Alright, one last question. Why is it that Ford feels it is safe to tow more weight with the F-150 than with the F-250 Super Duty which has stronger axles, frame, springs and better brakes?

 

Evidently the F-150 is more capable of the F-250 that is rated lower than 9,900.

 

The F-250 has not been updated yet. It's updates will be coming in the fall.

 

That doesn't answer the question. The current F-250 has a stronger frame, springs and everything else critical to tow ratings than the current F-150. Regardless of whether or not the Super Duty has been updated, how can Ford justify giving a "weaker" truck a higher tow rating?

 

It could also be part of a strategic plan to hold the updated stuff til the fall, somethings just dont make sense and they never will. The one with the most money wins.

 

The F-150 HAS been proven to handle this weight. The frame and structure of the Truck can withstand a GCWR of 11,500-15,300. This depends mainly on the wheel base, axle ratio, and of course engine.

So as not to confuse anyone the GCWR is the Gross Combination Weight Rating. This is the total weight of the truck + the trailer and other equipment. This is the TOTAL weight that the truck can handle SAFELY. I emphasis on safely as to show that Ford did not just make these numbers up.

To get the max ammount of towing number from these trucks you take the GCWR subtracting the weight of the truck or the GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight).

And then comes the question, can it really handle this much? Well if the person towing has a brain and is towing 5k plus pounds I think it's required in most states to have trailer brakes? That eliminates all the bickering about "Oh the truck won't be able to stop that much weight!" Also comes into play is the heavier truck. The F-150 is heavier yes, that helps towing too. I don't feel I need to go more in depth with this but please if you need clarification feel free to ask.

I remember a while back, not to go off topic or upset others, just to clarify some peoples opinions. The Dodge Ram HD is rated for 16,500 lbs max. (Numbers may be a bit off and I'm sorry for that) The Ford SD is rated at 14,200. The Chevy is rated somewhere around 16,000. Oh my, does this mean that Chevy and Dode are over rated? Oh no! They are not. This is the same thing with the new F-150. You guys are yelling thoughts that have no relavance on this towing issue other than, THE TITAN MADE IT GO HIGHER! Do you think that maybe it had something to do with the other extensive tests done with the new F-150? I sure do.

Face it - you guys do not want to accept that a FORD (OH GOSH NO!) could be the best towing vehicle in the half ton catagory. Accept it folks because they did just set the bar for half ton towing.

Also please don't bash me with saying compairing the HD towing specs to the Halfers is compairing apples to oranges. It's the same bases of stuff. It's just on a bigger scale. I won't accept you guys saying that just to make yourselves feel better so you can keep with your one set minds.

Give me facts that the F-150 Can't tow this. Don't yell random things out. I NEED FACTS!

 

Thank you.

 

Trailer brakes help a loaded vehicle stop, but the trucks own brakes still do at least 90% of the stopping. Don't believe me? Load your truck and trailer up, get going about 50, and grab the trailer brakes without hitting the trucks brake pedal. After that, unplug your trailer and do just the opposite, using only the trucks brakes. I guarantee you the truck's brakes will stop the vehicle in 1/3 the distance or less. Point? While trailer brakes help, the majority of the braking is still done by the truck itself. Having a trailer with brakes will not make up for a truck with poor brakes in a loaded condition.

Face it - you guys do not want to accept that a FORD (OH GOSH NO!) could be the best towing vehicle in the half ton catagory. Accept it folks because they did just set the bar for half ton towing.

So what you are saying is, regardless of how well a truck pulls and how stable it is while pulling, the only thing that actually dictates the best towing vehicle is the one with the highest factory rating? And a truck that might not be quite as stable, or have quite as competent of a braking system would still possibly be a better towing truck just because the factory rates it higher?

 

Wow, Cirdan49, nice post!
That's what I have been trying to say all along, they can't just make up tow numbers.

EV2DEMON, what truck is going to be more stable towing 9,900 pounds? Not another 1/2 ton, that's for sure.

 

1st, how do you know there isn't another 1/2 ton that wouldn't be as or more stable at 9900 lbs? Just because the factory doesn't rate them that high doesn't mean they are going to break in 1/2 the minute they exceed the factory ratings. You can't really say the F-150 is the most stable at 9900 unless you test the others at thet weight to compare.

Now, I can speak from experience that my Ram is every bit as stable as the 04 F-150 towing 5500 lbs. I've driven both trucks while towing nearly equal weights. I won't say either was better than the other, both pulled good and are plenty capable of pulling that weight safely. I know for a fact that I wouldn't want to be the one bewhind the wheel of the F-150 with nearly double that weight behind it though. What I can say is that the Hemi in my Ram makes significantly more power and torque than the F-150. That alone makes it the better chioce for pulling in my book.

 

Ahem... May I emphasis on Axle Ratio also. Not only will engines make a difference. I sure don't think that 10 extra ft/bl of torque would do much If I were in a 04 150ter with a 4.1 while you were behind your HEMI with a 3.55. You'd be surprised how that ratio really affects towing.

I'll go back into hiding now.

 

EV2DEMON, the Ram 1/2 ton isn't safe to tow 9,900 pounds, not even according to Dodge. Therefore, it shouldn't be doing it. The Ford however, can tow 9,900 pounds.

 

Since you asked, my wifes truck has 3.92 gears, which are mandatory with the 20's. My neighbor's F-150 has 3.73's with the 18 inch wheels. The over all effective gear ratios are about the same given the 275/60/20's are about an inch taller than the 275/60/18's.

 

Even still, regardless of the tires, wheels or gears, the Ram shouldn't be towing 9,900 pounds. It's ok to tow it with the F-150, though.

 

Fair enough.

The Ram will tow up to 8600 lbs better.