Tech Specs
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1st Gear
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Tech Specs
Can anyone decipher what these numbers mean in the Tech Specs tab of the VIN Decoder? I am hoping to buy an F150 if it will work for towing our travel trailer (GVWR of 7540 lbs) and my wife's gooseneck horse trailer (GVRW of 7000 lbs). Our current 2011 Sierra pulled the TT to Virginia last fall with some struggles up the hills, but did OK for the most part. We want to take the TT out west as some point, but I don't want to get something that will cause us issues. We currently have a 2002 Silverado 6.2L that we use to pull the gooseneck, but it is getting a bit tired, and she wants to be able to go to some trail riding area down south (TN and KY). I had been looking at F250, but holy crap are they expensive right now, and what is available for what my budget will allow is rusty junk or high mileage.
So what do the underlined numbers mean below? Are they for each engine size, each gear ratio, or the combination? I am pulling the VINs from CarFax and then looking them up, but the VIN Decoder has no explanation for what these mean. Some of the numbers change if I go from the 5.5 bed to the 6.5 bed, or from XLT to Lariat, but I would really like to know so I can be more aware of what I need to look for. I want to have plenty of extra room so that I am not overburdening the truck.
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.10800, 10800, 8900, 8900, 9000, 9000, 7000, 5000 lbs 5000.0 min 11700.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.1080, 1080, 890, 890, 900, 900, 700, 500 lbs 500.0 min 1170.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.10000, 10000, 8800, 8800, 8900, 8900 lbs 7000.0 min 11400.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.2200, 2200, 2225, 2225, 2500, 2500 lbs 1750.0 min 2850.0 max
Maximum Trailering Capacity10800, 10800, 8900, 8900, 9000, 9000, 7000, 5000 lbs 5000.0 min 11700.0 max
Thom Scott
So what do the underlined numbers mean below? Are they for each engine size, each gear ratio, or the combination? I am pulling the VINs from CarFax and then looking them up, but the VIN Decoder has no explanation for what these mean. Some of the numbers change if I go from the 5.5 bed to the 6.5 bed, or from XLT to Lariat, but I would really like to know so I can be more aware of what I need to look for. I want to have plenty of extra room so that I am not overburdening the truck.
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.10800, 10800, 8900, 8900, 9000, 9000, 7000, 5000 lbs 5000.0 min 11700.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.1080, 1080, 890, 890, 900, 900, 700, 500 lbs 500.0 min 1170.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.10000, 10000, 8800, 8800, 8900, 8900 lbs 7000.0 min 11400.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.2200, 2200, 2225, 2225, 2500, 2500 lbs 1750.0 min 2850.0 max
Maximum Trailering Capacity10800, 10800, 8900, 8900, 9000, 9000, 7000, 5000 lbs 5000.0 min 11700.0 max
Thom Scott
Last edited by ThomScott; Jun 25, 2025 at 09:57 PM.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
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Basically, you are finding the uselessness of that VIN decoder.
It’s showing you all the weight options available and that’s it. Nothing more.
I’d recommended just googling up the proper year F150 towing guide for the truck of your choice and you’ll be headed in the right direction.
With a gooseneck and how it affects payload, you may be stuck having to look for the near mythical HDPP package F150. Those are rare and an F250 may be the better buy for higher altitude towing.
It’s showing you all the weight options available and that’s it. Nothing more.
I’d recommended just googling up the proper year F150 towing guide for the truck of your choice and you’ll be headed in the right direction.
With a gooseneck and how it affects payload, you may be stuck having to look for the near mythical HDPP package F150. Those are rare and an F250 may be the better buy for higher altitude towing.
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