So I recently got a new lariat f150 diesel and what claimed to have the tow capacity. However when I went to buy the trailer today they said online was only reading my capacity was only 7500 lbs. I have the tow package with the 355 rear. Why would this claim I only have 7500 when they claim over 10k capacity? Am I missing something, what additional features do I need?

 

The advertised towing capacity is a worthless and essentially meaningless number. Look up or google towing calculators. There are a number of them available for free on the web.

To use the towing calculators you will need the placarded information that is affixed to the truck in the drivers door. This has your GVWR, payload, axle limits etc. you will need this data. Your manual will have the GCVWR. Then go weight your truck with full fuel, passengers and what you normally carry. Subtract the weight scale reading from the placarded GVWR, that will be your true payload. For a very rough estimate divide that payload by about 13% or 0.13 this will give a very rough approximation of the weight you can probably tow. Don't forget to add the wt. of an anti sway / equalizer hitch, this will reduce your payload maybe by another 100 Lbs. Quite probably the limiting factor will be payload capacity but don't forget to check your axle weights.

Unfortunately this is not a simple straightforward concept. Once you get this figured out have fun with setting up the hitch. Hitch set up has significant impact on how your axles are loaded (important for safe towing).

My guess is that towing a trailer over 7,500 Lbs will put you into over weight territory. Your trailer empty / dry wt. should be no more than 5,300 Lbs or less is another guess.

For my truck I avoid pulling more than 6,500 Lbs. but I avoid exceeding the placarded limits and like some margin. I have to be real careful about loading the truck and trailer and weight the whole deal and run through the calculations again every year.

 

Is there any configurations to come close to the stated towing capacity? I know the max tow package is for the Ecoboost but what would I need to actually beef up my capacity? I bought the trailer which I can easily tow but in the future kids will get bigger and will need a bigger trailer. Any information is helpful seeing that everything I find online started the same information

 

Did you get your figure from the trailer dealer or from Ford?

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content...F150_Oct25.pdf

This chart says 10,100-11,300 lbs for a 4x4 crew with a 3.0 diesel with 3.55 gears, depending on your transfer case and other options.

 

It was given to me by the trailer dealer at 7k. But everything I read online says 10k+. I have the 3.55 rear with the 3.0 powerstroke

 

The trailer dealer is wrong.

 

Or the dealer is possibly right, the payload is very low on these diesel trucks and they can't take on much tongue weight. Especially with lariat and above package. The only 3.0 truck that can tow the max rating is a 4x2 supercrew XL which is fleet only.

 

I’m going by the link I posted to the Ford chart. I do understand that payload is the true limiting factor on these trucks, but 7500 is what base trucks are rated for. I think the RV dealer is only looking at the base ratings.

 

Actually, we need more info...

1. What truck to you actually have?? Supercab, crewcab, 4x4, 4x2, etc
2. What trailer are you talking about? cargo, travel, utility, etc

Your restriction, if a travel trailer, could be coming from the frontal surface area of the trailer. Unfortunately, that is in the 7k arena.


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