. Subtract that from 6800#. Divide that number by .15 to figure your max (gross) trailer weight. That number is found on a sticker on the left front corner of every travel trailer. Do not use advertised light weight or tongue weight. Dealers use that to sell you too big a RV.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
You will probably be able to do that. My truck: 7k gross, 5800 curb (including hitch). 1200# remaining for tongue weight and camping cargo. My trailer is 8k, 1120# on the tongue so with a bike and bbq in the truck bed I’m maxed.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 50
From: Mesa
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 373
Look at your door sticker for GVWR and subtract the actual weight of your truck to calculate payload.
I don't know where the "divide by 0.15" came from and payload rating may or may not be your limiting factor for towing. I'd use the link provided to determine tow rating.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
The tongue weight of a loaded travel trailer is close to 15% of its gross. Dividing a trucks remaining payload capacity by .15 will tell a person how heavy of a trailer the truck can safely take on.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 373
Okay, I see what you mean though payload and tow capacity are not related. You want to be aware and mindful of both but you cannot draw a relationship between the two. Payload is based on things like tires, axle capacity, and springs. Tow rating is based on things like engine, tranny, and gear ratio. For instance, two other wise identical trucks with a different gear ratio will likely have the same payload and yet have noticeably different tow ratings.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
65Ford, as suggested I reviewed your link. I found the following info and have a question if you have time. My truck has a 5.0L, 3.31 Axle, Super Crew at 145 wheel base. It shows GCVW 13000 and Maximum Trailer of 7900. Next to 7900 is a note (8) meaning special edition package.
Not sure about the special edition package but would you take this as the maximum trailer I can get GVWR 7900 and GCWR of 13000? My truck GVWR is 6800. Tire sticker shows 2133 as max for passengers and stuff.
The trailer sticker I am hoping for says GVWR is 6500. I have a tuff time reconciling these numbers. And then comes some with a 80% rule.
Your opinion would be great. Thanks again.
Not sure about the special edition package but would you take this as the maximum trailer I can get GVWR 7900 and GCWR of 13000? My truck GVWR is 6800. Tire sticker shows 2133 as max for passengers and stuff.
The trailer sticker I am hoping for says GVWR is 6500. I have a tuff time reconciling these numbers. And then comes some with a 80% rule.
Your opinion would be great. Thanks again.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
Without getting into a debate about whether a 5.0 L engine can pull 7900 pounds for any length of time, the easiest way to start is by comparing cargo capacity of the truck to tongue weight of the (loaded) camper. The sticker on the driver's door shows 2133 as the cargo capacity of your truck (with a 150 pound driver and half a tank of fuel).
If you have a camper that is 6500 pounds fully loaded, then you can expect a tongue weight of about 975 pounds on average. Your truck's CCC of 2133 minus the 975 of the trailer's tongue weight leaves you 1158 pounds of cargo carrying capacity. That's fuel, coolers, food, clothes, kids, dogs, wives, girlfriends, a weight distribution hitch (you need one) and however much you might weigh over 150 pounds. If all of that adds up to less than 1158 pounds, then you are in good shape - the lower, the better.
If you have a camper that is 6500 pounds fully loaded, then you can expect a tongue weight of about 975 pounds on average. Your truck's CCC of 2133 minus the 975 of the trailer's tongue weight leaves you 1158 pounds of cargo carrying capacity. That's fuel, coolers, food, clothes, kids, dogs, wives, girlfriends, a weight distribution hitch (you need one) and however much you might weigh over 150 pounds. If all of that adds up to less than 1158 pounds, then you are in good shape - the lower, the better.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
WRVON, my wife and x wives don't get along. My wife and girlfriends don't get along either so I should be able to save weight there...LOL, Thank you for your response. I now understand why most responses are suggesting to have my truck weighted. Also how the 15% trailer weight figures into the tongue calculation. Thank you again.