Sharing - Towing Capacity Calculation
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Sharing - Towing Capacity Calculation
There's a lot more to understanding what your truck can safely tow than "towing capacity". Sales staff don't often understand the entire picture. Many salespeople don't even tow. Clearly, one can take a very simplistic approach: "Does it work?" And maybe it does. But to do so safely, to be able to STOP and to be sure your insurance company would cover you should an accident occur... you need to dig deeper. Some background on why this needs to be considered
I found this video helped me a lot when trying to figure out about the complexities involved.
.
Additionally, there is a BLOG for the video with the discussed spreadsheet that can be used to simplify the calculations involved..
To help out filling the spreadsheet, some numbers for 2020 Ford Trucks from the recent brochures are listed below (you should enter your specific numbers to be sure). More details/years can be found at the Ford fleet towing guide page.
F250 SWD 6.7
Curb Weight 7,538
GVWR 10,800
GCVWR 23,500
Payload 3,040
Towing Capacity 20,000
F350 SWD 6.7
Curb Weight 7,732
GVWR 11,500
GCVWR 30,000
Payload 4,420
Towing Capacity 22,000
F350 DWD 6.7
Curb Weight 8,133
GVWR 14,000
GCVWR 43,400
Payload 6,530
Towing Capacity 31,300
F450 DWD 6.7
Curb Weight 8,587
GVWR 14,000
GCVWR 43,500
Payload 5,320
Towing Capacity 32,600
.
Please note that all of these numbers are approximate and may not match your specific vehicle. Payload is impacted by options and installed tires. Towing capacity is impacted by type - bumper, 5th wheel, gooseneck - engine, transmission and gear ratios. Hitch capacities may also impose additional limits. Guidance I've read always recommend you leave extra capacity for safety.
Another area that can impact towing safety is the contents you place in your truck and trailer and WHERE you load it. Weighing your truck and trailer at a truck scale provides important information about axle loading and combined vehicle weights. Load your truck as you normally would, including passengers, full with fuel. Load your trailer as you normally would. It is recommended that you take 2 passes through the scale: first, with just the truck. second, with the truck and trailer. (reweighs on the same day are very inexpensive) Doing 2 passes provides valuable information about actual tongue weight applied by the trailer as well as trailer weight.
I hope you find this information helpful as you attempt to unravel this often confusing topic.
I found this video helped me a lot when trying to figure out about the complexities involved.
Additionally, there is a BLOG for the video with the discussed spreadsheet that can be used to simplify the calculations involved..
To help out filling the spreadsheet, some numbers for 2020 Ford Trucks from the recent brochures are listed below (you should enter your specific numbers to be sure). More details/years can be found at the Ford fleet towing guide page.
F250 SWD 6.7
Curb Weight 7,538
GVWR 10,800
GCVWR 23,500
Payload 3,040
Towing Capacity 20,000
F350 SWD 6.7
Curb Weight 7,732
GVWR 11,500
GCVWR 30,000
Payload 4,420
Towing Capacity 22,000
F350 DWD 6.7
Curb Weight 8,133
GVWR 14,000
GCVWR 43,400
Payload 6,530
Towing Capacity 31,300
F450 DWD 6.7
Curb Weight 8,587
GVWR 14,000
GCVWR 43,500
Payload 5,320
Towing Capacity 32,600
Please note that all of these numbers are approximate and may not match your specific vehicle. Payload is impacted by options and installed tires. Towing capacity is impacted by type - bumper, 5th wheel, gooseneck - engine, transmission and gear ratios. Hitch capacities may also impose additional limits. Guidance I've read always recommend you leave extra capacity for safety.
Another area that can impact towing safety is the contents you place in your truck and trailer and WHERE you load it. Weighing your truck and trailer at a truck scale provides important information about axle loading and combined vehicle weights. Load your truck as you normally would, including passengers, full with fuel. Load your trailer as you normally would. It is recommended that you take 2 passes through the scale: first, with just the truck. second, with the truck and trailer. (reweighs on the same day are very inexpensive) Doing 2 passes provides valuable information about actual tongue weight applied by the trailer as well as trailer weight.
I hope you find this information helpful as you attempt to unravel this often confusing topic.
Last edited by ttechnology; Mar 19, 2020 at 08:41 AM. Reason: added a video with background
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