Determining max towing capacity
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Determining max towing capacity
I used the VIN lookup on this site but when I check the max trailering wt I get 5 difference numbers for my VIN. How do I know which to use? I will be using a blue-ox WDH to tow a conventional trailer. FWIW the truck is a 2016 F150 XLT super cab with the 5.0L engine.
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt: 10900, 9000, 7200, 8200, 8600 lbs 7200.0 min 11700.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt: 10900, 9000, 7200, 8200, 8600 lbs 7200.0 min 11700.0 max
Last edited by chuckh1958; Sep 28, 2021 at 10:46 AM. Reason: additional details
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
There is NO vin lookup tool that can accurately tell you the tow rating of your truck.
Best bet is to dig into the "ford fleet tow guide" for your specific model year. You'll often need to know the option packages and axle ratio in addition to stuff like engine and wheelbase.
Best bet is to dig into the "ford fleet tow guide" for your specific model year. You'll often need to know the option packages and axle ratio in addition to stuff like engine and wheelbase.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 716
Likes: 336
Should be a sticker in your door jam that list ccc, cargo carrying capacity. A lot of vehicles run out of ccc before they hit max trailer weight. You, passengers, cargo, whd hitch, trailer tongue wieght all count towards your ccc.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Max payload on the sticker is 2011 pounds. I 'm trying to find out why the max trailer weight on the lookup tool shows so many numbers and which one applies to me. Either way I guess I'm ok because even the lowest # is more than my trailer weight will be fully loaded. When I bought the truck (used) from a Ford dealer they told me the max trailer weight was 10,500. I just wanted to double check but I don't see that number anywhere in the list
Bonus question - How is an F150 considered a "half ton" truck when the max payload on the sticker is 2011 pounds? Its been a while since I checked, but last time I looked a ton was 2000 pounds. Are they allowing 1011 pounds for passengers and fuel?
Bonus question - How is an F150 considered a "half ton" truck when the max payload on the sticker is 2011 pounds? Its been a while since I checked, but last time I looked a ton was 2000 pounds. Are they allowing 1011 pounds for passengers and fuel?
Last edited by chuckh1958; Sep 29, 2021 at 07:21 AM. Reason: spelling
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 314
The lookup tool gives you the available ranges for an F150, not only yours. So, there’s nothing overly useful about them.
As for why 1/2-tons have more payload, thank technology. Back in the olden days, that may have been a pretty accurate number with mostly regular cabs running the roads and lesser drivetrains in them, to boot. The designation has just carried over. Seriously, the right 1-ton may have 7,000# or so for a payload rating these days.
As for why 1/2-tons have more payload, thank technology. Back in the olden days, that may have been a pretty accurate number with mostly regular cabs running the roads and lesser drivetrains in them, to boot. The designation has just carried over. Seriously, the right 1-ton may have 7,000# or so for a payload rating these days.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 105
Likes: 14
I have been looking into the legalities of towing lately and some of it is confusing. With that said one thing you had best check on is the stated weight on your registration. I have read that some people purchase a brand new truck and the dealer provides that plates. Then the owner finds out that the truck is registered at a weight that is less than the truck weighs. It could be a citation waiting to happen.
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 18
From: Randolph County NC
Trending Topics
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 385
Likes: 19
It really is a towing guideline. Because not all trailers are designed the same. I will tell you that a really tall RV or box trailer will pull much heavier feeling than a couple pallets of concrete blocks on a flatbed due to wind resistance. Payload, axle rating, hitch rating, weight distribution hitch, are all much more important In determining a safe and legally acceptable trailer and truck combination. Why don’t you tell us what you are trying to pull.? Where do you wanna pull it? What kind of hills? How often?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,334
Likes: 306
From: Mills River
I used the VIN lookup on this site but when I check the max trailering wt I get 5 difference numbers for my VIN. How do I know which to use? I will be using a blue-ox WDH to tow a conventional trailer. FWIW the truck is a 2016 F150 XLT super cab with the 5.0L engine.
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt: 10900, 9000, 7200, 8200, 8600 lbs 7200.0 min 11700.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt: 10900, 9000, 7200, 8200, 8600 lbs 7200.0 min 11700.0 max
Note the max trailer weight specs are for low trim levels, minimal options, a couple of skinny passengers, a lightly loaded truck, and ideal operations conditions. Increasing the trim level, adding options, realistic adult passenger size and count, heavily loading the truck, and operating under less conditions (i.e., at high elevation) reduces the maximum trailer weight specs.
https://www.fleet.ford.com/content/d...VTTowGuide.pdf
HTH,
Jim / crewzer
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 233
To make things worse, there are all kinds of weight ratings you "should" look at beside the max towing. Your truck and trailer tires and axles have individual weight ratings as well. Then you have GVWR and GCWR which will be less than the truck and trailer ratings. For instance, my F250 has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs and a max tow rating of 12,500 lbs for a total of 22,500 lbs. But the actual GCWR is 19,500 lbs. Then you have the hitch rating with and without WDH. Look up videos on YouTube for how to weight at a CAT scale. You take 3 passes over the scales to get the full picture.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tjanderson60
2015 + Expedition & Navigator
7
Oct 29, 2020 09:43 PM